Hefei's new park is now under construction. [Photo by Zhu Lixin/China Daily]

Previously, the region only had Swan Lake Park, he said. Although there is a lot of vegetation around the lake, the park cannot offer a huge area of green space due to the limited winding shoreline and surrounding roads. With the new, bigger park, residents can have a larger venue for leisure and entertainment, while more lively mass activities can be organized, he said. The new park will not only be a mammoth green belt, but will become a multi-functional city landmark complex.

Samijadi Muhammad Firdaus, a postgraduate student from Suriname studying at Hefei's University of Science and Technology of China, said he often went to Swan Lake Park, a city landmark, on weekends, as its trees, lakeside walking ways and especially its street lamps at night, always appealed to him.

He said he thinks the new "Central Park" in Hefei will become a must-see spot for visitors once it is opened.

Li stressed that once open, the new park will integrate with its surroundings and allow residents to enjoy their work as well as life amid a sea of green and an enjoyable business environment.