A 3-day, 2-night travel guide to Jinzhou, a small city in western Liaoning that has become popular thanks to barbecue.
Who knows! Jinzhou isn't just about barbecue 🌊; it boasts a spectacular sky bridge over the sea, a thousand-year-old Liao Dynasty pagoda, a rich revolutionary history, affordable prices, and a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. A short trip to this hidden gem city is a must! Here's a guide based on my personal experience—beginners can easily copy it below 👇
🚗Transportation Routes|Straightforward Travel
✅Main Transportation: Take the high-speed rail to Jinzhou Station, located in the city center. Taxis are readily available from the station. Jinzhou South Station is further from the city center; you'll need to take a bus or taxi to get into the city.
Driving: Navigate to Central Street in the city center. Parking is limited in the city center; taxis are available for popular attractions.
✅City Transportation: There is no subway. Taxis are incredibly cheap, with low starting fares. You can also use WeChat to book bus fares directly.
To Bijia Mountain: A taxi ride from the city center takes about 40 minutes. There are also direct buses to the Binhai New Area.
To Fengguo Temple in Yixian County: It's recommended to hire a car or take a long-distance bus, as it's quite far from the city center.
🏨Choose Your Accommodation
▫️Central Street/Ancient Pagoda Area|Top Choice!
Price: 120-260 RMB/night, many chain hotels and guesthouses to choose from.
Right outside for barbecue, Linghe Night Market, Ancient Pagoda Park, and close to the Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall. Convenient for eating, playing, and getting around.
▫️Bijia Mountain Seaside Area
Price: 150-300 RMB, many sea-view guesthouses.
Suitable for those who want to see the sea and plan a full day at Bijia Mountain. Far from the city center, fewer dining options, not suitable for those who just want to explore and eat.
💰Budget Reference (3 Days 2 Nights)
700-1100 RMB per person, very affordable.
▪️Accommodation: 240-520 RMB for two nights
▪️Entrance Fees: Bijia Mountain 65 RMB; Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall Free; Beiputuo Mountain 35 RMB (optional)
▪️Food: BBQ + morning and night markets + local restaurants around 400 RMB
▪️Taxi/Bus within the city: around 80 RMB For students, with some budgeting, you can have a very comfortable trip for around 600 RMB!
🍢Food Recommendations|Come to Jinzhou and Eat to Your Heart's Content
✨Jinzhou BBQ: A must-try! Rib skewers, grilled pork belly, grilled chicken feet, grilled pigeon—the sweet and savory sauce is incredibly addictive. All-you-can-eat for 60-80 RMB per person. A must-try local favorite.
✨Hubing: Stewed vegetables served in an iron pot with thin pancakes. The pancakes soak up the broth, so fragrant you'll want to lick the plate clean. A local favorite. ✨Goubangzi Smoked Chicken: The skin and meat are fragrant from the smoke; it can be vacuum-packed as a souvenir, and the more you chew, the more delicious it becomes.
✨Shiqiaozi Morning Market: You must get up early to visit! Fried cakes, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), tofu pudding, and mutton soup—all for just a few dollars for breakfast freedom. Stalls start closing around 9 am, so don't go too late.
✨Linghe Night Market: Hundreds of stalls, a concentration of snacks, including cold noodles, braised pork, and grilled squid. It's bustling with activity at night and connected to the Guta Night Market, so you can visit both.
📍Must-Visit Recommendations|Don't Miss the Highlights
🌊Bijia Mountain Scenic Area|Sea Bridge Wonder📍Binhai New Area
Be sure to check the tide table in advance! At low tide, the sand and gravel "sky bridge" is exposed, allowing you to walk to the island; at high tide, the road is submerged, requiring a boat return. Explore the Sanqing Pavilion ancient architecture on the island, enjoy the sea breeze and views of the Bohai Sea. Tickets are 65 yuan; allow half a day for your visit.
🕊️Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall📍Linghe District, City Center
Free! Reservations required with ID card. Closed Mondays. Highlight the panoramic painting hall – an immersive audio-visual experience with a strong impact. Outdoor exhibits include tanks and airplanes. Worth a leisurely 1.5-2 hours.
🏯**Ancient Pagoda Park (Guangji Temple Pagoda)**📍Ancient Pagoda District
Free! A thousand-year-old Liao Dynasty pagoda, a landmark of the old city. The atmosphere is amazing when lit up in the evening. Enjoy a stroll, feed the pigeons, and take great photos. Perfect for a walk after dinner.
🌿Beiputuo Mountain
A northern mountain for prayer and blessings, with lush trees and fresh air, ideal for hiking and relaxation. A good option for those who don't want strenuous hiking.
📅Simplified Itinerary Reference
Day 1: Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall → Ancient Pagoda Park → Linghe Night Market (BBQ)
Day 2: Bijia Mountain (watch the tides and walk across the sky bridge) → Baisha Bay Beach (sand walking)
Day 3: Shiqiaozi Morning Market (breakfast), if time permits, visit Beiputuo Mountain to buy souvenirs and return home.
💡Travel Tips
1. Check the tide table for Bijia Mountain in advance! Missing low tide means you won't be able to see the sky bridge. Wear non-slip shoes as you may slip on the rocks.
2. The Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall is closed on Mondays. Remember to bring your ID card to avoid a wasted trip.
3. Jinzhou is quite windy, especially at the beach. Bring a light jacket regardless of the season.
4. Try to arrive at the Shiqiaozi Morning Market between 7-8 am, as many stalls close after 9 am. 5. Night markets are crowded, so keep your belongings safe. There are many barbecue restaurants; don't blindly queue for trendy spots, the old-fashioned shops on the street are also delicious.
6. Fengguo Temple in Yixian County is far away; if you're short on time, you can skip it and save it for a more in-depth trip next time.
✨Final Thoughts
Jinzhou is truly a seriously underrated treasure city in western Liaoning! It boasts spectacular seascapes, ancient architecture, and a vibrant, lively atmosphere.
Feel the sea breeze from the Bohai Sea, stroll through the bustling morning and night markets, and indulge in authentic barbecue. The pace is leisurely, prices are reasonable, and the travel experience is top-notch.
If you want to eat comfortably, relax, and avoid the crowds, I highly recommend a trip to Jinzhou; you definitely won't be disappointed ❤️