Coastal National Geopark (Daheishan Mountain · Xiaoheishi)

Daheishan Mountain (southern Liaoning's highest peak at 663 m, Goguryeo-era mountain fortress ruins of Beisha City + Xiangshui Temple), and the Xiaoheishi coastal stone forest. At 663 m above sea level, Daheishan is the highest mountain in southern Liaoning; its imposing terrain echoes the seaside stone forest, forming the inland mountain section of the Coastal National Geopark. On the summit, Beisha City is a mountain fortress site built on the slope during the Goguryeo era, its stone-wall remains stretching along the ridge, bearing witness to a millennium of ethnic convergence on the Liaodong Peninsula; midway up, the ancient Xiangshui Temple clings to a cliff, with babbling spring water accompanying the hiking trail. The Xiaoheishi coastal stone forest is known for its sea-erosion pillars and stone-forest shoreline: black reefs stand like a forest amid the waves, excellent both as geological sights and for photos. Daheishan admission is CNY 20, self-driving from the Jinzhou direction is most convenient, and the climb takes about 3 hours round trip. The combo of "mountain and temple in the morning, sea-erosion stone forest in the afternoon" suits fit visitors planning a full day.

Getting there: self-drive from Jinzhou