Fushun

Fushun is an underrated treasure of a small city in Liaoning. It has both the weighty history of the Qing dynasty’s birthplace and the lingering industrial character of a coal capital, while its cool summer escapes and autumn foliage are absolutely beautiful. Here is a practical Fushun travel guide to help you explore this city woven with red heritage and green scenery.

Recommended Itineraries

• One-Day Trip (City Highlights): In the morning, visit the Lei Feng Memorial Hall and the former site of the Fushun War Criminals Management Center to experience its revolutionary history; at noon, head to the West Open-Pit Mine viewing platform to overlook the enormous mine pit; in the afternoon, stroll through Gao’ershan Park or check in at the 1913 Small Church; in the evening, be sure to try authentic Fushun mala ban.
• Two-Day Trip (In-Depth Experience): Day 1 Explore the city’s revolutionary and industrial attractions; Day 2 Head to Xinbin County to visit Hetu Ala City and Qing Yongling Mausoleum, discovering Manchu culture and the origins of the Qing dynasty, or go to Honghe Canyon rafting and Yulongxi Grand Canyon in Qingyuan County for a cool summer getaway.

Must-Visit Attractions

Fushun’s attractions span history, nature, and industrial style. Here are the core destinations most worth visiting:

• Hetu Ala City: The birthplace of Qing Taizu Nurhaci and the first capital of the Later Jin, as well as the cradle of Manchu culture, where you can experience Manchu song and dance and intangible cultural heritage.

• Qing Yongling Mausoleum: The foremost of the Three Imperial Tombs beyond the Shanhai Pass, this ancestral mausoleum of the Qing imperial family has a well-preserved spirit way lined with stone statues and is of exceptional historical and cultural value.

• West Open-Pit Mine Viewing Platform: Asia’s largest open-pit coal mine, with a giant pit 420 meters deep that delivers a striking visual impact and makes for an excellent industrial-style photo spot.

• Sankuaishi National Forest Park: Known as the “roof of eastern Liaoning” at 1,131 meters above sea level, with 92% forest coverage, it is ideal for hiking, escaping the summer heat, and exploring sites related to the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

• Yulongxi Grand Canyon: Home to the longest high-altitude glass rafting course in Northeast China, along with a rainbow slide and jungle crossing, making it an excellent choice for families, summer cooling, and water fun.

• Lei Feng Memorial Hall: One of China’s first classic revolutionary scenic areas, open free of charge, where you can gain a deeper understanding of the Lei Feng spirit and view precious historical artifacts.

Must-Try Local Food

In Fushun, beyond the hearty dishes commonly found across Northeast China, there are several unique local flavors you really should try:

Practical Travel Tips

• Transportation Advice: Fushun’s attractions are fairly spread out. Travel time from the city center to different sights ranges from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, so self-driving or hiring a car is strongly recommended. If departing from Shenyang, you can take the “Lei Feng” intercity bus or a high-speed train/bullet train and arrive in about 1 hour.
• Best Time to Visit: Summer (June-August) is suitable for rafting and forest retreats; autumn (September-October) brings stunning red leaves at Sa’erhu and Sankuaishi; in winter, you can go to Hot Go Park for indoor snow activities or soak in hot springs.
• Pitfall Reminders: For the West Open-Pit Mine, navigate to “Donggang Viewing Platform”; the War Criminals Management Center and Coal Mine Museum are closed on Mondays, so plan ahead; the most authentic mala ban is often found at old shops around schools, such as No. 2 Middle School and No. 1 Middle School.