A new section of Xiangshan Cloud Walkway opened Nov 1 for trial operation at Xiangshan Lake Park in New Xiangzhou with mountain, lake, and urban landscapes.

Part of the Fenghuang Mt hiking trail network, the 3,054-m (10,020-ft) section winds around Xiangshan Lake Park Phase II near Jianmin and Shixi roads. A leisure, safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly walkway, it has elevated boardwalks, sightseeing platforms, barrier-free access facilities, lighting, and security, fire extinguishing, and signal systems. 

The aerial walkway overlooks the lake and Lingnan-styled (Cantonese) architecture from a panoramic sightseeing platform. An 81-year-old man surnamed Yin spoke highly of it as ideal for locals to exercise and relax. It is 3.6 m wide (12 ft) and allows 10 people to walk side by side. The ergonomic design has a gentle gradient of 1:13 and antiskid wooden floors to increase accessibility, according to Deng Mingzhong of Zhuhai Zhengfang Urban Construction Management Consulting.

Xiangshan Cloud Walkway encircles Xiangshan Lake [Photo by Ye Qiuming / Zhuhai Media Group]

The entrance is near the Atrium Garden of Xiangshan Lake Park Phase III off Shixi Road across from the Huafa Four Seasons residential community. During trial operations, the Xiangshan Lake Park section is receiving up to 5,000 visitors daily from 9 am to 6 pm with COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures in place. Entry is forbidden after 5 pm.

On Nov 20, 2020, the first Xiangshan Lake Park demonstration section opened spanning 509 m (1,670 ft) with a gray-colored light steel structure with wooden floors painted light red. 

The entire Fenghuang Mt trail is 8.6 km (5.3 miles) long and will take about 85 minutes to walk from Xiangshan Lake to Sea & Sky (Haitian) Park in Old Xiangzhou when it opens next year. Haitian's Jigong Hill section opened to visitors July 1 with "smart" services and mountain, waterfall, and cityscape views.