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Things to Do in Shenyang, China - Shenyang Attractions

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Top Attractions in Shenyang

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• Shenyang Imperial Palace (Gu Gong)
• Former Residence of Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang
• Beiling Park
• Wuai Market
• Shenyang Botanical Garden
• Shenyang Dongling Park
• Shenyang Zhongshan Park
• Shenyang Qipan Mountain

• Attractions
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Top 10 Things to Do in Shenyang

Mukden palace (shenyang imperial palace), marshal zhang’s mansion, zhaoling tomb, shenyang international ice and snow festival, liaoning provincial museum, fuling mausoleum, shenyang botanical garden  , nanguan catholic church, september 18th historical museum   , qipan mountain.

Shenyang Travel Guide - How to Plan a Trip to Shenyang

Shenyang is the capital of the northeastern province of Liaoning and the largest city in northern China by urban population ( 8.1 million ).

It is known for its status as a leading industrial, commerce, and trade city. It is also home to impressive aspects of Chinese history that span thousands of years and include recent events that have shaped China's place in the global theater.

Shenyang has been given the title of "National Environmental Protection Model City" and "National Forest City", and was awarded one of the Top Ten Cities in China for two years running.

Shenyang is located in the center of Liaoning province. It is named for its position in relation to the Hun River (formally the Shen River). China's capital, Beijing, which sits to the southwest of Shenyang, can be reached by high-speed train on the Beijing–Harbin HSR in under 4 hours.

See more on Shenyang Transport and our Shenyang Maps to help you plan a visit.

Top Reasons to Visit Shenyang

• 1) 144-hour Visa-Free City: For travelers transiting China via Shenyang's International Airport , Shenyang is an excellent city to plan a brief stop for an introductory trip to China's northeast.
• 2) Northern Experience: The atmosphere in northeastern China varies greatly when compared with China's southern cities. Experience the warmth of the Dongbei (northeast) accent, cuisine, and people on your visit to Shenyang.
• 3) Ancient History: Shenyang was the seat of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), and briefly the capital of China. The Shenyang Palace and Qing Emperor tombs are UNESCO World Heritage and very popular with tourists.
• 4) Modern Expansion: With government investment, Shenyang has grown exponentially in recent years. Strong connections with foreign companies such as BMW, have led to an increase in foreigners and modern attractions.

The Top 9 Attractions

1. shenyang imperial palace.

While less well known than the Forbidden City of Beijing, Shenyang's Imperial Palace was built by the first Qing Emperor in 1625. During the Manchu reign of the Qing Dynasty, Shenyang became the political and cultural center of all China. It is one of Shenyang's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

2. Zhaoling Mausoleum

There are two tombs of the former Qing Emperors located here and both are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Admission is 50 CNY for the basic tour and visitors can expect to spend plenty of time learning the history of these early Qing Dynasty Emperors.

3. Zhongshan Square

Located in a busy part of the city, Zhongshan Square is also home to the tallest statue of Mao Zedong in the world. The buildings around the square predate the Japanese occupation and many were built by Japanese architects. The square is a gathering place and landmark for the people of Shenyang as well as visitors.

4. Korea Town

Due to Shenyang's close proximity to Korea, the love for Korean BBQ is strong throughout the city. In Xita, or Korea Town, visitors can find the best samplings of Korean cuisine to be found in China.

Xita is also home to many bars, malls, and markets featuring uniquely Korean goods. This a great place to start your exploration of Shenyang's Nightlife.

5. The 9.18 Historical Museum

Perhaps one of the most recent historical events to affect Shenyang directly, the 9.18 Museum commemorates the events surrounding

the Mukden Incident of 1931. The museum is unique in both architecture and presentation. Visitors can browse both Chinese and English accounts of the event. The reality of the Japanese invasion and occupation is still a strong memory for the city of Shenyang and is observed with a citywide moment of silence on the anniversary of the Mukden Incident.

6. Beiling Park

The largest and most beautiful park in Shenyang is Beiling ('North Hill') Park. With a fee of only 5 CNY, it's well worth the price of admission.

Ancient Chinese gardens, pristine lakes filled with pink lotus, and plenty of space for outdoor activities makes the park a popular place to spend the afternoon in Shenyang.

7. Nanguan Catholic Church

The original church was built in 1861, but was destroyed during the Boxer Rebellion. The present church was rebuilt and is known as the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Shenyang. Mass is done in both Chinese and English and visitors are welcome to explore the church grounds daily.

8. Muslim Food Street

This neighborhood is home to many members of China's Muslim minority groups and creates unique experience apart from mainstream China. The shop, markets, and restaurants here all feature Halal options and cultural goods worth perusing.

9. Shenyang Expo Garden

Built for China's International Horticultural Exposition in 2006, the Expo Garden is now a permanent fixture on the Shenyang landscape. The immaculate gardens and natural areas provide an escape from the industrial city center. Calm ponds and interactive obstacle courses mean that the Expo Garden has something to offer for everyone.

Best Times to Visit Shenyang

The best seasons for visiting Shenyang are the Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Shenyang is known for its cold and dry winters, but the warmer months of April-October offer excellent weather for viewing all that Shenyang has to offer. Be sure to check your travel dates against the dates to avoid traveling in China that may impact your travel plans.

Visa-Free Travel

Want a visa-free trip to Shenyang? Since January 1, 2019. Passengers from 51 countries/regions including the US, Canada, and most of the countries in Europe using Shenyang or Dalian's airports for transit are now allowed 6 visa-free days in Liaoning Province.

Plan Your Visit to Shenyang

Let China Highlights craft a unique northern China experience for you with a custom tour of Shenyang.

Or, consider adding a trip to Shenyang to one of our popular Beijing tours to personalize the experience.

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A Definitive Travel Guide to All Things Shenyang, China

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Shenyang (沈阳 Shěnyáng) , formerly known as Mukden, is a city located in northeastern China’s Liaoning Province (辽宁省 Liáoníng Shěng). This bustling Chinese provincial capital with a complex past is a great destination for Qing dynasty history buffs. CLI’s Shenyang Travel Guide introduces the highlights of this fascinating northeastern Chinese city.

