A glance at the Garden in Nature in Jingui Village in Pingshan District. Photos from Pingshan Media Center and Friends of Park

The 400-year-old Jingui Village — located at the foot of Maluan Mountain in Pingshan District — hosts a pocket park called Garden in Nature. Designed and built through close collaboration between designers from Shenzhen Technology University, community workers, local residents and children, the park is a potent example of how thoughtful design and grassroots effort can transform a neighborhood space.

The creation process itself reflects the space’s spirit. Residents planted native species while children painted stones and decorated fences. These simple, hands-on contributions give the garden an intimate, lived-in feel and embody Shenzhen’s child-friendly philosophy. 

Butterfly motifs recur in artwork, signs and sculptures in the park. The planted flora provide food and shelter for insects and birds, helping to reinforce Jingui Village’s natural ecology and biodiversity. Interpretive display boards introduce visitors to native plants and the role of butterflies, turning casual strolls into gentle learning experiences.

Scenes at the Garden in Nature.

Functionally, the Garden in Nature has become a multifunctional community hub. It offers a quiet nook for residents to unwind; for children, it is an outdoor classroom where they can touch, observe and learn about plants and wildlife. Regular maintenance activities also strengthen social bonds and foster stewardship of shared green space.

Walking through the park feels like entering a small kingdom of plants. It’s a gentle reminder that even compact, carefully nurtured green spaces can bring beauty, education and community life together in meaningful ways. If you visit Jingui Village, allow some time to wander its paths — you may leave feeling a little more connected to nature.

Venue: Garden in Nature, intersection of Jingui Road and Banba Greenway, Shijing Subdistrict, Pingshan District (坪山区石井街道金龟路和半坝绿道交汇处自然里花园)

Metro: Line 16 to Tianxin Station (田心站), Exit B and then take a taxi

Installations at the Garden in Nature.