This article was originally published on
December 10, 2010, in the Shenzhen Daily.
The information was accurate at that time, and may be outdated now. Use with caution.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPklcKxJHCEUN8LaSolZ1DpAI1tpKxi67IesnRL41OQqCEVQEHdcou60ma1tMu-b3utkKz4RiryPV1SmcPzgOZmEiPiYcIxlG33PO87taHo-IdOTu1hGAoY9bVPDhrE0r7E4zVQ8JPbGr/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg) |
Front gate of the Soil and Water Conservation Park |
The wonders of Xili Lake's east side are well known, including the Zoo, or "Safari Park," and the venerable Xili Lake Resort. But there's a new kid on the west side of the lake, along Shahe Xi Lu. The Shenzhen Soil and Water Conservation Park is so new that on a recent weekday afternoon, my wife and I were two of only four visitors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N0-WMNdpD4pmYIvNh8K5JlXVkjzQz1sg_kq62uBiupGSft1opIbeLAk8rs3_-CYXEByIT5rWa7f5lQliLob4r4LmmuBgaJR8jV8KrJNyPmma4noxYThDL1bJ2w4WcEjWsuAnHjxreLnd/s1600/IMG_2520.jpg) |
A tranquil walkway leads up the hill |
It's a good place to stroll, climb a hill, and enjoy vistas of the lake and of the surrounding suburbs and mountains.
You can take a bus or taxi to the park gate (just north of the turn-off to the Safari Park). Inside, we turned left and walked gradually up the hill, passing signboards depicting land-use issues (alas, all in Chinese) and a turn-off to the lake (near a gorgeous log building).
At the end of the paved pathway, wooden stairs and a boardwalk lead to a summit with spectacular views in nearly all directions.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBAu2eTgqg2LQ929OYf8IZ9Hb3jxoGQZQU4SXYMqoPO4K4PTV7LY2vWDv1q903cMhgyxYL6trdre9a55zzz-8Y3FDP_hO5ntKFlgVm_39e8hTWJuLM8QPXP5BkIuQ0yBGqQ72HIZxfmxV/s1600/IMG_2535.jpg) |
Relief of a Daoist immortal near the peak |
At a Thai-style wooden pavilion, we turned left to the entrance of the Linxian Overlook, which, unfortunately, was closed. We could see, though, that it affords a view to the south, and that there is a traditional building amongst the giant boulders. We could also see the bas relief of a
xian (Daoist immortal) on the north side of the rock.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG230pjOgiCTpIn833GR5njFEnf_C3ukn_35CdPz1Brci0BhtOtm4ztu-3ItH8VnRPOOy2w8fOcZKn0KabBs9vHLpdSUv6pHEZixc1oXwju3o7yOe01GenI5z2_b8EYEFpSJ-3FSvP16TF/s1600/IMG_2548.jpg) |
View of the lake, suburbs, and mountains beyond |
Returning to the pavilion and veering left, we climbed again, to the Yingfeng Overlook, the highest point but one whose views are obscured by trees. From there, a series of steep stairs leads down to a beautiful water garden area with a kiddie's play area and a man-made cave-like building. This is all right next to the front gate and our way home.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb8sk3c8___VpXmgrqIEve8m5Gbp2S-w9EYJNs0FeVl0wP9lSnH-lOri4yZE2l088nUaj8zQmyfQItIV4qtPiVtKUSqdAp-lPED4w9LOA3rg9tA2bI1Ilx3JqSV_jxhOZiWpKMFXW9A8H/s1600/IMG_2556.jpg) |
A carved cliff over the water garden, not far from the gate |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXS1lU-OI5LAa2cfNyKIFIsKM4oI8v2Z4xuclqrb02niXQxIEcsrVn_bm75JxgqQK82B7HPOGdzHNaIIdO4bRHJ0Vm0NY8JIBONGoUgjpxK996ypHW7ZxyZSYEzm3pL5PxNzviCgfPaMq/s1600/IMG_2561.jpg) |
Man-made caves on the other side of the pond, also near the gate |
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