Liaoning Autumn Foliage Grand Self-Drive Loop

A self-drive loop from Shenyang covering Benxi's maple forests, the Yalu River, Dalian's coast, the Red Beach, and western Liaoning's ancient temples.

Experience Liaoning's mountains, rivers, seas, and wetlands in one trip of about 1,600 km. Drive along the Ben-Huan Highway for autumn leaves, continue to Dandong and Dalian, and return to Shenyang via the Red Beach, Mount Bijia, and Fengguo Temple. Two long driving days have few sightseeing stops, making this ideal for groups with multiple drivers and longer holidays. It excludes the Changhai islands and Chaoyang.

Maple leaves are best from late September to mid-October; the Red Beach is at its reddest from September to October.

Day by day

Day 1 · Gather in Shenyang & Visit the Imperial Palace

Shenyang（September 18th Historical Museum、Mukden Palace (Shenyang Imperial Palace)、Marshal Zhang's Mansion）

Use the metro and walk within the city. A taxi from the 9.18 Museum to Zhongjie takes about 20 minutes. No long-distance driving today.

Stay: Zhongjie Street · Imperial Palace

Day 2 · Benxi Water Cave & Xiaoshi to Guanmenshan

Benxi Water Cave & Guanmen Mountain（Benxi Water Caves、Xiaoshi Lamb Soup、Guanmenshan National Forest Park）

Drive from Shenyang on the highway to Benxi Water Cave (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue via Xiaoshi to Guanmenshan (approx. 30 minutes).

Queues at the entrance can be long during the maple season; leave Shenyang as early as possible.

Stay: Guanmen Mountain

Day 3 · Ben-Huan Highway to Laobiangou

Benxi Water Cave & Guanmen Mountain（Laobian Valley） → Huanren（Maple Forest Valley (Huanren)）

Drive along the Ben-Huan Highway to Laobiangou (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Fenglingu and Huanren County (approx. 1.5 hours).

Mountain roads have many curves and low speed limits. Gas stations are scarce, so fill up before starting.

Stay: Huanren County Town

Day 4 · Wunü Mountain to Dandong

Huanren（Wunü Mountain City） → Dandong City Area（Yalu River Broken Bridge）

Drive from the county seat to Wunü Mountain in the morning (approx. 20 minutes). Drive to Dandong in the afternoon (approx. 3 hours).

Allow at least half a day for Wunü Mountain. Visit the museum first before taking the shuttle bus up the mountain.

Stay: Binjiang Road · Broken Bridge

Day 5 · Hushan Great Wall & Yalu River

Dandong City Area（Hushan Great Wall、Memorial of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea、Yalu River Cruise）

Drive along the river from the city to Hushan Great Wall (approx. 40 minutes). Return to the city in the afternoon for a boat tour and the memorial hall.

The Memorial Hall of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea requires booking and is closed on Mondays.

Stay: Binjiang Road · Broken Bridge

Day 6 · Drive to Dalian Jinshitan

Dalian Urban Area（Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach)、Xinghai Square）

Drive from Dandong on the highway to Jinshitan (approx. 3.5 hours). Continue to Xinghai Square in the evening (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Xinghai Square

Day 7 · Lushun & Binhai Road

Dalian Urban Area（Lüshun Japanese-Russian Prison Site、Lushunkou & Baiyu Hill、Binhai Road Coastal Walk）

Drive to Lushun in the morning (approx. 1 hour). Return to the city in the afternoon via Binhai Road. Total driving time is about 2.5 hours.

Some sights in Lushun require booking one day in advance.

Stay: Xinghai Square

Day 8 · North to Panjin Red Beach

Panjin（Red Beach National Scenic Corridor）

Drive from Dalian on the Shen-Hai Highway to the Red Beach (approx. 400 km, 4.5 hours). An early start is recommended.

The Red Beach requires real-name online booking. Check the tide tables; the red beach is best viewed after the tide recedes.

Stay: Dawa Urban Area

Day 9 · Mount Bijia to Jinzhou

Jinzhou (Liaoning)（Bijia Mountain、Liaoshen Campaign Memorial）

Drive from Panjin to Mount Bijia (approx. 140 km, 2 hours), then continue to downtown Jinzhou (approx. 1 hour).

The natural stone bridge is only exposed at low tide; check tide tables before planning. Enjoy Jinzhou barbecue for dinner.

Stay: Guta and Linghe Districts

Day 10 · Fengguo Temple & Beizhen to Shenyang

Jinzhou (Liaoning)（Fengguo Temple、Beizhen Temple） → Shenyang

Drive from Jinzhou to Yixian (approx. 1 hour), then return to Shenyang via Beizhen (approx. 3 hours). Total driving distance is about 300 km.