Table of Contents

Shenyang Basics

What makes shenyang famous, meteorite mountain park, qipan mountain, qipan scenic area, beiling park, international horticultural expo garden, shenyang botanical garden, royal ocean world, tai cny pedestrian street, strange slope, getting there, weather and best time to travel, something for everyone.

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Shenyang is the largest city and administrative capital in northeast China. The city is bordered by Changbai Mountain in the north and the Liaodong Peninsula in the south. Today, Shenyang’s population is estimated to be 8,299,000, and it occupies an area of 12,948 square kilometers (4,999 square miles).

Shenyang features two administrative counties, Faku and Kangping, and is the political, cultural, and economic headquarters of Liaoning Province.

Shenyang natives speak Shenyang dialect, which is quite similar to China’s standard Mandarin dialect, putonghua .

The city is known for its stunning natural scenery and industrious population, and time spent there is time well spent.

Today, Shenyang is a bustling modern metropolis.

Shenyang is famous for a variety of reasons. It is in this city that the Japanese conquered the Russian army in 1905 during the Battle of Mukden .

The city was also once home to the Chinese warlord Zhang Zuolin and is currently home to renowned Chinese film actresses like Jin Qiaoqiao and Gong Li. Other notable persons originating from Shenyang include tennis player Ma Lin, pianist Lang Lang, and peace activist Yoshiko Yamaguchi.

Shenyang is also known for having been the birthplace of the Manchu Qing dynasty (1636-1912 CE), having briefly served as the Qing capital in the early days of the Manchu conquest.

After the Manchu capital moved to Beijing, Shenyang became a sort of secondary capital. As such, it is home to some of China's best preserved imperial palaces and tombs, such as the Shenyang Imperial Palace, Zhaoling Mausoleum, and the Fuling Mausoleum. Due to their artistic and cultural significance, these palaces are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites.

The Shenyang Imperial Palace ( 沈阳故宫 Shěnyáng Gùgōng) , also known as Mukden Palace , was used as a base for the Manchu royals of the Qing dynasty and currently serves as a historical museum.

Interestingly, the Imperial Palace is the only existing complex that perfectly mimics the Forbidden City.

Visiting the sprawling Mukden Palace is a great way to gain insight into the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty.

Travelers interested in historical sites should also visit the Fuling Mausoleum (东陵 Dōnglíng), which is a tomb belonging to Nurhaci , the Qing dynasty's founder.

Shenyang is also the site of the Zhaoling Mausoleum, a tomb belonging to Emperor Huang Taiji, the second Qing emperor, and his wife. The Zhaoling Mausoleum is the largest tomb in China.

Thanks to its rich history, Shenyang is a great place to learn about traditional Chinese architecture.

Shenyang is also famous for religious sites like the South Mosque and the Shisheng Temple. The South Mosque is the largest Islamic mosque in the city and one of the most important in China, while the Shisheng Temple is the city’s largest sanctuary for Tibetan Buddhists.

Last but not least, Shenyang boasts an impressive array of restaurants serving Chinese, Korean, and western cuisine. You can ask for traditional delicacies like stewed chicken and cold noodles or Western classics like pizza and steaks.

Other Top Shenyang Attractions

In addition to the Qing dynasty historical sites, there are many places to visit in Shenyang and a lot of fun activities to do. Here are the top attractions:

Have you ever wished to see meteorites up-close? Shenyang’s Meteorite Mountain Park allows you to have this extraordinary experience. Here, you can see the world’s most massive meteorite. which weighs at least 2 million tons. It's thought to have fallen to earth 1.9 billion years ago and is assumed to be nearly 4.5 billion years old.

Situated 20km (12.4 miles) away from the city, Qipan Mountain ( 棋盘山 Qípánshān) is a stunning natural feature of Shenyang. It was once the site of the Women's Chess Championship, which is how it got the name “qipan” ( 棋盘 qípán ), which means chessboard in Mandarin.

This beautiful reserve has slowly developed into a popular site for hiking and hunting exploits. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of Shenyang.

The Qipan Scenic Area is home to the Shenyang International Ice and Snow Festival. It is a great choice for those looking to have an exciting winter experience.

Aside from the festival, other key highlights include a beautiful lake and hills that you can explore. These attractions give you a view of the magnificent natural scenery of Shenyang.

Do you like going to expansive parks to relax? Then you will find Beiling Park interesting. It is the largest public park in Shenyang and promises a great experience.

In Chinese, the name 'Beiling' means the 'north tomb,' referring to the Zhaoling Mausoleum, tomb of Emperor Huang Taiji, which is located within the park.

To the west of the mausoleum are beautiful gardens and a kids' play area, which helps make the park a relaxing spot for families and groups.

Zhaoling Mausoleum serves as the resting place of the second Qing emperor.

Just 18km (11.2 miles) away from Shenyang, the International Horticultural Expo Garden is a popular spot for nature lovers. Visiting the garden allows you to explore some of the most exceptional flora in Shenyang.

The 246-hectare garden is lavish and features ten imperial plots, 50 local yards, and 24 open parks earmarked for exhibitions.

An alternative to the International Horticultural Expo Garden, the Shenyang Botanical Garden is a lovely place to spend your afternoon. Established in 1959, it boasts of some of the world’s most elegant exotic flowers, bushes, and herbs.

There are more than 1,700 plant varieties in this garden, and this explains why it is a top travel destination for botanists. Here, you can find a variety of rare plant species. The Botanical Garden is an especially excellent place to welcome the spring season.

If you are looking to have fun with friends or family, Royal Ocean World is a great place to go. This amusement park is quite popular in downtown Shenyang. It features a waterpark called 'Hawaii' where you can enjoy water rides. It is also known to have a stunning aquarium that features exhibits with unique fantasy themes.

The Shenyang Tai Cny Street is a shopping paradise that is often crowded with local and foreign tourists. You can buy everything from local crafts to mouthwatering bites on this street. It has several permanent food joints that serve the best Chinese delicacies.

Located 30 km (18.6 miles) away from Shenyang, the 80-meter (262-foot) long Strange Slope is considered a natural wonder by many. It is a marvel to see and at the same time, weird, given that it seems to violate the laws of gravity.

