Meilin Reservoir to Danaoke Hill Trail

The Meilin Reservoir to Danaoke Hill trail climbs from the Meilin Mountain trailhead near Mei'ao Road in Futian District up to the roughly 350m Danaoke Hill summit, with an option to loop back via the Meilin Greenway. The trailhead is reached by Shenzhen Metro Line 9 to Meilin Station, Exit D, followed by a 15-minute walk; there is no permit requirement and no entry fee. Depending on the chosen route, the outing covers 6-9km with a moderate, sustained elevation gain of around 300m from the reservoir area to the summit, on a surface that mixes dirt paths, stone steps, and short paved greenway sections near the reservoir. The lower stretch beside Meilin Reservoir is well shaded by forest and relatively flat, while the climb toward Danaoke Hill becomes steeper and rockier with patches of exposed trail near the top. Key landmarks include the reservoir dam viewpoint at the start, a mid-route junction where hikers can choose the shorter reservoir loop or continue to the summit, and the Danaoke Hill summit itself, which offers views over Futian District and the Shenzhen River toward Hong Kong on clear days. There are no refuge huts along the route, though benches appear at intervals near the reservoir, and the only reliable water access is at the trailhead. The full route to the summit and back typically takes 3-4 hours.