Hiking in Shenzhen: Completing the 2022 Challenge

Hidden within the modern, bustling city of Shenzhen are ten peaks that seem to embody the soul of the city, holding deep history, breathtaking natural scenery, and a unique cultural essence. These peaks, known as the “10 Peaks of Shenzhen”, are not just the highest points in the city but also landmarks rich with stories, making them perfect for those interested in hiking in Shenzhen.

10 Peaks of Shenzhen – WeChat Mini Program

During the pandemic, while I was working in Shenzhen and unable to leave the city due to quarantine risks, I discovered a WeChat mini program for the “10 Peaks of Shenzhen”. This program recorded a check-in for each peak climbed. Inspired by this, I set a goal to complete all ten peaks by the fall of 2022 as a personal achievement.

Each year, the challenge badges change slightly, but as long as you reach the summit and check in, the originally grey badge turns colourful. For someone like me who loves collecting, this was the perfect motivation to keep hiking. 💪

Meishajian – 753m

Located in the Yantian District, Meishajian is 753 metres high, making it the third-highest peak in Shenzhen. Its jagged, towering silhouette resembles a sharp cone rising dramatically from the surrounding mountains. From the summit, you can take in panoramic views of Xiaomeisha and Dameisha, as well as the scenic Sanzhoutian area. The combination of rugged mountain and sea views creates a pristine, picturesque landscape.

Meishajian was the first of the Ten Peaks I tackled. It was here that I met a fellow hiking enthusiast who joined me for many of the subsequent hiking. This newfound companionship motivated me to collect the badges for all ten peaks.

The hiking entrance was at Maluan Mountain Country Park. At that time, I joined a group tour, so we gathered there directly. It happened to line up with the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, so there were many hikers.

The peak of Meishajian is shaped like a sharp cone, with the southern foot of the mountain meeting the sea and the beautiful Dameisha Beach along the shore, hence the name “Meishajian”. The defining feature of this mountain is its pointed summit. The mountain range it belongs to is vast, with multiple hiking trails leading up to the top. From the summit, you can overlook almost the entire OCT East scenic area.

Yangtai Mountain – 587m

Yangtai Mountain, situated in the Shiyan area of Bao’an District, reaches a height of 587 metres and is the highest peak in western Shenzhen. The mountain is majestic, with lush forests and clear, flowing springs that attract many hikers.

After completing the challenge of Meishajian, I quickly arranged to hike a second mountain with my hiking partner. This mountain wasn’t particularly high, and the steps were mostly gentle, with only a short section that was a bit difficult to navigate. Along the way, we passed the junction of the Longhua, Bao’an, and Nanshan districts and even spotted some monkeys.

The trailhead featured a large archway with the words “Yangtai Mountain” written on it.

When we came, it was autumn, with clear skies and a refreshing breeze that lifted the spirits. However, the cell signal on the mountain was weak, so it was difficult to make payments with Alipay or WeChat pay. It’s recommended to carry some cash with you.

Wutong Mountain – 943.7m

Wutong Mountain, part of the Wutong Mountain National Scenic Area, is located in the eastern part of Shenzhen and is the city’s highest peak at 943.7 metres. The scenic area is near the vibrant city centre and overlooks the South China Sea and Hong Kong’s New Territories. When I finally hiked this peak, I encountered steep and challenging trails, but the breathtaking views and lively atmosphere at the summit made it worthwhile.

A month later, I finally came to tackle the third peak! This was during the National Day Golden Week in China, and after returning from holiday, I got caught in the lockdowns and was quarantined at home for several days. Finally, this weekend, I was able to get out for a hike. When my hiking partners suggested meeting up, they decided we should hike the highest peak in Shenzhen…

梧桐山不愧是最受欢迎的山，登山路线超级多，因为有山友带，所以登顶时走了一条比较冷门的路线，一路上山都没什么人，但相对来说路也比较陡比较难走，大部分都是土路，必要时刻还需要手脚并用的上去。

Wutong Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as the most popular mountain, with numerous hiking routes to choose from. Since we had an experienced hiking partner with us, we took a less-traveled path to the summit. The trail was quiet, with hardly any other hikers, but it was steeper and more challenging to navigate. Most of the route consisted of dirt paths, and at certain points, we had to use both our hands and feet to climb up.

The view from the summit was great, though it was a bit crowded. There were even street performers singing live, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere. On our way down, we spotted a wild boar on the trail. Thankfully, it wasn’t aggressive and quickly hid as soon as it saw the group of hikers.

Lianhua Hill Park – 106m

Lianhua Hill Park is famous for its expansive lawns and a statue of Deng Xiaoping. It’s a relaxing spot within the city that offers a brief, easy hike.

This hill was a quick checkmark on my list, allowing me to enjoy the park’s sights and move on to Halloween festivities later that day.😂

This spot is essentially a park, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the top. It’s worth visiting to check out the bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping. The park is spacious, making it a nice place to invite a few friends for a weekend picnic.

Danan Mountain – 336m

Mount Dananshan stands prominently on the Nantou Peninsula in Shenzhen, surrounded by the Shekou Industrial Zone. The main peak reaches an altitude of 336 meters. The mountain is lush with greenery and offers beautiful scenery. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Shenzhen Bay: the skyscrapers of Shenzhen’s city center and the distant mountains of Hong Kong’s Lau Fau Shan and Yuen Long. Closer views include the Nanshan Peninsula and the new Bao’an district.

