Best Places to View Maple Leaves in Benxi

Benxi 5 Days 4 Nights Travel Guide (Budget 7000 RMB)
Theme: Journey through Mountain Waters and the Red Charm of Maple Leaves
Suitable for: Nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, cultural explorers

📅 Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Benxi + Benxi Water Cave + Xiaoshi Yizhuang
Day 2: Guanmenshan National Forest Park (Autumn Red Leaves / Year-round Hiking)
Day 3: Wunü Mountain City (Goguryeo Ruins) + Huanlong Lake
Day 4: Laobian Valley (Maple Leaf Valley) + Dashihu Lake
Day 5: Benxi Museum + Return Trip

✈️ Transportation (Budget: about 1500 RMB)

High-speed train/train: Shenyang → Benxi (High-speed train 30 minutes, ticket 20 RMB; regular train 1 hour, ticket 10 RMB).
Self-driving/car rental: Car rental in Shenyang about 300 RMB/day (recommended, attractions are scattered).
Local transportation: Taxi + scenic area shuttle bus, about 300 RMB.

🏨 Accommodation (Budget: about 1800 RMB)
Recommended in Benxi city or near scenic spots:

High-end (4-star): Benxi Fuhong International Hotel (about 500 RMB/night), Xiaoshi Yizhuang Hot Spring Hotel (about 600 RMB/night).
Comfortable (3-star): Benxi Home Inn Select (about 300 RMB/night), Huanren Wunü Mountain Villa (about 400 RMB/night).

🍜 Food (Budget: about 1200 RMB)
Benxi represents Northeast mountain delicacies and Manchu flavors, must-try:

Xiaoshi Lamb Soup (Benxi’s top cuisine, about 50 RMB per person).
Changkuan Pig Trotters (braised, tender and soft, about 40 RMB per person).
Huanren Ice Wine (world-class sweet wine, available for tasting and purchase).
Iron Pot Stewed Fish (reservoir live fish, about 80 RMB per person).
Nianhuoshao (traditional Manchu snack, about 20 RMB per person).

🎡 Detailed Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Benxi + Benxi Water Cave + Xiaoshi Yizhuang

Morning: Depart from Shenyang, arrive in Benxi (early high-speed train recommended).
Afternoon: Visit Benxi Water Cave (ticket 140 RMB, Asia’s longest underground river), take a boat to explore the karst wonder.
Evening: Stay at Xiaoshi Yizhuang (ticket 30 RMB can be used as consumption credit), enjoy the light show, folk performances, and drink lamb soup.

Day 2: Guanmenshan National Forest Park

All day: Deep exploration of Guanmenshan (ticket 90 RMB, cable car extra), autumn red leaves covering the mountains (best in October), other seasons offer hiking in the valley and waterfall viewing.
Evening: Return to the city, dinner recommended at “Xiaoshi Small Lamb Soup Restaurant.”

Day 3: Wunü Mountain City + Huanlong Lake

Morning: Drive 2 hours to Wunü Mountain City (ticket 80 RMB), climb to the top to overlook Huanlong Lake, explore the Goguryeo dynasty ruins.
Afternoon: Visit Huanlong Lake (boat ticket 60 RMB), enjoy a fish feast amid the lake and mountain scenery.
Overnight in Huanren County, optional hot spring hotel for relaxation.

Day 4: Laobian Valley + Dashihu Lake

All day: Chartered car tour to Laobian Valley (ticket 60 RMB) and Dashihu Lake (ticket 60 RMB), both are maple leaf photography hotspots (in autumn), summer offers cool water fun.
Evening: Return to Benxi city, dinner try “Changkuan Pig Trotters Main Store.”

Day 5: Benxi Museum + Return Trip

Morning: Visit Benxi Museum (free), learn about Northeast geology and history.
Afternoon: Return trip according to schedule (can buy Huanren ice wine as souvenirs on the way).

💰 Budget Summary

Item
Budget (RMB)

Transportation
1500

Accommodation
1800

Meals
1200

Tickets & Experiences
1000

Shopping & Others
1500

Total
7000

📌 Tips

Best Seasons:

Late September to mid-October: Maple leaf season (Laobian Valley, Guanmenshan with colorful forests).
May to August: Summer cool and water fun (Benxi Water Cave, Huanlong Lake are refreshing).

Photography Tips: Bring a wide-angle lens for the water cave, telephoto lens to capture maple leaf details.
Clothing Guide: Windproof jacket needed in autumn, sun protection clothing and hats for summer.

This guide helps you explore Benxi’s mountains, waters, history, and cuisine! If you want to adjust the itinerary (such as adding hot springs or reducing hiking), feel free to let me know~ 🌄