Discovering hidden coffee gems in Guangming's parks

Nestled in northwestern Shenzhen, Guangming District offers a wealth of mountains, forests, and lakes, providing easy access to picturesque landscapes. The Maozhou River, Shenzhen’s longest waterway, meanders through the district. With 279 parks, Guangming leads the city in blending green spaces with urban living.

Strolling through these parks, discovering a café or tea shop, and sitting down to admire the scenery has become a favored pastime for modern city dwellers seeking to experience an urban oasis.

Yuezaiting Art Station

The 4.03-million-square-meter Hongqiao Park stands out among the district’s parks. It features the iconic Red Bridge, a 4-kilometer-long canopy walkway that weaves through lush vegetation and above shimmering waters.

Yuezaiting Art Station. Photos by Windy Shao except otherwise stated

Yuezaiting Art Station, unveiled in Hongqiao Park in May 2024, offers a tranquil retreat inspired by Lingnan-garden design. The space features a café on the third floor and a tea lounge on the second, seamlessly blending art and leisure. Perched on a litchi-covered hillside, it provides visitors with breathtaking views of Hongqiao Park, including a panoramic view of the Red Bridge.

Apexone offers a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle.

On the 3rd floor of Yuezaiting, the Apexone café offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle with carefully brewed Yunnan mountain coffee. Visitors can relax, admire the park’s mountains, forests, and lakes through large windows, and enjoy the tranquil ambiance.

Yuezaiting offers perfect photo opportunities.

Meanwhile, on the 2nd floor, Puunana, a premium tea shop, offers an open setting distinct from Apexone’s enclosed space. Specializing in Chinese-style teas, fruit drinks, and light snacks, Puunana provides visitors with a place to unwind by the lakeside and enjoy its carefully curated menu.

Puunana offers a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to enjoy nature's beauty. 

Wild Space

Nestled in the heart of Hongqiao Park’s South Square, Wild Space is a tea shop exuding charm. As you step into the park, your eyes will be drawn to a building adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. What sets it apart is the unique balcony design on the second floor, giving the structure the appearance of a massive hat from a distance.

Wild Space is located in a building that looks like a massive hat from a distance. 

Wild Space seamlessly blends natural aesthetics with contemporary living. The interior decor mirrors its name, featuring dried reeds that create a rustic and untamed ambiance.

Offering a variety of coffee, fruit teas, and desserts, this spot caters to visitors of all ages. Unlike the serene atmosphere of Yuezaiting, the South Square bustles with activities and markets on weekends, making it the liveliest area in the park.

KCOFFEE

A well-known haunt for locals, KCOFFEE is located within the Hongqiao Park Service Center. KCOFFEE serves as a refuge where individuals of all ages can pause to enjoy a cup of coffee and light snacks during busy weekends.

Despite its modest storefront, KCOFFEE offers a diverse menu, including a range of coffee options and simple meals that are served quickly to accommodate visitors on the go.

Light Realm & Mountain Mould

The 980,000-square-meter North Wing of Guangming Science Park, which opened in July 2024, serves as a convergence point for artistic, scientific, and recreational endeavors, catering to residents and tourists alike. When other sections are completed, Guangming Science Park will encompass 2.165 million square meters, making it Shenzhen’s largest urban park.

Light Realm & Mountain Mould. Liu Xudong

After ascending through the forest to reach the summit of the mountain, guests are greeted with a breathtaking panoramic view of Guangming and a unique coffee shop called Light Realm & Mountain Mould, a serene resting place for weary climbers. Aside from coffee, tea, and snacks, this shop also showcases various cultural and artistic products.

The Science Crown in Guangming Science Park. Liu Xudong

The iconic “Science Crown” circular viewing platform surrounds the coffee shop. Viewed from afar, the platform resembles a UFO on the mountain’s peak. Parts of the platform walkway have glass floors, allowing visitors to see the tree canopy below.

Kafa Coffee

Kafa Coffee’s automated coffee machines are located in Hongqiao Park, Science Park, and Xincheng Park, offering a quick and convenient coffee experience. Using premium Arabica beans from Ethiopia and milk from New Zealand, the machines freshly grind and brew each cup on demand.

Since its introduction to Shenzhen last March, the Kafa Coffee system has impressed users with its integrated internet technology, big data, and artificial intelligence. This innovation not only ensures an efficient process but also sets a new standard for freshly ground coffee in the self-service coffee market.