Jianchang County 建昌县

Setting and landscape

The Daling River, described by the county as the largest river in western Liaoning, rises at Shuiquangou (水泉沟) in Wukunzhangzi (吴坤杖子村) in Yaolugou (要路沟乡) and flows east through Kazuo (喀左), Chaoyang (朝阳) and Beipiao (北票) to the Bohai Sea. Henan village (河南村), two kilometres from the source, takes its name from its position on the river's south bank. A China County Economy News feature notes long hours of sunshine and wide swings between day and night temperatures in these western Liaoning hills.

History

The name joins the first characters of Jiande (建德) and Changli (昌黎), two commanderies of the Northern Wei. Jianchang County was created in 1778 from Tazigou sub-prefecture (塔子沟厅), with its seat at present-day Lingyuan (凌源). Because a county in Jiangxi had the same name, it became Tagou County in 1914 and Lingyuan later that year. Lingnan (凌南) was split off in 1931 with its seat at Mangniuyingzi (牤牛营子), and in 1937 the two counties were merged under the old name Jianchang, run from Mangniuyingzi, today's Jianchang town. The county was placed under Jinxi (锦西), now Huludao, in June 1989.

What to see

Bailang Mountain (白狼山), about 3 kilometres east of the county town, is a national nature reserve and a 3A scenic area; its main peak rises to 1,140.2 metres, which the county calls the second-highest summit in western Liaoning. The county government places the Three Kingdoms battle at White Wolf Mountain, in which Cao Cao (曹操) defeated the Wuhuan (乌桓), here.

Longtan Grand Canyon (龙潭大峡谷), in Laodazhangzi (老大杖子乡) on the Liaoning–Hebei border, is a 4A scenic area and a Liaoning geopark. The Liaoning Daily describes it as a karst gorge formed along a fault zone, with dolomitic limestone and volcanic rock, and calls it the only deep karst canyon in north-east China. The county lists its three gorges: Longtan, Shilin and Yingwo (龙潭峡、石林峡、鹰窝峡).

Food and local products

A food feature republished by the county names sticky bean buns (黏豆饽饽), Mongolian meat pies (蒙古馅饼), apricot-kernel millet porridge and boiled dried tofu among local dishes. Yaolugou millet (要路沟小米) is a national geographical-indication product. The same feature calls Yangmadianzi (养马甸子乡) shiitake a signature product, names jujubes from Heishanke (黑山科乡) and white pears from Heshangfangzi (和尚房子乡), and describes the county as a core hawthorn-growing area of northern China, mainly for the Tie hawthorn (铁山楂).

Highlights

• Bailang Mountain 白狼山: National nature reserve 3 km east of the county town; main peak 1,140.2 m; linked to Cao Cao's victory over the Wuhuan.
• Longtan Grand Canyon 龙潭大峡谷: 4A karst canyon and Liaoning geopark on the Hebei border.
• Yaolugou millet 要路沟小米: National geographical-indication millet from the Daling River headwaters.