Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
A sprawling botanical paradise in Shenzhen, featuring diverse themed gardens, a serene temple, and lush landscapes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful exploration
Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sprawling botanical paradise in Shenzhen, featuring diverse themed gardens, a serene temple, and lush landscapes.
"This gigantic botanical garden is worth every penny, especially with the bus service to explore its wonders!"
Utilize the Shuttle Bus
The garden is huge! The 10 RMB bus is essential for seeing multiple areas without exhaustion. :bus:
Pack Snacks & Water
Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy a picnic and save money. :apple:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Bonsai Garden
Bonsai Garden section
Marvel at meticulously sculpted miniature trees, showcasing incredible artistry and dedication.
Hongfa Temple
Within the gardens
Explore this significant Buddhist temple, a peaceful sanctuary offering cultural insights.
Desert Flora Garden
Desert Flora Garden section
Discover a stunning collection of diverse cacti and succulents in a unique arid landscape.
Butterfly Valley
Butterfly Valley section
Immerse yourself in a scenic area teeming with natural beauty and vibrant insect life.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Vastness
Beyond the Blooms
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Utilize the Shuttle Bus
The garden is huge! The 10 RMB bus is essential for seeing multiple areas without exhaustion. :bus:
Pack Snacks & Water
Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy a picnic and save money. :apple:
Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, even with the bus. Prioritize comfort! :athletic_shoe:
Visit Hongfa Temple
Don't miss the serene Buddhist temple inside the gardens for a cultural detour. :temple:
Tips
from all over the internet
Utilize the Shuttle Bus
The garden is huge! The 10 RMB bus is essential for seeing multiple areas without exhaustion. :bus:
Pack Snacks & Water
Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy a picnic and save money. :apple:
Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, even with the bus. Prioritize comfort! :athletic_shoe:
Visit Hongfa Temple
Don't miss the serene Buddhist temple inside the gardens for a cultural detour. :temple:
Capture the Beauty
This place is incredibly photogenic! Allow ample time for photos. :camera:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Fairy Lake Botanical Garden for its immense size, diverse themed sections like the Bonsai Garden and Desert Flora, and the cultural significance of Hongfa Temple. The affordable entry fee and the essential internal bus service are frequently highlighted as great value. However, some note that the garden's vastness can be overwhelming without utilizing the bus, and bringing your own food is recommended.
"This is a very huge, gigantic botanical garden in Shenzhen. I do not recommend walking around the garden without using the bus service, it is worth every penny to pay the 10 RMB. You won't want to miss any part of the park so the bus service will have multiple stops for you to get off and back on. The Butterfly Valley was the best scenic area and Bonsai Garden is remarkable.
You could spend the entire day here and bring your own food and snacks! You will probably take a ton of pictures!!"
Friendly Notary
"Took the subway to xianhulu station and got off at C3 exit and walked with the signs pointing to the botanical gardens. 10 RMB per person or if 60 years and up it's free. Loved the desert flora garden! So many beautiful catci. The hongfa temple was also nice. There are regular buses (6 RMB per ride) on the premises to take people to various garden spots when inside the botanical garden. We got on the bus at the start and got off on hongfa temple and walked the rest of the park in about 2-3 hours. There were some uphill slopes but manageable for a senior on a warm 29C day with water."
Kathy Lam
"The scenery there is picturesque. The entry fee is not expensive. Recommended to go there, the views there is totally worth it. It is also recommended to take the bus for ¥10 it saves a lot of walking."
