Why do you love Shenzhen? Mountains and sea must be one of the answers.

Matteo Convertino, an associate professor of ecosystem science and engineering at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, told Shenzhen Daily that he really appreciates being able to travel from the mountains to the coastline in just 20 minutes. This was made possible by the city’s Mountain-Sea Vistas initiative.

Mountain-Sea Vistas initiative

As a pioneer demonstration city of high-quality sustainable development, Shenzhen has embraced the vision of Mountain-Sea Vistas as a key initiative of the Green and Beautiful Guangdong Campaign.

A citywide network of green and recreational spaces is taking shape to link Shenzhen’s urban and natural environment.

The 200-kilometer-long Kunpeng Trail is worth mentioning. Named after mythical creatures — the Kun, a colossal fish, and the Roc, a majestic bird — the trail epitomizes Shenzhen’s nickname, “Roc City,” and embodies the spirit of exploration and wonder.

The Kunpeng Trail, the main line of Shenzhen’s hiking trail, starts at the top of Phoenix Mountain in Bao’an District and traverses eight major mountains before ending at the top of Qiniang Mountain in Dapeng New District.

The Kunpeng Trail No. 1 Bridge, which opened to the public at the beginning of this year, has been hailed as a landmark ecological project because it has restored ecological breakpoints, thereby providing wildlife a safe passage between Meilin Mountain Park and Yinhu Mountain Park.

The bridge now serves as a natural habitat where native plants grow, and animals living on the two mountains can safely cross the road below.

Parks

As of the end of last year, there were 1,290 parks in Shenzhen. The figure is expected to reach 1,350 by 2025, according to the city’s urban management authority.

The parks stand out for their lush green expanses, but it is their array of public amenities that truly set them apart. Offering everything from well-appointed restrooms and cutting-edge fitness equipment to considerate additions like free mosquito repellent dispensers and pioneering drone delivery services, these parks have significantly enriched the daily lives of residents. Moreover, their appeal has resonated far beyond local boundaries, gaining widespread acclaim online as they are shared by visitors on social media platforms.

The Hutchinsons, a family of five from the U.K., experienced the drone food delivery service in a park during a visit to Shenzhen. In April, they posted a video of this experience on their WeChat account, which quickly gained popularity.

In the video, the father said he had never expected to enjoy a drink delivered by a drone in the middle of a park.

Elle Mason, a teacher and designer from the U.S., also tried the drone delivery service during a visit to Shenzhen Talent Park in July. “Once I scanned the QR code, I realized it was really seamless and easy. It was delivered in 15 minutes,” said Mason.

At the beginning of this year, Shenzhen completed a project linking five urban parks in the city center — Lianhua Hill, Bijia Hill, Central, Meilin Mountain, and Yinhu Mountain parks. The project created an uninterrupted trekking experience that allows individuals to circumvent urban roads when moving from one park to the next.

Meanwhile, the city also plans to link parks in Bao’an District.

Allure for tourists

This summer, Shenzhen, with 260.5 kilometers of coastline, ranked among the top 10 most popular coastal cities in China.

Recently, the Dongshan Luzui Tourist Area in Dapeng has been designated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction. Featuring the nearly 5-kilometer-long Luzui Greenway, flanked by mountains and surrounded by the sea on three sides, the area also boasts a 3.2-kilometer-long seawall trail that is renowned as “the most beautiful coastal road in China.”

By the end of last year, Shenzhen had constructed a total of 3,406 kilometers of greenways.

Additionally, the city is accelerating the development of a 200-kilometer-long coastal cycling path to establish an ecological recreation network that connects mountainous areas, the sea, urban regions, and tourist attractions.

Stephen Pellerine, principal of RDF International School in Dapeng, marvels at the scenic landscapes Dapeng offers cyclists. “If you are cycling from the inner city, you see beautiful vistas like this — it’s incredible.”