Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

New sections of Metro Lines 2, 3, 4 and 8 in Shenzhen opened last week. Phase 1 of Line 8 takes you to the seaside in Yantian; Phase 3 of Line 2 relieves the difficulty of commuters living in Liantang; Phase 3 of Line 3 runs to the Futian Bonded Zone; and Phase 3 of Line 4 takes you to explore Longhua’s Hakka history. Line 2 seamlessly connects with Line 8, so passengers don’t have to change trains if they switch lines.

Phase 3 of Line 2

Liantang Checkpoint Station

莲塘口岸站

From Exit C, you have easy access to the southwest gate of Donghu Park (东湖公园), a vast park built in the 1960s. Have a glance at the Shenzhen Reservoir, enjoy art at the Shenzhen Art Museum, say hello to the adorable monkeys and ostriches in a little zoo and walk across the iron rope bridge ... these are some of the “can’t miss” activities inside the 152-hectare park. Luohu Gymnasium (罗湖体育馆) is also within walking distance from Exit C, where you can play tennis, badminton and basket, and swim.

Xianhu Road Station 仙湖路站

Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (仙湖植物园) near Exit C3 is a multifunctional botanical garden integrating scientific research, plant species collection and display as well as tourism. Covering 546 hectares, the garden has thousands of species of plants and earns the reputation of being “a jade in the city.” The splendid and peaceful Hongfa Temple (弘法寺) inside the garden is a popular location among local believers and behind the temple is the Fushun Vegetarian Restaurant (福顺斋素食餐厅).

Liantang Station 莲塘站

Walking northward for seven minutes from Exit A, you will get to the foot of Dengyun Trail (登云道), from which you can climb Wutong Mountain (梧桐山) until you reach the 692-meter Little Wutong (小梧桐) peak.

Phase 1 of Line 8

Wutong Mountain South Station

梧桐山南站

There are several trails for climbing Wutong Mountain, Shenzhen’s highest mountain, for spectacular city and sea views, and for relaxing in the fresh oxygen-rich mountain air. Walking out of the Metro station Exit D for 15 minutes, you will reach the foot of Lingyun Trail (凌云道), also leading to Little Wutong peak.

Shatoujiao Station 沙头角站

It takes you 20 minutes to walk from Exit B to the 250-meter-long Zhongying Street (中英街), a shopping lane straddling the border between the mainland and Hong Kong. The border monument, the 300-year-old well, a 100-year-old banyan tree and the history museum tell you the special street’s history.

Haishan Station 海山站

Walking northwestward for 10 minutes from Exit A2, you will reach the foot of Bitong Trail (碧桐道), leading to the 943.7-meter Big Wutong (大梧桐) peak. One Mall (壹海城) near Exits A1 and B is a large shopping and dining place for you to relax after you climb the mountain.

Walking southward along Haishan Road, you will get to the popular Yantian Coastal Promenade (盐田海滨栈道), which is 19.5 kilometers long. Don’t forget to check out the Lighthouse Library (灯塔图书馆): The newly built community library is an ideal place for you to spend a quiet afternoon reading books and enjoying the sea view. Haishan Park (海山公园) near Exit C has the nickname of “Shenzhen’s Little Barcelona” because some of the architecture in the park is inspired by renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s designs at the Park Guell in Barcelona.

Shenwai Senior Campus Station

深外高中站

Walking westward for 25 minutes from Exit C, you will reach the foot of Xiutong Trail (秀桐道), which also leads to Big Wutong peak.

Yantian Road Station 盐田路站

Foodies might expect the Metro could take them to the famous Yantian Seafood Street (盐田海鲜街) but the Phase I of Line 8 doesn’t. You still need to take a bus after you walk out of Exit D and the ride may take you 30 minutes. When you get off the bus at the Yantian Seafood Street Stop and start your dining, you are also encouraged to try the steamed vermicelli roll (肠粉) found at several stores on Beishan Lane (北山道). Steamed vermicelli roll, filled with shrimp, beef, eggs or Cantonese barbecued pork, is quite popular in Guangdong. Smooth and rich-flavored, the food is a must-serve in Guangdong breakfast stores and dim sum restaurants.

You can also take a bus from Exit D to Yandun Hill Park (烟墩山公园), where you will enjoy a gorgeous sea view. The park is famous for a lighthouse inspired by the Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse in A Coruna in Spain.

Future sections of Line 8 will reach the seafood street, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, OCT East park and the Xichong beach.

Phase 3 of Line 4

Zhucun Station 竹村站

Among the industrial parks in Longhua District, Guanlan River Wetland Park (观澜河湿地公园) near Exit D is a tranquil place where you can simply relax.

Guanlan Station 观澜站

Walking northward for 15 minutes from Exit C, you will reach the Guanlan Old Market (观澜古墟), one of Shenzhen’s four historical markets. It reflects Hakka life and Shenzhen’s social scenes from the 18th century to the early 20th century. The market used to be a commercial area for foreign goods entering Shenzhen, Huiyang and north Guangdong areas. Centuries-old diaolou buildings (fortified multi-storey watchtowers in rural villages) and old buildings incorporated with Western style can still be found in this area.

The Guanlan Temple (观澜古寺) behind the Guanlan Old Market was originally built in the late 18th century and rebuilt in 2009. There are many local food restaurants nearby on Dadongmen Street (大东门街) and Zhong’an Street (众安街).

Songyuanxia Station 松元厦站

Guihutang Old Walled Village (贵湖塘老围) is the most complete and preserved traditional Hakka residential village in Longhua District. Along the roads from Exit D1 to the village, there are many local food restaurants.

Mission Hills Station 观澜湖站

MH Mall (观澜湖新城) near Exit C is a shopping and dining mall, and Mission Hills Terra Art Ecological Park (观澜湖大地生态艺术园) near Exit A is a complex park for families to enjoy their holidays and for sports enthusiasts to practice tennis, golf and soccer. The Mission Hills Golf Club (观澜湖高尔夫球会) is also near Exit C.

The Guanlan Original Printmaking Base (观澜版画原创产业基地), an important cultural facility connecting printmakers from all over the world, is located inside the Guanlan Printmaking Village (观澜版画村), which is a 300-year-old Hakka village. The China Printmaking Museum (中国版画博物馆) holds regular exhibitions of its collections.

The old residence of Chen Yanqiao (陈烟桥陈列馆), a pioneer of the Chinese new woodcut movement, is also worth a visit. You need to take a bus to get to the aforementioned venues after you walk out of Exit A.

Niuhu Station 牛湖站

Walking northward for 10 minutes from Exit B, you will get to the New Who Art Village (鳌湖艺术村), a century-old Hakka village for domestic and international artists who are doing residency projects. Contemporary artworks by the resident artists are on display at the art museum inside the village. Old buildings and Qiuyuling Park (求雨岭公园) nearby are also worth a visit.

Phase 3 of Line 3

Futian Bonded Area Station 福保站

Walking southward for 10 minutes from Exit B, you will find the Jupiter Museum of Art (木星美术馆), a contemporary art museum which is currently exhibiting young Chinese artists’ interesting and thought-provoking works at the “Emergency Landing” exhibition.