Xingcheng Seaside

Xingcheng Ancient City

This is where Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing dynasty, was struck by a Portuguese cannon during the Battle of Ningyuan. It is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China. The best way to see it is to climb the city wall and take a walk around, enjoying views of the old town. The west gate, Yongning, is the most distinctive and often appears in film and television productions.

Combined ticket: ¥100 (includes the Bell and Drum Towers, City Gate Tower, Zhou Residence, Xingcheng Confucius Temple, Commander's Residence, General's Mansion, and more) · 1–2 hours

Juehua Island

Tired of the waters of Beidaihe, travellers from Beijing and Hebei have begun to favour the pristine waters of Juehua Island. Also known as Dahaishan or Chrysanthemum Island, Juehua is the largest island in Bohai Bay and takes its name from the wild chrysanthemums that bloom across it. Its shoreline also has many beautiful beaches. Juehua Island is less than 400 km from Beijing, a drive of about five hours. As a result, many Beijing visitors now choose it for weekends, away from the bustle of the city. Here you can watch the sea, enjoy the sea breeze, eat fresh seafood and stroll along golden beaches, savouring the joy of returning to nature.

Combined ticket: ¥175 (includes the ferry) · 3–4 hours

Jiumenkou Great Wall

Known as the "Water Great Wall," Jiumenkou Great Wall lies in Suizhong County, Liaoning Province, 15 km from Shanhaiguan. It is 1,704 metres long and is an important pass of the Ming Great Wall, which is why it is also called the "First Pass East of Beijing." Here you will find steep mountains, winding rivers and distinctive architecture. Across the Jiujiang River, which is over 100 metres wide, stone slabs pave a riverbed of 7,000 square metres. From afar it looks like a continuous stone pass, which is why Jiumenkou is also called "Yipianshi" (One Stone Pass). In 2002 Jiumenkou Great Wall became the only heritage site in the Northeast to be granted World Cultural Heritage status, making it a new favourite for Great Wall tours. A newly built rare bird sightseeing park is also located within the scenic area.

¥70 · 2–4 hours

Dongdaihe

Dongdaihe includes many coastal villages, beaches and historic sites, with a large stretch of beach and beautiful sea views. Because it was developed later, Dongdaihe still preserves a relatively natural seaside landscape. Its most famous stretch is Zhimao Bay, where the beach is gently sloping, free of reefs and has good sand. Seafood at the nearby farmhouse restaurants is very fresh and inexpensive.

Bijiashan Scenic Area

On the seaside of Jinzhou Port in Liaoning lies a small island called Bijiashan. Rising out of the surging sea, the mountain takes its name from its resemblance to a brush rack (笔架, bǐjià). Because the mountain is long and narrow, and has been shaped over the years by the tides, it has formed a natural wonder: the Heavenly Divine Road. Each day, as the tide rises, seawater surges in from both sides toward the causeway, narrowing and shortening it until it disappears beneath the water. Bijiashan then becomes an island that can only be reached by boat. When the tide recedes at sunset, the Divine Road re-emerges above the water, and people can walk back to the mainland. The mountain is dotted with pavilions, terraces, halls and towers. The most famous is the Sanqing Pavilion (Three Pure Ones Pavilion) at the summit, which enshrines the sacred figures of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism, along with Pangu, the mythical creator, and draws a steady stream of worshippers.

¥60

Yiwulüshan Scenic Area

Located in Beizhen City in western Liaoning, Yiwulu Mountain ranks first among the Northeast's three famous mountains (Yiwulu, Qian and Changbai). It is renowned for its spiritual beauty, and emperors throughout history conferred titles and honors upon it. At the foot of Yiwulu Mountain stands Beizhen Temple, the only well-preserved mountain-god temple among China's five major mountain-guardian temples. Inside is a stele forest dating from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, including several inscribed memorial stelae penned by the Qianlong Emperor.

¥65; cable car round trip ¥50 · 3–4 hours