A hiking partner spontaneously invited me to go hiking, so we decided to do Danan Mountain. I had heard that the night views from there are impressive. It was my first time hiking at night, so I felt a bit nervous. Fortunately, there were quite a few night hikers, and using my phone’s flashlight to light the way made it feel much safer.

Danan Mountain isn’t difficult to hike; it took just over an hour to reach the top. The night view from the summit was truly beautiful, offering a panoramic view over Nanshan. After descending, we headed straight to Sea World, where we enjoyed some Mexican cuisine to wrap up the day after our hike.

Tanglang Mountain – 432m

Located in the northeastern part of Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Tanglang Peak stands at an altitude of 430 meters. It offers a vantage point where you can take in most of Shenzhen at a glance.

The day after I had hiked Danan Mountain, I decided to tackle another hike. The dedication to checking off these hikes is real! 😂

We chose a less popular trailhead, so the path to the summit was quite empty. The continuous uphill climb was truly exhausting, requiring frequent breaks. However, since the route was steeper, we reached the peak in just about an hour.

The view at the top was shrouded in thick mist, so we snapped a quick photo before heading back down. The descent was crowded, and some sections of the path were steep and dangerous. However, we managed to make our way down fairly quickly.

Dayanding – 801m

Dayanding, with an elevation of 801 meters, is the third highest peak in Shenzhen. It is said to be the resting place for southward-flying geese. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Dayanding boasts stunning scenery, making it a popular destination for visitors.

This spot is quite far out, so joining a group tour is necessary. Early in the morning, I arrived at the meeting point to wait for the bus and ended up dozing off until we reached Dapeng.

This mountain is quite challenging, with rocky steps that are difficult to navigate—uneven, steep, and an uphill trail that zigzags relentlessly. It was exhausting, but I must admit, the view was absolutely stunning, with unbeatable panoramic sea views!

Phoenix Mountain – 376m

Phoenix Mountain, known as Bao’an’s First Peak. With an elevation of 376 meters and spanning an area of 1.2 kilometers, it is famed for its reputation as the “Land of Prosperous Blessings of Phoenix Mountain.”

This mountain is actually the closest to where I lived, yet I didn’t get around to challenging it until much later. Thankfully, it wasn’t too difficult, and I was able to easily check it off my list.

There’s also a matchmaking temple here, but it’s closed during the pandemic. The view at the top wasn’t very impressive either, just a grey, foggy expanse.

Qiniangshan – 869m

Qiniangshan is located in Dapeng New Area. It is the main peak of the southern island of Dapeng Peninsula, with an elevation of 869 meters and covers an area of 200,000 square meters. The mountain is only open during the day and is closed at night and in rainy weather.

This is actually my third time here. The first time I came, the mountain was closed due to bad weather. The second time, I hiked the normal route, but I didn’t know I could check-in, so it was just a regular hike. This time, for the third visit, I came with a group, aiming for the summit specifically to check in!

Unlike last time, this time the guide led the group up a dirt path, which added a bit more difficulty. Besides the uneven, hard-to-walk surface, we had to climb over tree roots and scramble over rocks. It was definitely more of a “climb” than just a walk. By the end, my legs were feeling weak, but my arm strength was still strong!

In the end, using both my hands and feet, I finally reached the summit. The view at the top was still beautiful, but it was so cold up there. The chilly wind was biting, and with just light clothing on, we were struggling to bear it. So, we quickly had a snack and made our way down. While it was an easier descent, it really took a toll on the knees!

Dabijiashan – 717m

Dabijiashan, located in the eastern part of Shenzhen, has an elevation of 717 meters. It’s a highly recommended spot in Shenzhen, offering magnificent mountain views and pristine trails. The journey is accompanied by the sounds of birds and fresh breezes, with stunning scenery along the way. On clear days, you can enjoy views of Qiniangshan, Dayanting, and Paiya Mountain. The mountain stretches from east to west like a screen, forming the boundary between Shenzhen and Huizhou. Its ridge is perfect for walking, and once you’re on it, you don’t need to exert much more energy; you can walk leisurely while enjoying the distant landscapes of Huizhou and Daya Bay.

The last peak of the “10 Peaks of Shenzhen” in 2022 was Dabijiashan, and I can only say I was lucky to be able to hike it!

After finishing Qiniangshan, that week mainland China lifted its pandemic restrictions, and the virus spread quickly. Unfortunately, I was one of the first to get COVID-19. I had originally signed up for a group hike, but due to my health, I couldn’t go. A week later, I had recovered and signed up again, but by then, many people in Shenzhen had fallen ill, so the hike was canceled. This mountain is also quite far, and without a group, it’s really hard to get there unless you’re willing to pay for an expensive taxi ride.

I thought I might not be able to complete the “10 Peaks of Shenzhen” challenge, but to my surprise, on the very last day of 2022, I finally got my chance!

A friend from Northeast China came to Shenzhen to visit me, so I suggested we go hiking together. To my surprise, she was up for it! We also discovered that we could share a ride, which was more than half cheaper than taking a taxi. So, we set off early in the morning to hike.

Dabijiashan mainly has wild paths and dirt trails, which are not easy to walk on. Since I had just recovered from COVID-19, I didn’t want to push myself too hard, so it took us about 4 hours to reach the summit. However, collecting all the “10 Peaks of Shenzhen” badges made me feel a great sense of accomplishment!

On the last day of 2022, I finished the “10 Peaks of Shenzhen” challenge, and it was a perfect way to wrap up the year!

I hope 2023 will start with a positive note 🥰