[2025 Liaoyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Guangyou Temple (Updated Apr)

Liaoyang, a historical and cultural city in Northeast China with a history of over 2,400 years, experiences four distinct seasons and boasts an average annual temperature of 8-9°C. Whenever you visit, you'll be captivated by its unique charm. From time-honored historical sites and mouthwatering cuisine to authentic local customs, this guide will help you embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery in Liaoyang! Transportation Guide - External Transportation: - Airplane: The nearest airport to Liaoyang is Shenyang Taoxian International Airport. From the airport, you can take an airport bus to Liaoyang, which takes about 1.5 hours and costs about 30 yuan. - Train: Liaoyang Station and Liaoyang West Station connect to many cities across the country, offering convenient transportation options. Choose the appropriate train based on your departure location. - Internal Transportation: The city's public bus network is extensive, with fares ranging from 1-2 yuan, and can take you to major attractions. Taxis have a starting fare of 7 yuan, providing convenient travel. Shared bikes are readily available and ideal for short trips. Cycle through the streets of Liaoyang and experience the vibrant city life 🚲 Must-See Attractions 1. Guangyou Temple: Home to the largest wooden Buddhist pagoda in Asia (entrance fee: 40 yuan). The temple, with its red walls and yellow tiles, exudes a solemn and respectful atmosphere. The statue of Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined in the Mahavira Hall is the tallest and largest wooden seated Buddha in any temple hall worldwide. The magnificent architecture makes it an ideal place to experience Buddhist culture and offer prayers. The serene and peaceful atmosphere within the temple evokes a sense of awe and reverence 🙏 2. Liaoyang Museum: Free admission, open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-16:00. The museum houses a rich collection of artifacts, ranging from Shang and Zhou Dynasty bronzes to Ming and Qing Dynasty calligraphy and paintings, showcasing Liaoyang's historical evolution from various perspectives. It offers a deep dive into the city's profound heritage. 3. Taizi River Park: Free admission, open all day. The Taizi River is the mother river of Liaoyang. The park, built along the river, offers picturesque scenery. Stroll along the riverbank, admire the shimmering water and the natural beauty on both sides, and observe locals fishing, immersing yourself in the leisurely pace of life 🌳 4. Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall: Free admission, open from 9:00-16:30 (closed on Mondays). Cao Xueqin, author of *Dream of the Red Chamber*, traces his ancestry back to Liaoyang. The memorial hall showcases his family history and the background of the novel's creation. A must-visit for fans of *Dream of the Red Chamber*, the memorial hall offers insights into the literary giant's life and development. Culinary Delights 1. Dengta Grapes: A specialty of Liaoyang's Dengta City, these grapes are plump, sweet, and bursting with flavor. They are a local fruit delicacy not to be missed during the harvest season from August to October. 2. Lao Yangtou Roasted Chicken: With golden-brown skin, tender meat, rich aroma, and perfect balance of flavors, this roasted chicken is a staple on the dining tables of Liaoyang residents. Grab one to enjoy on the go, and savor the pure bliss. 3. Korean Cold Noodles: The perfect antidote to the summer heat. The icy, sweet, and sour broth, combined with chewy noodles, beef slices, kimchi, and other ingredients, offers a refreshing and invigorating experience 🍜 4. Pickled Cabbage and Blood Sausage Stew: This classic Northeastern dish is prepared authentically in Liaoyang. The tangy aroma of pickled cabbage, the tender texture of blood sausage, and the richness of pork belly create a warm and comforting winter stew. Travel Tips ⚠ 1. Liaoyang winters are cold. If traveling between November and March, pack warm clothing such as down jackets, thick scarves, and snow boots 🧣 2. When visiting temples and other religious sites, maintain silence, observe the rules, and respect religious beliefs and cultural customs. 3. When purchasing local specialties, pay attention to quality and price to avoid being overcharged. 4. Check the weather forecast before your trip and plan your itinerary accordingly. Adjust your travel plans promptly in case of inclement weather.

