Bayuquan

A seaside hot-spring town on the east coast of the Bohai Sea, with Bayuquan's Mountain and Sea Square, the beaches of Baisha Bay, Xiongyue hot springs and the motherly-love legend of Wang'er Mountain.

Yingkou's Bayuquan lies on the northwest coast of the Liaodong Peninsula in Liaoning Province, on the eastern side of Liaodong Bay in the Bohai Sea, with Yingkou's old city and the mouth of the Liao River to the north and Xianren Island in Gaizhou to the south. Bayuquan District is home to the main port area of Yingkou Port and is a popular seaside town where people from Northeast China come to escape the summer heat. About 10 km south, the town of Xiongyue is known for its hot springs, Wang'er Mountain and the thousand-year-old Xiongyue ancient city. The main sights fall into three areas. First, Bayuquan's waterfront, with Mountain and Sea Square, the Mackerel Princess statue and the Golden Beach bathing area, good for strolls, sunsets and seafood food stalls. Second, the Xiongyue area, with the Wang'er Mountain Motherly Love Culture Scenic Area, Xiongyue Hot Spring Resort, the Xiongyue ancient city and, in winter, Hejiagou Ski Resort. Third, the Golden Coast at Baisha Bay on Xianren Island to the south, with soft, fine sand and a vast locust tree forest. About 50 km north is Yingkou's old city, with the Liao River Old Street, the West Fort ruins and Lengyan Temple; the old town of Gaizhou lies between the two. Best times to visit: Jul–Aug for sea bathing, cool summer weather and the best seafood; in winter (Dec–Feb) for hot springs and skiing, when Wang'er Mountain in the snow has its own charm. Spring and autumn are windy on the coast. Getting there: Bayuquan Station on the Harbin–Dalian high-speed railway is about 10 km from the centre, about 1.5 hours from Shenyang and about 1 hour from Dalian; Yingkou's old city is served by Yingkou East Station. Taxis or self-driving make it easy to get between districts. Plan to stay 2–3 days: one day on the coast, one day at Xiongyue for Wang'er Mountain and a hot-spring soak, and if time allows, a trip to Yingkou's old city or Xianren Island. Tips: swim only during opening hours and in areas with lifeguards; hotel and hot-spring prices rise sharply on summer weekends, so book ahead; at seafood stalls, confirm the weighing and price before ordering.

Top sights

• Shanhai Square – A long, narrow square on the seaward west side of Bayuquan's urban district, with a Mackerel Princess sculpture standing by the sea. It is…
• Wang'er Mountain – A solitary peak east of Xiongyue Town, with a brick pagoda on top and the legend of a mother who watched for her son. It is a 4A-rated scen…
• Xiongyue Hot Spring – A century-old hot spring in the northeast, with several spring hotels along the Xiongyue River. Winter soaks paired with seafood make it Ba…
• Bayuquan Jinshatan Beach – A sandy seaside beach in urban Bayuquan with fine sand and gentle waves. In summer, swim, play, and dig for shellfish at low tide; the Moun…
• Xiongyue Old Town – The thousand-year-old town of Xiongyue, which was already a prefecture during the Bohai Kingdom. Its old town layout and temple remains sur…
• Xianren Island Baishawan Golden Beach – A 4A seaside scenic area on Xianren Island in Gaizhou, surrounded by sea on three sides, with fine sand and long beaches. Backed by roughly…
• Hejiagou Ski Resort – A large ski resort in the hills east of Bayuquan, with many slopes and close to the high-speed rail station. In winter, combine skiing with…
• Yingkou West Fort Ruins – Coastal defense fort ruins from the late Qing on the east bank of the Liao River estuary. Its guns fought Japanese forces during the First…
• Liaohe Old Street – A commercial old street from Yingkou's treaty-port era, with Chinese-Western buildings stretching along the Liao River. Lively at night wit…
• Lengyan Temple – One of the four great Chan monasteries of Northeast China in Yingkou's old town, founded in the 1930s under Master Tanxu, with orderly hall…
• Chishan Scenic Area – A low-mountain scenic area in Wanfu Town, Gaizhou, known for its red rock and autumn foliage. Hiking trails link temples and viewpoints.

Itineraries

• Dalian to Shenyang Winter Hot Spring High-Speed Rail Tour – Head north along the Shenyang-Dalian High-Speed Railway to soak in the hot springs of Xiongyue and Tanggangzi, ski at Q…