Hunhe River West Grand Canyon

Hunhe River West Grand Canyon

The Hunhe River West Grand Canyon is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Hunhe River West Grand Canyon Ecological Park is situated in the lower reaches of the Hunhe River in Shenyang, 19 kilometers from the city center. It extends east from Langjia Village, Zhaijia Township, Tiexi District, to Daijin Village, Zhaijia Township in the west, borders Dadi Road to the north, and lies along the Hunhe River to the south, with a total riverbank length of 7 kilometers. Guided by the principle of “the Hunhe River system as the axis and a north-south echo,” the park features an overall layout of “one water, two belts, six islands, seven nodes, and multiple plazas.” Covering an area of 3.5 square kilometers, predominantly composed of linear green spaces, it provides essential green infrastructure for the development of the Shenyang Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Construction of the Hunhe River West Grand Canyon Ecological Park began in November 2011. By 2013, the total investment in the project amounted to approximately 600 million RMB. The park officially opened to the public in October 2013. Construction involved moving about 980,000 cubic meters of earthwork and undertaking 20 projects, including water conservancy, transportation, buildings, electricity, scenic spots, and greening. Water conservancy projects included the construction of a new rubber dam, revetments, and spur dikes. Transportation projects featured the building of 10 kilometers of roads and one bridge. Building projects comprised the construction of two lighthouses and one core service area. Electrical projects involved laying 20 kilometers of cables. Scenic projects included the creation of 15 new attractions. Greening efforts added 2 square kilometers of new green space.

The Hunhe River West Grand Canyon Ecological Park fully respects the existing terrain, natural heritage, and rich historical legacy, crafting a landscape style that offers sweeping views of the great river, vast openness, and embodies the spirit of the times, regional character, and urban fashion. The park has successfully achieved its goal of becoming a comprehensive park with Tiexi District’s distinctive features, integrating ecology, entertainment, leisure, and mass fitness activities.

The name of the Hunhe River West Grand Canyon originates from a legend. In the fourth year of the Jiaqing Emperor’s reign, Wang Erlie, at the age of 72, retired from his official post in the capital and returned to his hometown of Liaoyang. When he reached the West Grand Canyon of the Hunhe River, about 60 li west of Fengtian City, and intended to cross the river southward, he was captivated by the pleasant surroundings, the curling smoke from kitchens, and the idyllic rural scenery. He felt so refreshed and delighted that he lingered for three days, reluctant to leave. Before departing, he composed a poem titled “Born into the First Fairyland on Earth”:

Hidden wonders lie in the western gorge of the Shen River,

Where fragrant woods and shaded grass make horses halt—

A heavenly scene so divine I stayed thrice, forgetting to go,

Clearly a Peach Blossom Spring in the northeast.

The name of the West Gorge thus came into being, and this legend adds a layer of mystery to the place.

There are 15 main attractions in the park, all interconnected by park paths and waterways. Below is a brief introduction to each major attraction:

East and West Lighthouses: At the eastern and western starting points of Phase I of the park, there is one lighthouse each, standing 15 meters tall and consisting of four levels, covering an area of about 490 square meters. Facilities inside include a water bar and an observation deck. The two lighthouses complement each other, and climbing them offers panoramic views of the scenic area. They are the highest points in the park and serve as iconic structures.

Rubber Dam and Rubber Dam Plaza: The rubber dam is 2.5 meters high and 280 meters long, spanning six sections. The Rubber Dam Plaza is the best viewing spot for the dam, covering about 8,000 square meters. From here, the majestic view of the rubber dam complements the natural landscape of the large slope, creating a unique scene.

East and West Docks: One dock is located on each side of the park, east and west, covering a total area of about 5,000 square meters, fully meeting the berthing needs of cruise boats and yachts after navigation in the park is initiated.

Sun Plaza: Located adjacent to the Fourth Ring Bridge at the southernmost and highest point of the entire West Grand Canyon scenic area, it is the most noticeable attraction for travelers on the Fourth Ring. The plaza covers 2,800 square meters and is paved with basalt panels formed by volcanic eruptions, which have high rainwater permeability. Standing on the plaza are 16 natural prismatic crystals formed by volcanic eruptions, each 4 meters tall, resembling mechanically forged stone crystals that rise vigorously, embodying a passion for strength and sunlight.

Climbing Wall: With a climbing length of 20 meters and a height of 10 meters, the wall allows adventure enthusiasts to experience excitement and thrill at any time. The artificial climbing wall reduces the various risks associated with climbing natural rock faces in the wild, such as falls, allowing one to experience the joy of climbing and challenge personal limits in a completely safe simulated environment.

Rain-Collecting Lake: As the name suggests, this is an artificial lake that collects rainwater from surrounding scenic areas—such as the Ant Kingdom and the Core Service Area—through a rainwater collection system. It then forms a 10-meter-high cascading waterfall to emphasize environmental concepts, turning rainwater resources into a scenic feature. The park covers an area of 21,000 square meters and includes attractions such as a Rainbow Corridor, a Palm Island fashion teahouse, a fun stone pillar river-crossing bridge, and eight Green Wild Fountains, forming a fashionable and warm mini scenic area.

Ant Castle: Designed specifically for children, this area in the scenic zone covers 60,000 square meters. The zone combines sculptures and play equipment, enabling children to get closer to nature while having fun. By traveling through the Ant Time Tunnel and entering the kingdom guarded by ant soldiers, where giant banyan trees host various animals and cartoon characters, the Thomas Mini Train can take children on tours of the Ant Castle, Fishbone Tunnel, and Ant Gate. Children find endless joy playing here.

Century Wall: Covering an area of 600 square meters, it displays handprints of Tiexi residents aged 1 to 100, including model workers, outstanding students, excellent writers, and top athletes. These handprints showcase the spirit of the Tiexi people and symbolize their wishes for living to a healthy old age.

Observation Platform: Located at the core of the West Grand Canyon scenic area, it consists of a terrace plaza, viewing steps, a waterside platform, and an island access bridge, covering a total area of 100,000 square meters. It integrates the concepts of plaza culture, sports and leisure, river viewing, historical heritage, respect for nature, and showcasing the spirit of the times.

In the design of this attraction, full respect and protection are given to historical and natural legacies. The design contrasts the black, rugged elements with the light gray, finely paved steps of the plaza, creating an artistic effect that emphasizes historical continuity. The poetic legacy of Wang Erlie about the West Grand Canyon is engraved on scenic stones to revive the beauty of history, highlighting the display of regional cultural spirit of the times. The “West Grand Canyon” scenic wall, with its diagonally standing stone pillars and woven texture along with heavy rust-colored panels, symbolizes Tiexi District’s organic fusion of industrial and natural civilizations.

Stone Island: This area showcases 14 types of rare minerals donated by renowned arts and crafts masters from Liaoning Province. Each stone has its own unique texture, refined through years of weathering and natural erosion, further enhanced by the meticulous craftsmanship of arts and crafts masters from various cities in the province. These stones bear the imprint of profound humanistic culture and urban identity, corresponding to the 14 cities in the province. They symbolize unity, progress, innovation, and the collective strength of party organizations and the people striving to achieve the goal of a prosperous and strong province.