Dragons, Temples, and Autumn Leaves: Longshou Mountain
Stand at the base of Longshou Mountain in Yinzhou District and look up: the ridge rises suddenly from the Chai River's eastern bank like the head of a dragon breaking through water, which is exactly how it earned its name. The mountain stretches 3 kilometres north to south, with its highest peak reaching 156 metres. In May, the valleys flood with roses; by autumn, red maple leaves drift through dense canopies as the cool wind arrives. "Dragon Head looking for autumn" is one of the eight historical scenes of the Chai River, and when you climb to the summit, you understand why.
At the top of the north peak sits Ciqing Temple, an ancient Siheyuan-style compound with a main hall, side halls, and Buddhist pavilion. The temple houses three Buddha statues including Shakyamuni, along with eight clay vajra figures. Behind the main hall stands the Zuiweng Building, rebuilt in 1921 as a two-storey wooden structure; the second floor was once a place for scholars to compose poems and now serves as a guest lounge lined with paintings celebrating Longshou Mountain itself. A hundred metres south of Ciqing Temple rises the Xiufeng Temple Pagoda, an octagonal brick structure with nine levels, originally built during the Ming Dynasty's Hongzhi reign and rebuilt in 1591. The pagoda contains brick Buddha statues and Buddhist niches within its dense eaves.
Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty once stayed here. From the summit, you overlook the ancient city transformed into its modern form, while monuments and cultural relics scattered across the mountain speak to centuries of pilgrimage and contemplation.
Rivers, Lakes, and Water Views
Water shapes Tieling's landscape and offers visitors several distinct experiences. The Chai River Reservoir sits where the mountain meets water, creating a calm expanse that reflects the seasons. For a more immersive wetland encounter, head to Lotus Lake Wetland Park in Fanhe Town, where birds, reeds, and open water create a quiet sanctuary outside the city pulse.
Shangyang Lake Dam in Qinghe District—also known as Qinghe Dam—holds AAAA-level status as a sightseeing spot and draws visitors for both the engineering feat and the views it creates. Within Lotus Lake Wetland Park stands the Liao River Museum, a place to understand the waterways that have shaped the region's history and ecology.
Learning the City's Story: Yingang Academy
Yingang Academy is where Zhou Enlai studied. This preserved institution represents the intellectual heritage that shaped modern China, and walking its grounds connects you to a pivotal chapter in the country's political and educational history.
When to Visit
May brings a riot of colour to Longshou Mountain when roses bloom across the valleys. Autumn transforms the same slopes as red maple leaves fill the cooling air and create that celebrated "Dragon Head looking for autumn" scene. Spring offers the gentle beauty of renewal; autumn delivers dramatic colour and crisp light for observation and photography.
Tieling is a working city in Liaoning province where coal mining drives the economy, yet its cultural relics, mountain scenery, and wetland reserves offer visitors a less-travelled corner of northeast China. Plan to spend time on Longshou Mountain itself, wander the temples at its peak, and take walks along the water to feel the rhythm of a place where history and nature remain tangible.