Four Greater Bay Area Parks Win Prestigious World Urban Parks Awards 2026
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Four parks in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have been honored at the World Urban Parks (WUP) 2026 Awards, often referred to as the "Oscar of parks." Among the nine Asia-Pacific winners, China secured seven awards, with four originating from the Greater Bay Area .
Key Points
- Bija Shan Sports Park in Shenzhen's Futian District won the New Park Project category for its innovative "track plus park" design, utilizing space above metro stations. The park opened in November 2023 and features 7 football fields, 4 basketball courts, 6 badminton courts, and a 1.6-kilometer running track .
- Bija Shan Sports Park incorporates 5G smart running tracks, AR interactive screens, outdoor smart gyms, and drone delivery services including nighttime delivery launched in late 2025 .
- Shenzhen Bay Park, spanning approximately 128 hectares along a 13-kilometer coastline with 14 themed zones, received the Large Urban Parks award. It serves as a critical stop along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, hosting over 100,000 migratory birds annually including more than 8% of the global Black-faced Spoonbill population .
- The park has implemented a "Lights Out for Birds" policy to minimize nighttime lighting that could disrupt migratory bird patterns, while maintaining free entry from 6:00 to 23:00 daily .
- Guangzhou Children's Park won recognition for its child-friendly design following the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The park features China's first exclusive barrier-free play area for children with disabilities, including wheelchair swings and braille panels .
- The park's "Underwater Forest" purification system supports 547 recorded plant and animal species, while a pioneering carbon credit mechanism rewards children for low-carbon activities like hiking .
- Yuexiu Park, one of Guangzhou's most historic parks designated as one of the "Eight Sights of Sheep City," boasts a greening coverage rate exceeding 90% .
- All four parks offer free admission, with operating hours generally from 6:00 or 8:00 to 23:00 or 18:00 depending on the venue .
Why It Matters
The international recognition of these four Greater Bay Area parks highlights the region's commitment to green space innovation, ecological conservation, and inclusive urban design. For Hong Kong residents, the proximity of award-winning parks like Shenzhen Bay Park—situated directly across the water from Hong Kong's Mai Po Marshes—offers accessible eco-tourism and recreational options that strengthen cross-border recreational ties within the Greater Bay Area .
The international recognition of these four Greater Bay Area parks highlights the region's commitment to green space innovation, ecological conservation, and inclusive urban design. For Hong Kong residents, the proximity of award-winning parks like Shenzhen Bay Park—situated directly across the water from Hong Kong's Mai Po Marshes—offers accessible eco-tourism and recreational options that strengthen cross-border recreational ties within the Greater Bay Area .