Explore Shenzhen | 10 recommended parks in Shenzhen

Hailed as a city of parks, Shenzhen is home to over 1,000 parks of different sizes. How to pick from the city’s long, long list of parks? Below are 10 of our recommended parks, each with distinct characteristics.

Lianhua Hill Park

Lianhua Hill Park in central Futian District is one of the favorite leisure destinations of Shenzhen residents. The broad lawn in the south of the park serves as an ideal site for picnicking, camping and kite flying, while the hilltop is the perfect spot for an aerial view of the city’s Futian CBD area and for watching marvelous light shows at nights.

Metro: Lines 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站)

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Honghu Park

Ask a long-time Shenzhen resident where to go in summer to admire lotus flowers, and you will get a definite answer: Honghu Park. Boasting 150,000 square meters of lotus ponds, this park in Luohu District has been the venue for the Shenzhen Lotus Show for over three decades, with hundreds of species of lotus flowers exhibited in each edition of the event.

Metro: Line 7 to Honghu Station (洪湖站)

Opening Hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Yandun Hill Ecological Park

Also known as Yandun Hill International Friendship Park, this park in Yantian District was built to commemorate the establishment of friendly relationship between Yantian District and the city of La Coruna in Spain.

The Tower of Hercules in the park, a replica of the Tower of Hercules near La Coruna, is a token of friendship between Yantian and La Coruna. The park is also an ideal place for taking some nice photos of the bustling Yantian Port.

Transportation: take a bus to Yantian Seafood Street ③ Station (盐田海鲜街路口③站)

Opening hours: all day

Shenzhen Bay Park

The sky, the sea and urban landscape converge in Shenzhen Bay Park, making it one of the city’s most popular photo spots. The park is also one of the best birding sites in Shenzhen between September and April each year as migratory birds make a stopover here.

Metro: Line 9 to Shenzhen Bay Park Station (深圳湾公园站)

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Lixin Lake Park

In a city abundant with water bodies of various types, Lixin Lake in Bao’an District’s Fuyong area still stands out for its unique charm. Cycling along the 8-kilometer greenway around the lake is a recommended way to enjoy the park’s scenery. Alternatively, you may take a stroll - in this case, don’t forget to ascend the viewing platform for a panoramic view of the 120,000-square-meter lake and its surroundings.

Metro: Line 11 to Qiaotou Station (桥头站)

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Longtan Park

Watching reflections of the sky and the clouds on a lake surface can help to dispel bad moods. If you live in eastern Shenzhen, Longtan Park in Longgang District is a good pick. On the island in the heart of Longtan Lake stands a two-story pavilion. Watching from the pavilion reflections on the lake’s surface while breezes caress your face brings a sense of joy and peace.

Metro: Line 3 to Longcheng Square Station (龙城广场站)

Opening hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Yangtai Mountain Forest Park

Forest parks are usually regarded as oxygen bars in cities. If that’s what you’re looking for in Shenzhen, try the Yangtai Mountain Forest Park. The tallest mountain in western Shenzhen with its main peak standing at 581 meters, the Yangtai Mountain is quite popular among hikers and tourists.

Metro: Line 6 to Yangtai Mountain East Station (阳台山东站)

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. for hiking trails, and 6 a.m.-10 p.m. for the plaza

Maluan Mountain Country Park

Wondering where to go for waterfalls in Shenzhen? You should not miss the Maluan Mountain Country Park. This park in Pingshan District is where you will find Shenzhen’s largest waterfall and one of the most beautiful waterfall clusters. Plants of different species, including quite a few protected species, are abundant in this pristine environment.

Transportation: take a bus to Maluan Mountain Park Terminal Station (马峦山园区总站). For self-driving visitors, reservations for parking spaces are required

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Hongqiao Park

With a length of four kilometers and an average height from the ground of eight meters, the red bridge in Hongqiao Park in Guangming District is like a red ribbon fluttering above forests and urbanscape. Walking and cycling are both good ways to explore the park, and the three nearby bridges, all of which are part of the Dadingling Greenway, are also worthy of a visit.

Transportation: take a bus to Hongqiao Park Station (虹桥公园站)

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. for the park area, and 6 a.m.-7 p.m. for the forest area

Dapeng Peninsula National Geological Park

While best known for its breathtaking sea views, Dapeng Peninsula in eastern Shenzhen has much more to offer. It is, for example, home to the Dapeng Peninsula National Geological Park, the only geological park in the city. The Dapeng Peninsula National Geological Park Museum inside the park, featuring a wide array of exhibits such as animal fossils and installations, is a great place for some quality family time.

Transportation: take a bus to National Geological Park Station (国家地质公园站)

Museum opening hours: 9: 30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Tuesday to Friday), 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (weekends and statutory holidays), closed Mondays