If you stop a car at the foot of this slope, it will drift upwards towards the top of the slope instead of rolling downwards as you might expect. Whether you decide to drive or walk along the slope, the experience is a magical one.

Shenyang is considered a safe place to visit. Crime rates have dropped significantly over the past few years. Although the city is generally safe, it is still advisable to exercise personal security precautions when visiting this and other Chinese cities.

Shenyang enjoys the convenience of an elaborate transportation system. The city is connected to other parts of China by direct flights, buses, and high-speed trains.

International travelers can get to Shenyang through the Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, which is 30 km (18.6 miles) away. There are direct flights to the airfield from South Korea, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Osaka.

For those traveling from other parts of China, there are direct flights to the Shenyang International Taoxian Airport from Sanya, Beijing, Xi'an, and Guangzhou, just to name a few.

By car, you can get to Shenyang from Beijing. The distance is about 685 km (425 miles). You can also book long-distance buses from Beijing, Harbin, Jilin or Dalian.

If you prefer railway transport, Shenyang has two stations, the north and south railway stations. Both stations are entry points to the city from Beijing, Jilin, Dalian, Tianjin, and Harbin.

Shenyang experiences dry weather at most times of the year. Summers get hot, with temperatures rising as high as 39.3 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit), while winters get cold, with temperatures dropping below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). It is advisable to wear lots of warm clothes in winter.

Due to its location in China’s northeast, winters in Shenyang can get quite cold. (Image Credit: Mukden Palace in the Snow © donpablovi/Instagram)

The best time to travel to Shenyang is between May and June, when the temperatures average 23-27 degrees Celsius (73.4-80.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and between August and October, when they average 16-28 degrees Celsius (60.8-82.4 degrees Fahrenheit). In addition to having warm weather, Shenyang is also less crowded at these times. 

Shenyang is a city that blends the ancient and the modern and offers a variety of activities for travelers. As we hope our Shenyang Travel Guide makes clear, anyone who visits this provincial capital is likely to find that there is plenty to see, do, and learn.

After visiting Shenyang, Qing dynasty history aficionados may also want to check out the Summer Palace in Beijing, which served as the primary residence of the Qing emperors during the latter portion of the dynasty.

If you're interested in continuing to explore China's long history through visits to other ancient Chinese cities, we recommend taking a trip to Suzhou , a city famous for its many classical Chinese gardens. You can also consider checking out Xi'an , a city famous for its role as the starting point of China's ancient Silk Road .

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Shenyang Travel Guide 2024

Shenyang (沈阳), formerly known as Mukden, is the capital city of Liaoning Province. Located in Northeast China and central Liaoning, Shenyang is the geographic center and transportation hub of Northeast Asia, and an important node of the Belt and Road extension to Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.

Shenyang has a history of more than 2,700 years. It is a famous national historical and cultural city. As the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty (1636 A.D.~1912 A.D.), Shenyang has long been known as "birthplace of one dynasty, capital of two emperors". After the founding of New China (1949), Shenyang has become an important heavy industry base of equipment manufacturing in China, with the reputation of "The Ruhr of the East".

From ancient to modern times, from the large industrial base to food and opera, from humanistic architecture to natural wonders, Shenyang is an omnipresent city of everything.

Why Visit Shenyang, Liaoning?

• Mukden Palace (Shenyang Palace, China) - The Mukden Palace, though smaller than the Palace Museum in Beijing, is distinguished by its Manchu architectural style. Nurhachi and Huangtaiji started their Central Plain’s Conquering from here. The animal carving wearing armour sat on the banisters, looking out over the Forbidden City in Beijing, all showed the ambition of the emperors at that time.
• The mausoleum system and architecture of the Qing Dynasty - In 2004, The Three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning Province including the Yongling Tomb, the Fuling Tomb, and the Zhaoling Tomb, all built in the 17th century, has been added to the World Heritage List as an extension of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It’s a unique testimony to the cultural and architectural traditions of the last two feudal dynasties (Ming and Qing) in the history of China between the 14th and 20th centuries.
• Brilliant museums in Shenyang city - As a city with a history of more than 2,700 years, of course, there are a lot of brilliant museums worth visiting in Shenyang, such as Liaoning Provincial Museum - the first museum established in New China, Marshal Zhang Mansion, Shenyang Expo Garden and “September 18" Historical Museum, etc.
• The world's most strange slope - Shenyang Strange Slope is listed as one of the eight wonders of Liaoning province. Drivers need to step on the accelerator when going downhill, but not uphill. How can you miss experiencing this "upside down" wonder when visiting Shenyang?
• Winter festival and authentic Dongbei drama - "Errenzhuan" - If you are planning to visit Shenyang in winter, don't miss the fun during the ice and snow festival. You can enjoy watching ice and snow sculptures, skiing, riding snowmobiles and snow tubes. If you are interested in authentic Northeast folk arts, the Errenzhuan performances at Liu Laogen Stage will never let you down.

Top Attractions in Shenyang, Liaoning

No matter it was the former Mukden or is now the largest city in northeast China, Shenyang still retains its vicissitudes as the historical capital. It has quite plenty of brilliant historical sites for your discovery. Besides the well-known Mukden Palace, there are mausoleums, mansions, historical blocks, museums and temples, etc. Check more details at Top 6 Shenyang Attractions >>

Built in 1625, it was the imperial palace in the early Qing Dynasty. It is one of the two intact palace complexes in China. It is famous at home and abroad for its exquisite ancient palace buildings and rich precious collections.

The former mansion of warlord - Zhang Zuolin and his patriotic son Zhang Xueliang. There are different styles of architecture in the palace. Among them, the Roman style blue brick building - "Daqinglou" is a landmark building.

Beiling, also known as Zhaoling Mausoleum (清昭陵), is the mausoleum of Emperor Huangtaiji and Empress Xiaozhuang. Among the “Three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning Province”, Beiling is the largest and most magnificent one.

Liaoning Provincial Museum is the best place to learn about the history of Shenyang city and Liaoning Province. It is the first museum established in New China and enjoys a good reputation at home and abroad for its rich collections and distinctive features.

