7 Days in Tonghua

The hillside cemetery holds the remains of General Yang Jingyu (1905-1940), reinterred here in 1958, and its halls document the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army years. Climb Yuhuangshan Park afterwards for a view over the Hun River.

1. tonghua yangjingyu martyrs cemetery
2. tonghua yuhuangshan park

Drive the 120 km southeast to Ji'an (about two hours) and overnight there. The stele of 414 AD stands 6.39 m with around 1,775 inscribed characters; General's Tomb rises about 13 m on seven granite tiers, both part of the 2004 World Heritage listing.

1. tonghua gwanggaeto stele
2. tonghua generals tomb

The two capital sites pair a walled hill fortress with the stone-walled palace city inside modern Ji'an; the Yalu riverbank walk adds the North Korean bank in view. Head back to Tonghua by evening.

1. tonghua wandu mountain city
2. tonghua guonei city

About two hours northwest in Huinan County, the park chains together maar lakes left by old volcanoes. Boardwalks circle Dalongwan and Sanjiaolongwan, and Diaoshuihu waterfall runs fullest after summer rains.

1. tonghua longwan forest park

Honestly labeled as a neighboring-province day - Wunü Mountain stands in Huanren County, Liaoning, about two hours southwest. Its summit plateau near 820 m carried Goguryeo's first capital from 37 BC, and the site is part of the same 2004 World Heritage listing.

1. tonghua wunv mountain

The wine company dates to 1937 and its underground cellar tunnels still age barrels of mountain-grape wine. Keep the afternoon easy along the Hun River before the last excursion.

1. tonghua wine cellar
2. tonghua hun river riverside

A market breakfast - sweet rice dumplings and cold noodles are local standards - then a slow pack-up and the train from Tonghua station.

1. tonghua city markets