Magical and colorful Liaoning

Author: Liao Li
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Liaoning Province is located in the southern part of Northeast China and is part of the Bohai Rim Economic Circle in Northeast Asia. It has a temperate continental climate with distinct four seasons, and an average annual temperature of 16°C. The average temperature ranges from 6°C to 11°C. January is the coldest month, while July is the warmest. Coastal cities experience slightly smaller temperature variations compared to central cities. Spring lasts from April to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to October, and winter from mid-November to February of the following year. Spring and autumn are influenced by monsoons, requiring light jackets and thin sweaters; summer is rainy, so rain gear is recommended; winter is cold, requiring cotton, fur, or down clothing for warmth. May to October is the best time for tourism in Liaoning, while January and February are ideal for enjoying ice and snow scenery and traditional festivals. Liaoning Province administers 14 prefecture-level cities, with the provincial capital in Shenyang. The province covers an area of 148,000 square kilometers and has a population of 42.03 million. It is a multi-ethnic province dominated by the Han ethnic group, with 52 minority groups including Manchu, Mongolian, Korean, and Sibo, accounting for 16% of the total population. The Manchu and Sibo ethnic groups have the largest populations in China. Located in the southern part of Northeast China, Liaoning borders the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea to the south and is separated from the Korean Peninsula by the Yalu River to the southeast. Its advantageous geographical location makes it the economic hub, transportation, and communication center of Northeast China. Convenient land, sea, and air transportation connects Liaoning with over 50 major and medium-sized cities in China, as well as Japan, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Macau, making it an important tourist destination in Northeast Asia. The Liao River Basin is one of the cradles of the splendid culture of the Chinese nation. Since the unification of China under the Qin Dynasty to the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, various dynasties have left behind numerous legendary cultural relics and historical sites. Notably, the Shenyang Imperial Palace in the central part, the Three Tombs outside the Great Wall, and the modern war relics in the south, as well as the Qin, Han, Liao, Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasty relics in the west, are renowned both domestically and internationally. From the Dandong Yalu River Estuary to the Jieliao Coast in Huludao, Liaoning's coastline stretches over 2,100 kilometers. Scenic mountains, beautiful waters, and unique landscapes are scattered across the Liaodong Peninsula and the Liaoxi Corridor. There are seven outstanding tourist cities in China, each with its own charm: Shenyang, Dalian, Anshan, Fushun, Benxi, Dandong, and Jinzhou. Liaoning boasts the only World Heritage site in Northeast China—the only water-based Great Wall in the world, the Jiumen Great Wall in Huludao. Other sites under consideration for World Heritage designation include the Shenyang Imperial Palace, the Yongling Mausoleum in Fushun, the Fuling and Zhaoling Mausoleums in Shenyang, and the pre-Qing historical sites of Hetu'ala City, the Dongjing City in Liaoyang, and the Dongjing Mausoleum. Liaoning is home to the world's largest jade Buddha in Anshan, the world's longest navigable water-filled cave, Benxi Water Cave, the world's second-largest reed marsh—the Panjin Shuangtaizi Wetland Nature Reserve, and the world's largest polar ocean animal park, Dalian Tiger Beach Polar Park. It also features one of the world's best golf courses, Dalian Jinshitan Golf Course, the world's largest extraterrestrial visitor from 1.9 billion years ago, the Shenyang Ancient Meteorite, and the world's second-largest reed marsh—the Panjin Shuangtaizi Wetland Nature Reserve. Other famous attractions include Shenyang's Guaipo, Dalian's Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea dividing line, Shiliao Island, Jinzhou's Bijiashan, and Panjin's Honghaibian. Scenic spots like Qianshan, Fenghuangshan, Qipanshan, Yiwulu, Bingyu, Haishan, the Yalu River, Sarihu, Qinghe, Wunushan, and Tianhuashan are equally breathtaking. The folk customs of Liaoning are simple, natural, and passionate. Events such as the Dalian International Fashion Festival, Shenyang International Ice and Snow Tourism Festival, Anshan Qianshan International Tourism Festival, Fushun Manchu Cultural Tourism Festival, Benxi Maple Leaf Festival, Dandong Yalu River International Tourism Festival, Yingkou Wang'er Mountain Mother's Day, and Tieling Folk Art Festival are celebrated with great enthusiasm by domestic and international tourists. The Shenyang-Dalian-Dandong Golden Triangle Tourism Route covers eight cities: the historic Shenyang, romantic Dalian, the world's jade capital Anshan, the birthplace of civilization Fushun, the maple leaf capital Benxi, the gateway city Dandong, the musical instrument city Yingkou, and the historic Liaoyang and the small art capital Tieling. These cities account for 97% of international and 82% of domestic tourist visits. The "Welcome to Liaoning" Liaoxi Tourism Route, represented by Huludao-Jinzhou (including Chaoyang and Fuxin), connects the Bohai coastal city of Huludao, the Liaoxi hub of Jinzhou, the pearl of the northern grasslands Fuxin, the ancient capital of the three Yan states Chaoyang, and the crane paradise Panjin, making them hot tourist destinations connecting the interior and the exterior. The charming Chinese tourism golden triangle is nestled in the beautiful Liaodong Peninsula, and the enchanting Liaoxi tourism route is embedded in the colorful Liaoxi Corridor. The people of Liaoning warmly invite friends from home and abroad to explore the magical Liaoning and enjoy the vibrant Northeast China!