With its dense forests, lush vegetation, and fresh air, Dashushan has long been a natural oxygen bar for city residents. On January 13, despite the cold winter day, quite a few citizens still came to hike and exercise. Around 5 p.m., a reporter walked along the mountain-looping road on the northeast side of Dashushan, preparing to ascend from the north entrance.
As the reporter climbed up the even hiking path, they saw many visitors descending in groups, while only a handful were climbing up like the reporter. By the time they reached the mountainside, it was getting dark. With no lighting along the path, visitors were hurrying down the mountain.
A middle-aged couple who were heading down told the reporter that they live in the urban area and drive here to hike every weekend. "We wanted to stay longer, but since it gets dark early in winter and there are no streetlights on the mountain, we had to head back," said Madam Jiang, clearly not having had enough fun. "It would be great if streetlights could be installed on the mountain so people can come up to breathe fresh air at night too," her husband added.
When they reached the steps leading to the mountain top, the reporter looked up and saw nothing but darkness. Several hikers, including the reporter, didn’t dare climb any further. "Don’t go up — you might fall and get hurt!" warned Mr. Zhao, a resident of a nearby neighborhood. Since retiring, Mr. Zhao has been hiking on the mountain almost daily, morning and evening, to keep fit. But he’s troubled by the lack of lighting. Being older, he’s afraid of tripping and has taken to carrying a flashlight. "If there were streetlights, I’d feel much safer exercising morning and night!" he said.
Madam Fan, the owner of a food and beverage shop on the mountain, also told the reporter that she often hears customers complain about the inconvenience caused by the lack of streetlights. "Fewer people hike in winter, but in summer, people come even at midnight, not just during the day. If there were lights, my business would be much better," she said.
Around 6 p.m., as the reporter left Dashushan and looked back, the entire mountain was engulfed in darkness except for one or two lights near the summit.
On January 14, the reporter called the Shushan Forest Park Management Office regarding whether streetlights should be installed on Dashushan. A person in charge from the publicity department said that due to planning, funding, and other reasons, there are currently no plans to install streetlights. However, they also said they would seriously consider the suggestions from the reporter and some residents to install streetlights.