Located at the border of Shenyang and another city, Zhonghua Temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty and was initially named Lingshan Temple. It is said that there were two giant pythons in the temple, one with the character 'Zhong' on its head and the other with the character 'Hua', hence the name was changed to Zhonghua Temple. The scenic area is picturesque and integrates both Buddhism and Taoism. In the summer of 188, it was continuously renovated and improved. There are very few tourists, and the architecture, modeled after the Tang Dynasty, is very elegant with a distinct Japanese court atmosphere. The park is clean and tidy, adorned with blooming flowers, making it especially suitable for family outings and spring excursions.
Liaoyang Longfeng Mountain Scenic Area
Longfeng Mountain is a group of temples, all built along the mountain. The planned area of the scenic spot is 200,000 square kilometers, with over 1,000 mu of land on the mountain. Looking down from the mountain, it is very spectacular. Longfeng Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan period, with a history of over 1,300 years. It was damaged during the Cultural Revolution. To the northeast of the mountain, there is a stupa housing the relics of Shakyamuni. There are few online recommendations or introductions about Longfeng Temple, so there are few visitors. Touring the entire scenic area requires climbing stairs, but it is especially interesting. It is a good choice to go for an outing in spring or autumn.
Established during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Guangyou Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist temples to appear in China. It became a royal temple during the Jin Dynasty. However, it was burned down when the Russian Empire occupied Liaoyang and suppressed the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Guangyou Temple was rebuilt in 2002. The reconstructed Guangyou Temple scenic area covers an area of 267,000 square meters and consists of five parts: Guangyou Temple area, White Pagoda Park, Youth Lake Park, China Square, and the Moat Water Sightseeing Belt. Guangyou Temple itself is quite impressive, boasting five world records: the largest bronze incense burner, the largest Mahavira Hall and bluestone archway, the largest palace lantern, and the world's largest wooden seated Buddha statue. Although Guangyou Temple is located in the urban area of Liaoyang, it is quite spacious, so visitors are relatively dispersed, making it a good place for a weekend stroll.
Fushun Gaoshan Scenic Area
As a landmark of Fushun City, Gaoshan boasts 1.5 million square meters of natural forest and historical sites. It is the only park in Liaoning Province built on the ruins of an ancient city. The ancient Gaoshan Pagoda, built in 1088 AD, has withstood nearly a thousand years of weathering. This pagoda is the oldest existing pagoda in the Fushun area. Not far from the pagoda, halfway up the mountain, stands the Guanyin Pavilion, complementing the pagoda. Gaoshan itself is not very high, but the terrain varies greatly, making it especially suitable for hiking in autumn and winter.
Liaoyang Longshi Scenic Area
Longshi Scenic Area includes two scenic spots: Longding Mountain and Shidonggou, with a planned total area of 20.3 square kilometers and a forest coverage rate of 90%. On Longding Mountain, the Wanhe Bell, the first bell tower in Northeast China, echoes with the ancient-style Great Wall. Inside the stone caves, the mountains undulate, making it a great place for a day-long walk on weekends. There are not many restaurants in the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring your own food. If you plan to hike, you will need a certain level of physical fitness. Be prepared with water, as there is little shade after the mountain fire, and it can be quite hot in the summer.
