FANCY playing badminton or tennis immediately after stepping off a Metro train? Check out the sports facilities within the Huangmugang Station of Metro lines 7 and 14 in Futian District, where you can find badminton and tennis practice courts available for use. First of its kind in Shenzhen, the Huangmugang Sports Site is located beside Exit 3 on the first underground level of the colossal Huangmugang transport hub, situated at the intersection of Huafu and Sungang roads. Covering an area of 900 square meters, this sports site features three badminton courts, two tennis practice courts, and basic changing rooms on site to conveniently serve users of the facilities. Constructed to professional sports venue standards, as stated by the operator, the courts are equipped with high-quality professional flooring that effectively reduces the risk of sports injuries. The tennis practice courts come with advanced tennis ball machines that incorporate cutting-edge technology allowing for precise adjustments to ball frequency, speed, landing points, and spin. Residents can customize their training plans based on their physical conditions and training goals. Since its recent opening, the sports site has been well received among local sports enthusiasts, many of whom stop by for a couple of hours of exercise after work on their way homes. The sports site is open to public by reservation. The tennis courts charge a flat rate of 50 yuan (US$6.9) per hour, while the fees for the badminton courts vary between peak and non-peak hours. During non-peak hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, a badminton court costs 50 yuan per hour, while during peak hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, the cost is 100 yuan per hour. Residents who have used the indoor sports facilities find the fees reasonable, given its central location and easy accessibility, especially during rainy weather. Among the few massive Metro stations in Shenzhen, the Huangmugang Station is relatively low-profile when compared to the Gangxia North Station, an instant internet sensation upon its operation famous for its “Eye of Shenzhen design, which allows sunlight to stream into the underground facility. It is less busy than the Chegongmiao Station, an interchange for Metro lines 1, 7, 9 and 11, which is connected to an underground commercial center in the Chegongmiao area. Considered a “masterpiece” of urban planning by many local netizens, the Huangmugang Station also boasts an exhibition space on the same level as the sports site. The station, characterized by massive structural columns, consists of three underground levels, featuring a hollow design in the atrium that allows visibility among each level. The station’s ceiling is designed with skylights, which facilitate a substantial influx of natural light, ensuring that even the underground third level is illuminated by sunlight. Additionally, the station and its entrances are adorned with numerous green plants, creating a bright, spacious, and inviting environment for passengers. Notably, there is a resting platform surrounded by greenery on the exit level, offering a tranquil space for people to pause and relax. The Huangmugang Station has a total of 21 exits that extend in all directions. Located in northeastern part of Futian District, Huangmugang is within walking distances to a number of public facilities in the neighborhood, such as the Shenzhen Sports Center, Shenzhen No. 2 People’s Hospital, Huaqiangbei, Bijia Mountain Park and Central Park, all accessible through its underground slow traffic system.(Claudia Wei) | 