List of main parks and gardens

[Aussie Mike]

Botanical Gardens
On the western side of the city, on the banks of the water reservoir, not far from the mountain .
Large expanse of undulating grassland gardens popular for large groups and families. Spacious enough for kicking the footy around and a game of cricket.

DaShuShan
DaShu is the extinct volcano on the western edge of the city.
The 801 bus terminates at the zoo located at the southern foot of the mountain.
The walk is steady and approx 1-2 hours, the view can be impressive some days.

AnHui Gardens
Set near the Development zone in the south west, these are flat spacious more commercial gardens.
Famous for the giant cocktail glasses, AnHui Gardens charge an entrance fee but is still a popular place.
 
XinHua Gardens
In the center of the city, the west end of ShouChun Lu now passes under the gardens.
Contains an amusement park with a ferris wheel, lakes and spacious areas for activities.

XiaoYaoJin Park
In the centre of the city on the East end end of ShouChun Lu.
Contains paint-ball and other amusements

HuChengHe
Around the city moat.
Pleasant walk on the West and South sections from ShouChun/QingXi Lu going south to WuHu Lu and east to Ma'AnShan Lu.
Most roads do not has under passes.

Swan Lake
Man-made lake in the south west near University City in the MingZhu district.
This lake has a beach as well as paths through the grass areas.
Popular with students and families. The guards don't like people swimming.

MinZhu International Gardens
On JinZhai Lu near University City, next to the International Building Exhibition Plaza.
Spacious grass areas

Bin Hu
This is a wetland in the outer southern housing zone.
Often the areas are blocked but some are open.

[kaibo 开 博]

The Botanical gardens are in full bloom mid spring. Barbecues are sometimes available for rent during main seasons and foods, such as meat and vegetable skewers, can be purchased also.
Today -- April 5th -- with the statutory holiday, there were many hundreds, if not a thousand or more, cars there. Not to mention how many e-bikes, buses and taxis dropped people off as well. The traffic was parked all the way out onto the main road, which is about 400 mt from the main carpark and entrance. There must have been thousands of people there today for Qing Min. It is a nice quiet place usually and very peaceful. Bus 108 terminates there and runs around the city.

[Virginia9742]

I wonder if the wetlands of Bin Hu still exist...

[Aussie Mike]

Depends on how much rain we've had... 

I understand they are retaining much of the wetlands, in fact it's difficult to even get into some places.

[Virginia9742]

Difficult in terms of no trespassing allowed, or physically difficult from the lack of solid footing?

[Virginia9742]

That's pretty great they are retaining at least some Chinese nature.  I will have to make my way down there with a camera soon.

[Aussie Mike]

Both

The poachers don't want the public disturbing the wildlife either.