Showing posts with label Park. Show all posts

[PLACE] 20141222 Yuntai Garden 云台花园 @ Baiyun, Guangzhou


Yuntai Garden is actually a botanical park located at the north of Guangzhou city, bottom of Baiyun Mountain, next to Lihu Park. Although with the name "garden", Yuntai Garden is actually a huge park, covering land area of 120,000m² with 14 main attractions which includes river, lakes, stone carvings (artificial), tropical green house etc.

Despite the size, the Yuntai Garden is actually very well maintained with beautiful flowers to be seen everywhere, which is the main attraction for this garden. The other artificial sculptures and carvings are just add-ons which is nothing unique.

The entrance fee is at a humble RMB10 (RM5.70) which is well worth the ticket price given the scale of the park. The upkeep and maintenance are tip top. You are required to have some stamina to fully explore the park given the hilly landscape. Recommended to reserve at least 3 hours if you would want to explore every inch of this park.

801 Guangyuan Middle Rd, Baiyun, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
广州市白云区广园中路
Nearest Metro Stations: Nil
Telephone: +86 20 3722 2222
Opening Hours: 08:00am until 05:00pm (Daily)

TO GO


Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

Unfortunately, there's no direct Metro station for Baiyun area. Alternative transportation includes public buses and cabs. There are many buses travelling through this route including bus number 175, 179, 199, 218, 223 or the tourist bus No. 1 from Zhongshanba Terminal. Typical cost of an air-conditioned bus cost about RMB2 to RMB3.



ATTRACTION



Yuntai Garden was not in my original itinerary as I only planned to visit Baiyun Mountain. The entrance of the garden is just next to the cable car terminal to Baiyun Mountain, so I thought might as well just pay a short visit since the entrance fee is not too expensive.


My my I was wrong. The garden (or park) is freaking huge. Given the tight schedule, I'm not able to visit all the sections within the park but was able to cover about 70% of it within one and a half hours time. 


The sun light in the winter is very harsh with warm colours even thou it is early in the morning. During my visit, the park is having this lantern festival exhibition with various lanterns (made with cloth) based on themes are exhibited along the pathways. Lights will be turned on during night time.


I started off from the right pathway up the hill where I eventually reach a tropical green house, housing various tropical plantations as well as cactuses, sheltered from the four seasons under the green house.


The plants are labelled with their common names and scientific names, as well as their origins. (Yes, I post this on purpose)


There's this beautiful wall of orchids at the exit of the green house.


Right after the exit from the green house, there's this junction that will lead you to the Biodiversity Valley, which is another huge area with rivers and lake, decorated with Chinese-architectural huts. I skipped this area due to lack of time.


Next I arrived at this Rose Garden where different roses are found here. Unlike our lame Rose Valley in Cameron Highlands, the plants here are well kept and the roses blossom with vibrant colours.


Red rose, white red, blue red, purple rose, big rose, small rose, real rose, fake rose. You name it, they have it here.


Besides roses, they also have other beautiful flowers around.


At the left side of the park there's this uphill track, which presumably will lead you to a hill top. My advice is to just ignore it because I got conned to climb up the whole stairway to reach the top with no view or scenery. Just, ignore it.


The long long way up..


To this con-man hut. Nothing to see but some trees. 15 minutes uphill stamina wasted.


Last but not least, a replica of the London Eye made with lantern cloths in the middle of the lake near the entrance.

OK, time to move on to Baiyun Mountain after 1.5 hours spent here.

SUMMARY


Yuntai Garden is worth a visit if you like parks and plantations. Although there's no unique plants special to China like the Peony Flower, it is still worth a visit, thanks to its well maintained facilities and plants.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆☆

Cleanliness
 ☆☆☆☆☆

Entrance Fee
RMB10
Opening Hours
08:00am until 05:00pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Yes
Website
Baiyun Mountain Website

GPS: 23.157012, 113.293786
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[PLACE] 20141221 Lizhi Park 荔枝公园 @ Futian, Shenzhen



There are many city parks in Shenzhen and among these, the Lizhi Park 荔枝公园 (Lychee Park) being the most famous in Shenzhen. It is located in the city centre of Shenzhen. The name Lizhi 荔枝 (Lychee) came from the lychee trees (more than 500 of them) planted in the park compound. The park was zoned since 1983 and has undergone multiple upgrades on the facilities to become what it is today.

It is located next to the Kingkey 100 Tower, Di Wang Tower, the Grand Theater and Shenzhen Library. The land area is approximately 288,000m², with 110,000m² consist of water body.

Main attraction includes the lychee trees, lotus ponds and the big Lihu Lake.

TO GO


Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

I would recommend taking cab or public buses if you somewhat able to communicate in Mandarin as it will be the most convenient way to commute.

Nearest Metro station would be Hongling station. Just take the Longgang Line (Blue) and drop off at Hongling station, Exit B. Alternatively, you can take Luobao Line (Green) or Shekou Line (Orange) and drop off at Grand Theater station, exit B.



ATTRACTION


The park has a huge stone engraved with the name at the East Entrance.


A stone mural is also located next to the entrance with a poem related to lychee. I hope I'm able to translate the meaning of the poem, but too bad as I can't seem to be able to recognise all the words written.


The locals like to spend their time here doing their leisure activity such as dance practices, Taichi or even their daily jog.


Large fields and lush greens, providing great avenue for various social activities.


There are also many small huts in the park with traditional Chinese architecture design. The CPL filter helped in reducing the water reflection, giving a more contrast image.


Unfortunately, there's no lychee fruits available during the winter and I guess will have to wait until summer to revisit this park again.



You may also rent a small paddling boat for a nice afternoon ride at the lake but I'm not too sure on the fee.

SUMMARY


If you have some spare time and don't mind to have a walk at the park, Li Zhi Park would be your number one choice in Shenzhen due to its strategic location and the popularity.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆
Nice park to walk with nearby attractions.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆☆

Entrance Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Minimum
Website
N/A

GPS: 22.546119, 114.103009
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