Park
Longshou Mountain
The iconic hill in the center of Liaoyuan, offering panoramic views of the city. Features historic pavilions, temples, and forested walking trails. A popular spot for morning exercise.
All day
Free
The Liaoyuan area was originally Manchu territory before Han settlement increased during the late Qing Dynasty. The discovery of coal deposits in the early 1900s brought rapid change. During the Japanese occupation (1931-1945), mining operations were expanded to extract coal for Japan's war industry.
After 1949, Liaoyuan became a state-owned coal mining base. The city grew as miners and their families moved in from across the region. For decades, the local economy revolved entirely around coal extraction.
As coal reserves depleted in the late 20th century, Liaoyuan faced an economic crisis. The city began a difficult transition away from resource dependence. Remarkably, it found success in an unexpected industry: sock manufacturing. With government support and entrepreneurial initiative, Liaoyuan built one of China's largest textile industrial clusters, specializing in hosiery.
Today, Liaoyuan's sock industry employs tens of thousands and exports worldwide, representing a successful case of industrial transformation in Northeast China.
