Jiacheng Longtan Grand Canyon

Jianchang Longtan Grand Canyon

Jianchang Longtan Grand Canyon is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Longtan Grand Canyon tourist area is a national AAA-level scenic spot and a geological park of Liaoning Province. It is located at the border between Liaoning and Hebei provinces, in Laodazhangzi Township, Jianchang County, Huludao City, Liaoning Province, adjacent to the three cities of Qinhuangdao, Huludao, and Chaoyang. It is 330 km from Beijing, 324 km from Tianjin, and 440 km from Shenyang, offering convenient transportation. Longtan Grand Canyon is a unique geological wonder found throughout the Northeast region and even the North China region. The natural scenic area of Longtan Grand Canyon is known as the “Little Plateau of the Northeast” and the “Little Tibet of the North.” Nestled deep within the hills of western Liaoning and on the southern edge of the ancient Yinshan landmass, its strata mainly consist of chemically deposited rocks dominated by siliceous banded dolomitic limestone from the 650-million-year-old Wumishan Formation of the North China-type Sinian System, with some areas also featuring Mesozoic Yixian Formation volcanic rocks. The area’s unique geographical landforms create an extraordinary environment, making it a rare summer retreat, leisure destination, vacation spot, and entertainment resort. This is a comprehensive attraction integrating mountains, water, caves, waterfalls, and rock formations. It boasts not only vivid shapes, spiritual essence, and rich colors but also a majestic presence, offering different sceneries in different seasons. Its union with nature makes it a place where people come to chase their dreams. To experience the grandeur of the canyon, you must descend step by step from ground level—the most beautiful scenery lies within the canyon. The canyon stretches 72 km in total length, reaches a depth of 348 meters, and is up to 210 meters at its widest point, with countless branching gullies.

The key landscapes of Longtan Grand Canyon can be summarized as one pool, three gorges, four waterfalls, six pools, twenty-one peaks, as well as rock formations and caves.

One Pool: Longtan Pool Coming down from the mountain ridge, you can see the real Dragon Pool by walking eastward down the stone steps or by climbing over the rocks from Dragon King Cave to the east. This pool is unfathomably deep. People have tried tying ropes with stones, threading live fish through lines, and even sending divers in diving suits, yet none have reached the bottom. If it has a bottom, the constant erosion of river water and accumulation of sand and stones over the centuries should have filled it long ago. Yet it remains a shimmering expanse of clear blue water. If it has no bottom, observe how the water flowing down from above pours out just as much from below, forming a waterfall—this pool remains an unsolved mystery. This is the world-famous Longtan Pool.

Three Gorges: Longtan Gorge, Stone Forest Gorge, and Eagle Nest Gorge

1. Longtan Gorge

Located at the upper left of the “Y”-shaped three gorges, this gorge was formed over hundreds of millions of years due to internal and external geological forces. The gorge is 684 meters deep, 210 meters wide, and 22.5 km long. Within the gorge, visitors can admire numerous attractions such as Golden Gourd Waterfall, Longtan Waterfall, the Natural Great Buddha, - Peak, and the Divine Turtle.

2. Stone Forest Gorge

Located at the upper right of the “Y”-shaped three gorges, it gets its name from the cluster of peak-like stone pillars standing inside the gorge, resembling a stone forest. Stretching 8 km long and 150 meters wide, Stone Forest Gorge is also one of the most picturesque landscapes in the entire scenic area. The entire gorge is surrounded by towering mountains, with a stream winding around them. The peaks stand in close succession like a range. The emerald-green creek water reflects the surrounding mountains, creating a magnificent scroll. To the east are the stone forests, and to the west, the lush green vegetation and colorful mountain flowers on the cliffs are mirrored in the valley’s waters. When you sit in a boat and drift along, you truly experience the feeling of “the boat moves on the water, and you travel within a painting.” The gorge features representative sights such as the South Pole Immortal Waterfall, Milky Way Splash, Biyu Fairy Pool, Jade Python Piercing the Sky, Elephant Mountain, and Lovers’ Peak.

3. Eagle Nest Gorge

Eagle Nest Gorge is an extended section of the canyon that continues after the convergence of Longtan Gorge and Stone Forest Gorge, stretching all the way into Qinglong County, Hebei Province. It is 12.5 km long and 200 meters wide, with clear water and beautiful rocks. The giant eagle nests on the cliffs over 300 meters high leave all visitors in awe.

The natural scenic area of Longtan Grand Canyon, with its geological wonders and long history, is widely renowned. According to local elders, Emperor Kangxi once visited this place when he traveled to Shenyang to pay homage to his ancestors. After crossing Tortoise Stone Ridge and ascending Green Ox Mountain, he gazed upon the grand canyon and the panoramic view of Green Ox Mountain, composing a poem:

Thousands of autumns grace the green hills’ scenes,

Clouds shroud the peaks while waters flow unseen.

The Great Wall stretches like a jade sash,

A golden orb rolls through moonlit pass.

Up close, the land of Hubei spans three thousand realms,

In the distance, sixteen states of Jiangnan gleam.

Such beauty cannot all be seen in one day,

But fate may grant you another visit someday.

Address: Longtan Grand Canyon Scenic Area, Laodazhangzi Township, Jianchang County, Huludao City

7:00-19:00