Living in SZ | Explore the award-winning Xili Lake Greenway

The first phase of the Xili Lake Greenway in Nanshan District that opened to the public in April 2023 recently garnered significant recognition by winning the gold prize in the park and open environment category at the 2024 MUSE Design Awards in the United States. The award marked Shenzhen’s only award-winning project in this category for this year’s competition.

An aerial view of a section of the first phase of the Xili Lake Greenway in Nanshan District. Photos from official WeChat account "蛇口消息报" unless otherwise stated

The MUSE Design Awards is an international design competition, initiated by the International Awards Associate (IAA) in 2015, which aims to honor outstanding and original design work across various fields including architecture, interior design, product design, landscape architecture, lighting, furniture and fashion across the world.

The 3.7-kilometer-long section starts at the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, and extends north along the Xili Lake Road before eventually connecting with the Yanqing Creak Greenway in Dakan Village. It features notable landmarks such as the Xili Lake Archway and the Qinyuan Road Boardwalk along the route.

A platform with river views that is part of the first phase of the Xili Lake Greenway. 

The first phase of the project offers visitors a rich array of landscape experiences through five themed areas: water, forests, the lake, streams and mountains. Each area is creatively designed to enhance the existing landscape while preserving the original ecology of the greenway.

The upcoming second phase, spanning approximately 12 kilometers, will form a loop around the Xili Reservoir, complementing the first phase, upon completion.

Located in Xili Subdistrict in northern Nanshan District, the Xili Lake Greenway plays a vital role in the local ecological environment. It links important infrastructures such as public parks, research institutes, residential communities and industrial clusters. It is an integral part of the regional tourism system alongside Yangtai Mountain, Tanglang Mountain and the Dasha River Ecological Corridor that links with the Shenzhen Bay Park.

Designed with a focus on minimal environmental interference, the project is built to high standards to ensure it harmoniously coexists with its surroundings while meeting the needs of the public in the neighborhood.

Kids are seen playing on a section of the first phase of the Xili Lake Greenway. 

The greenway seamlessly integrates with the communities of the Xili Lake International Science and Education Town, emerging as a favored spot for residents to engage in fitness, sports, hiking and other leisure activities.

Metro: Line 7 to Xili Lake Station (西丽湖站), Exit B, then walk for about 800 meters to the Xili Lake Archway

The Xili Lake Greenway exemplifies the outdoor natural resources of Nanshan District. As of the end 2023, the district boasted 77 kilometers of hiking trails and greenways, including those in Yangtai Mountain Forest Park, Tanglang Mountain Country Park and the Dasha River Ecological Corridor. These trails and greenways create a new urban ecological corridor that extends from Yangtai Mountain in the north to the Da’nanshan Mountain in the south.

Of the total length, approximately 38 kilometers are hiking trails including classic routes and newly developed alternatives. The remaining pathways are country trails, all equipped with a well-established signage system. These trails have undergone ecological transformation characterized by handcrafted routes using locally sourced materials, highlighting the district’s mountain resources, cultural significance and urban characteristics.

These trails are complemented by a comprehensive signage system that includes route guides, directional signs, distance markers and warning notices, along with a natural science education system on the boutique routes. All amenities along the trails, such as drainage systems, retaining walls, and rest benches, are made from stones and natural logs found in the vicinity of the trails.

Here are two recommended boutique hiking trails that are easily accessible within the urban area of Nanshan District.

The Pine Trail

青松道

The 3.7-kilometer Pine Trail is the southern segment of the Tanglang Mountain Country Pathway that spans 27.5 kilometers. Starting from Exit B of Shenyun Station (深云站) on Metro Line 7 and ending at the Meiyu Pavilion, the trail is named after the masson pines that grow in the area. In Mandarin, the word for pine (qingsong, 青松) sounds the same as the term for stress-free (qingsong, 轻松), symbolizing a hope that residents can unwind and enjoy a leisurely time on this trail, flanked by dense masson pines and waxberry trees. 

Visitors explore the Pine Trail in Nanshan District. File photo

The trail is rich in biodiversity, featuring natural science educational signs and relaxation facilities along the route, making it an ideal destination for families with young children to explore the wonders and beauty of nature.

Halfway along the trail, visitors will reach the Yicui Pavilion, an excellent observation point for stunning views of the enchanting forest. Visitors will have to navigate a stone step path to reach the Meiyu Pavilion, which has three levels offering a panoramic view of the entire city of Shenzhen from the top.

The Guli Trail

古荔步道

The Guli Trail, which literally means the trail of ancient litchi trees, is nestled in Da’nanshan Mountain in the Shekou area, making it an ideal route for exploring the plant species for which Guangdong is famous.

A visitor takes photos of a sign on Guli Trail in Nanshan District. The words on the sign are an excerpt from a litchi-themed poem by Song-Dynasty poet Su Shi. File photo 

The history of litchi cultivation in Shenzhen dated back over 200 years with the earliest written records from the Qing Dynasty. Official accounts indicate that the oldest existing litchi trees in the city are nearly 350 years old, and there are more than 80 litchi trees aged 250 to 300 years old across Shenzhen.

As part of the Da’nanshan Mountain country route, the handcrafted Guli Trail begins at the Lilin entrance and ends at the summit of the Da’nanshan Mountain, extending a total of 1.7 kilometers. It offers stunning views of the mountain and sea surrounding the Nantou Peninsula.

Featuring a litchi-themed science popularization system that narrates the stories of the fruit, the trail is an excellent choice for family outings and nature experiences. 

The summit of the Da’nanshan Mountain serves as a perfect spot for watching sunsets. As the sun descends into the sea, the clouds and sky are painted red, while the sea sparkles below, enveloping the entire city in a warm golden glow.

While on the summit of the mountain, the Shenzhen Bay is visible on the east side, lined with high-rise buildings overlooking Hong Kong across the water. To the west lies Qianhai Bay, which faces the Pearl River estuary.