Shenzhen's 'parkscape': Where nature and urban oasis converge

Shenzhen, hailed as the "City of a Thousand Parks," owns the highest number of parks among China's first-tier cities. There are five major parks in the central of the city that connected through hiking trails, suburban trails, and park roads, as a core part of the city's Mountain-Sea Linkage Program. For citizens in Shenzhen, ecological wetlands located by the seaside and pet-friendly street parks are also great choice for the weekend.

Unique themed parks

A scene of OCT Wetland Park. Photos from GD Today

Shenzhen OCT Wetland Park (华侨城湿地公园), blanketed by vast expanses of reed and wetlands, stands as the sole urban coastal mangrove wetland park in China, earning the well-deserved reputation of "a hidden oasis amidst the bustling city."

An aerial photo of Shenzhen Talent Park.

In tribute to the outstanding individuals who have contributed to Shenzhen's development over the past three decades, Shenzhen has constructed the first park with the theme of "talent," namely the Shenzhen Talent Park (深圳人才公园).

A photo of Qiushui Mountain Park.

At Qiushui Mountain Park (求水山公园), you can enjoy the views of the sprawling mountains and Shenzhen Reservoir. The lake, mountains, and skyscrapers create a harmonious blend. In the evening, this place also serves as an ideal destination to admire the sunset scenery.

A photo of Pingshan Children's Park.

Pingshan Children's Park (坪山儿童公园) stands out for its eco-friendly attractions, such as a skateboarding area, an amphitheater, a looping ramp, and a metasequoia wetland. These unique features have earned it widespread recognition.

A photo in front of the gate of Jingtianbei 6th Street Pet Park.

Jingtianbei 6th Street Pet Park is the first pet-themed park in Shenzhen. The park is equipped with pet training facilities, pet leisure areas, and lavatories. Various entertaining amenities help foster intimate interactions between pets and their owners.

Five parks interconnected

It's worth mentioning that five major parks in the central part of Shenzhen were officially interconnected on Jan. 6. The five gardens refer to Lianhua Hill Park, Bijia Hill Park, Shenzhen Central Park, Meilin Mountain Park, and Yinhu Mountain Park (莲花山公园、笔架山公园、中心公园、梅林山公园和银湖山公园).

"Before the parks were connected, hikers had to trek along a stretch of mountain trails, took a long detour, and finally found their way up the mountain," said an official from the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Futian District.

Now the five major parks are connected through hiking trails and pathways, creating a network where visitors can enjoy all the parks at their own pace. (GD Today)