Shanghai residents and tourists will be able to visit a large tract of the city's biggest suburban ecological park during the National Day holiday.

The first phase of Gucun Park, which will be completed by month's end, covers 183.9 hectares, about 40 percent of the whole park area.

The park, in Baoshan District, is designed to be the "green lung" of Shanghai, containing plenty of trees, shrubs and habitat for animals and birds, according to district officials.

The park has incorporated some city thoroughfares as its main roads and people will be able to drive through many areas.

Besides huge lawns, trees and green areas, the park will also host entertainment facilities like climbing, cycling, skateboarding, bungee jumping and river cruises.

A large lake and wetland area was earmarked for the second phase of construction which would begin later this year, the officials said.

Construction of the entire park will be finished in three to five years and it will cover 434.5 hectares.

Metro Line 7 trains will reach Gucun Park by next March.

(Shanghai Daily September 12, 2009)