Fushun

Understand

Fushun is a prefecture level city in the east of Liaoning. Within the area is Xing City (In Manchurian: Hetu Ala). This was the former capital of the Manchurian Late Jin Dynasty, founded in 1616 which later became the Qing Dynasty of China. Nearby is the Yongling Tomb where members of the royal household were laid to rest. Both Xing City and Yongling Tomb are now preserved as tourist attractions and are UNESCO world heritage sites. In the early 20th century, the area came under first Russian and then Japanese control. Fushun was developed as a major coal mining and heavy industrial area. This city was called 'Coal Capital of China'. Fushun was also the site of China's first non-ferrous metal production plant - Fushun Aluminium Plant. During the 1980s, a significant petrochemical industry was developed. It is now the largest petrochemical and refined chemical producer in China. With these industries came inevitable pollution. In 2001, the city launched a drive to improve its environment, introducing new equipment into the factories, especially the Aluminium Plant. Lei Feng is little known to the wider world, but in China, he is a household name. Lei Feng was held up by Mao Zedong and other leaders of China as an example for the whole country to copy, a model of the communist idea. Fushun was the city of his military career and a museum here tells his life story.

Getting there

By plane The nearest airport is Shenyang Taoxian International. It is about 30 to 40 minutes drive by road to Fushun form this airport. Shenyang Taoxian has frequent flights to destinations all over China as well as Japan, North and South Korea, Russia and other international routes.

By road The Shenfu Express Way connects Fushun with the nearby provincial capital, Shenyang. The journey takes about 30 minutes. From Shenyang, a number of express ways radiate out to other cities in Liaoning as well as neighbouring provinces.

By bus Regular buses or coaches run the route between Shenyang (from Minzhu Lu, opposite the south railway station) to Fushun South railway station form 5AM till 7PM every day. They leave when full which may be as frequently as every 10 minutes. The fare is ¥10 and journey time is about 60 to 90 minutes. On route the bus will stop at various tourist sites (Dongling, Garden Expo, Royal Ocean World) to pick up or drop off. On entering Fushun city, the bus passes Fushun south station then takes a circuitous route round the whole city before stopping back at the south station again. Bus company tel: +86 413 7614552. Other less frequent buses run to other cities in Liaoning and Jilin. There is also a direct bus to and from Beijing.

By train There are two train stations in Fushun - the North and the South stations. Trains run through this station from locations such as Shenyang, Beijing, Tumen and Tonghua and other cities en route between these points. Fushun South Station Tel: +86 41 3262 4816.

Getting around

There are two bus stations neighboring the North and South train stations. Routes run throughout the city. The Yongling tomb and Hetu Ala City (Xing City) world heritage sites can be reached by bus from Fushun South station. This route runs every half an hour between 7:30AM and 4:30PM and the fair is ¥16.

See

Zhonghua Temple (中华寺; Zhōnghuásì). Manchu Imperial temple - Xianyou Temple. Shuangling Temple. Sanhui Temple. Shanyuan Temple. Manchu Imperial Temple - Dizang Temple. Gaoseng Dagoba. Wanfu Pagoda. Luotai Mountain Villa. Nanshan Scenic Area.

Wanghua District (望花区; Wànghuāqū) These sites are to the south and west of Fushun city, within the urban area.

