盘锦市

Why this place

Panjin is a coastal wetland city, and every autumn the seepweed on its tidal flats turns deep red — the 'red beach', one of the strangest landscapes in China. It is also a major stop on the East Asian–Australasian flyway, with huge numbers of birds.

What to see

• The Red Beach National Scenic Corridor — red seepweed flats with the Yellow Sea behind
• Shuangtai Estuary, a Ramsar wetland, for cranes, storks and waders
• The reed marshes, which are cut for paper and for reed handicrafts

What to eat

• Panjin river crab — the local specialty, eaten in autumn
• Rice from the Liao River delta, and coastal clams

Best time

September–October for the red beach and the crabs; April–May for birds