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    James Baquet

    THE wonders of Xili Lake’s east side are well-known, including the Safari Park and the venerable Xili Lake Resort. But there is a new kid on the western side of the lake, along Shahe Road West. The Shenzhen Soil and Water Conservation Park is so new that on a recent weekday afternoon, my wife and I were two of only four visitors.

    It’s a good place to stroll, climb a hill, and enjoy vistas of the lake and of the surrounding suburbs and mountains.

    You can take a bus or taxi to the park gate (just north of the turn-off to the Safari Park). Inside, we turned left and walked gradually up the hill, passing signboards depicting land-use issues (alas, all in Chinese) and a turn-off to the lake (near a gorgeous log building).

    At the end of the paved pathway, wooden stairs and boardwalks lead to the summit with spectacular views in nearly all directions.

    At a Thai-style wooden pavilion, we turned left to the entrance of the Linxian Overlook, which, unfortunately, was closed. We could see, though, that it affords a view to the south and that there is a traditional building among the giant boulders. We could also see the bas relief of a xian (Taoist immortal) on the northern side of the rock.

    Returning to the pavilion and bearing left, we climbed again, to the Yingfeng Overlook, the highest point but the views were obscured by trees. From there, a series of steep steps led down to a beautiful water garden with a children’s play area and a man-made cave-like building. This is all right next to the front gate and on our way home.