Lei Feng Memorial Hall (雷锋纪念馆; Léi Fēng Jìniànguǎn), 61 Huping Road, Wanghua District (望花区和平路东段61号; Wànghuāqū Hépínglùdōngduàn), ☏ +86 41 3665 8818. 8:30AM-4:30PM. This building was built as a museum in 1964, and was converted to the Lei Feng Memorial Hall in 1992. Lei Feng spent the last years of his adult life in Fushun and later became famous throughout the country. His life is seen as an example of how every Chinese person should conduct themselves. The modern memorial hall contains an exhibit in English and Chinese which tells the story of Lei Feng's life and works and displays some of his personal belongings, photographs, and own writings. Lei Feng died a short distance to the north-west of the well-kept park surrounding the Hall. All of this is his life story as told by the government—it's probably more propaganda than reality, and scholars question whether Lei Feng even existed at all. This site is a Chinese AAAA rated tourist attraction. Free. (updated Dec 2016) Royal Ocean World (皇家极地海洋世界; Huángjiājídehǎiyángshìjiè), Wanghua District (抚顺高湾(沈吉高速抚顺西出口)) (Off the Shenfu highway midway between Shenyang and Fushun cities. From Fushun take bus No.811. A taxi from Fushun city will cost ¥30-40 (negotiable). Bus No.2 from Shenyang South railway station or No.3 from Shenyang North railway station on route to Fushun stop on the express way near the park. The bus fair is ¥10), ☏ +86 41 3611 8888, +86 24 8271 1236, fax: +86 41 3620 1660, +86 24 8271 1239, [email protected]. A family theme park opened in 2008 and still being expanded, it claims to house the largest aquarium in Asia. It offers the following attractions:Ocean World contains sea and fresh water aquariums filled with all manor of aquatic life.Century Forest focuses on reptiles, lizards, snakes and crocodiles.Narnian Castle, a theatre where animal shows are performed several times throughout the day (show times may vary throughout the year).Susu world is a soft play centre for children.Hawaii Waterpark is a large water park with an indoor artificial beach with wave pool. It also has many water slides, a spa area and several water activities for children.Each of these attractions can be purchased separately or on a co

Do

Honghu Red River Canyon rafting (红河峡谷漂流; Hónghéxiágǔpiāoliú), Red River Valley, Qingyuan Manchu Autonomous County, Fushun. (清原满族自治县大苏河红河谷漂流), ☏ +86 413 3029169. Open all year, peak season: J, A and S.. Explore down a 12.8-km section of river in a small, four- to six-seater, rubber raft passing through unique mountain scenery. This attraction has acquired AAAA ratings in China's national tourist attraction scale. The river has a catchment of 784 km² with sparse population, so there is plenty of water which is clean and free of pollution. The route takes you over some white water sections rated somewhere between easy and moderate. The river is between 20 and 50 m wide and generally 1 m deep. The route starts in the original Su-Tuen Shahe he Xiang, in Red River Valley, Manchu Autonomous County, Fushun, and runs down to Red River Reservoir. It takes about three hours to complete the route. ¥125. Su River rafting (苏子河漂流; Sūzǐhépiāoliú), Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Fushun. (off of National Highway 202). This 13-km stretch of unspoiled river is 90 km from any urban area. It takes about 3 hours to complete the route.

Buy

Fushun is home to China's biggest open cast coal mine, so it isn't surprising that you can buy coal here. What may surprise you is that the coal can be carved and polished into ornaments and jewelry. The area also produces large amounts of amber which also is used in jewelry. A traditional Manchu product available locally is deer musk. In Xinbin County they produce Cashmere wool products of high quality. Another local art form is tree root art. The contorted roots of trees are polished and turned into artworks.

Drink & nightlife

Fushun's nightlife is not fancy. Not many people will stay out past mid-night. The largest night club is "F1 Club", close to "Imperial Palace Bath" in the central district of city. In front of which there is a statue of Chairman Mao. The club is large and modern style and various shows will be on sometimes.

Sleep

Fushun Friendship Hotel (抚顺友谊宾馆; Fǔshùnyǒuyìbīnguǎn), 4 Yongning Street, Xinfu District (新抚区永宁街4号; Xīnfǔqū Yǒngníngjiē (20 minutes walk east of the south train/bus station), ☏ +86 413 2810000, fax: +86 413 2426773. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A four-star hotel on the south bank of the Huang River. This is a large hotel complex containing leisure facilities such as sauna, swimming pool, gym, 10-pin bowling, KTV, bars and restaurants. The staff can speak some English and the rooms are modern and clean. Nearby there is a large park and the neighbourhood is mainly residential. ¥442. Fushun Coal Hotels (抚顺煤都宾馆; Fǔshùnméidūbīnguǎn), 1 Ying Street, Xinfu District (新抚区迎街l号; Xīnfǔqū Yíngjiē), ☏ +86 413 2534590. A three-star hotel. Jinsui Hotel (金穗宾馆; Jīnsuìbīnguǎn), 25 Biaonian Road, Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County (新宾镇表年路25号; Xīnbīnzhèn Biǎoniánlù), ☏ +86 413 5081500. Sanyu Floor Hotel (煜圣楼酒店; Yùshènglóujiǔdiàn), Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County (新宾镇; Xīnbīnzhèn), ☏ +86 413 5027857.