Shenzhen, the city of 1000 parks
Shenzhen’s nickname captures the remarkable variety of green spaces that shape the metropolis, over its famous skycrapers and technologic clusters. "The city of 1000 parks" expresses how can nature, recreation and urban development exist side by side.
Shenzhen, the city of 1000 parks
Sometimes described as “the city of a thousand parks Shenzhen offers far more than conventional urban gardens. Its green spaces connect neighbourhoods with nature, protect important ecosystems and provide a refreshing contrast to the city’s rapid development.
Behind the Name "Shenzhen"
The name Shenzhen 深圳 has an older and more rural origin than the modern city might suggest.
The Chinese character 圳 refers to an irrigation ditch or water channel in fields. The name comes from a deep water ditch near the original settlement, in an area surrounded by waterways and fields. The name is therefore associated with the local landscape and agricultural life rather than with skyscrapers.
In 1980 the city became one of China's first Special Economic Zones.
The transformation was impressive : fisherman villages and agricultural land gave way to factories, residential districts, transport infrastructure and major commercial centres. The city kept some of its formal rural places but yet the relationship between land, water and nature remains more visible in the city's parks.
Top 10 : Our favorite 1% of Shenzhen's Parks
More a curated guide rather than an official ranking, the following selection combines iconic waterfront scenery, contemporary urban design, biodiversity, mountain landscapes and traditional city parks.
Shenzhen Bay Park
Stretching along Shenzhen’s southwestern coastline, Shenzhen Bay Park is one of the city's signature. Its long coastal greenway offers open views across Shenzhen Bay, with Hong Kong visible across the water on clear days.
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The park combines the Mangrove Coastal Ecological Park, which is the best place to watch birds around thewetlands. The contrast between the bay’s natural environment and Shenzhen’s modern skyline is particularly striking in the late afternoon.
Red Bridge Park
In Guangming District, Hongqiao Park is a trully distinctive landscape project. Its defining feature is a striking red elevated walkway that curves through green hills and forest like a ribbon suspended above the landscape and creates one of Shenzhen’s most recognisable outdoor photography locations.
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The bridge stretches approximately 4km and connects different parts of the park, including a lake and forest zone.
Lianhuashan Park
In the heart of Futian District, Lianhuashan Park offers a welcome escape from the surrounding business district. Its wooded slopes, landscaped paths and open lawns provide space for walking, exercise and relaxation.
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The park is especially famous for the large bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping near the summit. From the hilltop, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of central Shenzhen, including the Civic Center and the city's impressive skyline.
Lianhuashan is also a place to observe local life. Starting early in the morning, residents gather for exercise, dancing and other outdoor activities.
Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
For a more botanical experience, head to Fairy Lake Botanical Garden in Luohu District. This large green space combines plant collections, lakes, landscaped gardens and wooded mountain scenery.
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The garden is particularly well known for Hongfa Temple, a Buddhist temple set among the hills. The terrain is more varied than that of many central city parks, with sloping paths and sections that require more walking.
Talent Park
Located in near Shenzhen Bay, Talent Park is a modern waterfront park opened to the public in 2017, closely connected to Shenzhen’s identity as a centre of innovation and entrepreneurship, celebrating the people whose skills and creativity have helped shape the city.
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Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park
Called Yuanboyuan 园博园 in Mandarin, this park was developed around the China International Garden and Flower Expo and features a variety of landscaped spaces and garden styles.
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Its appeal lies in the diversity of its scenery. You can wander through themed gardens, discover decorative structures and designs, and enjoy lakeside paths.
Zhongshan Park
Zhongshan Park is Shenzhen’s oldest park, established in 1925 and named in honour of Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader also known as Sun Zhongshan.
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The area features a monumental stone sculpture of Sun Yat-sen’s head, a striking centrepiece surrounded by greenery. Visitors can also discover statues commemorating local historical figures and remains of an old city wall associated with the Ming dynasty.
Zhongshan Park is not only a place to leisure between pathes and waterside sceneries but also a cultural door to learn more about China's modern History.
Wutong Mountain National Forest Park
Shenzhen is not all waterfront promenades and landscaped lawns. Wutong Mountain offers a much wilder outdoor experience, with forested slopes, winding trails and panoramic views across surrounding region.
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The highest summit, Dawutong, reaches approximately 943m above sea level, rewarding hikers with a different perspective on Shenzhen, framed by mountains and greenery.
Shenzhen Central Park
Located in Futian District, Shenzhen Central Park provides a substantial green corridor within the central urban area. Its lawns, mature trees, paths and water features offer a convenient break from offices, shopping areas and busy roads.
The park is particularly useful for travellers staying in central Shenzhen who want outdoor space without travelling to the coast or mountains. It is suitable for casual walks, jogging and relaxing beneath the trees.
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Its position also highlights an important feature of Shenzhen’s urban planning: green spaces are not limited to the outskirts. Parks and landscaped corridors are woven into the built-up city, giving residents places to exercise and unwind close to work and home.
Lizhi Park
Lizhi Park is a long-established urban green space in central Shenzhen, known for its mature trees, and lake scenery.
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As the same as for Lianhuashan, this landmark which name means Lychee Park is best appreciated for its everyday atmosphere, and experiment local residents lifestyle.
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