The Shenzhen observatory, on top of the hill to the east of Xichong beach, proposed early last year to build Xichong into a dark sky community for the benefit of scientific research and astronomy fans.

Shenzhen, though a modern metropolis, is home to some mountains worth trekking.

During workday rush hours, the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, running through the Nanshan District from the north to the south, is always bustling with commuters on bikes. As the corridor connects the business centers of the Shenzhen Bay area and Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park in Yuehai Subdistrict with the higher education block of Shenzhen University Town in Xili Subdistrict, the ecological corridor not only relieves traffic pressure but also provides a healthy slow traffic system for bike commuters. At dawn and dusk every day, joggers, alone or in groups, run along the banks of the corridor to enjoy a healthy life.

Keep the following list handy that maps out some of the less crowded routes and destinations in Shenzhen, and make a plan for an outdoor weekend.