As flowers bloom and fade, it’s once again the best season for hiking. When visiting Shenyang in spring, be sure to pick a sunny day and hit the trails with friends—hiking up the mountains and enjoying the view from above. Hiking not only refreshes the mind and keeps you fit, but also lets you breathe in some of the freshest air around. Shenyang’s dozen-plus stunning peaks, with their lush greenery and rolling ridges, are absolutely perfect for a spring getaway.
Qipanshan (Chessboard Mountain) got its name from a stone on the mountain that was said to have a chessboard carved into it. Legend has it that the immortals Lü Dongbin and Tieguaili once played a game of chess here. At the summit stands Wanghu Pavilion (Lake-Viewing Pavilion), where you can take in the breathtaking scenery all around. The landscape here is unique in every season—spring’s greenery, summer’s vibrant views, autumn’s red maples, and winter’s snow create a truly distinctive panorama. After a tiring hike, having a picnic by the reservoir or Xiuhu Lake is a delightful way to relax.
Shiren Mountain is part of the southern extension of the Jilin Hadaling Range of the Changbai Mountain system, forming the ridge of the Crouching Dragon. It combines mountains, water, pools, waterfalls, gorges, and caves, and features attractions such as Guanyin Platform, Shuangquan Temple, Zangxian Pavilion, Nantianmen (South Heaven Gate), and wartime cave shelters. The mountain is densely forested, with high air humidity and an abundance of negative ions, making the air fresh and invigorating.
Qixingshan (Seven Stars Mountain) formed in the late Jurassic period and consists of seven peaks, including Nanshan (South Mountain) and Tashan (Pagoda Mountain). The scenic area gets its name because the distribution of the peaks resembles the Big Dipper. The area features crisscrossing ravines and layered greenery. On the southern slope of Tashan, there is a spring with cool, sweet water. The site is rich in cultural landscapes and historical ruins, including remnants of a Liao Dynasty pagoda and bunkers that stand as evidence of past warfare. The Shifo Temple on the eastern mountainside of Qixingshan enjoys flourishing incense offerings year-round, making it a great spot for prayer and blessings during your hike.
Bahu Mountain stands at an elevation of 447.2 meters and has 99 peaks of varying sizes. The area spans 14.8 square kilometers, with 1,987 hectares of forest land covered in pristine secondary forests. The mountain features steep terrain, dense woods, and a well-preserved ecological environment, making it one of the undeveloped scenic spots near Shenyang. From May to September, the Bahu Mountain Hiking Festival takes place, featuring activities such as hiking competitions, spring hunting events, and photography contests.
Chaoyang Mountain is a small hill that abruptly rises from the flatlands, boasting a unique landform and pleasant scenery in all seasons. The hill is home to the ancient Chaoyang Temple from the Tang Dynasty, while wetlands at the foot converge into a river that then forms a lake. The area is filled with lush fruit trees, secluded paths, various wildlife, and rare bird species. There are over a hundred ancient pine trees over a century old, especially the bodhi pine in front of the Mahavira Hall of Chaoyang Temple. Other unique attractions include Zhuzong Stone (Pig Track Stone), Brothers Tree, Big Dipper Forest, and Twin Trees.
Mashi Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction with convenient transportation, located just 30 kilometers from downtown Shenyang. Mashi Mountain is an extension of the Qianshan Mountain Range and got its name because it has two peaks standing side by side, resembling a horse’s ears. The mountain features naturally formed rock formations such as stone men, stone horses, Chaoyang Cave, Beiying Cave, as well as stone sheds, stone coffins, and Tiger Cave. There are also historic beacon tower ruins, and at the foot of the southern mountain lies the site of a Medicine King Temple. The scenic area includes over 6,000 acres of fruit and vegetable picking gardens, where you can harvest fresh fruits like grapes and apples after your hike. The photo shows the magnificent view from the mountaintop—isn’t it spectacular?
