3 Days in Panjin

The national scenic corridor runs about 18 kilometres along the delta; the suaeda grass turns from green shoots in April to its deepest red through September and October — walk the boardwalks at both ends and stay for low light.

1. panjin red beach corridor

The estuary hosts one of the world's key breeding colonies of Saunders's gulls — birds return in March-April and nest in May-June — while red-crowned cranes pause here in March and again in November; the neighbouring reed beds, among the world's largest, rustle gold into autumn.

1. panjin liaohe estuary wetland
2. panjin reed sea

Morning calligraphy among the carved stones of the Liaohe stele forest, then a rice-field lunch — Panjin rice and river crabs share the same paddies, and the crabs are fattest in September and October — before the train out.

1. panjin liaohe stele forest
2. panjin rice crab fields