Adjacent to Fuling Mausoleum and Qipan Mountain Scenic Area, Shenyang Expo Park used to be the Shenyang Botanical Garden. It is the largest one in the World Horticultural Exposition so far. Every year from April to October is the busiest time for flowers to bloom.

Qipan Mountain is named after a chessboard carved on a stone on the mountain. Beautiful landscapes contrast finely in the scenic area. You can enjoy lotus in summer and charming maple leaves in autumn.

Dongling, also known as Fuling Mausoleum, is the mausoleum of Nurhachi, the founder of the Qing Dynasty, and his Empress Xiaoci. Here you can not only feel the momentum of the royal cemetery, but also enjoy the quiet natural environment.

The site of the museum is where the Manchurian Incident occurred in 1931. Stone tablets, instruments of torture, weapons and a large number of historical materials and photos on display reflect the city's unforgettable history.

Tiexi 1905 Art District is the only cultural and creative block in Shenyang. It retains the main frame of the 70-year-old factory complex in Shenyang. Similar to the 798 Art District in Beijing, it is a cluster of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as occasional exhibitions and concerts.

Featured Activities & Experiences in Shenyang

Errenzhuan (二人转) is the most distinct local folk art in northeast China with a history of more than 300 years. The album is easy to understand, humorous and vitality. There are many places to watch the duet in Shenyang, such as Liu Laogen Stage, Nanfeng Theater, etc.

Shenyang retained the food culture of the Qing Dynasty, with Manchu Han Imperial Feast as the typical representative. Moreover, local and ethnic snacks from all over the country are gathered in Shenyang, including Xita cold noodles, Lao Bian dumplings and roast beef, etc.

Shenyang is the largest commercial city in northeast China. Zhongjie (中街) has a long history with many time-honored restaurants and modern large shopping malls. If you're into antiques, take a stroll through the Nanhu Park Antiquities Market.

Don’t miss the joyous occasion during the ice and snow festival if you are visiting Shenyang in winter. Guaipo Ski Resort (怪坡滑雪场) and Qipan Mountain Ice and Snow World (棋盘山冰雪大世界) are two popular places to enjoy winter activities in Shenyang.

Shenyang Weather & Best Time to Visit

Shenyang belongs to the temperate sub-humid continental climate, with an annual average temperature of 6~10°C. The average seasonal temperature is about 28°C in summer, about 20°C in autumn and about -10°C in winter. The annual precipitation in Shenyang is 600~800 mm. Influenced by the monsoon, precipitation is concentrated in summer. Shenyang has four distinct seasons. Winter is long and cold, nearly six months, summer is short and rainy, spring is windy and autumn is sunny.

The best time to visit Shenyang is from April to October , when the temperature is moderate and the climate is the most pleasant and comfortable. Shenyang enjoys abundant sunshine in spring and summer and fresh air in autumn, which makes it a good time to go out and enjoy flowers. It is a good time to visit scenic spots like Qipan Mountain, Zhaoling Mausoleum (Beiling Park) and Shenyang Expo Garden. Although winter is cold, it is the best season to ski and enjoy ice sculptures and lanterns. If you have done a good job of keeping warm, you would absolutely have an unforgettable winter journey in Shenyang.

Shenyang Transportation: How to Get to/around Shenyang

Shenyang is located in northeast China and in the middle of Liaoning Province. Shenyang is about 625 km northeast from Beijing, about 280 km southwest from Changchun and about 520 km southwest from Harbin. Shenyang has both direct flights and high speed trains to/from major cities in China.

Shenyang Location Map

How to Get to Shenyang

By Flight : Shenyang Xiantao International Airport (沈阳桃仙国际机场) is the only civil airport in Shenyang. It is the largest airport in northeast China and the shared airport of urban agglomeration of central Liaoning and Shenyang (Shenyang, Fushun, Benxi, Liaoyang, Anshan and Tieling). Shenyang Airport has many flights to domestic cities such as Shanghai (2.5 hrs), Xian (2 hrs), Guangzhou (4 hrs), Chengdu (3 hrs) and Beijing (1.5 hrs), etc. and international routes to Japan, South Korea, Germany, France and other places.

By High Speed / Bullet Train : Shenyang is the largest railway hub in northeast China with a dense railway network. The fastest high-speed train from Shenyang to Changchun is only 1 hour, 1.5 hours to Dalian , 2 hours to Harbin . The high speed train from Shenyang to Beijing takes less than 5 hours.  Shenyang Railway Station (沈阳站) and Shenyang North Railway Station (沈阳北站) are two main railway stations in Shenyang city. The distance between the two stations is about 4 kilometers, and there are metro and a number of bus lines connected railway stations to the city center.

• Beijing to Shenyang : Beijing is about 625 km southwest from Shenyang. It takes 3~4.5 hours to transfer between 2 cities by high speed train, about 2 hours by flight and 8.5~9.5 hours by car. Check the real-time train schedules of Beijing to Shenyang | Shenyang to Beijing >>

• Shenyang to Dalian : Dalian, a beautiful coastal city and the second hottest tourist destination in Liaoning province, is about 390 km southwest from Shenyang. It takes 1.5~2.5 hours to transfer between 2 cities by high speed train, 4~4.5 hours by bullet trains and over 4 hours by car. Check the real-time train schedules of Shenyang to Dalian | Dalian to Shenyang >>

Get around Shenyang

In downtown Shenyang, it is very easy to travel around by metro, taxi and public buses. However, if you want to save time and free from the troublesome metro/bus transfer, renting a private car with a professional guide is recommended.

• Shenyang to Benxi : If you are thinking about visiting Benxi (本溪) for a few days, the most convenient way to get there and around is by car and it takes 2.5~2 hours’ drive. 

Check more details at Shenyang Transportation: How to Get to & Get around Shenyang >>

Shenyang Hotels, Accommodation & Where to Stay

From high-end five-star hotels and economic and lively youth hostels, there are many choices of accommodation in Shenyang. Most travelers prefer to stay in Shenhe District (沈河区) and Guhuang District (姑皇区), which are closer to the attractions including Mudken Palace, Marshal Zhang Mansion, Zhongjie and Beiling Park, etc. If you want to experience the modern prosperity of the city, you can stay in Heping district and Dadong District.

