Kaiyuan History & Culture Tour

Kaiyuan, Tieling, Liaoning — a historically and culturally renowned city in northern Liaoning, home to precious historical sites such as Chongshou Temple Pagoda and Xianzhou Ancient City. A 2-day itinerary exploring Buddhist culture, ancient city mysteries and natural scenery.

900 Years

Pagoda History

Scenic Spot Rating

1000+

Cultural Relics

20+

Specialty Foods

Chongshou Temple Pagoda scenery in Kaiyuan

Panorama of Chongshou Temple Pagoda

Liao Dynasty octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave brick pagoda, about 42 meters high, one of the best-preserved Liao pagodas in Northeast China

Kaiyuan 2-Day Culture Tour

Explore ancient pagodas, reminisce about the ancient city, climb mountains for views, experience the unique charm of Kaiyuan

                    
Duration
2 Days / 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Chongshou Temple Pagoda, Xianzhou Ancient City Ruins, Ivory Mountain Scenic Area

                    
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, history tourists

                    
Budget per person
¥550-¥850

Exploring Historical Sites

Chongshou Temple Pagoda · Buddhist Culture

Highlights

Full-day visit to Chongshou Temple Pagoda and surrounding historical sites, learning about Liao Dynasty Buddhist culture, tasting Kaiyuan specialty snacks in the evening.

Attractions

Chongshou Temple Pagoda

Liao Dynasty octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave brick pagoda, built during the reign of Emperor Shengzong of Liao, about 42 meters high, with exquisite relief carvings on the tower body, an important physical object for studying Liao Dynasty architectural art.

Kaiyuan City Museum

A comprehensive museum showcasing the history and culture of the Kaiyuan area, housing over 1,000 artifacts including Liao and Jin dynasty relics and folk items.

Practical Info

Accommodation

Kaiyuan Hotel
Guesthouses near Ancient City
Downtown Boutique Hotel

Food Recommendations

Kaiyuan Smoked Chicken
Xianzhou Pancake
Wild Vegetable Dumplings

Travel Tips

Climbing the pagoda is prohibited
Museum closed on Mondays
Night market best time 18:00-21:00

Ancient City & Landscape

Xianzhou Ancient City · Ivory Mountain

Highlights

Morning: visit Xianzhou Ancient City ruins; Afternoon: climb Ivory Mountain Scenic Area; Evening: shop for Kaiyuan specialties.

Attractions

Xianzhou Ancient City Ruins

Remains of the Liao Dynasty Xianzhou administrative seat, with clearly visible city wall contours. A large number of Liao and Jin dynasty artifacts have been unearthed here, making it an important site for studying northern Liaoning history.

Ivory Mountain Scenic Area

National 3A-level scenic area, named for its elephant-tusk-like mountain shape. High forest coverage, known as the "Little Huangshan of Northern Liaoning", with different scenery in each season.

Practical Info

Transportation

Electric cart service available at scenic areas
Well-maintained hiking trails
Specialty shops concentrated around the ancient city

Ticket Info

Chongshou Temple Pagoda: 30 yuan
Xianzhou Ancient City: 20 yuan
Ivory Mountain: 50 yuan

Souvenir Recommendations

Kaiyuan Hazelnuts
Wild Mushrooms
Dried Wild Vegetables
Liao-Jin Cultural Creative Products

Must-Try Foods in Kaiyuan

Kaiyuan Smoked Chicken

Kaiyuan specialty food, made with local free-range chicken and traditional smoking techniques, tender meat with rich smoky aroma, with a history of over a hundred years.

Xianzhou Pancake

A specialty pastry originating from Xianzhou Ancient City, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, can be paired with various dishes, a daily staple for locals.

Wild Vegetable Dumplings

Made with various wild edible greens from the Kaiyuan mountain area as filling, thin-skinned with generous filling, carrying a unique wild fragrance, a seasonal delicacy.

Kaiyuan Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit