01Linghai City
Linghai City, under the jurisdiction of Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, is located in the southwestern part of Liaoning Province, at the eastern end of the Liaoxi Corridor. It borders the Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Sea to the east, Jinzhou urban area to the west, faces Huludao City across the sea to the south, and leans against Yi County to the north. The city covers a total area of 2,495 square kilometers, administers 10 towns, 8 townships, and 4 subdistricts, with a total population of about 550,000 (2023). Linghai was historically known as 'Guangning' and is an ancient city with a long history in the Liaoxi region. It has a history of over 2,200 years since the establishment of a county in the Western Han Dynasty and is an important coastal defense town and commercial hub in Northeast China. It boasts rich natural and cultural landscapes, famous for Bijiashan Sky Bridge, Liao Dynasty Ancient Pagoda, Qing Dynasty Stone Bridge, etc., and is known as the 'Great Wall on the Sea' and 'Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art'. Linghai is located at the intersection of coastal and inland areas, blending maritime and agricultural cultural characteristics, with fishery, agriculture, and tourism as economic pillars. In recent years, it has developed into an ecotourism hotspot relying on red beach and wetland resources.
I. Core Attractions 1. Bijiashan Scenic Area (National AAAA-level): Located in the southeast of Linghai City, about 15 km from the city center. Famous for the 'Sky Bridge' wonder—under tidal influence, a pebble path about 1.6 km long appears between the mountain and the coast, passable during low tide. Ticket: 70 yuan, opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (extended to 18:00 in summer). It is recommended to check the tide table; the best viewing times are around the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. 2. Liao Dynasty Ancient Pagoda (Linghai Pagoda): Located in the eastern suburbs of the city, built in the Liao Dynasty (9th-10th century AD), an octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave brick pagoda, about 42 meters high. The pagoda body is exquisitely carved and is one of the best-preserved Liao pagodas in the Liaoxi region. Free admission, with a small square nearby. 3. Linghai Red Beach Wetland Park: Located at the estuary of the Daling River, about 20 km from the city center. In autumn (September-October), the Suaeda salsa turns red, forming a spectacular 'red carpet' landscape. The park features observation decks and wooden boardwalks, where migratory birds (such as red-crowned cranes and white cranes) can be observed. Ticket: 50 yuan, opening hours: 7:30-18:00. 4. Qing Dynasty Stone Bridge (Guangning Bridge): Located in the ancient city of Linghai, built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1736-1795), a three-arch stone arch bridge, 30 meters long and 6 meters wide. The bridge body is carved with dragon and phoenix reliefs, a rare ancient stone bridge relic in Northeast China. Free admission. 5. Greater Bijiashan Island: Accessible by boat from Bijiashan Pier in about 20 minutes. The island features ancient buildings such as Mazu Temple and Lvzu Pavilion, a place for prayer and sea viewing. Round-trip boat ticket: 60 yuan, no ticket for the island.
II. Special Local Cuisine 1. Linghai Seafood: Mainly specialties from Bohai Bay. Recommended: 'Steamed Blue Crab' (best in autumn), 'Spicy Stir-fried Clams', 'Sea Urchin Steamed Egg'. The 'Haixiangge Seafood Restaurant' in the city center (Address: 88 Linghai Street) has a good reputation, with per capita consumption of 80-120 yuan. 2. Jinzhou Barbecue (Linghai Branch): Jinzhou barbecue is famous nationwide. There are several long-established restaurants in Linghai city, such as 'Lao Ma Barbecue' (12 Linghai Road) and 'Xiaojun Barbecue' (3 Wenhua Road). Recommended: grilled lamb skewers, grilled chicken feet, grilled oysters, per capita 50-80 yuan. 3. Linghai Specialties: Daling River Duck Eggs (salted and oily), Bijiashan Shrimp Paste (can be a souvenir). Available at 'Linghai Specialty Supermarket' (Address: 15 Jiefang Road).
III. Transportation 1. External Transportation: Jinzhou Bay Airport (about 30 km from Linghai city center) has flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou; Jinzhou Station (high-speed rail station) is about 20 km from Linghai, accessible by bus (Jinzhou-Linghai special line, fare 8 yuan, 40-minute ride) or taxi (about 60 yuan). 2. Internal Transportation: City bus routes cover major attractions (Routes 1, 2, 3 go to Bijiashan), fare 1-2 yuan; taxi starting fare 6 yuan (within 3 km). Self-driving or car rental (about 300 yuan per day) is recommended for visiting scattered attractions like Red Beach.