HanPath

朝阳市

cháo yáng · Chaoyang

Where the first bird-like dinosaur was found

Why this place

Chaoyang is one of the most important fossil beds in the world — the Jehol biota, which produced the first feathered dinosaurs and the earliest flowering plants. If you care about palaeontology, this is a genuine pilgrimage site.

What to see

  • The Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geopark and the Sihetun site
  • Chaoyang Museum, with feathered dinosaur and early bird fossils
  • The Liao-dynasty twin pagodas and the Northern Pagoda in the old city

What to eat

  • Liaoning millet and buckwheat dishes
  • Lamb from the surrounding hills

Best time

May–October

辽宁省 · Liaoning China Guide