• • Shangri-la Shenyang (沈阳香格里拉大酒店);
• • Hotel Jen Shenyang (沈阳香格里拉今旅酒店);
• • Sofitel Shenyang Libo (沈阳丽都索菲特酒店);
• • NorthYorker Hotel Service Apartment (北约客维景国际大酒店);
• • Crowne Plaza Shenyang Parkview, an IHG Hotel (沈阳国际皇冠假日酒店);

Useful Shenyang Maps

Shenyang is the most important transportation hub in northeast China. To help you have a better and clear understanding of the location, highlights and transfer information of Shenyang, you could have a look at our Shenyang Maps like Shenyang Attractions Map and Mukden Palace Tourist Map, etc.

Shenyang Attractions Map

Mukden Palace Tourist Map

Mukden Palace Location Map

Other Hot Destinations in Northeast China

Besides Shenyang, there are many other highlights & hot destinations in northeast China, like the ice and snow kingdom - Harbin , magical rime landscape and marvellous Changbai Mountain in Jilin , delightful coastal landscapes in Dalian , and significant historical sites in Changchun , etc. Check the travel guide of each destination and discover now!

Other Popular Destinations in China

China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destination among more than 70 tourist destinations and regions. The following are 4 popular destinations you may be interested in. Check all our popular travel destinations in China !

Chinese Name: 沈阳

Chinese Pinyin:  shěn yáng

English IPA: /'ʃʌn'jɑ:ŋ/

Population: 9.07 million

Language: Mandarin & Shenyang Dialect

Tel Code: 024

Zip Code: 110000

Time Zone: (UTC+8)

Plan your Shenyang Tour

It takes  1~2 days  to visit the essence of Shenyang City. Take 1 day to visit Marshal Zhang Mansion and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Mukden Palace and Zhaoling Park and another half day or a day to meet national treasures at Liaoning Provincial Museum.

For those who are visiting Shenyang in autumn, you can extend your trip to  Benxi (1~2 days)  and have a “red maple” chasing journey by driving along Hengben Road, visiting Yanghugou, Laobiangou and the world's longest underground water-filled cave - Benxi Water Cave.

Some of our guests prefer to spend more days and have a classic northeast China tour , which normally takes 8~9 days. Visit Shenyang together with highlights in  Dalian (1~2 days) ,  Jilin(1 Day) ,  Changchun (1 Day) ,  Harbin (3~6 days)  and  Changbai Mountain (2~3 Days) , etc.

Besides, it is also a good idea to travel Shenyang with other popular destinations in China, such as Beijing, Datong, Shanghai, Xian and Chengdu, etc. All our tours can be customized according to your interests, group size, needs, travel time, budget, etc. If you are interested, please  feel free to contact us  for a personal Shenyang tour 2024/2025!

Recommended Tours

Harbin / Jilin / Changchun / Shenyang / Dalian

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Top 20 Places to See in Shenyang, China

•  Beiling Park
•  Fuling Tomb
•  Mukden Palace
•  Shenyang Aerospace Museum
•  Shenyang Botanical Garden
•  Shenyang City Wall
•  Shenyang Imperial Mausoleum
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the Japanese Occupation
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the Manchu Dynasty
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the Ming Dynasty
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the People's Republic of China
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the Qing Dynasty
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the Republic of China
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japan
•  Shenyang Imperial Palace Park
•  Shenyang Imperial Shrine
•  Shenyang International Expo Center
•  Shenyang Zoo

•  Gongga Mountain National Nature Reserve
•  Gurim National Park
•  Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park
•  Hami Desert National Nature Reserve
•  Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve
•  Huanglong National Park
•  Hulunbuir Grassland National Nature Reserve
•  Hulunbuir National Nature Reserve
•  Jiuzhaigou National Park
•  Mount Emei Scenic Area
•  Mount Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve
•  Mount Huangshan Scenic Area
•  Mount Sanqingshan National Park
•  Mount Wuyi Scenic Area
•  Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve
•  Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
•  Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
•  Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
•  Yading National Park
•  Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve
•  Yunling Mountains National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Golden Cat National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Golden Monkey National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Golden Pheasant National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Golden Takin National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Red-Crowned Crane National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Snub-Nosed Langur National Nature Reserve
•  Yunnan Stone Forest National Park
•  Yunnan Three Parallel Rivers of the Yangtze, Lancang and Nujiang Scenic Area
•  Yunnan White-Headed Langur National Nature Reserve
•  Beijing
•  Chengdu
•  Chongqing
•  Dalian
•  Guangzhou
•  Guiyang
•  Hangzhou
•  Hefei
•  Kunming
•  Nanjing
•  Ningbo
•  Qingdao
•  Shanghai
•  Shenyang
•  Shenzhen
•  Shijiazhuang
•  Tianjin
•  Wuhan
•  Xi'an
•  Zhengzhou

48 hours in Shenyang

Jan 28, 2019 • 4 min read

The biggest city in northeast China was once – briefly – the capital of the Qing dynasty, before the all-conquering Manchu moved to Beijing in 1644. Shenyang’s magnificent Manchurian legacy is best explored via its Unesco World Heritage palace complex, royal tombs, and hearty, game-rich cuisine, while China’s biggest Korea Town adds a multicultural vibe. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in the buzzing metropolis of Shenyang.  

Kick off your first day with a dose of history and culture at the Shenyang Imperial Palace . Built in 1625, this Unesco-listed site has all the pomp and architectural symmetry of Beijing’s Forbidden City on which it was modelled, but on a far more manageable scale for visitors. The visionary behind it was an ambitious chieftain named Nurhaci, who militarised his people, the Jurchen, and proclaimed himself Khan. More so than the Forbidden City, Tibetan and Manchurian influences are keenly felt in Shenyang Imperial Palace, with its 300 rooms revealing a uniquely northern brand of luxury afforded to the founding emperors of the Qing dynasty – bearskin rugs, furniture made of deer horn, and raised beds with ingenious heating for Shenyang’s icy winters.

