ALREADY a popular weekend outing destination, Xili Lake Greenway in Nanshan District has recently added a new attraction along its 16.2-kilometer picturesque route circling the lake reservoir.

First built in 1984, the 32-meter-tall Xili Pagoda is a seven-storied octagonal structure in ancient Chinese style. Its upturned eaves are adorned with porcelain figurines of horses and humans seated on roosters, reminiscent of antiques from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

A must-visit spot for school spring outings in the early 1990s, the pagoda is part of the growing-up memories of Shenzheners now in their 50s.

The pagoda also served as a monitoring post for Xili Reservoir, where staff regularly patrolled and kept watch over the dams and forest fire conditions.

It was closed to the public in the mid-1990s after its surroundings were designated a first-level water source preservation area.

To offer citizens a panoramic view of the reservoir and the cityscape, the pagoda reopened to the public earlier this month following renovations.

Keeping its main features — such as the original structure, ornaments, and signature pagoda-shaped spire — the overhaul focused on structural retrofitting and interior décor upgrades.

At the top, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the lake, framed by the lush greenery of Yangtai Mountain to the north and the skyline of Liuxiandong high-tech companies’ headquarters to the south. Binoculars are available on the top floor for those wishing to spot high-flying birds among the trees.

The surrounding area has also been upgraded, with new boardwalks, hiking trails, and lookouts added. For hikers and cyclists, the opening of this new section has saved them the trouble of making a detour up stairs to a road before reaching another entrance to the lakeside greenway.

The 16.2-km Xili Lake Greenway  opened to cyclists in February last year. Along the route are nine scenic spots, with Xieyi Sanhe, where three creeks converge south of Makan Village, being the most beautiful.

To better preserve the structure and its surroundings, only 30 visitors are allowed to ascend the pagoda at a time. To protect the reservoir, chemical pesticides and cleaners are forbidden in the area around the pagoda. Visitors are therefore reminded to take precautions and beware of mosquitoes and snakes.                                            (Li Dan)

Opening time:

6 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to October

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November to March

Metro:

Line 7 to Xili Lake Station (西丽湖站), Exit B