Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

In the early morning, I took the high-speed train to Chaoyang. In Northeast China, the summer sunrise is very early, with daylight appearing around 4 AM. Therefore, although I was catching a train after 7 AM, I didn’t suffer the pain of waking up early. I thus left this place again, carrying the remaining memories of my hometown.

Daqing West Station

Chaoyang is located in the northwestern part of Liaoning Province, named after the Chaoyang Cave on Phoenix Mountain within its territory, taking its meaning from the ‘Book of Songs’ phrase ‘phoenix singing at sunrise.’ This place was anciently known as Dragon City, serving as a hub for political, economic, and cultural exchanges between Northeast China and the Central Plains, as well as a strategic frontier location throughout various dynasties. During the ‘Wu Hu Rebellion’ period, the Xianbei Murong clan initially established Dragon City here, which later became the capital of the Three Yan dynasties. Subsequently, during the Northern Wei to Sui and Tang dynasties, it was established as Yingzhou. During the Liao and Jin dynasties, it was set up as Xingzhong Prefecture. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, it was established as Yingzhou Guard. In the late Qing Dynasty, it became Chaoyang Prefecture, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that it became today’s Chaoyang City.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Chaoyang Phoenix Mountain

I arrived in Chaoyang at noon, and my family first went to find a restaurant near the North Pagoda to eat. It might have been past meal time, as there weren’t many people in the restaurant, but the dishes tasted very good, and the staff was also very enthusiastic, giving that familiar Northeastern China feeling.

We were just passing through Chaoyang and didn’t reserve much time for sightseeing, so after eating, we immediately went to see the North Pagoda across the street from the restaurant. The North Pagoda is located at the northern end of Murong Street, first built during the Taihe era of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is a square, hollow, thirteen-level dense-eave brick pagoda.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Chaoyang North Pagoda

During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, Murong Huang of the Former Yan built Longcheng and constructed Helong Palace. The rammed earth platform foundation of this palace is now the foundation of the Chaoyang North Pagoda. Later, during the Taihe era of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Empress Dowager Feng built a wooden pagoda on the foundation of the Three Yan palaces, named Siyan Futu, which was soon destroyed by fire and rebuilt during the Sui Dynasty. During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Li Longji ordered An Lushan to repair the pagoda, decorating the waist of each pagoda eave with imitations of wooden architectural colored paintings, and renamed it ‘Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda’. In the early Liao Dynasty, the Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda was repaired and later renamed ‘Yanchang Temple Pagoda’, which finally took shape, becoming the ‘Five Dynasties Pagoda’ we see today.

The North Pagoda faces south, directly opposite Murong Street. At the street entrance, you can see the memorial archway with an inscription by Mr. Jin Yong. Murong Street is not long, not much different from other pedestrian streets, but for some reason, walking here easily reminds me of the Murong family of Gusu as depicted in Mr. Jin Yong’s novels. Suddenly I realized that I also have ancestral roots in the Northeast while being in Jiangnan, and for a moment I felt a sense of connection.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Murong Street and the South Pagoda

Beyond Murong Street lies the South Pagoda. The South Pagoda was built during the Liao Dynasty. Unlike the North Pagoda, which has a Liao exterior with a Tang core, the South Pagoda is purely in the Liao style.

To the north of the South Pagoda and next to Murong Street is Youshun Temple. Youshun Temple was built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and is a well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple in Chaoyang. The ancient temple is solemn, but due to limited time, we could only take a quick look.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Youshun Temple

In the afternoon, we left Chaoyang for Ongniud Banner in Chifeng. After checking into our guesthouse, we drove straight to Burindun Desert. To save on entrance fees, we navigated directly to the Burindun Tourism Cooperative. This is not the main scenic area, so it’s free, but it has all the desert activities that one would expect.

“Bulidun” originally means “complete vegetation”, but what you can see here is endless yellow sand. When we arrived, the weather was very nice. Looking out, the blue sky, white clouds, and endless yellow sand formed a frontier scene.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Bulidun Desert

To see the sunset at Bulidun Lake, we played in the desert for a short while and then hurried back. There is a large parking area next to Bulidun Lake, but the entrance is a bit small, so you might accidentally pass by it if you’re not careful.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Buridun Lake

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

When we arrived at the lakeside, the sun had not yet set. It seemed to rest on the mountaintop, as if waiting for us to take a look. At this moment, the light was dim, and the lake breeze was blowing gently. The summer heat had long disappeared, making one particularly feel the sentiment of “the setting sun is infinitely beautiful, but it’s near dusk.” We parked the car and couldn’t wait to get out and run toward the lake. At this time, the lake water was clear and calm, like a dark blue mirror reflecting the sky. The setting sun, clouds in the sky, and the water plants by the lake created a sense of tranquility. By the lake, tourists were riding horses slowly, suddenly making one forget the appearance of the city, feeling only comfort and ease.

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

Chaoyang Tourist Attractions: Summer Travelogue of Chaoyang and Chifeng

After sunset, we finished our meal and returned to our accommodation. The guesthouse owners were an elderly couple who were very hospitable. I had originally planned to come out at night to watch the stars, but unfortunately it was cloudy, which was a small regret.

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