Chaoyang (Liaoning)

Known as the place "where the first bird took flight and the first flower bloomed," home to the Bird Fossil National Geopark, the Niuheliang Hongshan Culture site and the North Pagoda of the ancient Three Yan capital.

Chaoyang (Liaoning) lies in western Liaoning, with the Daling River running through the city. It is a core area of the Hongshan Culture and the site of Longcheng, capital of the Former Yan, Later Yan and Northern Yan (together the "Three Yan") during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, and is a National Historical and Cultural City. Fossils of the Jehol Biota such as Sinosauropteryx, Confuciusornis and Archaefructus liaoningensis have been unearthed here, earning it the name "the place where the first bird took flight and the first flower bloomed." A visit falls into three parts: in the city, the North Pagoda, South Pagoda, Murong Street, Youshun Temple and Chaoyang Museum are all within walking distance, making for a day of history and culture on foot; the Bird Fossil National Geopark at Shangheshou in the western suburbs and the Sihetun fossil site in Beipiao, about 30 km to the northeast, form the fossil and science route; the Niuheliang site in Jianping, about 85 km to the southwest, and the Dongshanzui site in Harqin Left Wing (Kazuo) make up the Hongshan archaeology route, a full day by chartered car or self-drive. Phoenix Mountain in the eastern suburbs and Huaishudong in the southern suburbs are good for hiking, spring blossoms or autumn foliage. The climate is temperate continental monsoon, with cold, dry winters and fairly hot summers; the best seasons are Apr–May and Sep–Oct. Chaoyang Station on the Beijing–Harbin high-speed railway is about 2 hours from Beijing and 1.5 hours from Shenyang, and Chaoyang Airport has a few routes. Plan on 2–3 days. Local specialties include mutton soup, Chaoyang millet and Kazuo aged vinegar. Check official announcements for tickets and opening hours at Niuheliang and the geopark.

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