Santagou

Santagou

Santagou is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

A national AA-level tourist scenic area and a national nature reserve. Located in Daban Town, Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County, Liaoning Province, it is 22 kilometers from downtown Fuxin and 140 kilometers from the provincial capital Shenyang. It is a natural ecological tourism destination known for its unique pines and peculiar rocks. The area is divided into four scenic sections: Pine Waves, Peculiar Rocks, Santagou, and Qinglong Mountain, encompassing 54 attractions across an area of 19.1 square kilometers. It gets its name from the ruins of three ancient Liao Dynasty pagodas within the scenic zone. The foundations of towers and temples, trenches, pagoda pedestal pits, stone troughs, bricks, tiles, as well as cultivated terraces and stone ridges are all clearly visible. This was once a military encampment and troop inspection site for Empress Xiao of the Liao Dynasty. The Santagou Scenic Area is characterized mainly by its green mountains, dense forests, beautiful waters, and peculiar rocks, making it an eco-tourism destination.

Due to Santagou Ecotourism Area being situated in the transitional zone among the Inner Mongolia, Changbai Mountain, and North China plant floras, it boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. There are over 80 plant families and more than 600 species, including many rare and precious tree species such as Eleutherococcus senticosus (a national first-class protected plant), Phellodendron amurense, and Juglans mandshurica (both national second-class protected plants). The landscape is varied and rich, with distinct seasonal changes. In spring, mountain flowers bloom in profusion; in summer, the climate is cool and pleasant; in autumn, the hills are ablaze with red foliage. It is a natural botanical kingdom. The area is also home to over 50 wildlife families and more than 160 species, including 73 provincially protected animals, making it a paradise for wildlife.

The forest coverage rate reaches 95%. Among them, the ten-thousand-mu stands of Masson pine and larch planted in the 1950s tower over 20 meters high, stretching across mountains and valleys for tens of miles. The pine forests vary in height and density, with soft light filtering through and lush green grass covering the ground. Scenic spots such as Tiger Pass, natural lawns, and small wooden cabins dot the landscape, adding unique charm. The forest is rich in negative oxygen ions and fresh air, forming a moist and refreshing woodland microclimate—it’s a natural forest oxygen bar. Visitors often pause to take deep breaths and enjoy the marvelous experience of a forest bath. The scenic area is scattered with numerous oddly shaped and massive rocks that follow the contours of the hills, rugged and jagged. Some resemble beasts or birds, others look like ancient towers, castles, or colorful clouds, while some are shaped like torches, mushrooms, or flying rocks—each one uniquely crafted by nature.

In Santagou, a large number of petrified wood formations are exposed on the surface, indicating that this region was once covered by dense forests around 130 million years ago. Later, due to intense tectonic movements, the trees were buried underground. Over tens of thousands of years, they underwent physical and chemical changes, eventually becoming petrified wood. Similar petrified wood can also be found in Huaxiang. With their remarkably wood-like exterior and internal structures, petrified wood are considered a marvel among minerals. Beyond serving as subjects of study for the mysteries formed through geological processes, they can also be crafted into artworks and ornamental stones. Placed in urban gardens, green spaces, or used to construct various rockeries, they beautify the environment while providing enjoyment for visitors.

The highest peak in the scenic area is Qinglong Mountain, which stands at 736.7 meters above sea level, making it the third highest peak in the Fuxin region. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll feel as though “all other mountains are small.” Looking north, you can take in the full view of downtown Fuxin, and on particularly clear mornings, you may even witness the sunrise over the Bohai Sea.

The Liao Dynasty pagoda ruins within the scenic area were built in 1089 AD, where the highly respected monk Quanwei, abbot of Chongxian Temple, was laid to rest. The Peculiar Rocks scenic section features steep mountain terrain, deep valleys, and clusters of strange rocks. The views differ dramatically from afar and up close. It was once a military training ground for the Tang Dynasty’s Liaodong general Gao Sujian, leaving behind relics such as General Rock and Sword Sharpening Rock. The Liao Dynasty once stationed elite troops here, and the General Inspection Platform is still faintly visible today. The area’s rich cultural heritage evokes a sense of historical nostalgia among visitors.

In recent years, the scenic area has added new attractions such as a forest amusement park, a forest music plaza, an artificial waterfall, a fishing pond, a forest maze, and a forest shooting range. The forest music plaza features performances by live bands, giving you an authentic taste of the “Dragon Spring Villa” experience. The newly completed reception center will present a completely renewed face to visitors, and the newly built “villa community” will transport you to a paradise on earth. From the summit of Qinglong Peak, you can see the Bohai Sea tides to the south, the full panorama of downtown Fuxin to the north, and the entire Santagou area below—making it one of the few prime high-elevation viewpoints in the Fuxin region.

Stepping into the Santagou Natural Scenic Area, you enter vast woodlands—where peaks are rugged, valleys are serene, streams flow endlessly, and peculiar rocks form naturally. The grand scale, tranquil environment, lush water plants, and serene atmosphere allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and truly experience the joy of returning to nature.

Daban Town: Daban Town is located in the southern part of Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County. To the east it borders Furong Town, to the south it connects with Guohua Township, to the west it links to Qinglong Mountain in Xinmin Town, and to the north it is bounded by the Daba Tunnel in Shuiquan Town, Xihe District. The town covers a total area of 13,800 hectares, including 2,209 hectares of arable land. Daban Town administers 6 administrative villages and 70 villager groups. The town has a total of 3,569 households and a population of 12,513, including 11,688 agricultural residents and 825 non-agricultural residents. Mongolian residents account for 52% of the population, along with other ethnic minorities such as Han and Manchu. Daban Town’s transportation… Daban Town detailed information++