Expats explore wonders of Baguang

Video by Lin Songtao

On a bright and sunny Sunday, a group of about 12 expats and nature enthusiasts — primarily researchers, teachers, and students — stepped out from their campuses to explore Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park in Dapeng New Area.

Visitors enjoy time-honored wonders during a hike in Dapeng New Area on Sunday. Photos by Lin Songtao and Liu Xudong 

The event, themed “Exploring Nature’s Beauty and Ancient Wonders in Baguang,” was co-organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology, and Innovation Bureau and EyeShenzhen, with support from the Dapeng New District Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, the Dapeng New District Construction and Development Center of Key Areas, and the Baguang Nature School.

Guided by Ou Wei, vice principal of the Baguang Nature School, and other volunteers, the group consisted of expats from the U.S., France, Portugal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, and Indonesia. They navigated the dense mangrove forests, listening intently to the volunteers’ explanations about various plant species and the intricacies of the mangrove ecosystem.

Polina Miroshnik takes photos in the Yanzao Village. Liu Xudong

The common names of Heritiera littoralis — looking-glass mangrove or silver-leaf mangrove — stem from the distinctive appearance of its leaves, which are green on one side and silver on the other. Within the wetland park stands an ancient cluster of silver-leaf mangroves, recognized as the oldest and most intact natural grouping of its kind in China and the world.

According to Ou, the silver-leaf is a valuable species of mangrove, and this ancient mangrove cluster plays a vital role in the mangrove ecosystem. In addition to silver-leaf mangroves, the forest is home to other notable species, including Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza.

Participants observe plants in the park. Liu Xudong

Volunteers Huang Guo, Du Cao, and Sun Pingnyu also introduced various animals that inhabit the park, such as fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, and mudskippers. The expats caught glimpses of butterflies and birds as they explored the area. They paused to admire the lush mangrove forest and wildlife, capturing the beauty of this unique ecosystem with their cameras and binoculars.

Ou shared additional insights into the park’s history, including information about Yanzao Village — a 300-year-old Hakka settlement — along with eco-education initiatives and nature conservation efforts.

Ana Gouveia (L) observes a Kandelia obovata tree in the park. Lin Songtao

Ana Gouveia, an assistant professor at the Institute of Environment and Ecology at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, has visited mangrove forests in places like Indonesia and Futian District. She noted that this was her first time seeing looking-glass mangroves with parts of their roots exposed above ground.

Through the event, Gouveia learned about the city’s mangrove conservation efforts, which are led by the city and the Baguang Nature School. “The volunteers are professional and knowledgeable,” she remarked, acknowledging their commitment to protecting the area and raising awareness among visitors.

“For research, this is also very important,” Gouveia added. “If we have these areas accessible to us as researchers, we can understand how ecosystems work and how to protect them.”

Salindra Dayananda, from Sri Lanka, takes an interest in a Heritiera littoralis mangrove during a hike in the Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park in Dapeng New Area on Sunday.

Salindra Dayananda, from Sri Lanka, brought a notebook to record the species he observed. “So far, in one hour, I’ve seen 12 butterfly species and 12 bird species, including kingfishers and egrets, and other small creatures like crabs,” Dayananda said.

Dayananda, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Environment and Ecology at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, focuses on birds and butterflies. He mentioned that the journey to this remote area from the city center could inspire his research and help him identify the factors influencing biodiversity in urban environments.

Maria Monteiro, a French teacher from Shekou International School, expressed that the mangrove forest allowed her to perceive the communication among plants and the continuity of life. Highlighting the importance of nature education for children, she said, “We are part of nature. We can find all the solutions in nature, even to guide our own lives.”

In 2023, the ancient looking-glass mangrove cluster in Baguang was selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Clusters in China, and it is the only mangrove cluster included on the national list. It was also recognized as one of the 10 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Clusters in Guangdong Province in 2022.

Ancient trees a testament to history and nature

Shenzhen, a modern and thriving city founded around 40 years ago, is home to 1,716 ancient trees that have borne witness to the area’s history for centuries.

Ancient trees, regarded as natural and cultural heritage, are believed to hold significant ecological, historical, cultural, scientific, and economic value. They are now attracting increasing attention from a growing number of people and sectors.

An ancient tree in Longgang District. File photo

As of the end of Sept. 2024, the city had recorded 1,716 ancient trees, including 4 that are more than 500 years old, 63 between 300 and 499 years, and 1,639 between 100 and 299 years. Among these, there are 588 in Dapeng New Area, 240 in Longgang District, and 156 in Pingshan District.

The ancient tree cluster is a unique area that is home to multiple tree species that reflect and record social and natural development.

The ancient looking-glass cluster in Baguang has been selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Clusters in China. It spans 80,700 square meters and contains 33 ancient trees that have an average age of over 200 years. It is also home to more than 50 species of birds.

Residents spend time under a 522-year-old Cinnamomum camphora in 520 Xiangzhang Square, an ancient tree garden in Yantian District. File photo

Shenzhen places great importance on protecting ancient trees and has released a series of measures and documents to regulate their conservation. Earlier this year, the city issued guidelines to protect ancient trees during urban construction. Since 2023, the city has preserved 44 ancient trees affected by urban construction projects.

In addition, efforts are underway to develop ancient tree parks and gardens, such as Longgang Xintangkeng Ancient Tree Park and the ancient tree garden in Zhongshan Park in Nanshan District, with comprehensive functions for travel, entertainment, appreciation, and science education.

The city aims to build 30 ancient tree parks and gardens by 2035.