Gaungyou Temple is in Liaoyang city in Liaoning province of China. This temple complex covers some 60,000 square metres of which 20,000 square metres is covered with buildings. Liaoyang (辽阳; Liáoyáng) is a city in Liaoning Province in China. [edit]Understand This is an ancient city with a long history going back over 2400 years. Liaoyang had been the major city of Liaodong (eastern Liaoning) province since the Waring States Period (475-221 BC). When Nurhachi united the Manchurian tribes and founded the Late Jin Dynasty, Nurhachi moved his capital to Liaoning. An imperial palace was built there in 1621. The new capital was renamed Dongjing (East Capital). The city measured 900m east to west and 840m north to south. The city wall was 11 metres high with two gates on either side. However, this palace was barely completed when Nurhachi moved his court yet again to the city of Shenyang in 1625. Nowadays, little remains of the old palace but some walls and gates are visible. In 1904, Battle of Liaoyang was fought as one of the major battles of the Russo-Japanese War. After the end of the second world war and the Chinese civil war, Liaoyang became a centre for heavy industrial development. It is somewhat overshadowed by the now larger neighbours of Shenyang and Anshan but remains one of the key cities of Liaoning province. For more information about Liaoyang city in Liaoning, China, please visit my website: www.abookaboutchina.com/cityguide/Liaoyang by Derek Harkness
Important Tourist Sites in Liaoyang
Founded in 1145 during the Eastern Han Dynasty, this is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in China. In the year 1161, the site received favour of the Emperor and was expanded. In the early 1900's, the army of the old Tsarist Russia burned the site as a responce to the Boxer Rebeilions. It has since been restored. This temple complex covers some 60,000 square metres of which 20,000 square metres is covered with buildings. Various statues of Buddha and Boddhisatvas are found throughout the many temple buildings. Within the central building lies a huge statue of Sakyamuni Buddha made of camphor wood and gilded with gold. It is the largest, by volume, statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in camphor wood in the world and stands some 21.48 meters high. The temples have a government rating as an AAAA national-level tourist area.
In 1983 this area became a provincial protected area and in 2002 was rated as an AA class tourism site on the national scale. It is an area of mountain, forest and water formed around a large reservoir.
A strange quirk of nature, this site mantains a temperature blow freezing all through the summer and conversly, holds a temperature just above freezing throughout the winter with now snow and green grass. The explanation of this phenonymon is as yet unknown. The site is rated by the government as an AA grade scenic spot.
This is the tallest, at 70.4 metres, ancient pagoda in the Northeast of China. It dates to 1189 in the Liao Dynasty with additions during Yuan and Ming, making this one of the 6 oldest pagoda towers in China. The park was constructed around the pagoda in 1908. This pagoda tower was, on January 13, 1988, approved by the State Council, as a national-level heritage conservation unit.
"The Dream of Red Mansions," is one of the four most famous novels of China. It was written by Cao Xueqin around the year 1640 - at the time of change form the Ming to the Qing dynasties. Cao failed to finish the writing but the book was completed after his death. The Dream of Red Mansions was a controversial book at the time. It was critical of the ruling classes and court life and some saw it as subversive to the new Qing Emperor, favouring the reinstatement of the Ming dynasty. Over the years there has been much debate as to where Cao Xueqin was born. Liaoyang has been put forward as the likely location. In 1995 a Memorial to Cao Xueqin was opened in Liaoyang.
This is an ancient fortification. It is thought that the site has been fortified since the Tang dynasty, over 1000 years ago, however, the current building is thought to date to the Ming dynasty. It was built as part of the defensive structures of Liaodong at the far eastern end of the Great Wall of China. Though not connected to the wall directly, it is part of the same system of fortifications. This is a rare and well preserved/restored fortification of this date. Most of the Liaodong Great Wall of China have been lost to time making this site extra special.
This is a well preserved ancient city with buildings dating back to the Tang Dynasty over 1200 years ago. It was built by the Goguryo people as was the scene of a major battle between the Goguryo and the Tang emperor. It is rare because the ancient structures are well preserved with little later construction obscuring the older parts and so has received provincial level protection.
Built by the first Manchurian Emperor, Nurhachu. Four members of the family are buried here in three tomb complexes. The tombs display the traditional Manchurian culture. A high wall surrounds each site with a single gate at one end. Inside the gate of the larger tomb, a path leads to a small building, within which stands a steele engraved with epitaph describing the persons life in some length. The steele is mounted on top of a large tortoise. In the other tombs, the steele stand exposed without the covering building. Beyond the steele is an inner gateway which takes you through to the tomb mound it's self. Each tomb is round, made of stone or brickwork and has a domed top.
