Downtown parks connect urban oases

A combined photo of Meilin Mountain Park, Yinhu Mountain Park, Bijia Hill Park, Shenzhen Central Park and Lianhua Hill Park. Photos from WeChat account “happyfutian” unless otherwise stated

Shenzhen’s downtown parks have become increasingly linked through a series of hiking trails, flyovers and greenways, providing residents with accessible and interconnected natural spaces.

Beginning at Meilin Mountain Park (梅林山公园) and winding through Yinhu Mountain Park (银湖山公园), Bijia Hill Park (笔架山公园), Shenzhen Central Park (深圳中心公园) and Lianhua Hill Park (莲花山公园), participants immersed themselves in the lush landscapes, forests and mountains in this warmly cozy winter.

A map of the five major downtown parks. 

Meilin Mountain Country Park

The Meilin Mountain Country Park is divided into two parts by the Meilin Reservoir and water source protection area, forming two areas to the south and north respectively, with a total area of about 6.9 square kilometers.

The highest peak in the southern part of the park is at an altitude of 362 meters, and the highest peak in the northern part has an altitude of 386 meters. The Meilin Mountain Country Park boasts forest and natural resources. The main hiking trail in the southern part of the park is about 10 km long. The northern part is yet to be constructed.The park abounds with forest resources and is known as the city's important treasury of natural resources.

The Meilin Mountain Country Trail is nearly 8 km long and has two entrances, including the Mei'ao Entrance and Meilin Mountain Back Entrance. It is mainly built in the form of handmade trails, retaining the original wilderness of the mountains. The handmade trail not only reduces the damage to nature, but also provides people who live in the city for a long time opportunities to get close to primitive nature.

Add: No.14, Meiting Road, Futian

Metro: Line 2 to Qiaoxiang Station

The Kunpeng Trail (鲲鹏径) provides a connection between Meilin Mountain Park and Yinhu Mountain Park. The Kunpeng Trail No. 1 Bridge (一号桥) appears as an ordinary flyover from a distance but upon closer inspection, you will discover that it is a nice little natural habitat where native plants grow and animals of the two mountains can safely traverse the bridge alongside humans.

The Kunpeng Trail No. 1 Bridge connecting Meilin Mountain Park and Yinhu Mountain Park.

Yinhu Mountain Park, situated east of Meilin Mountain, boasts multiple trails and a picturesque reservoir, presenting itself as a gem in the city. 

Lianhuashan Park

The Lianhuashan Park, also known as the Lianhua Hill Park, spans 181 hectares and is situated at the northern edge of the city center. The park is known due to its seven hills that embrace each other like a lotus flower in bloom. 

The park was formally opened to the public in June 1997, and has a distinctive geographic setting and a humanistic landscape. The park is an ecological municipal park that serves as a window showcasing Shenzhen's beauty. With an annual attendance of roughly 10 million visitors, it has been dubbed a "National Key Park" and "National Red Tourism Demonstration Base."

The park’s main landscapes include an artificial lake, a kite square, woods, grassy lawns and a teahouse. The main peak of Lianhuashan is above 100 meters and has a 4,000-square-meter plaza containing a bronze statue of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, which is the best place for tourists to commemorate the great man of the generation and see the city's beautiful scenery as well. The 10-meter-tall statue was the first urban statue of Deng approved by the Central Government.

Add: 6030 Hongli Road, Futian

Metro: Line 2 to Lianhua West Station, Exit A1

Bijia Mountain Park

Located north of downtown Shenzhen, the Bijia Mountain Park covers 146 hectares and has more than 10 small hills. The three main peaks have a shape like a penholder used for traditional Chinese calligraphy. The main peak is about 178 meters high.The park covers an area of 1.49 square kilometers. It was built in 1989 and officially opened to the public in October 1999. In 2008, it was rated as a "five-star" park in Shenzhen.

Green landscapes are important features of the park, which is home to a variety of animals and plants and is a great place for citizens to escape from busy work. Two artificial lakes and a grass course are built in the park, which also has public fishing and barbecue facilities. Alarge number of outdoor events are held in the park on a regular basis.

Add: No. 26 Meigang Road, Futian

Metro: Line 6 to Yinhu Station; Line 7 to Huangmugang Station

Shenzhen Central Park

The Shenzhen Central Park is covered mostly with plant landscapes, utilizing the diversity of natural plant shapes and seasonal changes to create landscapes.

The park offers various exercise equipment, sports facilities (tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts), and a cultural plaza for the public. It also features city sculpture landscapes, tropical garden landscapes and other scenery.

