Zhaoyang

Travel in Chaoyang, Liaoning, covers prehistoric fossils, ancient pagodas and Hongshan culture. The remains of prehistoric life described as “the first bird to take flight and the first flower to bloom,” along with the thousand-year-old pagoda known as the “five generations under one roof,” offer clues to understanding the city. With relatively few tourists and moderate prices, Chaoyang is well suited to a relaxed weekend or short holiday trip.

• Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geopark: Not far from the high-speed rail station, the park’s collection includes fossils such as the Sinosauropteryx and Liaoning fruit. They offer a glimpse of life millions of years ago, making the park a good family learning destination.

• Chaoyang North Pagoda and North Pagoda Museum: Chaoyang North Pagoda incorporates architectural remains from the Former Yan, Northern Wei, Sui, Tang and Liao dynasties, earning it the name “five generations under one roof.” The North Pagoda Museum houses precious artifacts including a Buddha relic and a seven-treasure reliquary pagoda. Visit them together to learn about the pagoda’s history.

• Chaoyang Museum: Admission is free, but reservations are required before entry. Free public talks are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., helping visitors trace the history of Hongshan culture and the ancient capital of the Three Yan kingdoms.

• Murong Street: This traditional-style street lies between the South and North pagodas, and its name was written by Jin Yong. During the day, browse stalls selling Warring States red agate and fossil blind boxes. After dark, the lanterns come on, making it a pleasant place for a walk and photos.

• Phoenix Mountain: One of Northeast China’s major Buddhist mountains, it is home to Longxiang Temple, first built in 345. You can take a vehicle to the summit for views over the city and the Daling River, or hike the Shibapan loop to enjoy the wooded landscape.

• Niuheliang National Archaeological Site Park: This is a core site of Hongshan culture dating back more than 5,000 years. Exhibits at the Goddess Temple, stone burial mounds and the museum reveal the remains of early Chinese civilization, making the park ideal for visitors interested in history and archaeology.

Suggested Three-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Chaoyang and discover prehistoric life and city history
  • Morning: After arriving at Chaoyang Station in Liaoning, take a taxi to the Bird Fossil National Geopark and visit the prehistoric fossil gallery and petrified forest. You may want to rent a small vehicle inside the park.
  • Afternoon: Visit Chaoyang Museum and learn about local history through the free public talk.
  • Evening: Walk along the Daling River and enjoy the night views, then dine at Longshan Night Market or try Northeast-style skewers at a barbecue restaurant.
• Day 2: Explore the old city and sample local food
  • Early morning: Start at Longshan Morning Market. Have smoked-meat flatbread, tofu pudding and youtiao for breakfast while observing local daily life.
  • Morning: Visit Chaoyang South Pagoda, Youshun Temple and Guandi Temple in sequence to learn about Liao-era pagodas and Qing-era Tibetan Buddhist temple architecture.
  • Afternoon: Walk along Murong Street, then enter the North Pagoda Museum to see the “pagoda within a pagoda” structure and treasures unearthed from the underground palace.
  • Evening: Dine around Murong Street, choosing dishes such as Chaoyang taizi pot or pork rib steamed dumplings.
• Day 3: Choose a mountain hike or a visit to Hongshan culture sites
  • Option A (relaxed city day): Hike Phoenix Mountain, visit the Yunji Temple Pagoda and look out over the city. Buy local specialties in the afternoon before heading home.
  • Option B (in-depth cultural trip): Drive yourself or hire a car to Niuheliang National Archaeological Site Park. Visit the Hongshan culture Goddess Temple and explore archaeological evidence of 5,000 years of civilization before returning.

Local Chaoyang Food Guide

Chaoyang’s food includes familiar Northeastern dishes as well as distinctive local snacks.

• Pork Rib Steamed Dumplings: Using bone-in pork ribs as the filling is the signature feature of this Chaoyang snack. They are often served with the shop’s garlic vinegar, whose sourness and garlic aroma balance the filling’s rich, oily texture.

• Taizi Pot: Ingredients are stir-fried to order in a large iron pot, commonly with beef and pickled cabbage. Corn cakes stuck around the edge absorb the broth, becoming crisp and fragrant outside while remaining soft inside.

• Braised Sausage and No. 6 Sausage: These two snacks are common at old neighborhood shops. Flavors range from sweet and sour to fragrant and spicy, with a soft, glutinous texture and rich taste.

• Longshan Morning Market Snacks: Breakfast options include smoked-meat flatbread, tofu pudding, potato-mash wraps and large stuffed buns with various fillings. Around 10 yuan is enough for a filling meal. The market also sells inexpensive fruit and vegetables.

• Chaoyang Barbecue: Local barbecue follows Northeastern flavors. Try grilled pork belly, large slices of meat, grilled No. 6 sausage and grilled vegetable rolls, served with garlic chili sauce.

Accommodation and Transportation Guide

• Where to stay: Consider the area around Wanda Plaza, or near Murong Street and the North Pagoda. These central locations are convenient for dining and taxis. Fares to most attractions generally fall within the taxi starting rate, and accommodation is relatively affordable.
• Getting around the city and nearby areas: Chaoyang is not large, and its attractions are fairly close together, so taxis are convenient. The provided transport information lists a taxi starting fare of 6 yuan, with fares capped at 20 yuan for the longest trips. Ride-hailing bookings are also fulfilled by taxis; there are currently no app-based private cars or shared electric bikes. For farther destinations such as Niuheliang, consider driving or hiring a car.

Practical Travel Tips

• Reservations and guided talks: Chaoyang Museum is free, but you must reserve in advance through the mini-program. Free public talks are available at set times each day. For the North Pagoda Museum, consider buying a combination ticket and joining a talk to understand the architectural evolution of the “five generations under one roof.”
• Food preferences: Northeastern dishes and taizi pot are usually generously salted and oily. If you prefer lighter flavors, ask for less salt and sauce when ordering.
• Seasonal planning: From November to March, visit the Daling River or Beipiao Hongcun Swan Bay to see swans and morning mist. In summer, bring sun protection when visiting Phoenix Mountain.
• Shopping on Murong Street: Street stalls sell fossils and collectibles. Ordinary visitors can choose lower-priced fossil blind boxes or fridge magnets according to their interests. Be cautious when buying expensive artifacts, and feel free to negotiate when selecting items.