Hop from one grand crib to another – a European style mansion (c1914) in Shenyang that was the home of Zhang Xueling, the warlord ruler of northeast China for a time after the fall of the Qing dynasty. The Former Residence of Zhang Xueliang is a heritage playground of 74 rooms artfully melding Chinese and western architectural styles. But even more interesting is the story it tells of its owner, the ‘Little General’, who famously kidnapped Chiang Kai-shek in 1936 until the generalissimo agreed to unite with the Communists against the invading Japanese. The audacious act earned Zhang four decades of house arrest in Taiwan, before he was eventually proclaimed a patriotic hero. There’s even a Chinese craft beer named in his honour, ‘Little General IPA’ by Great Leap Brewing, but you’ll have to go to Beijing for that.

Worked up an appetite? Dōngběi cài (‘northeast cuisine’) is the rich, hearty and fortifying fare of these parts. Think slow-cooked stews of meat and game, pickled vegetables, cabbage and eggplant, with potatoes, corn and wheat preferred over rice. The region’s venison, a legacy of the Manchu hunting tradition, is a notable speciality, best sampled at Lumingchun (Spring Deer), a restaurant established in 1929 in Shenyang and now with three branches. Splash out on a grand Manchu banquet, or snack on a venison ‘sandwich’ ( lùròu huǒshāo ) – tender braised deer meat in warm sesame bread. Earthy mushroom dishes and warming soups will ensure you don’t go to bed hungry.

After breakfast, head into the peaceful woodland of Beiling Park where the tomb of Huang Taji, the second Qing Emperor, is located. The son of Nurhaci, it was he who changed the name of his people from Jurchen to Manchu, and his ceremonial mausoleum is one of Shenyang ’s most captivating sights. Two banks of stone animal statues guard the ‘sacred way’ to the tomb buildings, which are girdled by stone battlements with views of the surrounding lakes and woodland. In summer it’s a popular spot for family outings; during the winter you might have the whole park to yourself. Close your eyes and you can almost imagine you’re wandering the deer-filled forests of old Manchuria.

For a dose of genuine nature, get away from it all with a visit to the Qipanshan Scenic Area on the outskirts of Shenyang. A trio of mountains, pristine forests and Xiu Lake convene to provide a wealth of outdoor activities and pretty scenery for every season, but the area comes into its own particularly during winter as the site of the Qipanshan Ice and Snow World : a carnival of wildly ambitious ice and snow sculptures, skiing, ice-skating, snow mobile riding and more. The fun heats up as the mercury plummets – be sure to wrap up warm. If you’d prefer to stay inside, the Liaoning Provincial Museum has three floors of exhibits detailing the region’s cultural and artistic history from prehistoric times to the late Qing dynasty. The ‘Dawn of Chinese Culture Gallery’ features exhibits on the mysterious Xinle culture, a Neolithic civilisation unearthed near modern-day Shenyang and thought to be a matriarchal society. In 1978, an excavated Xinle wooden totem was discovered to be 7200 years old.

Cap off the trip with a bite in Shenyang’s bustling Korea Town ; known locally as Xīta (West Pagoda) after a Tibetan Buddhist Temple at the heart of a neighbourhood home to some 30,000 Korean Chinese. Here, too, Koreans from North and South mix, and you can find shops selling dried fish, kimchi , and stone pots for bibimbap , Korea’s famous rice dish. After dark it’s a foodie paradise, with restaurants lining Xita Jie offering everything from sizzling Korean-style barbecue to Pyongyang cold noodles, washed down with imported Korean beer and copious amounts of soju , a clear rice spirit. If you want to keep the party going, there are plenty of KTV (karaoke) parlours where you can belt out the latest K-pop hits all night long.

Lonely Planet has produced this article for China Southern Airlines. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality.

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Top 10 Attractions in Shenyang (Tips, Photos & Map)

Plan your Shenyang tour ?  Shenyang,  the capital city of Liaoning Province,  boasts its own Forbidden City,  imperial tombs, resourceful museums and several  parks as well as impressive mountains.

Shenyang is located about 700km to the northeast of Beijing by road. It takes one and half hours to fly from Beijing to Shenyang.

I’ve rounded up the Top 10 Attractions in Shenyang for you to prepare for your trip  to Shenyang.

1. Mukden Palace (Shenyang Imperial Palace) 故宫

Mukden Palace (Shenyang Imperial Palace) is the main draw in Shenyang,  the magnificent palace resembles a smaller Forbidden City in Beijing.  It is located in the center of the old Ming and Qing city in Shenhe District of Shenyang.

The palace complex represents the highest level art of early Manchu palace architectures and Manchu’s unique history and culture in the early stage.

Shenyang Forbidden City was built  between 1625 and 1636. It was the residential palace of Manchu emperor Nurhachi (1559 – 1626) and his son, Huang Taiji. It was used by Manchu rulers until 1644.

After Manchu took over Beijing and established Qing Dynasty,  Shenyang Imperial Palace served as the temporary imperial palace for brief stay when Qing emperors came to the northeastern China for inspection or paying tribute to their ancestors.

In  1926, Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum was built based on the former imperial palace.  Now it has become a famous imperial palace museum with historical art value.

Entrance Fee: RMB 60 Location: 171 Shenyang Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 沈河区沈阳路171号

How to get there: take bus to Zhongjie Pedestrian Street or take subway and get off  at Huaiyuanmen

2. Zhao Mausoleum (North Tomb)  昭陵 ( 北陵 )

Zhao Mausoleum ( Luminous Tomb )  is the burial site of the founder of Qing Dynasty – Huang Taiji (1592 – 1643).  The tomb is located in the north of the old city of Shenyang, hence the name of North Tomb ( Beiling 北陵).

Beiling Tomb ( North Tomb ) area has turned into a modern landscape park ( Beiling Park ) coupled with imperial tombs. The tomb occupies an area of 160,000 square meters, the largest imperial tomb outside Beijing in Qing Dynasty.

The tomb’s animal statues lead up to a mound where the emperor and his empress were buried. The traditional architectures and ornamentation around tomb  site are magnificent.

