IF Spring Festival is already in the past tense, can spring be far behind? With spring arriving in all her splendor and glory, going outdoors this time of the year with family and friends to enjoy the blossoms, the greening grass and the warm sunshine is a joy that cannot be missed. Here we list out 13 options for spring outings in the city for you.

Talent apartments in

Shuiwei Village

In Hong Kong, there is the Choi Hung Estate, a residential building complex that has become popular due to its bright and colorful rainbow exterior, which makes for a super quirky backdrop. In Shenzhen, it’s safe to say that the equivalent complex is the Shuiwei Ningmeng Talents Apartments.

The Shuiwei Ningmeng Talents Apartments, originally a Shuiwei urban village in Futian District, has been renovated into rental apartments for talents. It is the city’s first such urban renovation project. Twenty-nine buildings in the former village have been leased to the Futian District Government and transformed into well-furnished talent apartments.

Thanks to its colorful rooftops, the complex has become a cyber celebrity apartment complex in the city. The rooftop on Building 160 is the best choice for taking photos because you can capture a panorama of the whole complex. There are also many alleys of different colors that can serve as a nice backdrop.

Add: Shuiwei Ningmeng Talents Apartments, Futian District 福田区水围柠盟人才公寓

Transport: Take Metro 4 to Fumin Station, Exit D, then walk 892 meters.

Green trains in Qingshuihe

If you want to shoot photos with an antique feel, the time-honored green trains in Qingshuihe are highly suggested. Both the trains and the station boards are must-shoot subjects.

When you come here, the first thing that comes into sight is a flower bed made from the old crossties and iron rusty wheel axles of an antique train, which are landmarks here.

Hiding among the bustling city, the trains and all the relics of a past era will bring you a feeling of tranquility. If you walk past the overpass and keep walking ahead, you will find some walls of graffiti, another secret place for shutterbugs.

Add: Caopu Train Station, Qingshuihe, Luohu District 罗湖区清水河草铺火车站

Transport: Take Metro Line 3 to Caopu Station, Exit D3, then walk around 800 meters.

Shenzhen University

Located along Houhai Bay of Nanshan District, Shenzhen University is among China’s top 10 most beautiful college campuses. The university is known as “Lychee Garden” because of the abundance of lychee trees planted on the campus. It has two lakes, a wooded hill, an abundance of green space and works of art. Its south campus is no doubt a good choice for photography.

Right next to the university is Guimiao New Village, a paradise for foodies.

Add: 3688 Nanhai Boulevard, Nanshan District 南山区南海大道3688号

Transport: Take Metro Line 1 to Shenzhen University Station

Gankeng Hakka Town

Gankeng Hakka Town is a tourist attraction newly built by the OCT Group. It offers a glimpse into the lives of aboriginal Shenzheners. In July 2017, it became one of the first towns to enter a State-level culture and travel list.

Once a Hakka habitation with many ancient buildings, Gankeng Hakka Town is surrounded by mountains and waters and connected with alleys.

It has the Nanxiang Building, which is more than 120 years old; Zhuangyuan Mansion built in the Yongzheng Period; Huizhou-styled Fenghuang Valley; and unique buildings such as the gun turret, the watchtower, the stilted building and more, all of which are carriers of Hakka culture together with the century-old Hakka residencies.

Add: 18 Ganli Road, Buji Subdistrict, Longgang District 龙岗区布吉街道甘李路18号甘坑客家小镇

Transport: Take Metro Line 5 to Xiashuijing Station, then take bus 980, m224, m227, m273, m324, m346, m414 or m363 to Gankeng Cunwei Station.

Dapeng Peninsula

Shenzhen’s Dapeng Peninsula offers a natural escape difficult to find elsewhere that includes beaches, ancient architecture, a geopark, and more.

It’s home to landmarks Dapeng Fortress, Dongshan Temple, and Jiaochangwei, where you can go trekking, camping, island exploring, temple-seeing, you name it.

Dapeng Fortress, a 600-year-old military base, is the city’s only heritage site under State protection. The top of the southern gate of Dapeng Fortress offers a clear view of the sea. This well-preserved walled town dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was originally built in 1394 to defend the coast against pirates.

Jiaochangwei Village may not be as famous as Yangmeikeng or Xichong, but it is the only village in Dapeng with its own coastline. There are nearly 150 inns in the village, most of which were rebuilt from old village houses.

Add: South of Dapeng Peninsula, Dapeng New Area 大鹏新区大鹏半岛南端

(Chen Xiaochun)