McDonald's has alternatives for park picnics

For those who prefer not to pack their own food for a picnic or wait longer than expected for the frustrated delivery guy to bring their meals to the middle of a park, McDonald’s has offered new options.

Recently, the fast-food chain opened Happy Huts in four Shenzhen parks, where parkgoers can buy coffee, other drinks, and ice creams. They can also order burgers, chicken nuggets and potato chips online to be picked up at the joints within the parks.

The McDonald’s hut in Minghu Park, Guangming District sits at the center of a vast lawn. File photos

Lianhua Hill Park

The cream-colored hut with a red roof is near the southern gate of the park and immediately visible when the parkgoer looks to the left. Not far from the huge lawn where many people fly kites on sunny days, the McDonald’s hut is just so convenient to access. Order your snacks before heading for the park, and in 15-20 minutes, you can pick them up at the hut.

Business hours: 3 p.m.-6 p.m. on workdays; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends and holidays

Add: near the southern gate of Lianhua Hill Park

Shenzhen Bay Park

There are two McDonald’s huts in the Shenzhen Bay Park in Nanshan District, one with an outdoor dining area with a sea view, the other in the shape of a minivan painted with images of the black-faced spoonbill, a star migrant bird seen in the area in winter. The first one is in the shape of a Happy Meal box, with a big “M” on top of the red roof.

Hut No. 1:

Business hours: 2 p.m.-8 p.m. on workdays; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays

Add: about 300 meters from the Exit A of the Shenzhen Bay Park Metro Station

Hut No. 2:

Business hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends and holidays

Add: about 200 meters left of the No. 7 car park of Shenzhen Bay Park

Minghu Park

Located in Guangming District, the huge park boasts mountains, forests, a lake and a vast lawn fit for camping and flying kites. The McDonald’s hut, sitting at the center of the lawn, resembles a giant gift box, with its bright red and yellow set against the backdrop of lush greenery. The grass is so soft and fluffy that parkgoers will find it most relaxing to rest on the lawn.

Business hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends and holidays

Add: southeast of the Northern Plaza of Minghu Park

Yangtai Mountain Forest Park

Located in the northwest of Shenzhen, the 500-meter-tall Yangtai Mountain surrounding a beautiful reservoir is the main attraction of the forest park. It is heavily wooded with native and exotic vegetation and abounds in wildlife.

The McDonald’s hut, with creamy walls and a red roof, stands right opposite the front gate of the forest park. It’s also very close to the Metro exit.

A hiker walks past the McDonald’s hut near the gate of Yangtai Mountain Forest Park.

Business hours: 12p.m.-8 p.m. on weekends and holidays

Add: 300 meters away from the Exit A of Yangtai Mountain East Metro Station