Dandong Tianqiaogou Scenic Area

Tianqiaogou is located in the north of Kuandian County, Dandong City, about 60 kilometers away from the county seat. This place was once the "Dragon's Rise" during the Qing Dynasty, so it has not been destroyed for hundreds of years. The mountains are densely forested, with many large and ancient trees, and clear mountain springs and streams in the mountains. The environment is very beautiful. The landform here is unique, with many strange peaks and rocks in various shapes, which can be viewed and played one by one. In autumn, the mountains are covered with maple leaves, which is a place to view and photograph red leaves.

Tianqiaogou Attraction is very large, with more than 70 scenic spots to visit. On the east side of the Attraction Attraction are four peaks: Tiangong, Lianhua Peak, Yuquan Peak, and Xiaoyue Peak. Each peak is a scenic spot group with many scenic spots to visit. On the west side is a wooden plank road, and there are many scenic spots around the plank road. Most of the scenic spots need to be visited on foot, but the roads in the Attraction are roughly parallel to the trails, and there are several intersections. When you don’t have enough energy, you can walk down the trail to the road and take the Attraction’s sightseeing bus to the next intersection or return to the entrance of the Attraction.

The recommended route is to take the shuttle bus to the foot of Lotus Peak on the first day, climb Lotus Peak, and climb Yuquan Peak and Xiaoyue Peak from the connected trails. Go down the mountain from Xiaoyue Peak and then take the bus back to the entrance of the Attraction. This day's tour takes about 7 hours. On the second day, visit the wooden plank road and Tiangong Attraction respectively, and then leave. If you only have one day, you can consider skipping the second day's itinerary.

The Lotus Peak is more than 900 meters above sea level and is the highlight of the scenic Attraction. There is a saying that "If you don't climb the Lotus Peak, your trip to Tianqiaogou is in vain". There are many steep cliffs and strange rocks in the mountains, which are representatives of the rugged and unique landforms of the Attraction. The Line of Sky, the Welcoming Pine, the Black Bear Cave and other attractions each have their own characteristics and should not be missed.

Xiaoyue Peak is a place to visit in autumn. The forest here is dense, with many maple and birch trees in the woods. Every autumn when you climb Xiaoyue Peak, you can enjoy beautiful red leaves along the way and on the top of the mountain. The red leaves here are dense and bright, and it is one of the best places to see red leaves in the north.

The wooden plank road route is different from several other hiking routes. It passes through the lower forest and feels very quiet and natural. There are many ancient trees with strange shapes to admire, and gurgling streams between the trees. It is leisurely and pleasant to stroll among them.

Accommodation options

Tianqiaogou cannot be visited in one day, so you can stay here for one night. There is a villa resort in the Attraction. There are several farmhouse hotels outside the mountain gate of the Attraction where you can stay. You can stay in the warm farmhouse kang and taste farmhouse food.

Whether staying inside or outside the Attraction, you need to purchase a two-day ticket for both days of visit. Tourists staying outside the Attraction need to register and enter their fingerprints at the entrance of the Attraction after the first day of visit in order to enter the next day.

For a spring feast, go to Tianqiaogou and stay in an elegant villa by the forest lake, where you can enjoy the beauty of flowers and taste the barbecued mountain delicacies.