SHENZHEN’S summer heat is no joke! To help you stay cool, we’ve put together a list of six fantastic, shady spots perfect for a day of water fun. Let’s dive in!

Toubei Park, Pingshan District 头陂公园

Often called the ultimate destination for family camping in Shenzhen, the water play area in Toubei Park is fed by fresh mountain springs from Tiantou Mountain. The water is clear, and the riverbed is mostly smooth cobblestones, making it safer for children. You can set up tents, canopies, and use portable cassette stoves. It’s accessible by Metro and gets busy on holidays.

Metro: Exit A, Tianxin Station (田心站), Line 16, and then walk for 10 minutes

Driving: Navigate to “Toubei Park Parking Lot” (头陂公园停车场)

Maluan Mountain Country Park, Pingshan District 马峦山郊野公园

Known as “Shenzhen’s Little Jiuzhaigou,” Maluan Mountain Country Park features pristine streams and waterfall clusters, making it a summer paradise for locals. It’s an excellent spot for hiking and cooling off in the water. For the most impressive waterfalls, visit after a rainfall, as they can be smaller on normal days. Expect crowds on weekends.

Metro: Line 3 to Yonghu Station (永湖站), Exit A2, then transfer to Bus 366 to the northwest entrance

Driving: Navigate to “Maluan Mountain Country Park Northwest Gate” (马峦山郊野公园西北门)

Wutong Mountain Art Town, Luohu District 梧桐山艺术小镇

Located in Dawang Village, this spot is relatively close to the city center. A beautiful 2 km-long stream flows at the foot of Wutong Mountain, with clear water perfect for catching small fish and shrimp. The streamside lawns are very scenic and perfect for photos, offering a refreshing escape with green mountains and clear water.

Bus: Take a bus to “Wutong Mountain Bus Terminal” (梧桐山总站) and walk towards the river

Driving: Navigate to “Dawang Village Rural Commercial Bank” (大望村农商银行)

Jingui Village, Pingshan District 金龟村

Jingui Village is home to the natural stream of the Jingui River. Here, you can fish, catch shrimp, camp, picnic, and set up tents. It’s also a wonderful place to take a walk and experience local Hakka culture of over 400 years. The stream is conveniently located near convenience stores for snacks and drinks.

Driving: Navigate to “Jingui Community Committee, Shijing Subdistrict, Pingshan District” (坪山区石井街道金龟社区居委会) for better parking options. There are also designated parking areas along the stream.

Yangmeikeng Natural Pools, Dapeng New Area 杨梅坑天然潭

If you’re looking for a spacious spot, this is it. Fed by crystal-clear spring water from Qiniang Mountain, these natural pools have a wide, park-like environment with plenty of room to play. The water has shallow areas, making it great for families. It tends to be less crowded, but on weekends and holidays, be sure to arrive early to avoid traffic jam.

Driving: Navigate to “Yangmeikeng P1 Parking Lot” (杨梅坑P1停车场)

Shenyun Valley, Tanglang Mountain, Nanshan District 塘朗山深云谷

This natural creek is teeming with fish and crabs, and its high tree coverage provides excellent shade from the sun, making it a popular spot for picnics. You can also hike Tanglang Mountain. For monkey sightings, take the “Jimuge Road” (极目阁路) up the mountain. On your way down, check out the graffiti wall along the Meilin Reservoir Greenway (Kunpeng Trail Section 7).

Metro: Line 7 to Taoyuancun Station (桃源村站), Exit C, then walk or take a short taxi ride to Shenyun Valley (深云谷)

Driving: Navigate to “Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (深圳疾病预防控制中心) (Yang Mei)