Liaoning Benxi | May-June Off-Season is Truly Amazing with Fewer Crowds and Beautiful Scenery
Hey everyone 🌸, who says you can only visit Benxi for maple leaves in autumn? May-June in Benxi is actually a hidden treasure! The mountains and forests glow with vibrant green 🌿, the waterfalls are refreshingly cool, and best of all - fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and affordable prices! Save this comprehensive guide to unlock unique early summer experiences~ 💦
🔹About Benxi
🌿Benxi, Liaoning's "Green Wonderland," has over 76% forest coverage, making it a natural oxygen bar! Known as "China's Maple Leaf Capital" 🍁, Benxi is even more spectacular in summer—with canyon waterfalls, moss-covered landscapes, sea of clouds at sunrise, and historical anti-Japanese war sites... The average temperature in May-June is around 20℃+, perfect for cooling off, photography, and hiking! ✨
🎯Must-Visit Attractions in Early Summer (Highlights👇)
❶【Green Stone Valley Forest Park】🎍💦
📍Recommendation level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: A true "Green Wonderland"! Stones covered with emerald moss, waterfalls hanging like silk ribbons between mountains. In May-June, you might encounter blooming Magnolia denudata, creating a magical atmosphere!
🕒Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
💰Admission: 60 yuan
✨Activities:
✅ Hike the moss-covered stone steps and experience the poetic "green moss climbing the stairs" (wear non-slip shoes!)
✅ Visit the "Maple Fairy" tree, shaded by green leaves in summer and transformed into a red leaf centerpiece in autumn
✅ Take slow-shutter waterfall photos - even your phone can capture amazing shots 📸
✅ Try wild vegetable dumplings, highly recommended by locals! 🥟
❷【Guanmen Mountain National Forest Park】⛰🌳
📍Recommendation level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: A less crowded version of "Northeast China's Yellow Mountain"! In May, tender green colors wash over the valleys, with crystal-clear cool streams. The 9km boardwalk hike is incredibly therapeutic~
🕒Opening hours: 7:30-17:00
💰Admission: 90 yuan (including shuttle bus)
✨Activities:
✅ Take the shuttle to the mountaintop and hike down for an easier experience
✅ Find the "Five Beauties" - beautiful mountains, trees, water, flowers, and clouds, especially stunning after rain ☁️
✅ Bring a light jacket, as it's about 5℃ cooler than downtown!
❸【Benxi Water Cave】🕳️🚤
📍Recommendation level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: The world's longest underground river! Boat through a 3,000-meter karst cave with stalactites that look magical under colored lights. The cave maintains a cool 12℃ year-round~
🕒Opening hours: 8:30-16:30
💰Admission: 110 yuan (including boat ride)
✨Tips:
✅ Bring a jacket if you get cold easily, and wear non-slip shoes (it's humid inside)
✅ Combine with a visit to Wenquan Temple and enjoy a relaxing sulfur hot spring soak ♨️
❹【Laobiangou + Dashihu】🏞️💧
📍Recommendation level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Sister scenic areas! From late May to early June, thousands of Magnolia denudata bloom, creating a breathtaking scene of white flowers against green valleys! Laobiangou is gentle and perfect for kids, while Dashihu offers more exciting mountain climbing and five connected waterfalls~
🕒Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
💰Admission: Laobiangou 78 yuan, Dashihu 60 yuan
✨Activities:
✅ Take slow-shutter stream photos at Laobiangou, let kids catch small fish
✅ Climb Dashihu to see "Five Lakes and Four Waterfalls," and if you're physically fit, challenge yourself to reach the "Dragon's Head" viewing platform
Benxi 2-Day 1-Night Itinerary
D1 🌿Benxi Water Cave → Green Stone Valley → Stay at Tanggou Hot Spring Hotel
🚗 Morning: Explore the water cave + learn at the Geological Museum
🎍 Afternoon: Photograph moss and waterfalls at Green Stone Valley, enjoy hot springs and Xiaoshi mutton soup at night ♨️
D2 ⛰Guanmen Mountain → Laobiangou/Dashihu
🌄 Morning: Hike Guanmen Mountain for fresh air, possibly spotting forest deer 🦌
💦 Afternoon: Wade in water and enjoy flowers at Laobiangou; in June, you can even pick wild mountain vegetables!
🍜Benxi Must-Try Foods
✅ Xiaoshi Mutton Soup: Milky white broth + unlimited mutton offal, perfect with beef tongue pancakes!
✅ Sour Tang Zi: Sour corn noodles, a perfect summer appetizer 🍜
✅ Xiagua Tofu: "Tofu soup" made with freshwater shrimp, incredibly delicious!
✅ Grilled Bean Skin: Bean skin skewers with secret sauce, a night market must-try 🍢
🏡Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Tanggou Hot Spring Hotel: Soak in hot springs under the stars, around 200+ yuan per person ♨️
✅ Xiaoshi Yizhuang: Manchu-style homestay with evening bonfires 🔥
✅ Downtown chain hotels: 100+ yuan/night, convenient for night market visits~
🚗Transportation Guide
✈️ By air: Fly to Shenyang Taoxian Airport, then take a 2-hour airport bus to Benxi
🚄 By high-speed rail: Shenyang → Benxi Station (25 minutes), then rent a car or hire a driver
🚗 Self-driving: 1.5 hours from Shenyang, but mountain roads are best for experienced drivers