Shenzhen will build 342 kilometers of South China Historical Trail cultural routes by 2035, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau.

Historical relics and villages on the routes will be connected by ancient trails, walking trails and greenways, as well as other types of platforms to revitalize precious intangible cultural heritage and rural areas.

The South China Historical Trail is the major travel and trade route in Guangdong Province before 1913. The trail passes 21 cities in Guangdong, an important route for logistics, people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

The renovation work has progressed in Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, Dapeng New Area and Longhua District, according to Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

A scene at the Longhua Dalang Hiking Trail. Photos by Yang Mei

Longhua District will build a nearly 6.49-kilometer ancient trail to include historical sites like the Memorial Hall of Chinese Cultural Celebrity Rescue, which also forms the district’s red tourism route. Greenways will also be constructed as part of the district’s ancient trail renovation project.

Dapeng New Area is home to the most ancient trail sections in the city. In the past, the Dapeng ancient trail section served as the only way for people to travel between Guangzhou and Huizhou. In January, a 4.2-kilometer handmade hiking trail in Dapeng New Area, Bagang’ao ancient trail, opened to the public.

Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone uncovered three ancient trail relics and several ancient stone tablets, military sites, tea pavilions and ferries last year.

At present, renovation projects at the Wanyao section of Dongduling ancient trail and the Yangkeng section of Shuanggongling ancient trail are in progress. The ancient trail renovation projects will boost the local rural cultural tourism industry development, said the report.