Wang Erlie was a court official born in Liaoyang during the rein of the Emperor Qianlong. He achieved excelent scores in his Emperial exams and subsequently had a career that saw him become one of the richest and most powerful people in China. The museum tells the story of his life and has some English language translations.
Liaoyang became the capital city of the Manchurian Late Jin Empire in 1621. The emperor Nurhachi built his imperial palace here and called the city Dongjing or "East Capital." The city was 896 metres east to west and 886 meters north to south, covering and area of 0.75 square kilometres. A few walls and gates remain of the old palace and provide an insite into Manchurian architecture.
Other Tourist Sites in Liaoyang
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- Wu Mosque
- Shenwo Reservoir (辽阳参窝水库简介; Liáoyáng Shēnwō Shuĭ Kù Jiăn Jiè)
- Gongchangling Hot Springs Area Golf Courses (弓长岭区温泉高尔夫球场; Gōng Cháng Líng Qū Wēn Quán Gāo ĕr Fū Qiú Cháng)
- Wazaigou Style Farm Tourism (辽阳瓦子沟简介; Liáoyáng Wăzĭgōu Jiăn Jiè)
- Confucian Temple Garden (文庙游园; Wén Miào Yóu Yuán)
- Taizi River Rafting (太子河漂流; Tài Zĭ Hé Piāo Liú)
- Gongchangling Skiing Field (弓长岭滑雪场; Gōngchánglíng Huáxuĕ Cháng)
- Li Zhaolin House (李兆麟故居; Lĭ Zhào Lín Gù Jū)
- Guanyu's Temple (关帝庙; Guān Dì Miào)
- Qingfeng Temple (清风寺; Qīng Fēng Sì)
- Hehuogou Provincial Level Forest Park (核伙沟自然风景区; Hé Huŏ Gōu Zì Rán Fēng Jĭng Qū)
- Guan Yin Temple (观音寺; Guān Yīn Sì)
- Liaoyang City Museum (辽阳市博物馆; Liáo Yáng Shì Bó Wù Guăn)
- Longfeng Mountain Scenic Spot and Temple (龙峰寺风景区; Lóng Fēng Sì Fēng Jĭng Qū)
Unreviewed Sites in Liaoyang
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- Yong'an Temple (永安禅寺; Yŏng ān Chán Sì)
Liaoyang Tourist information
Liaoyang is a prefecture level city within Liaoning province in China.
Intro to Liaoyang
Tourism in Liaoyang
Liaoyang is a surprising location for any tourist. Far from the normal tourist routes, in the industrial north east of China, the city is not on most people's itinerary. However, due to the age and former importance of the city, there is plenty for the traveller to see. There are several temples, including one extremely large temple. There are also more than the average number of museums. For the winter traveler, there are also several nearby ski centres.
History of Liaoyang
This is an ancient city with a long history going back over 2400 years. Liaoyang had been the major city of Liaodong (eastern Liaoning) province since the Waring States Period (475-221 BC). The city gew in prominance. One of the oldest Buddhist sites in China is in Liaoyang and is now the site of a large temple complex. During the Liao dynasty of northern China, the White Pagoda was constructed in Liaoyang. This remains the tallest building of it's kind in the north east of China. When Nurhachi united the Manchurian tribes and founded the Late Jin Dynasty, Nurhachi moved his capital to Liaoning. An imperial palace city was built there in 1621. The new capital was renamed Dongjing (East Capital). The city measured 900m east to west and 840m north to south with walls 11 metres high and two gates on either side. However, this palace was barely completed when, in 1625, Nurhachi moved his court yet again to the city of Shenyang. Nowadays, little remains of the old palace but some walls and gates are visible. In 1904, Battle of Liaoyang was fought as one of the major battles of the Russo-Japanese War. After the end of the second world war and the Chinese civil war, Liaoyang became a centre for heavy industrial development. It is somewhat overshadowed by the now larger neighbours of Shenyang and Anshan but remains one of the key cities of Liaoning province.
geography of Liaoyang
Within Liaoyang prefecture there is 1 County, 5 District and 1 City.[1]
- Baita District (白塔区; pinyin: Báitǎ Qū), has an area of 22 square kilometers and population of 220,000.
