Population: 1,567,000

Area: 8,435 square kilometers (3,257 square miles)

Nationalities: Han, Manchu

Administrative Division: 4 districts (Pingshan, Xihu, Mingshan, Nanfen); 2 autonomous counties (Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, Huanren Manchu autonomous County)

Seat of the city government: No.18, Renmin Road, Pingshan District, Benxi City

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0414-2846970
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Benxi Branch: Yonghe Street, Mingshan District, Benxi City

China Post Benxi Branch: No.35, Jiefang Road, Pingshan District, Benxi City

Location: Benxi lies in the southeast of Liaoning Province, at the hinterland of the Liaodong Peninsular. It is bordered by Shenyang and Fushun in the north, and neighbors Dandong in the south. Anshan and Jilin are respectively located west and east to the city.

History: During the Warring State Period (476BC-221BC), present Benxi city proper and Benxi County belonged to the territory of the Yan Kingdom, and the rest part was occupied by the Gaoyi (an ancient tribe in northeast Asia). In 37BC, Koguryo Kingdom established by the Korean ethnic minority around the Huanran Manchu Autonomous County. It was until the Tang Dynasty (608-907) that the reign of this ethnic authority is ended.

Physical Features: Benxi is located in the mountainous region in eastern Liaoning with two offshoots of the Changbai Mountains stretching northeast-southwest through it. It general terrain slopes downward from eastern ans central part to southern and western part. Within the city's territory, mountains and hills constitute eighty percent of the land. There are four water systems producing some river valleys and basins along the rivers.

Climatic Features: The city enjoys a temperate humid climate, bearing an annual average temperature of 6.1-7.8¡æ(43 - 46F). Summer is slightly hotter, and the average temperature during the hottest July is about 24.3¡æ (76F). Winter is quite cold with an average temperature can descent to -14.3¡æ (6.3F). Half of its precipitation concentrates on July and August.

When to Go: Autumn is the golden season most favorable for visiting the city.

Local Highlights: Benxi Maple Leaf Festival (September): Maple leaf in summer should be the unique landscape of Benxi. Every September, the ground flame with maple leaf red. The best place to admire the spectacular scenery is the Guanmen Mountain in Benxi Manchu Autonomous County which is 48 kilometers from downtown Benxi.

Special Local Products: Liao Inkstone, butterfly painting, ginseng

Scenic Spots:
Benxi Water Cave was formed four or five million years ago, reputed as a treasure in North China. The cave covers an area of 36,000 square kilometers (9 acres) and stretches 2,800 meters (3063 yards). Entering the semilunar mouth of the cave, there is a 'guest-greeting hall' which is said to be the relic inhabited by human settlers three thousand years ago. The waters, pavilions outside complement the cave perfect. The scenic area lies 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of downtown, in the Taizi River side.
Jiuding Tiecha Mountain is the uprising cradle of Taoism in Northeast China, 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Benxi city proper. There are many ancient caves, and cliffside inscriptions still remained that highlight the mountain.
Other Scenic Spots: Guanmen Mountain, Benxi Lake, Hot Spring Temple

Tourist Tips:
Shenyang is 77 kilometers (48 miles) from Benxi. Visitors can get in and out of Benxi through Shenyang Taoxian International Airport. Airport buses will leave from the airport to Ma Lu Wan in Zhonghua Road, and then they can change to buses to Benxi.

Benxi passenger transport central station (also Dongfen station) is seated in Jiefang Road (North), Mingshan District. Visitors can take bus No.1, 16, 19, 25, 32 and get off in the stop of Dongfen. Yongfeng station is adjacent to the Railway Station of Benxi.