Stand on Longniao Street in Longcheng District and you are standing on ground that changed how the world understands dinosaurs and the origins of birds. The fossils recovered here in the 1990s include feathered dinosaurs and some of the earliest known birds, and the site built around those finds is the reason most travellers come to Chaoyang.
Chaoyang suits travellers who are willing to build a day around a single scientific site and then slow down along the river. It rewards curiosity about palaeontology more than it rewards a checklist of city sights.
This guide covers the places worth your time in Chaoyang, Liaoning, with practical notes on timing and tickets, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Chaoyang
1. Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geopark
This is the centrepiece of a visit to Chaoyang. The fossils found on this site during the 1990s revolutionised human understanding of dinosaurs and the evolution of birds, and the geopark at 100 Longniao Street in Longcheng District presents that story on the ground where it happened. The park reopened in April 2025 after completing a major upgrade.
Allow a generous half day. Opening hours are 09:00-17:00 in summer and 09:00-16:00 in winter, with no entry in the last 30 minutes, so arrive well before the cutoff. Tickets can be purchased on the official WeChat account. Standard admission is ¥85, ¥43 for full-time students and persons aged 60 to 69, and admission is free for children under 1.3 meters and persons aged 70 and over. Bus no. 15 serves the site, and the phone number is +86 421 3862200.
2. Dalinghe National Water Park and Scenic Area
The Dalinghe National Water Park and Scenic Area is the natural counterpart to the fossil site, a stretch of river landscape to pair with your geopark visit. It gives you a slower, outdoor half of the day after the indoor exhibits.
Combine the two across a single day: the geopark in the morning while you are fresh, then the water park and scenic area afterwards. Check conditions on the day, as a river landscape changes with the season.
If you only have one day
Morning: Go straight to Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geopark on Longniao Street in Longcheng District, taking bus no. 15. Arrive close to opening so you have time before the last-entry cutoff, and buy your ticket on the official WeChat account.
Afternoon: Continue to Dalinghe National Water Park and Scenic Area for the rest of the daylight, giving yourself an outdoor counterweight to the morning indoors.
Evening: Return to Longcheng District, where the geopark is located, for an easy end to the day after the travel out to the river.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geopark?
The geopark is at 100 Longniao Street in Longcheng District and is served by bus no. 15. You can also call +86 421 3862200 with questions.
How much does the geopark cost, and who gets a discount?
Standard admission is ¥85. Tickets are ¥43 for full-time students and persons aged 60 to 69, and admission is free for children under 1.3 meters and persons aged 70 and over. Tickets can be purchased on the official WeChat account.
What are the opening hours?
The geopark opens 09:00-17:00 in summer and 09:00-16:00 in winter, with no entry in the last 30 minutes. Plan your arrival around that cutoff.
Is the geopark open after its upgrade?
Yes. The park reopened in April 2025 after completing a major upgrade.
Decide on your dates, check the geopark's opening hours for the season, and start building your day around Longniao Street.