Fengyuxuan is a multi-functional service space integrating a book bar, a nature education center and a visitor service center. It is also designed with a city exhibition hall, a public reading hall, a lecture hall, a nature activity room, and a baby care room.

Add: No. 1, Zhenhua West Road, Futian

Metro:

1 About 800 meters west of Huaqiang Road Station, Line 1

2 About 800 metres west of Huaqiang North Station, Line 2 / Line 7

3 Line 3 to Huaxin Station

New parks in SZ

In addition to the interconnected downtown parks, the city recently welcomes several new parks, enhancing Shenzhen’s natural beauty and offering a respite from the urban hustle and bustle.

Cuihu Cultural and Sports Park 翠湖文体公园

Covering 247,000 square meters, Cuihu Cultural and Sports Park, located west of the Shenzhen Reservoir in Luohu District, is a zero-carbon park adopting the PEDF (photovoltaic, energy storage, direct current, flexibility) system. It was constructed using eco-friendly practices, such as permeable pavement, bioswales and high carbon-sink plants. The park utilizes natural water for irrigation, landscaping and fire protection.

An aerial view of Cuihu Cultural and Sports Park. Photo by Lai Li

The park’s imagery draws inspiration from beavers, featured prominently in decorations and children’s recreational facilities. In the park, visitors can enjoy distant views of Wutong Mountain. Towards the north entrance, there is a designated area where people can relax with their pets. The park also provides access to the Taojin Mountain Greenway for jogging enthusiasts.

Metro: Line 5 to Buxin Station (布心站), Exit D

Children's recreational facilities at Cuihu Cultural and Sports Park. Photo from WeChat account "newluoohu"

Zhongxin River Park Phase 2 中心河公园二期

Zhongxin River Park Phase 2 spans from Anwan 1st Street (岸湾一街) in the south to Dongbin Road (东滨路) in the north, along the west bank of Zhongxin River. Amid the skyscrapers in Nanshan District, the park and the river resemble a jade belt meandering through the urban area down to Shenzhen Bay.

A glance at Zhongxin River Park Phase 2. Photo from WeChat account “lovenanshan”

Visitors can stroll along the river, play with fountains, exercise on fitness facilities and revel in flamboyant flowers and tranquil green spaces. They can also recharge their phones using photovoltaic charging facilities on the benches.

Colorful paintings themed around marine culture and dragon boats on bridge piers display the natural and humanistic charm of Shenzhen Bay.

Metro: Line 2 to Haiyue Station (海月站), Exit A or Wanxia Station (湾厦站), Exit A

Guangming Science City Wisdom Park 科学城智慧公园

Guangming Science City Wisdom Park, with some areas still undergoing construction, has opened to the public. Covering 253,000 square meters, the park sits to the south of the Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen Campus and to the north of the OCT Farm in Guangming District.

Guangming Science City Wisdom Park. Photos from Bao’an Daily

Evolving from the transformation of existing lakes, the park provides serene waterfront spaces for visitors. With running tracks and leisure facilities, as well as verdant lawns and pristine lakes adorned by egrets, the park presents an idyllic environment for relaxation.

Metro: Line 6 Branch Line to Sun Yat-sen University Station (中大站), Exit A

Guangming Science City Wisdom Park. Photos from Bao’an Daily

Longgang Children’s Park 龙岗儿童公园

Nestled in a forest, Longgang Children’s Park is home to Asia’s largest pirate ship and a mountain-perched Ferris wheel. Covering 320,000 square meters, the park was meticulously designed to complement the existing forest and mountain terrain. In addition to the 108-seat pirate ship, the park also features various amusement facilities and handmade hiking trails, forming various recreational routes throughout the mountain and the forest.

A panoramic view of Longgang Children’s Park. Photo by Yang Shaokun

The 108-seat pirate ship at Longgang Children’s Park. Photo from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Visitors are required to reserve their visits through the park’s WeChat account (“龙岗儿童公园”) before entering it.

Metro: Line 16 to Yuyuan Station (愉园站), Exit C

Xiangmi Park

The Xiangmi Park was previously the Agricultural Science Research Center of the Agricultural Science Group. Futian's Urban Management and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau formally started the project in 2014, and the park opened July 19, 2017. Since then, people from all walks of life have praised the park for its landscape, theme, and function. The park quickly gained popularity by capturing the essence of Shenzhen. 

Dubbed “the most beautiful park in Shenzhen” and “the green lung of the metropolis,” the Xiangmi Park offers a pleasant and soothing vista. In the park, there is a glazed walkway in the air where you can enjoy the view of the whole litchi orchard. The most beautiful marriage registration office is also located inside the park. Standing with your lover among a park full of roses cannot be more romantic.

