TRAFFIC controls will be imposed around the city’s popular tourist attractions during Spring Festival and Lantern Festival, according to Monday’s Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

    The move is aimed to guarantee less traffic around the public places, which a large number of residents are expected to visit during the seven-day public holiday and Lantern Festival, which falls on March 5, traffic police said.

    Residents are urged to take public transportation to visit Fairy Lake Botanical Garden in Luohu District. Hongfa Temple, inside the garden, is a popular destination, as many residents go there to pray for blessings.

    Police said only vehicles with special permits will be allowed to enter the park from Chinese New Year’s Eve, which is today.

    Motorists face a fine of between 200 yuan (US$32.13) and 2,000 yuan if they are caught driving into the park illegally, or parking illegally on roads around the botanical garden. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed to Xilingxia Parking Lot in Luohu District.

    Bus companies will send more buses to the Liantang area and Dawang Village in Luohu District, and shuttle buses connecting Huangbeiling Metro Station and the botanical garden.

    “We suggest citizens park their cars near the Metro station and take the shuttle bus, or get a taxi,” said Ding Yanbing with Shenzhen Municipal Traffic Police Bureau. In addition, police will provide transportation services for the elderly, children, the disabled and people with difficulty walking.

    Fenghuang Mountain in Bao’an District is another popular spot during the festival. Citizens can take buses M334, M335, 650, 782, B711, M435 and M436 to get there. During the holiday, there are a limited number of parking spots at the foot of the mountain.

    Police expect crowds of visitors at the city’s major tourism destinations, like Window of the World, Splendid China, OCT, Shenzhen Bay Park and OCT Harbor during the festival. (Luo Songsong)