Photo: Wang65, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A forest park with mountain valleys, streams and hiking trails. It is especially busy in autumn, when the maple leaves change colour. Some trails involve uphill walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Guanmenshan is located in Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, 70 kilometers southeast of downtown Benxi, Liaoning, China.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
庙后山遗址; Miàohòushān Yízhǐ
Miaohoushan Site is a Paleolithic cave site on the southern slope of Miaohoushan. Archaeological excavations have uncovered human teeth, stone and bone tools, animal fossils and traces of fire, providing evidence of early human activity in northeastern China. The site is a nationally protected cultural heritage site rather than a conventional tourist attraction, and public access may be limited. Visitors interested in archaeology should check local access conditions before making a special trip.
本溪水洞; Běnxī Shuǐdòng
A large limestone cave system divided into dry and water-filled sections. The main experience is a boat ride along the underground river, passing stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns and large cave chambers. About 2.8 km of the cave system has been developed, including a water route extending more than 2 km into the cave. The temperature inside remains around 12°C throughout the year, so a light jacket is useful even in summer.
九顶铁刹山; Jiǔdǐngtiěchàshān
A mountain area known for hiking routes, caves, temples and sites connected with Daoist history in northeastern China. The terrain is steep in places, so allow enough time for the climb.
温泉寺; Wēnquánsì
It is a historic attraction that combines a Buddhist temple with natural hot springs. According to historical records, the temple was founded in the late Ming dynasty by the monks Guanghui and Guangzhi. Because there was a natural hot spring beside the temple and a mountain ridge behind it, it was once known as Tangshan Temple. It was renamed Wenquan Temple in the early Qing dynasty and was renovated and expanded several times afterward.
大石湖风景名胜区; Dàshíhú
Dashi Lake Scenic Area is a mountain-valley scenic area with lakes, streams, waterfalls, forest trails and rocky slopes. The main area includes Wulong Lake, where several pools and waterfalls are arranged along the valley, as well as Bingling Gorge and Mulan Valley. The scenery changes with the seasons: spring and summer are good for walking and viewing streams, while autumn is popular for colorful foliage. Some sections involve uneven mountain paths, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The site is fairly large, so allow several hours if you want to explore beyond the entrance area.
滴水洞; Dīshuǐdòng
A mountain stream drops over a cliff more than 30 m high, forming a waterfall in front of several natural caves. The surrounding area is covered by forest and rocky slopes, making it a popular place for hiking and enjoying the scenery. The waterfall is particularly impressive after periods of rain.