Bingyu Valley (Zhuanghe)

"Guilin of the North" (karst canyon in southern Liaoning, Yingna River rafting), Xianrendu (Immortal's Crossing) / Shuanglonghui (Twin Dragon Confluence); adjacent is Tianmenshan National Forest Park (Zhuanghe, glass walkway and fantastic peaks). Bingyu Valley lies in northern Zhuanghe, where a karst canyon landscape rare in southern Liaoning has earned it the name "Guilin of the North": limestone peaks of myriad shapes flank the Yingna River; ride a boat into the valley and fantastic peaks on both banks mirror themselves in emerald water as sights such as Xianrendu and Shuanglonghui unfold one after another. In summer the rafting stretch of the Yingna River churns with whitecaps, the water route and canyon hiking trail complementing each other, while in autumn the valley blazes as red leaves dye the mountains. The neighboring Tianmenshan National Forest Park rounds out the "one water, one mountain" combination with its glass walkway and fantastic peaks and rocks; the CNY 120 ticket includes the boat ride. Reach it by Zhuanghe shuttle bus or self-drive (approx. 2.5 hours from downtown); plan a summer day and set out on an early bus if you want to finish the full "boat ride + rafting + hike" circuit at leisure.

Getting there: Zhuanghe shuttle bus / self-drive