Maluan mountain hike

 

Important information.  If you get lost head towards a big white pagoda. This is a good marker to regroup from.  Also check for signs for Maluanshan, dameisha or OCT EAST. They are also end points.

 

 

Now Shenzhen has no shortage of hikes, and these can range from small ones like Nanshan to the larger more difficult ones like Wutong, but there’s one common theme which drives most hiking enthusiasts crazy.  Stairs.  It sometimes feels more like floor walking than it does hiking, with endless towering stairs above you, you could be in a skyscraper not on a mountain.

However in Maluan Mountain there is something different.  Gone are the stairs, to be replaced with natural paths and rural trails.  Hiking as hiking should be.  This is possibly the most authentic hike in the city, with flora, fauna and greenery all around you, you could actually be in another country all together.  This hike doesn’t have the sweeping views of the city like some of the other city hikes do, instead you get a slice of rural life in the megacity that is Shenzhen.

guide to all SZ hikes here Hiking in Shenzhen

Getting here is the hardest part, located deep in Yantian district this can be a time consuming task.   I’d advise starting at Xiaomeisha Ocean World as the hike entrance is just behind here.  Walk around behind Ocean World on a path .  You can follow the path  for around 15-20 mins left until you get to the stairs.

NOTE.  THERE IS A SET OF STAIRS IMMEDIATELY ON YOUR LEFT AS YOU STAT THE HIKE. IT IS NOT THESE.  KEEP WALKING STRAIGHT ON

Keep straight and you’ll walk through a car park area and under a tunnel/overpass.  Eventually you will come to another set of stairs.  Go up for around 10 mins.

When you reach the toilet turn left

You’ll soon reach the waterfall area.  Depending on what the weather was like previously this may be big and gushing or pretty small, these rocks are a perfect place to have a rest and soak in the nature.  You can even swim in the pools if you wish.

After a cool down keep going up through the forest path on the right hand side of the waterfall.  When you get to the top there is a left/right option. Turn left  Turn left here and keep going, it’s a gradual incline and nothing too difficult.  Keep your eyes open for some interesting nature, there are usually lots of flowers and insects around to catch your eye.  After 45 mins or so you’ll come to a large open expanse, with sweeping fields and ocean views in front of you.  There will be a pagoda, it’s a good place to rest and catch your breath.  You can go to the top of the pagoda for magnificent views of the panorama below you.

Nearby here are some small restaurants visible in a small village area if you wish to have lunch, the prices are cheap and the food is good, it is always busy with locals on the weekend, always a good sign if a place is good or not.  If you choose to eat here or not the way down is the same, just follow the sign for ‘OCT East’, this will lead you down to the bottom.

It’s a nice gravel path and it leads to a beautiful boardwalk that has superb views of OCT East below you.  Keep following and you’ll end near the golf course, from here you can get a car to wherever you wish or keep walking until you see a bus station.  You can also follow signs to Dameisha, OCT EAST or Maluanshan.  Basically keep going down somewhere until you find the bottom

 

Want to go?

By public transport you can get bus M181, 103, 103B 380A directly to Xiaomeisha terminus and start the hike from there.

What I recommend if a small group I go to XinXiu metro station and get a didi to 小梅沙海洋世界 Xiaomeisha Sea World
Address: Xiaomeisha Scenic Area, Yantian District (深圳市盐田区小梅沙海滨旅游区小梅沙海洋世界)

Bring enough water as there isn’t anywhere to buy it on the trail

 

Another waterfall hike.  Read here Chasing waterfalls