Fushun

The “Coal Capital” and birthplace of the Qing dynasty, with the awe-inspiring West Open-Pit Mine, the Lei Feng Memorial, Hetu Ala City and the Qing Yongling Tombs tracing centuries of history.

Fushun lies in eastern Liaoning on the middle reaches of the Hun River, only about 45 km from Shenyang. It grew up on coal as the “Coal Capital” and is also the birthplace of the Qing dynasty. The city stretches east–west along the Hun River: on the south bank are the West Open-Pit Mine and the Fushun Coal Mine Museum; on the north bank are Mount Gaoer and the former Fushun War Criminals Management Center; in Wanghua District to the west is the Lei Feng Memorial; and on the western edge bordering Shenyang are the Ring of Life, Royal Ocean Park and Hero Park. In the eastern outskirts are Dahuofang Reservoir, the Sarhu Scenic Area and the Marshal's Mausoleum, and about 100 km farther east, Xinbin County is home to Hetu Ala City and the World Heritage–listed Qing Yongling Tombs. The climate is temperate monsoon: May–Oct is the most pleasant time, with cool summers and hills covered in red leaves in autumn, while winters are long and cold. Getting there: Shenyang Taoxian Airport is the nearest airport, Fushun North Station has high-speed trains, and buses and intercity commuter services between Shenyang and Fushun are convenient; for Xinbin, self-drive or take a long-distance bus. Allow 2–3 days: one for the city's industrial and revolutionary history, one for the scenery of the eastern outskirts, and one for exploring Manchu roots in Xinbin. Note that most memorial halls close on Mondays and require advance booking with ID; entry into the West Open-Pit Mine pit is forbidden. Must-eats include Fushun malaban (spicy mixed hot pot), the Manchu “eight plates and eight bowls” banquet, and Xinbin suantangzi (sour corn noodles).

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