When the autumn breeze arrives, it's the most comfortable season for cycling in Shenzhen. Shenzhen has two flat routes that even beginners can handle: one is Shenzhen Bay with its sea views, the other is the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, nicknamed the "Shenzhen Seine". The two routes can actually be linked up, starting from Shenzhen Bay Port and finishing in half a day.
Route 1: Shenzhen Bay Park's 16 km Coastal Cycle Path
The stretch from Shenzhen Bay Park to K11 ECOAST is about 16 km, with flat surfaces and open views — Shenzhen's most famous coastal cycling route. Along the way you'll pass:
- Talent Park (人才公園): one of Shenzhen's landmarks, with lake views and a high-rise skyline
- Houhai Central River Park (後海中心河公園): green belts on both sides of the river, popular with runners
- Nüwa Coastal Park (女媧濱海公園): a seaside park, superb for sunsets
- Universiade Torch Tower (大運會火炬塔): 26 metres tall, a legacy of the 2011 Universiade and a Nanshan landmark
- Shenzhen Bay Bridge (深圳灣大橋): the cross-sea bridge, with a section of cycle path running right beneath it
- Shekou Lighthouse (蛇口燈塔) and mangroves (紅樹林): natural scenery on the western section
Shenzhen Bay Park covers 108.07 hectares. Motor vehicles and e-bikes are banned inside the park, and cyclists and pedestrians have separate lanes, so it's fairly safe even with children. From most of the park you can look out towards Tin Shui Wai in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge — glance back as you ride and there's Hong Kong.
- Starting point: step out of Shenzhen Bay Port and you're at Shenzhen Bay Park — extremely convenient
- Best for: families, couples, beginners — ride and stop for photos as you go
- Cost: the park is free; shared bikes are charged by time
- Opening hours: the park is open all day (lights go off in some areas at night)
Route 2: Dasha River Ecological Corridor, the "Shenzhen Seine"
- Length: about 13.7 km, from Changlingpi Reservoir in the north to the Shenzhen Bay estuary in the south
- Terrain: almost entirely flat with good shade — very comfortable to ride
- Transport: about a 10-minute walk from Hi-Tech Park Station on Metro Line 1, or Exit D of Zhuguang Station on Line 7
- Highlights: the "Forest Roller Coaster" elevated walkway and a 360-degree glass treehouse in the middle section, plus Jiuxiangling Wetland Park (九祥嶺濕地公園), Dasha River Park (大沙河公園) and Shenzhen Bay Park (深圳灣公園) all linked together
There are greenways on both banks of the Dasha River, and plenty of families come to cycle and stroll. To ride the whole thing, you can follow the Dasha River all the way to Shenzhen Bay and connect to Route 1, turning it into a "river + sea" day route.
You can cycle in urban Luohu and Futian too
- Donghu Park (東湖公園), Luohu: Luohu District's largest reservoir park, with a greenway and jogging path along the reservoir — ride or walk at a leisurely pace, free entry. The easiest place to reach after crossing the border at Luohu
- Lianhuashan Park / Shenzhen Central Park (蓮花山公園／深圳中心公園), Futian: big lawn parks in Futian District where you can stroll and fly kites, with cycle paths connecting nearby, free entry
- Most urban greenways are shared with pedestrians, so keep your speed low and ring your bell
How do you rent a bike?
- The easiest option in Shenzhen is a shared bike (Meituan Bike, HelloBike and so on) — scan the QR code in the app to unlock and ride, charged by time, usually a few RMB per hour (the app's quoted price is what counts)
- There are plenty of shared bikes along the Shenzhen Bay Park area — just pick one and go
- Remember to check the operating zone and return points in the app; ride outside the zone and you may not be able to lock the bike, with charges continuing
- If you want to ride all day, choose a shared bike platform with a day-pass package — usually cheaper than paying per ride
Cycling tips
- Autumn (October–November) is the most comfortable; summer midday is too sunny, so set off in the evening
- Bring water and sunscreen — supply points along the way aren't that frequent
- For night rides, use lights and wear reflective clothing
- Some sections have pedestrians and children, so ride slowly
- Before returning the bike, make sure the app shows "returned" so you don't keep being charged
- Motor vehicles and e-bikes are banned in the parks — don't stray into prohibited zones
Transport: where to start from the three border crossings?
- Shenzhen Bay Port (smoothest): step out of the port and you're at Shenzhen Bay Park — rent a bike and start riding straight away
- Futian Port: take Line 4 from Futian Checkpoint Station, change to Line 9 or Line 1 towards Shenzhen Bay; for urban routes you can start around Lianhuashan and Central Park
- Luohu Port: take Line 1 from Luohu Station towards Nanshan (Window of the World, Hi-Tech Park area), or start from the Donghu Park greenway
FAQ
- Can a beginner finish 16 km? Yes — the surface is flat, and at a relaxed pace it takes about 2 hours; you can stop to rest and take photos along the way.
- Can children ride? The coastal section is flat and safe, so a kids' bike or parent-child bike is recommended; the main road has heavy traffic, so don't let children ride alone.
- Are shared bikes expensive? They're charged by time, usually a few RMB per hour — far cheaper than renting in Hong Kong.
- Can you link the Dasha River and Shenzhen Bay? Yes — the two routes connect around the Shenzhen Bay estuary.
- Do you need to book? No — the parks and greenways are free and open.
Conclusion
To see Shenzhen's sea and river at the lowest cost, rent a shared bike and ride from Shenzhen Bay Port until sunset — the best-value half-day trip in autumn. Afterwards you can carry on to Coastal City or Shenzhen Bay MixC for a full run of eating and shopping.
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