01Yi County is located i…
Yi County is located in the northern part of Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, at the eastern end of the Liaoxi Corridor. It covers an area of approximately 2,496 square kilometers and has a permanent population of about 300,000. Yi County has a long history: during the Warring States period, it belonged to Liaodong Commandery of the Yan State; in the Liao Dynasty, it was established as Yizhou; in the Jin Dynasty, it was renamed Yizhou; and in 1913, it became Yi County. It was an important center of Liao Dynasty Buddhist culture, home to the nationally protected Fengguo Temple, which houses the world's largest group of ancient clay Buddha statues. Yi County was also a key battlefield in the Liaoshen Campaign, where General Zhu Rui was killed in action. The county is rich in natural resources, with the Yiwulü Mountain National Nature Reserve running through it from north to south, and rivers such as the Daling River and Xi River nourishing the land. Yi County's economy is primarily agricultural, making it a major grain-producing county in Liaoning Province. It is also known for Liao culture, hot spring wellness, and eco-tourism, earning the nicknames "Buddhist Kingdom of Western Liaoning" and "Blessed Land of Lüshan."
I. Core Attractions 1. Fengguo Temple (National AAAA Scenic Area): Located on East Street, Yi County, built in the 9th year of the Liao Dynasty's Kai Tai reign (1020 AD), it is one of the three existing Liao Dynasty temples in China. The Mahavira Hall is nine bays wide and five bays deep, 24 meters high, housing seven Liao Dynasty clay Buddha statues over 9 meters tall, known as the "First Hall of China." Ticket: 50 yuan, opening hours: 8:00-17:00. Suggested visit time: 2 hours. Take a bus from Jinzhou Railway Station to Yi County (about 1 hour), then a 10-minute taxi ride.
2. Wanfotang Grottoes (National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit): Located at the foot of Fushan Mountain, 9 km northwest of Yi County, carved in the 23rd year of the Northern Wei Dynasty's Taihe reign (499 AD), it is the largest grotto complex in Northeast China. There are 16 existing caves with over 430 statues. Ticket: 30 yuan, opening hours: 8:30-16:30. Take bus No. 3 or a taxi from the county town (about 20 minutes).
3. Yiwulü Mountain National Nature Reserve: Located in the northeastern part of Yi County, the main peak Wanghai Mountain is 866 meters above sea level, with a forest coverage rate of over 80%. The scenic area includes Liao Dynasty imperial palace ruins and Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong's inscriptions. Ticket: 60 yuan, opening hours: 7:00-18:00. Recommended for hiking in spring and autumn. Drive from Jinzhou (about 40 minutes) or take a bus from Yi County to Beizhen and get off at Lüshan Station.
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4. Zhu Rie Martyrs' Cemetery: Located in the southern suburbs of Yi County, built to commemorate General Zhu Rui, commander of the Northeast People's Liberation Army Artillery, who died in the 1948 Liaoshen Campaign. The cemetery covers 20,000 square meters, with a monument and memorial hall, free admission.
II. Local Cuisine 1. Yi County Lamb Soup: Made with locally raised goats, rich broth and tender meat, served with baked flatbread, a local breakfast favorite. Recommended restaurant: Old Yizhou Lamb Soup House (middle section of Zhenxing Street, Yi County), about 30 yuan per person. 2. Western Liaoning Tofu Pudding: Made with water from the Daling River, delicate texture, served with chive flower sauce or chili oil. Available at multiple stalls in Yi County Morning Market (South Street), 5 yuan per bowl. 3. Jar Oven Baked Flatbread: Baked in traditional jar ovens, crispy outside and soft inside, available in sweet and savory flavors. The most authentic is at the century-old shop "Yizhou Jar Oven Flatbread Shop" on North Street, 2 yuan each.
III. Transportation Guide 1. External Transportation: Direct buses from Jinzhou Railway Station square to Yi County (6:00-18:00, every 20 minutes, fare 15 yuan, 1 hour). Jinzhou Bay Airport is about 80 km from Yi County; take airport shuttle to Jinzhou Station and transfer. 2. Internal Transportation: Taxi starting fare 5 yuan in Yi County urban area. Bus routes (1-5, fare 1 yuan) connect major attractions. Self-driving or chartered car recommended for rural attractions.
IV. Accommodation Recommendations Yi County Hotel (next to the county government, standard room 180 yuan/night), Lüshan Hot Spring Resort (includes hot spring ticket, double room 260 yuan/night). Budget hotels are concentrated on Zhenxing Street, priced 60-100 yuan.