本溪市

Why this place

Benxi is a steel town in a river valley, and it is surrounded by mountains that turn spectacular in autumn. It holds one of China's longest water caves and a nature reserve with old-growth forest.

What to see

• Benxi Water Cave — a boat ride through kilometres of flooded limestone cavern
• Guanmenshan, a mountain park on the edge of the city with forest and cliffs
• Laotudingzi, part of the Changbai range, for old mixed forest and autumn colour

What to eat

• Northeast stews and dumplings
• Autumn mushrooms and chestnuts from the surrounding mountains

Best time

Late September–mid October for the maple colour; June–August for the cave