Shenyang Ancient Meteorite Scenic Area

Shenyang Ancient Meteorite Scenic Area

The Shenyang Ancient Meteorite Scenic Area is a national AA-rated tourist attraction.

The national AA-rated Shenyang Ancient Meteorite Scenic Area is situated in Lixiang Town, Dongling District, Shenyang City, at the foothills of the Changbai Mountain–Qianshan Mountain range. The ancient meteorites of Shenyang were discovered in 1972 by the famous Chinese expert on ancient meteorites, Zhang Haiting. They are remnants of a star that fell to Earth 1.9 billion years ago, crashing 400 meters deep into the ground and forming a crater. Over time, due to crustal uplift and erosion, some of the materials within the crater were washed away. As the ancient meteorites are harder than granite and highly resistant to weathering, they remain exposed at the mountaintop. Wandering around the meteorite crater feels like stepping into a fairyland. There are dozens of springs scattered throughout the mountains, flowing year-round, indicating abundant groundwater resources, with an underground water belt formed 100 million years ago located more than 70 meters below the surface.

The scenic area includes attractions such as "Mantou Mountain Ancient Meteorite," "Talcum Face Ancient Meteorite," "Visitors from Outer Space," and "Zishan Ancient Meteorite," each with unique shapes that showcase nature’s remarkable craftsmanship. From a plan view, the ancient meteorites appear elliptical or kidney-shaped, while in cross-section, they resemble funnel or basin shapes, tapering downward without roots, like an exquisite crown embedded in Archean granite. On Huashitai Mountain lies an ancient meteorite measuring 160 meters in length, 50 meters in width, 40 meters in height, and weighing approximately 2 million tons—believed to be the largest of its kind in the world. The landscape features rolling hills, lush forests, springs, swallows flying through the woods, and wildflowers lining the paths. It is recognized as one of the “15 Major Tourist Attractions in Shenyang” and one of the “Shenyang Major Science Education Bases,” and has been honored as one of the “Eight Great Wonders of Liaoning Province.”

Scenic Area Address: Lixiang Town, Dongling District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province; Yaoqian Town, Sujiatun District

Transportation by Bus: 1. Nanta Shoe City Minibus (4308): Nanta – Taocai – Huangshanzi – Lixiang – Shiguan – Meteorite Mountain; 2. Zhongshan Park Tourist Special Line: West Gate of Zhongshan Park – Taocai – Huangshanzi – Lixiang – Shiguan – Meteorite Mountain; 3. Dadong Tourist Special Line: East Gate of Dadong – Taocai – Huangshanzi – Lixiang – Shiguan – Meteorite Mountain.

Self-driving Route: From Shenyang, take the Taocai Airport Expressway (highway), turn left at the intersection – turn left at Huangshanzi – Lixiang – Huashitai Village