Beiling Park is a good place to escape from the hustle-bustle of  Shenyang’s downtown.  The park is rife with pine trees, endowed with  a large lake  featuring with paddle boats and canoes for hire, bicycles for rental, food and snack vendors etc . Local residents come here to sing, play and picnic.

Entrance Fee (Park): RMB 6 Entrance Fee (Tomb): RMB30 Location:12 Taishan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang 沈阳市皇姑区泰山路12号 How to get there: Bus: 136, 205, 210 (Beiling Park) Bus: 217, 232, 326, 381 (West gate to Beiling Park) Bus: 131, 157, 178, 205, 231(East Gate to Beiling Park)

3. East Tomb (Fu Mausoleum) 东陵 ( 福陵)

Fuling Tomb is  the burial site of  Manchu emperor Nurhachi (1559 – 1626) and his  empress .  The tomb is located in the east of Shenyang’s old city, hence the name of East Tomb. Fuling was constructed between 1626 and 1651.

East Tomb (Fu Mausoleum) is recognized by Google Map as “Qingfu Tombs” or “清福陵”.

It was later renovated and enlarged in the reign of Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong. Confronted by Hun River and a backdrop of Tianzhu Mountain, the imperial tomb is surrounded by the mountain and river, deep grass and dense forest with quiet  and beautiful environment.

From the entrance to the pailou, people need to climb 108 stone steps. East Tomb is smaller than Beijing ( North Tomb ) . But it is well tended with ancient tall trees.

Now Dongling ( East Tomb ) has been turned into a modern park where urban residents come here to rewind themselves by playing,  singing and dancing. Fuling Tomb is not only an l Chinese emperors’ tomb, but also is the best eyewitness to Chinese history and culture.

Entrance Fee (Park): free Entrance Fee (Tomb): RMB40 Location: 81 Dongling East Street, Dongling ,Shenyang How to get there: Bus 218 and get off at Dongling

4. Marshal Zhang’s Mansion 张氏帅府

Marshal Zhang’s Mansion is the former Residence of Zhang Zuolin & Zhang Xueliang.

Zhang Zuolin (1875–1928) was the warlord of Manchuria from 1916 to 1928. He was killed by a bomb planted by a Japanese Kwantung Army officer on 4 June 1928.

Zhang Xueliang  ( 1901 –  2001 ) was the actual ruler of Manchuria and much of northern China after the assassination of his father, Zhang Zuolin, by the Japanese 1928. As an advocate of the Xi’an Incident, he spent over fifty years under house arrest  in Taiwan. He is reputed as a patriotic hero in China.

Their residence compound is mainly divided into two parts – the old East Yard and the later West Yard.  The East Yard is the earlier buildings of their residence with courtyards,  Xiao Qing Lou, Daqinglou, Guandi Temple and Ms Zhao’s House outside the east wall. The West Yard was the later buildings of western style. You will visit Zhang Zuolin’s living room and Zhan Xueliang’s office room.

Entrance Fee : RMB 60 Location: 46 Shaofu Alley, Chaoyang Street,Shenhe District, Shenyang 沈阳市沈河区朝阳街少帅府巷46号 How to get there: Bus: 105 113 117;  118, Metro:  Line 1 and get off at Huaiyuanmen (怀远门）

5. September 18th History Museum 九一八历史博物馆

The September 18 History Museum is built to remind people of the date September 18, 1931 when the Japanese aggressors invaded the Northeastern China.

The museum was built between 1997 and 1999. It was opened to the public on September 18,1999. The museum has a total exhibition area of 9180 square meters. It has 8 exhibition halls and over 10 large backgrounds for displaying historical events.

Entrance Fee : free ( closed on Monday) Location: 46 Huanghua South Street, Dadong District, Shenyang 沈阳市大东区望花南街46号 How to get there: Bus: 212, 245, 253, 298, 299, 325, 328, 399

6. Liaoning Provincial  Museum 辽宁省博物馆

Liaoning Provincial Museum is the first museum after 1949 in New China.  It was established in 1949 based on the former residence of the warlord Tang Yuling.

Shenyang Provincial Museum has a total number of 115,000 pieces of exhibits dating back to the prehistoric times through the late Qing Dynasty.  Many of the artifacts are unearthed from Liaoning Province including calligraphy,  paintings, carvings, ceramics,  decorations,  copper wares,  coins, lacquer wares and the list could be much longer.

Entrance Fee : free ( closed on Monday) Location: 48 Shaoshuai Alley, Chaoyang Street, Shenyang 沈阳市朝阳街少帅府巷48号 How to get there: Bus: 214, 215, 216, 221, 228 , 230, 243, 248, 260, 326, 800 ,159  and get off at Shifu Square (市府广场)

7. Zhongjie Pedestrian Street 中街步行街

Zhongjie Pedestrian Street is a vehicle-free commercial street, 1500 meters long, the earliest shopping street in Shenyang  and the first walking street in China.

It was inaugurated in 1625 when Manchu moved its capital to Shenyang.  Now Zhongjie Pedestrian Street is packed with shopping malls, department stores, restaurants. Scattered in the alleys along the street  you can find numerous  free markets offering a great variety of goods.

Entrance Fee : free Location: Shenhe District, Shenyang

8. Shenyang Strange Slope Scenic Area 沈阳怪坡

Guaipo Road (Shenyang Strange Slope Scenic Area) is located 30km to the northeast of Shenyang’ city center.

The weird and unnatural slope is 80 meters long, 15 meters wide with its east side tilting to the lower west. When you bike from the lower west end to the high east side, you feel much easier than you do it vice versa – biking down from the higher east to the lower west, hence the name of “Strange Slope”.

This strange phenomenon has attracted the attention of experts, celebrities and scholars who try to open the mystery. Some people say it is because of the function of magnet, others say the movement of gravity or eyesight difference. But nobody gives a perfect answer. The result is a large scenic park has been formed due to the fame of the slope.

The strange slope park now comprises the slope as well as the nearby mountains, rivers and ma-made sights with a total of over 20 attractions of various themes.

