Xili Lake Greenway loop opens to public

Although the award-winning first phase of the Xili Lake Greenway in Nanshan District was a pleasant surprise for many Shenzhen residents when it opened to public last year, the 3.7-kilometer-long section felt a bit too short for outdoor enthusiasts looking to hike, barely accommodating an after-dinner stroll.

Photos by Lin Jianping

However, with the recent opening of the second phase of the greenway — a loop around the Xili Reservoir spanning more than 16 kilometers — it has quickly become a favored weekend outdoor option among Shenzheners, particularly those living in Nanshan.

Complementing the first phase project in Dakan Village, the second phase extends westward all the way to the Baimang Station in Baiwang Village, continuing along the Shahe West Road to reach the Lingdian Square, located across from the east entrance to Shenzhen Polytechnic University, covering approximately 12.5 kilometers. The scenery along the greenway is diverse and captivating, featuring the uniquely designed modern architecture and rare pastoral landscapes.

Opened Feb. 22, the Xili Lake Greenway plays a vital role in the local ecological environment, linking urban communities, ancient villages, public parks, research institutes, industrial clusters, mountains, forests, as well as the lake and creeks. It offers visitors a rich array of landscape experiences through a design of “nine sceneries along a loop.”

The design of the greenway prioritizes the protection of the local ecosystem, with construction aimed at enhancing the existing landscape while restoring and preserving the original ecological environment.

The Baimang Tayin, one of the nine scenic spots along the loop, has been transformed from a monotonous water detention pond into a multifunctional recreational destination. The designers have incorporated facilities such as a cycling station, a seven-a-side soccer field, and a skateboarding park, making it a great place for residents to relax and unwind after a meal.

It has been turned into a public space that combines leisure, entertainment, and sports, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of modern urban life and natural ecology.

Continuing eastward, the once-degraded slopes have been revitalized into landscaped planting areas and streamside vegetable gardens by renovating abandoned farmlands and clearing clogged waterways.

In the south of the Makan Village where three streams converge, the landscape designers have restored the area into a habitat of forest and wetland by planting vegetation and creating diverse ecosystems. 

The Hetang Chuiyan scenic spot has been transformed from polluted fishponds of over 16,000 square meters. Former fishing platforms were removed, and replaced with a viewing platform overlooking the litchi forest.

Additionally, an over 86,000-square-meter fragmented space in Dakan Village has been linked together to become a community park: the northern area features a kite-flying lawn, the southern area boasts a baseball field, and a bamboo forest pathway connects the two like a green ribbon. 

With a focus on minimal environmental interference, the greenway seamlessly integrates with the communities of the Xili Lake International Science and Education Town, emerging as a popular spot for residents to engage in fitness, sports, hiking and other leisure activities.

The Xili Lake Greenway was built to high standards to ensure it harmoniously coexists with its surroundings while meeting the needs of the local community. Its first phase, starting at the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, and heading north along the Xili Lake Road before eventually connecting with the Dakan Village, won the gold prize in the park and open environment category at the 2024 MUSE Design Awards in the United States last year. 

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.

Tips:

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

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

Note: Shared bikes are allowed on the greenway only during weekdays