1 Rose Garden

The rose garden hosts the marriage registration office of the Futian Civil Affairs Bureau and is a must-visit spot.

2 Ecological grass ditch

The park has set up concave grass strips on both sides of the jogging and walking paths in order to undertake the sponge city policy.

Add: 30 Nongyuan Road, Futian  

Metro: Nonglin Station, Exit C, and walk around 650 meters

Futian Coastal Ecological Sports Park

The Futian Coastal Ecological Sports Park is located on the southeast side of the intersection of Baishi and Hongshulin roads, north side of Binhai Boulevard, and on top of the Futian Water Purification Plant of Shenzhen Water Co. 

It has a total area of 76,000 square meters, including 31,200 square meters for sports facilities and 17,900 square meters for green spaces. It also has two standard 11-player football fields, four standard eight-player football fields, and two five-player football fields.

The park is the country's first football-themed sports ecological park built on top of a water purification plant. The concept of "water plant in the house, park on the rooftop" has helped Shenzhen improve the quality and efficiency of its comprehensive reform, helping create the first demonstration area of its kind in the city. A rainbow bridge, known as a music walkway, with LED light-emitting piano keys of sound and light features, is built on the east side of the park.

Add: No.5, Baishi Road, Futian

Metro: Line 1 to Zhuzilin Station, Exit B1 

Litchi Park

Situated in busy downtown Shenzhen, the Litchi Park is known as the "No. 1 park in Shenzhen." Built in 1982, the park got its name from its 500 litchi trees and held a special place in the hearts of Shenzhen's earliest residents.The park covers an area of 300,000 square meters (lake, pond, pool and other waters account for 100,000 square meters).

More than 20 sightseeing attractions and leisure and entertainment places are in the park, including pavilions, terraces, buildings, waterside pavilions, bridges, flower corridors, bamboo paths, dance venues, book bars, amusement facilities and so on. Taking "elegant, peaceful and quiet" as the important guiding ideology, the park reflects a strong Lingnan style with large areas of litchi and other plants.

Add: 1001 Hongling Road Central, Futian

Metro: Line 3 to Hongling Station; Line 1to Grand Theatre Station 

Huanggang Park

Situated in the southern portion of Futianand  bordered by Fuqiang Road to the south and Yitian Road to the west, the Huanggang Park boasts various sports and entertainment facilities to meet the needs of different visitors.

As an urban oasis with lush mountains, woods and a lovely setting, it attracts many tourists. To meet the demands of the general public for leisure, entertainment and activities, the park provides three entrance squares, two parking lots, three public restrooms, nine landscape pavilions, and hiking pathways of more than 1,000 meters. In addition to scenic sites generally found in parks, including a grassland, a corridor and a garden, the park also has tennis courts and a fitness square.

The South Gate Square offers a new public restroom, two rain shelter corridors, and a flower-themed square featuring Ceiba insignis.

The West Gate Square features a fan-shaped pattern and is used for dancing, sports and entertainment.

The East Gate Square is a comprehensive area integrating parking, rain shelter and recreation.

The Center Lawn is a huge area of sparsely forested lawn where the public can wander.

The tree shade path is surrounded by lush trees, and in the summer, visitors may feel cool and comfortable when taking a walk.

On the hiking trail, visitors can exercise, breathe in fresh air and enjoy the gorgeous landscape.

Add: 2088 Fuqiang Road, Futian

Metro: Line 7 to Huanggang Village Station, Exit A

Futian Mangrove Ecological Park

The Futian Mangrove Ecological Park, which integrates science popularization education, coastal culture, natural landscape, leisure and sightseeing, is located at the estuary of the Xinzhou and Shenzhen rivers, and is adjacent to the Futian Mangrove National Nature Reserve to the west.

Birds spotted at Futian Mangrove Ecological Park. Photo by Wang Haolan

About 100,000 migratory birds of 189 species come to the reserve every winter, and more than 20 of the species are rare and protected. There also are 55 species of rare plants. The reserve forms a green corridor through downtown between Binhai Boulevard and Shenzhen Bay. Numerous bird-watchers, strolling couples and people simply enjoying bay breezes are attracted to the reserve every day.

The park covers an area of about 380,000 square meters, consisting of tourist, ecological restoration and ecological control areas. It was officially opened to the public on December 26, 2015. The Natural Power Playground has an area of about 1,100 square meters, and is suitable for babies under 3 years old to receive an early nature education.

Add: Junction of Furong Road and Xinzhou Road, Futian

Metro:

1 Line 3to Yitian Station, Exit D

2 Line 7to Shawei Station, Exit A or B