Panjin

A wetland city at the mouth of the Liao River, where seepweed turns the tidal flats into a Red Beach, with reed marshes, fishing ports and river crabs; a top autumn choice for photographers and road-trippers.

Panjin lies in southwestern Liaoning at the mouth of the Liao River, in the Liao River Delta, bordering Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Sea to the south. It grew up as an oil city around the Liaohe Oilfield and is also known as the “Wetland Capital” and “China's Home of River Crabs.” The land is low and flat, with one of the world's largest reed marshes and the Liaohekou National Nature Reserve (the Liaoning Shuangtai Estuary Ramsar wetland). In autumn, Suaeda salsa seepweed dyes the tidal flats red, creating the world-famous Red Beach.

Main areas to explore: ① The southern coast — the national 5A-rated Red Beach National Scenic Corridor stretches about 18 km along the Liaodong Bay shoreline, with boardwalks and viewing platforms linking the Red Beach, reed sea and wetlands; at its southwestern end is Erjiegou, an old fishing town where you can eat seafood and watch the fishing port. ② Liao River Estuary wetlands — the Liaohekou National Nature Reserve is a key habitat for Saunders's gulls and other migratory birds, with good birdwatching in the spring and autumn migration seasons. ③ The western outskirts — the Reed Sea · Dingxiang Eco-Tourism Resort has boardwalks winding through the reed marshes, and the Liaohe Forest of Steles is known for its calligraphy inscriptions. ④ Tianzhuangtai in the southeast — a century-old river trading town on the Liao River.

Best season: from mid-September to early October the seepweed is at its reddest, the rice paddies turn golden and the river crabs are at their plumpest, making it the best time of year. From May to August the seepweed is green or purplish-red and the reeds are lush, good for birdwatching; winter is cold and the wetlands freeze over. Getting there: Panjin and Panjin North stations have high-speed trains to Shenyang (about 1 hour), Dalian and Beijing. The Red Beach is about 40 km from the city, and the sights are far apart, so self-driving or the scenic-area shuttle buses are recommended. Allow 1–2 days. Note: in the Red Beach core area you may only view from the boardwalks and platforms; walking on the tidal flats is forbidden. Around the National Day holiday in autumn, crowds and traffic are heavy, so arrive early in the morning. The coast is windy and buggy, so bring sun protection and insect repellent.

Top sights

Itineraries