‘In the third month of summer, this is called Fanxiu. Heaven and earth are in harmony with each other, and everything is in full bloom. Lie down at night and get up early, not tired of the day.’ The wisdom of our ancestors tells us that summer is the season of luxuriant and beautiful plants, which bloom and grow in turn. At this time you can go to bed a little late and get up early, not to mention hate the sun (more sun on the back, sweat, so that the body's accumulated dirt excreted).
Lying at home blowing air-conditioning and eating cold drinks may seem comfortable but is actually not good. The ancients taught to live with the seasons, summer should be hot, against the ice instead of hurting your body and planting the roots of disease.
As long as the weather is not extreme, I will still hike every week. It's just that the routes are on the shorter side, and I start early and try to finish in the morning to avoid the midday sun phase.
This week I found a huge, huge, beautiful short greenway! The metro is direct, the road is flat, the route isn't too long and it doesn't take long. The point is: it's full of green grass, just like the summer in Hayao Miyazaki's writing - the breeze and greenery are so beautiful that it's intoxicating. It is the greenway around Xili Lake!
/ About the greenway /
Located in Xili, South China's Xili Lake, this greenway is designed and built around the Xili Reservoir, and will open up the excursion system with the Balcony Hill Ridge Hiking Trail, the Dasha River Greenway, and the Tonglang Hill Ridge Hiking Trail, and will have a total length of about 15 kilometres around the lake.
The winter of 2023 officially opened, the current demonstration section is only 2 kilometres: ② Xili Lake Pai Fang → → → → ⑨ Lychee Forest, I walked this time is this section, but also most people choose the route.
If you come in the opposite direction, down to the Dasha River Greenway Jiu Xiang Ling, where I had walked before, the length is 3.7 kilometres.
Another reminder: the short two kilometres from ② Xilihu Pai Fang →→→→9 Lychee Forest is divided into three sections, each with its own characteristics, which I will introduce separately.
The first and third sections with lush green grass are my favourites, while the second section is a tree-lined walkway adjacent to the road. Overall the walk is extremely comfortable and a must try in Shenzhen, definitely don't miss it! The biggest downside is that it's too short, and I look forward to the full route opening soon.
/ About the entrance /
Take metro line 7 to ‘Xili Lake’ station, exit B, navigate to ‘Xili Lake Resort’ on your mobile phone, walk about 700 metres and you will see the Xili Lake pagoda - the starting point of the walk.
Note: There are toilets at Exit D of Xilihu Metro Station, so go ahead and use them. There are no toilets until the end of the greenway around Xili Lake! In addition, the greenway does not have any self-service vending machines, please prepare drinking water in advance, as well as anti-mosquito water and a small fan.
This is the Xili Lake Pai Fang ↓
Entering the banyan tree square of the pagoda ↓
/ first paragraph /
To be honest, I was a bit blown away the moment I stood at the start, it was just too comfortable! I highly recommend that you must go and feel it!
I couldn't stop taking pictures while walking in the sunshine, grass, and greenery and sighing. Breathing in the fresh air, everything felt beautiful.
Sunset platform at attraction ④. You can enjoy the sunset in the evening with the view of Xili Lake.
And some flowers in full bloom
/ second paragraph /
And here's where we get to the second section: the tree walkway
This section of the walk along the road may be inferior in comparison.
At this signpost, the hand-made walk above is less recommended
Re-visiting the white guide line on the ground brings you to the stunning third section, the Academician's Way.
/ third paragraph/
The breeze is blowing, the grass is growing, and the third paragraph is super beautiful.
This is a cafe with a mountain stacked with water, and there are also toilets nearby
Because of the continuous heavy rainfall in April, the lychee forests on both sides of the road were completely fruitless, with not a single one, and the production was drastically reduced.
/ About the return journey /
Turn right at the security booth at the Lai Chi Lam exit and walk for about 100 metres to the bus stop for the Talent Training Institute.
Take the M492 to the ‘Zoo Bus Stop’ (near the Xilihu metro station), it takes about 5 minutes, so there's really no need to take a taxi.
Of course, if you choose to take a taxi to Line 7 Xilihu metro station or Line 5 Xili metro station, it's only 10-14 RMB, both are very close. Attached is my hiking route.
Lastly, a reminder: the opening hours of the Bidao around Xili Lake are: 6:00 - 23:00, you can ride (too short), no pets allowed in the park, no kite flying, no tents.
