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East side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC

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Photo ofEast side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC Photo ofEast side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC Photo ofEast side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC

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Trail stats

Distance
2.13 mi
Elevation gain
945 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
741 ft
Max elevation
1,098 ft
TrailRank 
75 5
Min elevation
306 ft
Trail type
One Way
Moving time
25 minutes
Time
one hour 13 minutes
Coordinates
536
Uploaded
December 1, 2018
Recorded
December 2018
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near Guanyin Gexia, Liaoning (China)

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Trail photos

Photo ofEast side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC Photo ofEast side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC Photo ofEast side of Daheishan, Liaoning Province, PRC

Itinerary description

A 2-km round-trip walk starting from a parking lot on the east side of Daheishan (Big Black Mountain). The highlight is an ancient Buddhist temple, partly inside a cave. A broad, smooth surfaced path with stairs with guide rails extends up to the Temple. There were no admission or other fees on this route. There might be a small parking fee.

The Temple is dedicated to Guan Yin, the "Goddess of Mercy", and is also known as Shengshui Temple. It is said to be among North China's largest and most influential sites of this school. The current structures are Ming Dynasty, re-built in AD 1368 on the foundations of a Liao and Jin Dynasty Temple. There is a large Annual March 16 Temple Fair.

A traditional countryside restaurant specialising in chicken is located several hundred meters from the parking lot (see way-point with pictures). (Closed on a return 2023 visit).

Recorded on December 1, 2018, with sun and calm, warm weather, there were few visitors on the day. The start of the access road near the highway turnoff is rough gravel and dirt, but it soon improves, and is paved closer to the parking lot. The track includes a portion of the access road.

It's easiest to view the route using the "Open Street" or "Open Cycle" Maps. The default Google Map doesn't work in China or is not properly geo-referenced (apparently an unresolved issue betwen Google and China).

Waypoints

PictographProvisioning Altitude 411 ft
Photo ofTraditional chicken restauraunt Photo ofTraditional chicken restauraunt Photo ofTraditional chicken restauraunt

Traditional chicken restauraunt

Our hosts booked the popular 12 noon time. Traditional wood fired wok at each table. Here they really go out to catch the chicken for your table, as evidenced by the lines of dots crossing the road from the coop area.

Photo ofAccess road near the parking lot Photo ofAccess road near the parking lot Photo ofAccess road near the parking lot

Access road near the parking lot

Access road is paved here, was rougher near the highway.

PictographCar park Altitude 512 ft
Photo ofParking lot; start of climb to Guan Yin Temple Photo ofParking lot; start of climb to Guan Yin Temple Photo ofParking lot; start of climb to Guan Yin Temple

Parking lot; start of climb to Guan Yin Temple

Bottled water and other refreshments and snacks available at the parking lot. There are great views of the East slopes of Daheishan from along the access path. A number of descending couples are pictured, one helping the other down the path and stairs.

PictographMonument Altitude 593 ft
Photo ofThe South Gate (Nanmen) Photo ofThe South Gate (Nanmen) Photo ofThe South Gate (Nanmen)

The South Gate (Nanmen)

Two photos have interesting description of the Temple history. An interesting kind of long eared black squirrel was seen here. Friendly cats move along the access path.

PictographTree Altitude 790 ft
Photo ofStairway through the forest Photo ofStairway through the forest Photo ofStairway through the forest

Stairway through the forest

The late autumn early winter forest is open, most leaves having fallen.

PictographMonument Altitude 924 ft
Photo ofTemple buildings Photo ofTemple buildings Photo ofTemple buildings

Temple buildings

Ancient structures are preserved here; one plaque reads; "Mainly preserved architecture in Dalian". Much of the detail appears to be of great age, as seen by the weathering, and restoration works over centuries. Part of the Temple is inside a small natural cave.

PictographMonument Altitude 960 ft
Photo ofGuan Yin Temple Photo ofGuan Yin Temple Photo ofGuan Yin Temple

Guan Yin Temple

Outside the entrance to the Cave Temple.

PictographTree Altitude 892 ft
Photo ofDescent through forest Photo ofDescent through forest Photo ofDescent through forest

Descent through forest

The decending path is a bit to the west of the ascending path, and narrower, somewhat rougher. We also saw lots of people who prefer to decend on the easier ascending path. There are primitive toilet facilities just below the waypoint location.

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