Wang Qian
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can easily reach the garden via the Shenzhen subway. Take Line 2 or 5 to Xianhu Road Station (仙湖路站), then use Exit C and walk for about 10 minutes. :subway:
Yes, signs are usually well-placed pointing you towards the botanical garden entrance from Xianhu Road Station Exit C. :road:
While driving is possible, parking can be challenging, and public transport is highly recommended for ease of access and to avoid traffic. :car:
The garden is vast. The internal bus service (around 10 RMB) is highly recommended to cover distances between different themed sections efficiently. :bus:
Taxis are generally available in Shenzhen, but using ride-sharing apps or the subway is often more convenient and predictable. :taxi:
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The general admission fee is typically around 15 RMB per person. Senior citizens often receive free entry. :ticket:
Yes, senior citizens usually get free admission, and children often have reduced ticket prices. It's best to check the latest pricing at the entrance. :moneybag:
Advance booking is usually not required for general admission, but it's always a good idea to check their official website or local listings for any special events or changes. :computer:
The garden typically opens around 8:00 AM and closes in the late afternoon or early evening, around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. Confirm current hours before your visit. :clock:
Hongfa Temple itself is free to enter, but it is located within the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, which has an entrance fee. :temple:
📸 📸 Photography
Absolutely! The garden offers incredibly picturesque scenery with diverse plant life, themed gardens, and the temple, making it a photographer's paradise. :camera:
The Bonsai Garden, Desert Flora Garden, Butterfly Valley, and the area around Hongfa Temple are particularly stunning for photos. :star:
Tripod usage policies can vary. It's advisable to check with the garden staff upon arrival or look for signage regarding photography equipment restrictions. :tripod:
Mornings offer softer light and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing the beauty. Late afternoons can also provide beautiful golden hour light. :sunrise:
The intricate details of the bonsai trees, the vibrant colors of the desert plants, and the architectural beauty of Hongfa Temple are all must-capture moments. :iphone:
🎫 🌿 Onsite Experience
To truly appreciate the garden and use the bus service, plan for at least 3-4 hours. You could easily spend a full day if you want to explore thoroughly. :clock:
While there might be limited snack options, it's highly recommended to bring your own food and drinks for a picnic. :sandwich:
Key areas include the Bonsai Garden, Desert Flora Garden, Butterfly Valley, and the Hongfa Temple. The themed gardens offer unique experiences. :map:
The garden is large with some uphill sections. The bus service helps, but some areas might be challenging. Check accessibility details if needed. :wheelchair:
Some TikTok videos mention dog-friendly gardens in Florida, but for Fairy Lake Botanical Garden in Shenzhen, pets are generally not permitted inside the main botanical areas. :dog:
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶 Budget Travelers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
while the Desert Flora Garden provides unique textures and colors. Visiting on a weekday morning will help you avoid crowds and capture the best light. Be prepared to spend several hours here to fully explore and capture the diverse beauty of the gardens.Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Themed Gardens
The Desert Flora Garden presents a fascinating collection of cacti and succulents, adapted to arid conditions.Other notable sections include the Lakeside Garden, providing scenic views and water-loving plants, and the Edible Flower Garden, highlighting the beauty and utility of flowering plants in cuisine. The Mill Creek Medicinal Garden delves into the traditional uses of plants for healing. Each area is designed to educate and inspire visitors about the diversity of plant life.
Navigating these diverse sections is made easier by the garden's internal bus system. This allows visitors to hop on and off at various points of interest, ensuring they can experience the breadth of the garden without excessive walking, especially on warmer days.
The Cultural Gem: Hongfa Temple
The temple is an active place of worship and offers a serene escape from the bustling city.Visitors can explore the temple grounds, admire the traditional Buddhist architecture, and observe the devotional practices. It's a place for quiet contemplation and a deeper understanding of Chinese Buddhist culture. The temple's location within the botanical garden provides a unique juxtaposition of natural beauty and spiritual significance.
While the temple itself is free to enter, remember that it is situated within the grounds of the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, which has an admission fee. This combination offers a dual experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in both nature and spirituality during their visit.
Practicalities for a Smooth Visit
Consider bringing your own food and drinks. While there might be some vendors, packing a picnic allows for flexibility and can save money, enabling you to spend more time exploring the diverse flora. Staying hydrated is also crucial, especially during warmer months.
For photography enthusiasts, the garden is a dream. The variety of landscapes, from the intricate bonsai to the vibrant desert plants and the temple architecture, provides endless opportunities. Visiting on a weekday can offer a more tranquil experience with fewer crowds, allowing for better photo opportunities and a more relaxed exploration.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit