Why you should visit Guangming district’s greenway project

Beneath the blue sky, the Red Bridge dances like a crimson ribbon through the tree canopy, leading from the mountaintop back to the city. As I watch the sunset from the bridge and continue my journey under starlight, I turn back to see the serpentine walkway transformed by lights to resemble a fiery dragon.  

I’m exploring the Dadingling Greenway in Guangming District, just half an hour’s drive northwest from the skyscrapers of Shenzhen. It’s part of a network of hiking and cycling paths in urban and country parks created as part of Shenzhen’s mission to enhance its natural environment. By the end of 2023, Shenzhen’s greenways totalled 3,406 kilometres in length. The Dadingling Greenway, which opened in 2020, links mountain, forest and lake, allowing city-dwellers easier access to nature.

I begin at Guangming Grass Skiing Amusement Park trailhead – the starting point of Dadingling Greenway – heading towards the Guanguang Road exit. Stepping onto the greenway under dappled sunlight feels like entering another realm. Mature trees provide shade on both sides, and when a breeze stirs, yellow leaves fall, gentle as snow. The greenway’s design is detailed, with informative text and illustrations at the entrance. The 6km route connects four bridges: the Floating Bridge, Discovery Bridge, Red Bridge and Hanging Bridge. The 4km-long Red Bridge extends from the mountaintop greenway down to Hongqiao Park.

Crossing four bridges

After walking among dancing tree shadows for several minutes, I reach the first bridge, the Floating Bridge. Comprising three circular platforms at different heights, it appears like a trio of silver flying saucers hovering in the sunlight. The perforated steel mesh floor lets you see down to the valley below – it’s slightly unnerving, though I take a deep breath and climb the spiral stairs to the highest viewing platform. I’m rewarded with a sense of floating above the forest and panoramic views of the valley and lake. Continuing uphill, I encounter cyclists who’re also using the greenway. One, a man of about 60 years old, tells me he regularly cycles up from Guangming centre to enjoy the mountain forest atmosphere.

Another 30 minutes brings me to the Discovery Bridge in the valley. Viewed from the elevated pathway, it resembles a giant tennis racket. One end features a netted “racquet face”, which sways entertainingly when walked on. The “frame” has wooden benches on which I sit, eyes closed, listening to insects and birdsong and feeling at one with nature.  

The “handle” leads to the lakeside for windswept golf course views. Far from a wander in the wilderness, the greenway supports your adventure throughout with benches, toilets, water fountains and vending machines, plus guide maps and distance markers.  

After bidding farewell to the Discovery Bridge and walking another kilometre, I reach the Red Bridge terminal tower entrance, with the Hanging Bridge about a kilometre ahead. This nearly 100-metre-high suspension bridge hangs 30m above the valley floor, connecting to Lizhi Mountain with distant views of the Red Bridge and urban Guangming. 

Among Dadingling Greenway’s four bridges, the Red Bridge is most popular and has become a key spot for photo-taking. The best viewpoint is the terminal tower’s observation deck, about five storeys high, from which the bridge looks like a crimson ribbon, dancing gracefully across mountains and valleys through the verdant forest. Returning to the Red Bridge's path, I continue to traverse hills and valleys, glimpsing the Hanging Bridge ahead and emerald lakes below. As dusk approaches, the setting sun casts oblique shadows onto Biyan Reservoir and Guangming Town below, creating a captivating misty scene. Clouds filter the sun’s final rays across the dimming sky. It’s time to go home, but I can’t resist capturing the scene on camera – another snapshot from a perfect day spent on the greenways of Shenzhen.

What to eat in Guangming

The 42-year-old Guangming Guesthouse (26 Fazheng Road, Guangming District) serves the “Three Treasures of Guangming”: squab pigeon with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, rich sweetcorn on the cob, and colostrum pudding made from milk produced within 72 hours of calving – noted for its rich smoothness.

The town has a significant returning Vietnamese population, resulting in numerous authentic eateries. The family-style Yu Ji restaurant (295 Guangming Street) specialises in Vietnamese rice rolls, spring rolls, fish cakes and vermicelli.

With over 100 years of history and five generations of owners, Old Street Noodle (1/F, Building 55, Jingkou New Village) is at the heart of the district. Its signature dishes include roast goose lai fun. The noodles, springy with an intense rice fragrance, are beautifully complemented by the crisp-skinned roast goose.

Getting there

Dadingling Greenway is a 30-minute journey from Hong Kong West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station to Shenzhen Guangming City Station then a 10-minute taxi ride to Guangming Grass Skiing Field bus stop.

Hours and information

7am-6pm (Rainbow Bridge Park open until 10pm). Note: cycling (except for shared bikes) is permitted during weekends and public holidays only, except on bridges.