Daling River Artificial Lake

Daling River Artificial Lake

The Daling River was historically known as the Yu River, Longchuan, or Bailang River. After the Liao Dynasty, it came to be called the Ling River (or Linghe, meaning "Spirit River") and later the Daling River. Stretching 398 kilometers in length with numerous tributaries crisscrossing the landscape, its main course runs through western Liaoning before flowing southeast into the Bohai Sea. Along its banks lie majestic mountains and rivers, abundant natural resources, and a long history of waterborne transport and fertile nourishment, all well-documented in historical texts. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious river systems in the Northeast. As far back as 100,000 years ago, the "Pigeon Cave People" thrived here. Together with the Laoha River and the Xar Moron River, it nurtured the profound Hongshan Culture, the Three Yan Cultures, and the Liao Culture. Shen Zhi, a Qing Dynasty poet from Chaoyang, once likened it to the "Yellow River of the Northeast." The Daling River also served as a crucial transportation route connecting the Northeast with the Central Plains in ancient times. Historical military campaigns such as the Qi State's northern expedition against the Shanrong, the Cao Wei's campaign against the Wuhuan, the Former Yan's advance into the Central Plains, the Northern Qi's attack on the Khitan, and the Sui and Tang dynasties' subjugation of Goguryeo all relied on the Daling River Valley as their main route. Since ancient times, the winding Daling River has been a scenic corridor, especially at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, where mountains encircle the waters and the landscape embraces both shade and sunlight, resembling a terrain of fortune and power. The Murong Xianbei people once built the Helong Palace and Helong Garden here, diverting water into the palace grounds, marking a milestone in the river’s development history. Thanks to generations of effort, the ancient Daling River continues to renew itself, and today it is more beautiful than ever.

Since 2002, the Chaoyang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have invested heavily in an unprecedented large-scale restoration project along the urban stretch of the river at the foot of Phoenix Mountain. This has embedded a shining pearl into the “dragon vein” that nourishes the people of western Liaoning, creating a garden-style city. The revitalized Daling River blends natural scenery with cultural landscapes. Its banks feature expansive embankments lined with dense forests and lush grass, with meandering paths leading to serene spots. Below the embankments lie vast expanses of azure water, with the reflections of pagodas, misty light, and flocks of gulls in flight. Standing on the shore and looking out, distant green hills frame the scene, and mist-covered waters stretch far and wide, with lake reflections harmonizing with mountain hues. The ancient city complements the flowing river, perfectly embodying the notion of a city nestled in mountains, water within the city, buildings among trees, and people surrounded by greenery. It is a must-visit destination for exploring the origins of Hongshan Culture, admiring the scenic beauty of the Daling River, and enjoying the green civilization of an urban paradise.