A scenic cycling route winding through Shenzhen's urban and natural landscapes. Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau unless otherwise stated

In an effort to create a world-class cycling city, Shenzhen will build a 700-km cycling network by the end of 2027 and expand it to 1,000 km by 2035, according to a government news conference held Friday. Shenzhen will complete a total length of 300 km of cycling routes this year.

"We will construct a cycling network consisting of one coastal cycling route, three major mountain-sea cycling loops, and multiple shorter leisure-themed cycling routes, leveraging the city's unique mountain and sea resources and making full use of existing slow-traffic systems such as greenways, ecological corridors, parks, and lakes," Zhang Guohong, director of the Shenzhen Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, said at the news conference.

An illustration outlining Shenzhen's planned cycling network, scheduled for completion by 2035.

The coastal cycling route, stretching 200 km from the Maozhou River in the west to Dapeng New Area in the east, connects Shenzhen Bay, Dapeng Bay, Daya Bay, and the Shenzhen River.

Each of the three major mountain-sea cycling loops spans 100 km. The western route, primarily located in Bao'an and Nanshan districts, is themed around technological innovation. The central route, in Longhua and Futian districts, showcases urban prosperity. Meanwhile, the eastern route, in Yantian and Dapeng, highlights majestic mountain and sea landscapes.

In addition, several shorter leisure-themed cycling routes, each over 20 km long, offer diverse experiences. Themed "around the lake," "through the forest," "along the stream," and "around the city," these routes connect key urban areas and link large green corridors, rivers, reservoirs, mountains, and other natural landscapes.

To date, over 100 km of cycling routes have been completed.

Tips for May Day cycling

The Qianhai Bay section of the Western Coastal Cycling Route.

As the May Day holiday approaches, Zhang recommended four cycling routes to residents.

The Western Coastal Cycling Route, a 50-kilometer ride from Gushu in Bao'an to the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park, offers stunning coastal views. Along the way, cyclists can stop at K11, the city's latest commercial hub, which is scheduled to open before the May Day holiday.

A tree-shaded path forms part of the 15-kilometer cycling route around Xili Lake. Han Ximin

The second is the 15-km cycling route around Xili Lake, which boasts nine scenic spots where riders can experience a blend of nature and culture.

In Guangming District, cyclists can enjoy a 20-km route that stretches from Guangming Science City to Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen School. This route features the beauty of mountains and rivers, pastoral landscapes, and the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum, which will open on May Day.

In the city's east, from Dameisha in Yantian District, cyclists can climb halfway up the mountain on a challenging ride to Yunhai Book Store, the highest bookstore in the city, where they can enjoy a cup of coffee and take in 360-degree panoramic views of Yantian Port and Wutong Mountain.