Da Shahe Park

This article was originally published on May 13, 2011, in the Shenzhen Daily.
The information was accurate at that time, and may be outdated now. Use with caution.

View of Windows of the World from Da Shahe Park

One of the best words a travel writer can use to describe a place is "undiscovered." This usually means the place is not crowded or popular, even though it has plenty of great features.

Well, I spent an hour at Da Shahe Park in northern Nanshan on a recent weekday afternoon, and I can tell you: it's undiscovered. In all that time, I saw fewer than ten park visitors.

A pavilion in Da Shahe Park

The park has no spectacular features, but the extensive plantings, large "flying lawn" (for kites, which can be purchased inside the south gate), basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, and paths, all make it a perfect place to relax, have a picnic, stroll, jog, or enjoy the views from the top of the mountain.

Opened in 2007, the park is located on the site of a former landfill (a brilliant use of space). Squeezed in between its namesake Shahe River on the west, European City on the east, and highways on the north and south, the park is also well-designed to serve as an emergency evacuation site.

Main (south) entrance to Da Shahe Park

Two of the park's features are named "Sansheng" (三生): Sansheng Square and Sansheng Pavilion. A large stone marker at the south (main) gate clears up the meaning. Reading 生活, 生命, 生态 (Shenghuo, Shengmin, Shengtai), it means "Living, Life, and Ecology" (as translated on a park sign).

Not a bad slogan for such a relaxing place.

West entrance to the park

The west entrance is the easiest to reach, via bus 392 from Windows of the World to Songping Shan bus stop. Or walk west from the KFC in European City. A taxi would probably drop you at the south gate on Beihuan Expressway.

GPS Info:

• 22.5565, 113.9614

---

Map:

View Larger Map