A perfect place to watch sunsets— Dananshan Mountain

I BECAME a fan of hill walking about half a year ago. Since then, I have hiked up several hills: Wutong Mountain, the city’s highest and most challenging one, Bijia Mountain, Lotus Hill, and Yangtai Mountain. However, Dananshan Mountain remains the best place, as far as I am concerned, to enjoy sunsets in Shenzhen.

For many who are familiar with Shenzhen, hiking on Dananshan Mountain is very popular. Situated on Nantou Island in Nanshan District, the 336-meter-high mountain is surrounded by Shekou’s industrial area. Over 10,000 people walk up the mountain every day. At the weekend, the number doubles, while during some important holidays, over 150,000 hikers gather here to show their love of nature. The climbing is not tough. It takes about an hour and a half to the top.

On a hot summer day this year, I climbed up the mountain for the first time. I started at about 5 p.m. The weather was sticky and hot as usual, but there was a cool, fresh breeze once we gained some height.

I started at the south side of the mountain. Walking along the well-paved steps among dense subtropical vegetation, I felt the touch of wind from nowhere. It was an experience to set my heart free. That was part of the reason why I love hill walking. For walkers, enjoying beautiful scenery from a height is the most rewarding gift. Dananshan Mountain is a very good choice for climbing and enjoying the area’s natural beauty. You can look back whenever you want and each time the scenery doesn’t disappoint you.

The sun was behind me. The most exciting moment came when I was walking on the saddle between two peaks. The view was breathtaking.

There was the setting sun, even lower than me, its usual shape disappearing. I could only tell it was round from the vibrant yellow in the sun’s center, or rather, to be accurate, the dazzling white. Above the sun was a sea of darker clouds, through which the sunlight came. Below the sun was the real sea, embellished with a small island and several boats, which seemed to be bathed in the sun. The sky, with its splendid yellow colors, and the sea, melting into the sky at the end, created a magic picture in my heart, a paradox of passion and quietness. What I saw was Chiwan Bay, at the southern tip of Nantou Island, with Chiwan Mountain behind, and Niuyang Mountain on the right and Lion Mountain on the left.

It was getting dark when I arrived at the top of the mountain. Looking down from the top, a beautiful picture of Shekou’s night view shined peacefully, mixed with the beauty of the sea, the mountain and a flourishing city.

Walking down the steps was much tougher than climbing up because of the darkness. However, I was not alone: There were frogs singing in the jungle and birds playing happy tunes high up in the trees. I took a deep breath and made up my mind to come here as often as I can.

Travel tips

There are three routes up Dananshan Mountain. The first starts from the road along Minghua Hotel at Shekou, near Guishan Villa. You can take buses 113, 204, 105, 217, 226, 332, 22, 229, 231, 232, 233, 31, 331 and get off at Sea World bus stop.

The second route starts from the intersection at Shekou Customs building. You can take buses 113, 230, 232 and get off at the United Hospital bus stop.

The third route starts from Jingshan Garden at Nanyou. Take bus 113, 204, 105, 210, 226, 332, and get off at Nanyou bus stop.

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