According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an international nonprofit (非盈利的) environmental organization, Shenzhen tops all Chinese cities in walking environment. It’s reported that Shenzhen has built a number of parks and greenways in recent years. Now there are about 2,500 kilometres of greenways available for people to enjoy healthy activities.

In order to make greenways that satisfy people, the Shenzhen Greenway Office has set up rest areas, environmental-friendly toilets, signs and so on. At a rest area on the Shatou greenway in Futian District, things like medical kits and drinking water are available for people. “We can stay here to keep out of the rain and have water to drink, which is good,” said a cleaner who often goes there and drinks some of the water. At another rest area on the round-city greenway in Longhua District, people can see many volunteers providing help for others. More places such as nursery rooms (育婴室) and book bars have also been set up there.

A map, called the Shenzhen greenway coverage map, shows the general layout (布局) of the city’s greenways. And each district has one greenway map with information introducing the history and tourist places along the greenway. A woman living in Futian District says that she takes a walk on a greenway every weekend and the greenway map helps her a lot. “It offers a lot of information, such as how long the greenway is and where the toilets are,” she said.

With more greenways available, an increasing number of people are walking on the greenways as a way to relax and exercise. And it has become a popular lifestyle choice among people living in Shenzhen.