- Wensheng District (文圣区; pinyin: Wénshèng Qū), has an area of 50 square kilometers, population 170,000.
- Hongwei District (宏伟区; pinyin: Hóngwěi Qū), has an area of 66 square kilometers, population 110,000.
- Gongchangling District (弓长岭区; pinyin: Gōngchánglǐng Qū), has an area of 285 square kilometers, population 90,000.
- Taizihe District (太子河区; pinyin: Tàizǐhé Qū), has an area of 150 square kilometers, population 120,000.
- Dengta City (灯塔市; pinyin: Dēngtǎ Shì), has an area of 1,349 square kilometers, population 500,000.
- Liaoyang County (辽阳县; pinyin: Liáoyáng Xiàn), has an area of 2,822 square kilometers, population 600,000.
Transportation
BY PLANE
The nearest airport to Liaoyang is Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) 沈阳桃仙国际机场. This is some 60km away and take about 1 hours to reach by road.
BY TRAIN
Liaoyang is well connected by train to most major cities in Liaoning, including Shenyang, Anshan, Dalian, Benxi, Panjin and Dandong. The service is frequent inexpensive. Long distance routes connect Liaoyang to much of China with trains terminating as far a field as Shanghai.
BY CAR
Liaoyang in beside the main Shenda express way that runs north to south along the Liaodong pensular from Shenyang to Dalian. The Shenxi express way form Shenayng to Benxi city also runs through Liaoyang.
BY BUS
Three coaches daily connect Beijing and Liaoyang. There are twice daily coaches to Changchun. Frequent coaches run to and form most major cities in the Province. Coaches to or from Anshan, Benxi and Shenyang run as frequently as the buses circulate.
GET AROUND
Bus is by far the cheapest mode of transport. Taxis are also common and inexpensive.
Restaurants
Hainan Restaurant (海纳百川), Xinxing Road, Liaoyang. (新兴街富虹水月翰宫二期北门西20米), ☎ 6976228 13841918338. Sichuan amd Xiangcai style boiled fish broth from Beijing.
Tain Fu Can Yin Yu Le You Xian Gong Si, Liaoyang (辽阳天福餐饮娱乐有限公司), 334 Xinyun Street,Wensheng District, Liaoyang. (文圣区新运大街334号), ☎ 4133555.
Lan'guifan Restaurant (白塔区兰桂坊西餐厅), Baida District, ☎ 2130133.
Liaoyang City, Shi Guang Zhou Tan Huo Shao Kao Chung (辽阳市光洲炭火烧烤城), ☎ 3122588. Barbcue restaurant.
Dong Shu Huoguo Restaurant, Liaoyang (辽阳东蜀火锅城), ☎ 4226696 4226996. Sichuan style hotpot restaurant.
Mojiafu Huoguo, Baida District (白塔区万家福火锅城), ☎ 2153755.
Hotels
New Century Hotel (新世纪酒店), ☎ +86(0419)2128888. A four star hotel that contains dining rooms, KTV Plaza, Chaba, bars, sauna parlours, business centre, etc.
Liaoyang Hotel (辽阳宾馆), Zhonghua Road, Liaoyang. (辽阳市中华大街一段6l号), ☎ +86(0419)2288000. This 13 story building covers 19,995 square metres and contains 143 rooms. There is a conference centre with a capacity of 500 people.
Liaoyang Fuhong International Hotel (辽阳富虹国际饭店), ☎ +86(0419)2268888. A five-star hotel
Liaoyang Tingzhou Hotels Ltd (辽阳汀洲大酒店有限公司), ☎ +86(0419)2258999.
Liaoyang Silver Dream Hotel (辽阳银梦大酒店酒店有限公司), 49 Road(民主路49号), ☎ +86(0419)2136888, +86(0419)2134179 (fax: +86(0419)2153466). A 10,000 square meters hotel with
Yanshui Hotel (衍水宾馆), 158 Zhonghua Road, Liaoyang. (中华大街158号), ☎ +86(0419)3135901, 313666.
Liaoyang Xiangping Hotel (辽阳襄平宾馆).
Liaoyang City Huayuan Hotel (辽阳市华园宾馆), ☎ 3232344.
Liaohua Hotel (辽化宾馆), 40 Zhonghua Road, Liaoyang. (辽阳市青年大街40号), ☎ 5153481. This 236 room hotel covers an area of 54,000 square metres. There are 16 meeting rooms for business and the 15 different restaurants can seat 600 dinners. The function and banquet suite can accommodate 500 guests.