Guanmen Mountain National Forest Park, located in the southern part of Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, is renowned for its steep and peculiar peaks, often referred to as the ‘Little Yellow Mountain of the Northeast.’ The park is interlaced with canyons and streams, making it an ideal summer retreat to enjoy the post-rain scenery of cascading streams and lush greenery. Even in seasons with less water, the park is accompanied by the gentle presence of small streams.
Autumn at Guanmen Mountain is marked by its vibrant foliage, especially the captivating red maple leaves that turn the mountains into a stunning spectacle, making it a famous maple viewing and photography destination in the Northeast. The park is divided into several smaller scenic areas, including Xiaohuangshan, Jialazi, Longmen Gorge, Yuetaizi, Mingcui Valley, and Guan Mountain Lake, each requiring 3-4 hours to explore thoroughly.
Although the mountains within the park are not excessively high, the trails are extensive, so to save time and energy, it is advisable to use the park’s sightseeing vehicles, although during peak seasons like the Golden Week, finding an available vehicle can be challenging. Xiaohuangshan is the essence of the park’s scenery, and a classic route includes: Xiaohuangshan Entrance – Magnolia Valley – Colorful Lake – Maple Sea – Hero Slope – Dragon Ridge Ridge – Sky Gate – Xiaohuangshan Exit (i.e., Entrance). This route, which involves walking and climbing, takes about 4 hours and is quite physically demanding.
An alternative route starts with a ride to Longmen Gorge and then continues on foot: Husband and Wife Trees – Crystal Curtain Waterfall – Longmen Gorge Entrance – Turning Heart Lake – Red Pine Forest – Maple Sea – Hero Slope – Dragon Ridge Ridge – Sky Gate – Greeting Guest Peak – Xiaohuangshan Exit – Magnolia Valley – Colorful Lake, and then taking a vehicle out from Colorful Lake, taking approximately 5 hours in total.
If you have two days, it is recommended to explore Xiaohuangshan, Longmen Gorge, and Jialazi on the first day, focusing mainly on climbing, and then visit Yuetaizi and Guan Mountain Lake on the second day, with time permitting, also exploring Mingcui Valley, focusing on forest hiking. Visitors to Yuetaizi and Mingcui Valley are usually fewer, but the scenery here is more pristine and tranquil.
The park has hotels and fire kang rooms available for accommodation, which are priced per bed and require advance booking by calling the park. If your visit is specifically for maple viewing, the best season is from mid-September to early October when the maple leaves turn fiery red. For capturing good photos of the red maples, choose days with bright sunshine and good visibility. However, the maple viewing season also attracts many visitors, especially during the National Day holiday. It is important to note that due to varying climate conditions, the timing of the maple leaves turning red and falling may vary each year. It is recommended to check the park’s official website for updates before your visit, as arriving late might only offer views of withered branches.
The park features several maple viewing and photography spots: ‘Maple Sea’ in Xiaohuangshan Scenic Area, located at the top of Xiaohuangshan, where the vast area of maple trees turns into an ocean of red in autumn, especially enchanting in the morning mist; and ‘Colorful Lake’ in Jialazi Scenic Area, where the reflections of yellow oak trees, green pines, and red maples in the water are incredibly captivating in autumn.
The Benxi Scenic Area is open all year round from 08:30 to 16:00.
Preferential Policies for Visitors:
Children: Free admission for children aged 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.3 meters (inclusive) in height.
Elderly: Free admission for elderly people aged 70 years old (inclusive) and above who hold a senior citizen card.
Seniors and Students: Half-price admission for seniors aged 60 years old (inclusive) to 69 years old (inclusive) with a valid ID or senior citizen card; full-time undergraduate and below students with a student card.
Minors: Half-price admission for minors aged between 6 years old (not inclusive) and 18 years old (inclusive).
Military Personnel: Free admission for active-duty military personnel, revolutionary disabled military personnel, and fire rescue personnel with valid identification.
Disabled Persons: Free admission for disabled persons with a disability card. Accompanying persons are allowed free entry for blind, double lower limb disabled, and moderately intellectually and mentally disabled individuals, except during commercial sports and cultural activities held at the scenic area.
Additional Notes: The above information is for reference only; please refer to the information disclosed by the scenic area on the day of your visit.
Amenities:
Restrooms: There are multiple restrooms located within the Guanmenshan National Forest Park scenic area, near facilities/buildings/venues, and are marked with conspicuous signs.
