Endured Fenglin Valley and returned, really don't recommend coming in March
Wow! Discovered a hidden treasure secret spot deep in the mountains of Liaodong — Benxi Huanren Fenglin Valley! This place isn’t just for autumn visits; the spring vibes quietly creep over the valley in March, ready to give you a super healing forest adventure! 🌿🌸
📍Super easy to find, it’s nestled in Xiangyang Township, Huanren Manchu Autonomous County, Benxi City, Liaoning Province, gently embraced by the Changbai Mountain foothills, surrounded on three sides by green mountains. The highest peak, Bamianshihai, stands at 1,288 meters! Driving from Shenyang, take the newly opened Benhuan Expressway, and you can reach the “Fenglin Valley” toll station in just 3 hours — super convenient! 🚗💨
🗺️ Super detailed 3-day itinerary (follow my pace!)
Day 1: First encounter with the valley, slowly enjoy spring
Morning: Sleep in naturally, depart from Shenyang, arrive in Huanren County before noon. First, head to “Ethnic Street” to find an authentic iron pot stew, have a hot meal, and instantly recharge! 🍲🔥
Noon: Check in at my highly recommended Huanren Longxing International Hotel! It’s one of the top hotels locally, facing Huanren Reservoir with an amazing lake view! The rooms have floor heating and smart control systems, full marks for details. Best of all, it’s about 300+ RMB per person including double breakfast and lake view afternoon tea — the king of cost performance! 🏨💖
Evening: Try their signature “Reservoir Fish Head Soup” at the hotel restaurant — tender fish meat, milky broth, warming both stomach and heart. After dinner, take a stroll in Zhangyue Park to feel the quiet night of the small town. 🌙✨
Day 2: Deep into Fenglin Valley, oxygen-rich hiking
Morning: After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, head straight to Fenglin Valley Scenic Area (ticket 70 RMB, remember to check Ctrip for discounts in advance). The valley just wakes up in March, the air filled with sweet grass and wood fragrance, negative ions off the charts — a natural oxygen bar! 🌳💨
Noon: Have a simple lunch at the rest area inside the scenic spot, you can bring some snacks. Then focus on Jiǔqū Gorge! This gorge is ecologically pristine, with babbling streams and steep cliffs on both sides. The spring water is fresh and full of spirit. The hiking boardwalk is gentle and easy, not tiring at all. 🚶♀️💧
Evening: Back in the county town, you must check in at Li Laoda Korean Fire Pot! This is an intangible cultural heritage food, charcoal-grilled beef, beef intestines, tofu sizzling, doused with spicy sauce — the aroma will blow your mind! Around 50+ RMB per person to eat until you can barely walk, remember to order rice to finish with crispy rice crust — amazing! 🔥🍚
Day 3: Explore nearby, leisurely return
Morning: Sleep in, then visit “Little Fish House” to try authentic Hunjiang fish, multiple ways to eat one fish, incredibly fresh! 🐟😋
Noon: If time allows, visit nearby Wunv Mountain (World Cultural Heritage) for a hike with panoramic views of Huanren and spectacular sea of clouds. Or explore Wangtian Cave, an underground karst cave with a fascinating constant temperature wonder. ⛰️🔍
Evening: Buy some Huanren specialties like wild ginseng, ice wine, pine nuts, and head home satisfied. 🛍️👋
🌟 Must-check local spots (lock this down!)
Maple Leaf Avenue: Although the maple leaves aren’t red in March, this 2 km corridor has thick fallen leaves that rustle underfoot, with spring light filtering through branches — great for forest-style photos! 📸🍂 Free! Right inside the scenic area entrance.
Glass Viewing Platform: A 50-meter-high transparent walkway suspended in the air! Brave sisters must go up, overlooking the entire valley, spring colors in full view, beneath your feet is a vast green sea — thrilling and stunning! 😱🌄 (Included in ticket)
Red Maple Peak: The highest point of Jiǔqū Gorge at 546 meters elevation. The view from the top is unbeatable, you can see Huilong Lake in the distance, and on clear days, the sea of clouds wraps the mountains, ethereal! ☁️⛰️
Hongyun Floating Glass Water Slide: This paid attraction is super fun! It’s quite long, the water flow is gentle, two people per raft, drifting through forest waterways with splashing cool water. It might be a bit cold in March, depending on your tolerance! 🛶💦 (Ticket 80 RMB, includes raincoat and shuttle)
🚌【Transportation Tips】
Self-drive: Highly recommended! Navigate to “Huanren Fenglin Valley Forest Park Parking Lot,” plenty of parking. The Benhuan Expressway is in good condition with beautiful mountain views along the way.
High-speed rail + taxi: Take the train to “Benxi Station,” then taxi about 1.5 hours to the scenic area, fare around 200 RMB. You can also book pick-up service on Ctrip in advance.
Bus: Huanren County has a tourist shuttle to Fenglin Valley, but service is limited, best to check times ahead. From Benxi, take the “Benxi-Huanren” bus at Dongfen Bus Station, then transfer. 🚌⏰
Personal feeling: The good part is, this place is super healing! Few tourists in March, the whole valley feels like yours, so quiet you only hear streams and birdsong, stress instantly gone. 🌿💆♀️ The tough part is climbing to “Red Maple Peak,” legs really get sore! But the view at the top makes it all worth it! 😅💪
💡 Exclusive Tips
March has big temperature differences in the mountains, cool mornings and evenings, bring a windbreaker and comfortable sports shoes.
Few small shops inside the scenic area, recommend bringing water and snacks.
Protect the environment, don’t litter or disturb/feed any wildlife (including birds).
Ticket policies often have discounts, like free entry on certain holidays, always check Ctrip for the latest info before traveling.
😋 Five local delicacies that will make you drool
Roast Whole Lamb: Huanren intangible cultural heritage food! Crispy golden skin, juicy meat with charcoal aroma and secret sauce, tear it apart and eat heartily! 🐑🔥
Mantis Shrimp Tofu: Sounds strange but tastes amazing! Made from wild mantis shrimp requiring very pure water, silky like tofu, with the fresh sweetness of mountain spring water — so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows fall off! 🦞💦
Wild Vegetables: March is the best time to eat wild greens! Stir-fried or cold tossed prickly dragon buds and large leaf celery, crisp and refreshing, full of spring flavor. 🌱🍃
Manchu Hot Pot: Sauerkraut base bubbling with pork belly and blood sausage, sour and appetizing, steaming hot, eating together is the warmth and liveliness of Northeast China! 🥘❤️
Candied Ginseng: Healthy and delicious! The sugar shell is crystal crisp, inside is slightly bitter then sweet Huanren mountain ginseng, a wonderful texture contrast, a must-try for sweet lovers! 🍯🥢
💰 Expense List (for two people, 3 days 2 nights reference)
Transportation: Self-drive fuel and toll about 400 RMB; high-speed rail + taxi about 500 RMB.
Accommodation: Huanren Longxing International Hotel two nights about 1200 RMB (including breakfast).
Tickets: Fenglin Valley tickets 140 RMB (two people), water slide 160 RMB (optional).
Meals: Main meals 60-100 RMB per person, snacks extra, about 800 RMB for three days of food and drink.
Shopping: Souvenirs vary, reserve 300-500 RMB.
Total: Around 3000-4000 RMB for a very comfortable trip! 💰✨
Fenglin Valley in March lacks the rich colors of autumn but has the unique freshness and vitality of early spring. Coming here is not just about sightseeing but giving your body and mind a break, finding the simplest happiness in the breath of the forest. 🌲💖 Trust me, the healing power of this trip is even stronger than you imagine! Grab your friends and set off together! 🎒🌟