It was a trip to Liaoyang, China 🇨🇳 When we visited Liaoyang, we were impressed by its rich history, ancient temples, and scenic mountain landscapes ⛰️ As one of northeastern China’s oldest cities, it offers a mix of cultural heritage and natural beauty, making it a fantastic destination for photography 📸 Our first stop was White Pagoda Park, home to the famous Liaoyang White Pagoda, a 900-year-old Buddhist structure. The pagoda’s elegant white stone design against the blue sky ⛅️ makes for an incredible photo 📸 The best shots are taken in the morning, when the sunlight highlights its intricate details ✨ 📍No. 29 Bai Ta Road, Baita District, Liaoyang, Liaoning, China We also explored Guangyou Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in northeast China 🇨🇳 The ancient wooden 🪵 halls, towering incense burners, and peaceful courtyards create a serene setting for photography 📸 We recommend visiting in the afternoon, when the golden sunlight ✨ filters through the temple trees, adding a mystical effect 💯 📍Guangyou Temple Street, Baita District, Liaoyang, Liaoning, China For a glimpse of Liaoyang’s past, we visited the Ancient City Wall, which has stood for centuries. The weathered stone walls and traditional Chinese gates make for striking historical photos 📸 The best time for photos is during sunset, when the walls are bathed in warm, golden light ✨ 📍Near Tianshou Temple, Baita District, Liaoyang, Liaoning, China For a peaceful nature escape, we explored the Tanghe Hot Spring Resort 💯 a place known for its steaming hot springs, forested hills, and traditional spa houses 🏘️ The best photos are taken in the early morning, when mist rises from the warm water, creating a dreamy effect 🙌 📍Tanghe Town, Liaoyang County, Liaoyang, Liaoning, China #discoverchina #Vacation #travel

Liaoyang Guangyou Temple is one of the famous Buddhist temples in Chinese history, and its history can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. The following is a historical overview of Liaoyang Guangyou Temple: 1. Creation and early development: Guangyou Temple was built in the Han Dynasty and is one of the earliest temples that appeared after Buddhism was introduced to China. During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of Tang once ordered the general Yuchi Gong to rebuild the temple. 2. Expansion in the Jin Dynasty: In the Jin Dynasty, in the fifth year of Huangtong (1145 AD), the mother of Jin Shizong, Wanyan Yong, became a nun in Liaoyang. The court expanded the temple for this reason and named the temple "Daqing Anchan Temple". 3. Reconstruction in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties: During the Yuan Dynasty, Qing'an Temple was renamed "Guangyou Temple". In the fifth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1372), Guangyou Temple was burned down due to war, but it was rebuilt in the sixteenth year of Hongwu (1383) and was named "Baita Temple". 4. Prosperity in the Ming and Qing Dynasties: During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Guangyou Temple underwent several expansions and reached its peak. It covers an area of 90,000 square meters and has 200 temples. It is the largest Buddhist activity venue in Northeast China. 5. Modern destruction and reconstruction: In 1900, Guangyou Temple was burned down by Russian invaders during the Boxer Rebellion. It was not until 2002 that Guangyou Temple began to be rebuilt and was completed on June 21, 2004. 6. Modern Guangyou Temple: The rebuilt Guangyou Temple covers an area of 60,000 square meters and a building area of 30,000 square meters. Its architecture and painting art are typical representatives of the Liao Dynasty style in China. Guangyou Temple has the world's largest bluestone archway, bronze incense burner, Daxiong Hall, and wooden gilded seated Buddha. 7. Liaoyang White Pagoda: There is also the Liaoyang White Pagoda near Guangyou Temple, which is one of the six ancient pagodas in the country and a national cultural relics protection building. Guangyou Temple is not only an important religious place, but also an important site for studying ancient Chinese Buddhist culture and architectural art.