Guai Po (Strange Slope) is one of Liaoning Province’s top ten AAAA-level tourist attractions and is listed among the Eight Great Wonders of Liaoning. Discovered in April 1990, it is located at the western foothills of Mao Mountain in Qingshuitai Subdistrict, Shenbei New District. With open fields in front and mountains behind, the slope is about 80 meters long and 15 meters wide, sloping from west to east. Guai Po is famous both in China and abroad and is hailed as “a unique wonder of China.”
The national AAA-level Wulong Mountain Scenic Area is the largest and best-preserved natural reserve for flora and fauna in the Shenyang area. The main peak, Chaoyang Cave Mountain, stands at 280.8 meters and is the first mountain facing the Bohai Sea within the Bohai Grand Narrow Channel. On the northwestern side of the summit, within a radius of about 9 meters, there used to be the site of a Guanyin Temple. Despite being completely exposed, the spot remains windless all year round—even when strong southwest monsoons of force seven or eight blow, not a breeze can be felt. This September and October, Faku will also host the Wulong Mountain Grape Festival, where you can hike and pick grapes.
Tiangu Mountain is located within the Wulong Mountain Scenic Area. It is a 3,000-square-meter slope shaded by lush pines. When you walk on it, the ground emits a drum-like “dong dong” sound with even slight pressure. Visitors here often make heartfelt wishes while playing: “One jump on Tiangu Mountain, light body and no sore legs; two jumps on Tiangu Mountain, happiness beyond the immortals; three jumps on Tiangu Mountain, health and longevity by your side.”
Shengji Mountain, located in Yemotai Town, Faku, Shenyang, is about 45 kilometers east of the county town. The Beijing-Shenyang Highway (National Highway 101) runs through it, and it borders the Huanzidong National Wetland Park to the northeast. Covering nearly 30 square kilometers, Shengji Mountain is recorded to have maple forests planted no later than the Tang Dynasty. The mountain features undulating ridges stretching for miles, with many large, uniquely shaped rocks at the summit. Although the maples turn red in autumn, spring visitors can enjoy the greenery of pines, cypresses, willows, poplars, purple locusts, and yellow elms, creating a vibrant green world. In autumn, the Shengji Mountain Ancient Maple Festival is held, featuring photography events and activities like “exploring Liao tombs and appreciating grottoes.”
Shenyang Water Cave Scenic Area is surrounded by mountains and features a quiet valley. The area includes attractions such as the Army-Hiding Cave, Guanyin Cave, Beacon Tower, Xueli Statue, Jigong Spirit Spring, Cloud-Chasing Pavilion, Yifeng Pavilion, and Mandarin Duck Pavilion. A mountain-looping road surrounds the scenic area, perfect for hiking. In addition to hiking, you can also take a boat ride in the water cave or visit Guangfu Temple for blessings.
Dayang Mountain, with an elevation of 241.8 meters, is the third highest peak in the Qipanshan Scenic Area. The area features deep valleys, dense forests, and thick shade that blocks out the sun, with few visitors. Both the forest and surface vegetation remain in a well-preserved, pristine natural state, giving off a rugged, rustic vibe. A secluded path winds from the foot of Dayang Mountain up to the summit, where the “Cuwei Pavilion” (Emerald Pavilion) offers a place for visitors to rest and admire the layered green beauty of the mountain.
Huishan (Grey Mountain) is a branch of the Changbai Mountain Range. The area features undulating mountains, winding streams, lush trees, and the beautiful natural landscape of lakes surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear waters, and vast pine forests. The waters of Xiuhu (Beautiful Lake) are broad, clear, and shimmering, like a bright pearl nestled among the encircling mountains.
Mozi Mountain Park is located at the eastern end of the east-west ecological landscape axis in Hunnan New City, covering approximately 52.5 hectares. Built on the existing terrain, it features three hills: North Mountain (108 meters), Middle Mountain (87 meters), and South Mountain (99 meters). The three hills vary in height and distance, creating a complementary and staggered mountain landscape. The park emphasizes a unified natural landscape of mountains, water, and forests, with mountains and water as the framework, forests as the main body, and diverse gardens as highlights, forming a theme park where nature and humans coexist harmoniously.
