Sandou Park protectively designed for leisure, nature

Zhuhai residents and visitors will soon savor nature along trails and at pavilions, plazas, and viewing platforms in the environmental-protection Huangyang River Wetland Park that will soon open to the public.

The park takes inspiration from the Chinese character "斗" (Dou, referring to a dredging box used to spread powder) in name Doumen (斗门) and composed of three scenery "Dou" zones: 文化斗 Wenhua (Culture) Dou, 自然斗 Ziran (Nature) Dou, and 生态斗 Shengtai (Ecology) Dou. From them it earned the nickname Sandou or three dou's.

Wenhua Dou lies closest to the Jianfeng Bridge and incorporates Doumen District culture into its design. An arched steel-structured lounge crosses the water with design elements from "斗." There, Ousi (Lotus Root Thread) Pavilion displays local customs and coastal wetland features. Due to proximity to the intertidal area, the area offers platforms upon which visitors can get close to nature and observe crabs and aquatic plants.

Meanwhile, Ziran Dou has idyllic atmosphere with canna lilies and meandering trails for walks or jogging, whereas Shengtai Dou presents the natural ecology with planted swamp cypress and reed marshes on both sides of the Shengshichong Riverway.

One of the design companies, Lab D+H, states: "Through rigorous inquiry, collaboration, and design experimentation, we aim to create spaces that allow for ecological improvement, education, reflection and recreation."

Bolstering Zhuhai's designation as a Sponge City, the park's 40 hectares (99 acres) stretch south along the river from the Jianfeng Bridge (尖峰大桥) to loop around to Shengshichong Sluice Gate (圣狮涌水闸) over 3.7 km (2.3 miles). At this point it is across from Huafa Aquatic Villa Provincial Wetland Park.

Lab D+H says of Sandou Wetland Park, "It not only has a modern urban wetland sustainability, but also has charming elegant classical gardens."

Comprehensive construction work on the park began in 2018 at a cost of about 80 million yuan ($11.3 million).