Heishan County

Heishan County is located in the northeast of Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, in the hinterland of the Liaohe Plain, covering an area of approximately 2,491 square kilometers with a permanent population of about 450,000 (2023 data). Heishan has a long history, established as a county as early as the Liao Dynasty, and named after the Black Mountain (now Dahu Mountain) within its territory. It is the site of the crucial "Heishan Blockade Battle" of the Liaoshen Campaign, rich in red tourism resources. Heishan County is also an important grain production base and a national commercial grain base county in China, known for agriculture and animal husbandry, while preserving unique folk culture, such as Heishan Errenzhuan, which is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Its geographical location is advantageous, about 100 kilometers from downtown Jinzhou, serving as a key node connecting central and western Liaoning.

I. Red Tourism and Historical Sites

1. Heishan Blockade Battle Memorial Hall (Martyrs' Cemetery) - Address: Within Heishan Town, south end of Jiefang Road - Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays) - Ticket: Free (ID card required for registration) - Introduction: The memorial hall covers about 20,000 square meters, displaying historical artifacts, pictures, and sand table models of the Heishan Blockade Battle in the Liaoshen Campaign. It is a national patriotism education base. The cemetery houses thousands of martyrs, attracting many tourists and study groups annually.

2. Dahu Mountain (Heishan) Scenic Area - About 15 km from the county town, 20 minutes by car - Opening Hours: All day - Ticket: Free - Features: Dahu Mountain is about 300 meters above sea level, with steep terrain, and was an important commanding height in the blockade battle. There is an observation deck at the top overlooking the Liaohe Plain. Trench ruins and a monument are on the mountainside, suitable for hiking and photography.

II. Folk Culture and Intangible Heritage Experience

3. Heishan Errenzhuan Art Museum - Address: Within Heishan Town, Wenhua Road - Visiting Hours: By appointment (Tel: 0416-552XXXX) - Ticket: 30 yuan/person - Content: Displays the history, costumes, props, and works of famous artists of Heishan Errenzhuan. Live performances every Saturday (ticket: 50 yuan/person). Heishan Errenzhuan is an important branch of Northeast Errenzhuan, listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

III. Natural Ecology and Rural Scenery

4. Liaohe Wetland Park (Heishan Section) - Located about 30 km southeast of the county town, 40 minutes by car - Best Season: Spring and summer (April-September), bird migration periods (March-April, October-November) - Ticket: Free - Features: The wetland covers 50 square kilometers, an important habitat for migratory birds, commonly seen white cranes, red-crowned cranes, etc. There are wooden boardwalks and bird-watching platforms, suitable for eco-photography and family trips.

5. Heishan Agricultural Sightseeing Garden (e.g., Duanjia Township Strawberry Picking Base) - About 10 km from the county town, accessible by bus or taxi - Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00 (until 17:00 in winter) - Ticket: Free entry, picking charged by weight (strawberries about 30 yuan/jin) - Features: Heishan is the "Strawberry Town" of Liaoning, with picking activities from January to May, and experiences of farmhouse cuisine and agricultural product processing.

IV. Special Cuisine and Shopping

6. Heishan Smoked Chicken - Recommended Shop: Time-honored "Liu's Smoked Chicken" (Jiefang Road, county town) - Price: Whole chicken about 50-70 yuan - Features: Made with local free-range chicken and smoked with pine wood, crispy skin and tender meat, the most representative delicacy of Heishan with a history of over 100 years.

7. Heishan Sticky Bean Buns - Recommended Place: County town farmers' market (morning market 6:00-10:00) - Price: About 10 yuan/jin - Features: Made from yellow rice flour, stuffed with red bean paste, soft and sticky, especially popular in winter.

8. Whole Fish Feast - Recommended Restaurant: Liaohe Renjia (east exit of county town) - Price: Per capita 80-120 yuan - Features: Uses Liaohe fish (such as carp, silver carp), featuring iron pot stewed fish and fish soup.

V. Transportation Guide

- External Transportation: 1. High-speed rail: Take to "Heishan North Station" (north of the county, about 30 km from county town), about 40 minutes from Jinzhou Station; or take to "Jinzhou Station" and then transfer to bus (about 1.5 hours). 2. Self-driving: From downtown Jinzhou along G1 Jingha Expressway to Heishan exit, about 1 hour. 3. Bus: Jinzhou Bus Station departs every 30 minutes, ticket about 20 yuan.

- Internal Transportation: Within the county town, take bus (routes 1-5, fare 1 yuan) or taxi (starting fare 5 yuan). To Dahu Mountain, Wetland Park, etc., need to charter a car (about 50-100 yuan per trip).

VI. Practical Tips - Best Travel Season: Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October), pleasant climate; winter for ice and snow and folk customs. - Accommodation: Heishan Hotel (three-star, about 200 yuan/night) and several budget hotels in the county town. - Notes: Check opening hours of the memorial hall in advance; wetland park has many mosquitoes, bring repellent.