The White Pagoda Historical and Cultural Block is a historical and cultural block in Liaoning Province. The White Pagoda Historical and Cultural Block is adjacent to Liaoyang Railway Station, east to Shuguang Road, south to Zhonghua Street, west to Shengli Road, and north to the intersection of Binhe Road and Shengli Road. The core protected area of the district covers an area of 6.74 hectares, the construction control zone covers an area of 19 hectares, and the total area is 25.74 hectares. It is divided into Guangyou Temple Scenic Area (National 4A Scenic Area), White Pagoda Park (open), Qingnian Lake Park (open), Xiangyuan, Cultural Relics Protection Area, Industrial Area, and Residential Area. It is built into a historical and cultural block integrating historical and cultural heritage, tourism, leisure and sightseeing, and has become the historical and cultural living room of the ancient city of Liaoyang. As an important cultural relic in the White Pagoda Historical and Cultural Block, Guangyou Temple witnessed the vicissitudes of history in Liaoyang and even the Northeast from the late Eastern Han Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty for nearly 1,800 years. Guangyou Temple was built in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the White Pagoda was built in the Liao Dynasty. It is one of the earliest temples that appeared after Buddhism was introduced to China. Until the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it has always been an important Buddhist activity center in Liaoyang and even the Northeast. It is also the largest Buddhist activity dojo in the Northeast and the most influential Buddhist propagation center in history. In 1900, Guangyou Temple was a place for the Boxer Rebellion. In the same year, Tsarist Russia burned down Guangyou Temple in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion, leaving only the White Pagoda. After the Russo-Japanese War, in 1905, Japan carried out new urban construction in the Manchurian Railway affiliated area, and Liaoyang gradually formed an overall pattern of appearance characterized by the coexistence of the Manchurian Railway affiliated area and the ancient city of Liaoyang. The White Pagoda Historical and Cultural Block is located within the scope of the Manchurian Railway affiliated area. The Japanese successively built the White Pagoda Park, the shrine, and the residential area in the northeast corner here. Since then, the White Pagoda Park has become a forbidden area for Chinese people, dedicated to the place where Japanese people worship and walk. After the liberation, the White Pagoda Park was opened to the public and became the best place for citizens to relax and entertain on weekends. In the 1970s, the 93123 troops took over the residential group formed in the north of the White Pagoda Park during the Japanese pseudo-period, and built single-story, red brick, sloping roof, and row-type layout houses on its east side. By the 1980s, the area gradually formed a unique pattern of urban living areas with the White Pagoda Park as the core and modern urban buildings scattered among them. It was renamed Xiangyuan in 2021. In 2002, Liaoyang City carried out environmental renovation of the White Pagoda Park, rebuilt Guangyou Temple, and built it into a national 4A scenic spot.

Be sure to stop by Liaoyang on your way from Shenyang to Dalian. In front of the station is a Buddhist pagoda called the White Tower, which is the city's trademark. There are also other places to visit, such as the Liaoyang Museum, the Liaoyang Folk Museum, and the Former South Manchuria Railway Library, which you can easily visit in half a day! ▼ Actual itinerary 8:00 Board the high-speed train from Shenyang Station 8:30 Get off at Liaoyang Station 9:00 Walk to the White Tower. The Former South Manchuria Railway Library and Guangyou Temple are also located in the same park. 11:00 Take the bus to Tokyo Castle Ruins. This has been redeveloped into a park, so it's enough to just look at the gate. 11:30 Take the bus to the Liaoyang Museum. Next to it is the Liaoyang Folk Museum. 13:00 Take the bus to Liaoyang Station. There are many restaurants around the station, so we had lunch before heading to Dalian.

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It was first built during the Han Dynasty and is one of the earlier temples to appear after Buddhism was introduced into China, flourishing during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Historical records indicate that Guangyou Temple reached its zenith in the Ming Dynasty, with 189 halls and corridors. According to the 'Yingzao Fashi', the scale of the temple buildings can be deduced from the large column bases.

Guangyou Temple is located inside Baita Park. It was originally built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, destroyed by fire at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, and rebuilt during the Hongwu period. It was burned down again during the Guangxu period. The current Guangyou Temple was reconstructed in 2002 by the Liaoyang government.