Things to do in Huinan

I went to Triceratops Bay more than ten years ago. It was very nice, cool, and there were few tourists. I went there again more than ten years later, and there were even fewer people. Why don't people go to such a good place? Changchun is too hot this year. It's so stuffy that I can't live. The whole family came to Triceratops Bay to escape the heat. It's so cool in the woods. The scenic area is not big overall, the road is flat, and there are boats. There are several steep steps. Those who can't climb can choose not to go up. My mother waited for us to get down the mountain. In fact, I feel that going to Triceratops Bay is not for sightseeing, but mainly for the good air and to breathe😃😃😃

The autumn scenery on the mountain during the National Day holiday is good, with colorful red, yellow and green colors, and the lake is beautiful. It is recommended to go there on a sunny day. Personally, I think the lake tour is average, the cost performance is not high, and there are many steps to climb after getting off the boat, which is a bit strenuous for the elderly

Sifangdingzi in autumn is truly worth a visit; the scenery is breathtaking, a blend of historical depth and natural beauty, offering a chance to explore its pristine charm. The shuttle bus zips along narrow roads, its swaying from side to side showcasing the driver's skill and years of experience. The driver offers helpful travel advice, and the uncles maintaining order will assist with carrying children—the warmth and hospitality of Northeast China are evident in every detail. Next time, I'd like to stay at a nearby hotel to experience the sunrise and sunset; it would be absolutely stunning.

I go twice a year, during the May Day and National Day holidays. When I go in May, the mountains are ablaze with rhododendrons and the lake is emerald green—it's absolutely stunning. When I go in October, the mountains around the lake become a riot of color again. The green, yellow, and red leaves paint a picture, reflected in the deep blue lake, creating a serene and relaxing scene. Although there aren't many tourist attractions, I really enjoy the leisurely and stress-free pace of the trip, where I can appreciate the scenery without feeling tired.

I visited Dalongwan and Diaoshuihu during the National Day holiday; the scenery was quite beautiful. Diaoshuihu mainly features forest trails. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the waterfall. The waterfall isn't very big; to appreciate the scenery along the way, don't focus all your expectations on the waterfall itself.

During the National Day holiday, I brought my parents and children to the small town of Meihekou to visit the famous Zhibei Village. When I showed the old houses to the elderly, they were particularly moved. The old objects brought them back a lot of memories.

As the National Day holiday drew to a close, I stepped through the vermilion gates of the Shenyang Imperial Palace. The red walls and yellow tiles shone brightly in the autumn sunlight. Unlike the grandeur of the Forbidden City in Beijing, this place exuded a rich Northeast Manchu flavor. Upon entering the eastern section, the Dazheng Hall immediately caught my eye. This octagonal, double-eaved pavilion-style building resembled a giant tent. Two majestic dragon-carved pillars stood solemnly at the main entrance. The eight corners symbolized the Eight Banners, signifying "unity of the eight directions," forming a spacious tent-like courtyard with the ten princely pavilions arranged in a V-shape on either side. Standing there, one could almost see the grand scene of Nurhaci discussing politics with the leaders of the Eight Banners. Continuing along the central axis, the Chongzheng Hall, golden and gleaming, stood in the center, commonly known as the "Golden Throne Hall." Its roof was covered with yellow glazed tiles with green trim, and the beams were shaped like three-dimensional dragons leaping forward. The interior was entirely open, without a ceiling. It was here in 1636 that Huang Taiji declared the change of the dynasty's name to the Qing Dynasty. Inside the hall, the gilded cloud and dragon screen and the openwork golden dragon throne are arranged according to the layout during Emperor Qianlong's eastern tour, giving visitors a sense of traveling through time. Ascending the Phoenix Tower, once the tallest building in Shengjing (Mukden), one sees a plaque inscribed with Emperor Qianlong's calligraphy, "Purple Qi Comes from the East," hanging high above. From the railing, the entire Forbidden City unfolds before one's eyes. During the National Day holiday, the Forbidden City was bustling with activity. The museum not only opened half an hour earlier and closed half an hour later but also offered nighttime tours. Folk music performances on the platform in front of the Dazheng Hall and tourists in ancient costumes strolling among the red walls gave this 400-year-old building a unique vitality during the holiday.

The park is much smaller than the Forbidden City in Beijing, and a leisurely stroll can take about two hours to see everything without the need for long walks. There are benches for resting throughout the park. However, elderly people in electric wheelchairs need to exchange them for manual wheelchairs at the service center. The Chongzheng Hall and the Five Palaces on the platform (the imperial concubines' residences) require climbing stairs and crossing high thresholds; the Phoenix Tower is a high-platform building, completely inaccessible to wheelchairs. Although there are accessible ramps in the Dazheng Hall Square and Wensu Pavilion area on the east side, most of the exhibition halls inside are inaccessible to wheelchairs, and most visitors can only view the exterior.

There were so many people and tourists that I didn't have time to take in many things. It's like a low-end version of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Many of the artifacts on display were discarded from the Forbidden City. Some rooms were off-limits, so people crowded around the entrances to take photos. There was no lighting inside, so the photos didn't look great. The architecture is still quite distinctive.

It's a bit far from downtown Changchun, about an hour's drive away. The automatic parking system at the entrance was a first for me, and it was free! There were even volunteers to show you how to use it – so thoughtful! The place is incredibly large; walking is impossible. A bus ride around it takes over 40 minutes. The most beautiful area is near the dam, not far from the entrance!