Fushun

Fushun (抚顺; Fǔshùn) is a city in Liaoning Province of China.

Understand
Fushun is a prefecture level city in the east of Liaoning. Within the area is Xing City (In Manchurian: Hetu Ala). This was the former capital of the Manchurian Late Jin Dynasty, founded in 1616 which later became the Qing Dynasty of China. Nearby is the Yongling Tomb where members of the royal household were laid to rest. Both Xing City and Yongling Tomb are now preserved as tourist attractions and are UNESCO world heritage sites.

In the early 20th century, the area came under first Russian and then Japanese control. Fushun was developed as a major coal mining and heavy industrial area. This city was called 'Coal Capital of China'. Fushun was also the site of China's first non-ferrous metal production plant - Fushun Aluminium Plant. During the 1980s, a significant petrochemical industry was developed. It is now the largest petrochemical and refined chemical producer in China. With these industries came inevitable pollution. In 2001, the city launched a drive to improve its environment, introducing new equipment into the factories, especially the Aluminium Plant.

Lei Feng is little known to the wider world, but in China, he is a household name. Lei Feng was held up by Mao Zedong and other leaders of China as an example for the whole country to copy, a model of the communist idea. Fushun was the city of his military career and a museum here tells his life story.

By plane
The nearest airport is Shenyang Taoxian International. It is about 30 to 40 minutes drive by road to Fushun form this airport. Shenyang Taoxian has frequent flights to destinations all over China as well as Japan, North and South Korea, Russia and other international routes.

By road
The Shenfu Express Way connects Fushun with the nearby provincial capital, Shenyang. The journey takes about 30 minutes. From Shenyang, a number of express ways radiate out to other cities in Liaoning as well as neighbouring provinces.

By bus
Regular buses or coaches run the route between Shenyang (from Minzhu Lu, opposite the south railway station) to Fushun South railway station form 5AM till 7PM every day. They leave when full which may be as frequently as every 10 minutes. The fare is &yen;10 and journey time is about 60 to 90 minutes. On route the bus will stop at various tourist sites (Dongling, Garden Expo, Royal Ocean World) to pick up or drop off. On entering Fushun city, the bus passes Fushun south station then takes a circuitous route round the whole city before stopping back at the south station again. Bus company tel: +86 413 7614552.

Other less frequent buses run to other cities in Liaoning and Jilin. There is also a direct bus to and from Beijing.

By train
There are two train stations in Fushun - the North and the South stations. Trains run through this station from locations such as Shenyang, Beijing, Tumen and Tonghua and other cities en route between these points. Fushun South Station Tel: +86 41 3262 4816.

Get around
There are two bus stations neighboring the North and South train stations. Routes run throughout the city. The Yongling tomb and Hetu Ala City (Xing City) world heritage sites can be reached by bus from Fushun South station. This route runs every half an hour between 7:30AM and 4:30PM and the fair is &yen;16.

Wanghua District (望花区; Wànghuāqū)
These sites are to the south and west of Fushun city, within the urban area.



Shuncheng District (顺城区; Shùnchéngqū) and Xinfu District (新抚区; Xīnfǔqū)
These sites are on the north and east side of the river within Fushun City urban area or within easy travel of the city.



Dongzhou District (东洲区; Dōngzhōuqū) and Fushun County (抚顺县; Fǔshùnxiàn)
These sites are outside of Fushun city to the east but still within easy travelling distance.



Xinbin and Qingyuan Manchu Autonomous Counties
These sites are some distance east from Fushun city centre and should be given adequate time for travel. Hetuala City and the Qingyong Tomb are a short drive from each apart.



Buy
Fushun is home to China's biggest open cast coal mine, so it isn't surprising that you can buy coal here. What may surprise you is that the coal can be carved and polished into ornaments and jewelry. The area also produces large amounts of amber which also is used in jewelry. A traditional Manchu product available locally is deer musk. In Xinbin County they produce Cashmere wool products of high quality. Another local art form is tree root art. The contorted roots of trees are polished and turned into artworks.

Drink
Fushun's nightlife is not fancy. Not many people will stay out past mid-night. The largest night club is "F1 Club", close to "Imperial Palace Bath" in the central district of city. In front of which there is a statue of Chairman Mao. The club is large and modern style and various shows will be on sometimes.