Everything you need to know for an amazing trip to Benxi.

🌅 "Travel is a journey for the soul, a chance to encounter poetry and beauty in faraway places." This time, I embarked on a trip to Benxi, a city in eastern Liaoning province that is home to countless natural wonders and cultural treasures. Every landscape is like a carefully drawn painting by nature, and every meal is full of the flavors of life. Next, I'll share my complete Benxi travel guide with you, so you can immerse yourself in the charm of this city! 📍 [Benxi at a Glance] Benxi is known as the "Eastern Scenic Spot of Yan", surrounded by mountains and green waters. The four seasons here are distinct, and each season has its own unique scenery. In spring, the mountains are full of flowers, in summer, it's cool and refreshing, in autumn, the maple leaves are like fire, and in winter, it's covered in silver. With its rich natural resources and profound historical and cultural heritage, Benxi has become a popular tourist destination. 🗺️ [3-Day Itinerary] Day 1: Benxi Water Cave → Petrified Wood Kingdom → Xiaoshi Manor Morning: After arriving in Benxi, head straight to Benxi Water Cave. This is the longest underground dark river in the world that can be explored by boat, and it's a national 5A scenic spot. Take a boat to explore the ancient cave that's millions of years old. Under the colorful lights, the stalactites are strange and varied, as if you are in a fairyland. (The temperature inside the cave is constant at 12℃, so remember to bring a light coat 🧥). Afternoon: Head to the Petrified Wood Kingdom for a parent-child science tour to learn about those mysterious fossils that are hundreds of millions of years old. Evening: Check into Xiaoshi Manor, which is a popular spot for Internet celebrities. Stroll around the snack street, taste all kinds of delicacies, and enjoy the night view light show and folk performances. It's just too pleasant. Day 2: Guanmenshan National Forest Park → Tanggou Hot Spring Resort All day: Come to Guanmenshan National Forest Park, which is known as "Little Huangshan in Northeast China". In autumn, it's the ultimate place to see maple leaves. Take the scenic bus directly to Longmen Gorge, and then hike from Maple King to Colorful Lake. The maple leaves are like fire along the way, and you can take great photos anywhere 🍁 (October is the best time to see them). Evening: After a day of fun, go to Tanggou Hot Spring Resort to soak in the volcanic hot springs and relieve the fatigue of the day. Day 3: Wunv Mountain → Green Stone Valley → Return trip Morning: Climb Wunv Mountain, the first capital of the Goguryeo Dynasty. Climb to the top to overlook the magnificent scenery and see the stunning sea of clouds and sunrise (if you want to see the sunrise, you need to get up early 🌅). Afternoon: Head to Green Stone Valley, where the stones in the valley are covered with green moss and there are many streams and waterfalls. It's a good place to hike and breathe in the fresh air. Stroll through it and feel the peace and beauty of nature. After that, you can start your return journey and end your pleasant trip to Benxi. 🏞️ [Nearby Attractions] - Benxi Grand Canyon: A 4A scenic spot with adventurous and exciting amusement projects, as well as beautiful and romantic scenery. Stand on the glass plank road and overlook the canyon scenery. It's super shocking. - Laobiangou: A national 4A tourist attraction known for its waterfalls, glass plank roads, and ancient villages. The maple leaves in autumn are so beautiful that they take your breath away, and you can take photos that will be popular on social media. - Tiesha Mountain: The birthplace of the Dragon Gate School of Taoism in Northeast China. The mountains are surrounded by clouds and mist, like a fairyland. Climb to the top of the mountain to not only enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, but also feel the strong Taoist cultural atmosphere. 🍱 [Food Recommendations] - Xiaoshi Lamb Soup: The most representative food in Benxi, made with local velvet goats. The soup is milky white, and the lamb is fresh, tender, and has no muttony taste. Add pepper, chopped green onion, and coriander, and take a sip to warm your whole body. You must try it! Recommended stores: Baoxiang Lamb Soup, Limei Lamb Soup. - Grilled Bean Curd Skin: A representative of street snacks. The bean curd skin is brushed with a secret sauce and grilled. It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, spicy and delicious. It can be found everywhere in the night market, so don't miss it. - Changkuan Pig Trotters: Braised with a secret ancestral recipe, the pig trotters are soft, glutinous, and boneless, salty and fragrant, and full of collagen. You can't stop eating them. - Crayfish Tofu: Made with wild crayfish meat, it has a delicate and tender taste and a reddish soup. This is a unique dish in Benxi. 🏨 [Accommodation Guide] - Xiaoshi Manor Homestay: Good environment, good location, located in the Xiaoshi Manor scenic area, you can enjoy the lively scenic area at night. It's also very close to Benxi Water Cave, making it the perfect place to stay on the first day. - Tanggou Hot Spring Hotel: Such as Huaxi Mu and Fengxiang Valley, you can not only enjoy a comfortable accommodation environment, but also soak in the hot springs at any time to relieve the fatigue of the day. - Dashi Lake/Laobiangou Homestay: Next to the scenic area, there are many homestays of all sizes, with prices ranging from CNY 300–500. It's convenient to travel and there are many places to eat around. 🎈 This trip to Benxi was full of joy and memories. The mountains, rivers, food, and culture here have deeply fascinated me. I hope this guide can help you start a wonderful trip to Benxi, discover the unique beauty of this city, and leave your own beautiful memories.