Entrance Fee : RMB 40 (including bike trial) Location: Qingshuitai Township, Xinchengzi District, Shenyang 沈阳市新城子区清水台镇境内 How to get there: From Shenyang Railway Station, take Bus 211 and get off at  Orthopedics Hospital ( 骨科医院) , then connect Bus 383 for the slope From  Shenyang North Railway Station, take Bus 229，get off at  Orthopedics Hospital ( 骨科医院) then connect Bus 383 for the slope.

9. Shenyang International Horticultural Expo Garden 沈阳世博园

Shenyang Expo Garden is located 18km to the northeast of Shenyang’ city center.  This is the place when the World Horticultural Expo was held in 2006. The expo garden has an area of 246 acres  featuring 53 domestic exhibition gardens,  23 international gardens and 24 special gardens.

Now the expo garden is mainly divided into two areas – Horticultural Area  and Leisure Area. These elaborate gardens have plants and flowers from almost all the regions of the country and some from overseas.

Entrance Fee: RMB50 Opening Hours：09:00~17:00 Location： 301 Shuangyuan Road, Dongling District, Shenyang 沈阳市东陵区双园路301号 How to get there: Bus 168 for the Expo

10. Shenyang Qipan Mountain 棋盘山

Shenyang Qipan Mountain is situated 20km to the northeast of Shenyang’s city center. Its  fame was mainly due to the Women’s World Chess Championship once held here.  It is said that the immortals – Lv Dongbin and Tieguai Li once played chess hers, hence the name of the mountain “Qipan”which literally means “Chessboard”.

Shenyang Qipan Mountain Scenic Area is a combination of nature and history, the largest natural landscape featuring undulating mountains,  winding creeks, dense forest, singing birds and fragrant flowers.  Come here spring for the green, summer for the scenery, autumn for the maple trees and winter for the snow.

Entrance Fee: RMB20 Opening Hours：All day Location： 20km to the northeast of Shenyang’s city center How to get there: Bus 383 for Qipan Mountain

Tip:  Hassle-free Shenyang Guided Tours

Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for Shenyang guided tours with English-speaking tour guides:

Shenyang Tour Shenyang Highlight Day Tour Shenyang Layover Tour Shenyang – North Korea 4 Day Tour Northeast China 7 Day Winter Tour Shenyang Car Rental with Driver Shenyang Tailor-Made Tour

Harbin Tour Harbin 3 Day Tour Package Changchun Tour Dalian Tour Dandong Tour North Korea Tour Northeast China Tour

Further Readings

Top Attractions in Northeast China Top 10 Attractions in Harbin Top 6 Things to Do in Heilongjiang Top 10 Attractions in Shenyang Top 10 Attractions in Dandong Top 10 Attractions in Ji’an Top 10 Attractions in Panjin Top 10 Attractions in Dalian (Tips, Photos and Maps)

Best Time to Visit Harbin Where to Stay in Harbin Harbin West Railway Station Top Things to Do in Winter in Harbin Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley Harbin Ice and Snow World Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo Harbin Winter Swimming Madieer Popsicles in Harbin Harbin Jihua Ski Resort Suan Cai Jiaozi – New Year’s Soul in Dongbei What to see in Harbin, things to do in Harbin

Yabuli Ski Resort

China Snow Town Scenic Drive from Harbin to China Snow Town Shuttle Bus from Harbin to China Snow Town Harbin – Yabuli – China Snow Town Shuttle Bus Sunrise Glow over China Snow Village Night View of China Snow V i llage

Qiqihar Taxi: Qiqihar Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones Mudanjiang Taxi: Mudanjiang Taxi Fares, Tips and phones Harbin Taxi: Harbin Taxi Fares, Tips and Phone Yanji Taxi: Yanji Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones Jilin Taxi: Jilin Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones Changchun Taxi: Changchun Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones Dandong Taxi: Dandong Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones Shenyang Taxi: Shenyang Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones

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4 qipan mountain, 5 bei ling gong yuan.

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6 Shenyang North Railway Station

7 marshal zhang's mansion, 8 september 18th history museum （east gate）, 9 zhongshan square, 10 shenyang botanical garden, 11 shenyang expo garden, 12 middle street, 13 shenyang financial museum, 14 zhong shan gong yuan.

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16 Banruo Temple

17 doubletree by hilton hotel shenyang, 18 zhongjie frozen novelties, 19 jinjiang inn shenyang zhongshan square medical university first hospital, 20 home inn imperial palace br., 21 beiling park （east gate）, 22 liaoning broadcast and tv tower, 23 dong ling gong yuan, 24 耶稣圣心主教座堂.

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26 Shenyang Water Cave

27 sac aviation exhibition garden, 28 zhaoyidi former residence, 29 ci'en temple, 30 guandong movie & television town （west gate）, 31 shenyang guaipo siberian tiger park, 32 xinle culture, 33 wanquan amusement park, 34 wan liu tang gong yuan, 35 resist america aid korea martyrs' cemetery.

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36 Ba Yi Gong Yuan

37 shenyang art museum, 38 baiqingzhai ski field, 39 shen yang sen lin dong wu yuan, 40 tianhou temple, 41 jiangjun park, 42 monument to the liberation of northeastern china, 43 sankuaishi, 44 hetai park, popular road trips from shenyang, what's the weather like in shenyang.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Shenyang for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Shenyang in January
• Weather in Shenyang in February
• Weather in Shenyang in March
• Weather in Shenyang in April
• Weather in Shenyang in May
• Weather in Shenyang in June
• Weather in Shenyang in July
• Weather in Shenyang in August
• Weather in Shenyang in September
• Weather in Shenyang in October
• Weather in Shenyang in November
• Weather in Shenyang in December

All road trips from Shenyang

• Shenyang to Beijing drive
• Shenyang to Seoul drive
• Shenyang to Busan drive
• Shenyang to Dalian drive
• Shenyang to Harbin drive
• Shenyang to Vladivostok drive
• Shenyang to Hatsukaichi drive
• Shenyang to Jeju drive
• Shenyang to Hakone-machi drive
• Shenyang to Qingdao drive
• Shenyang to Tianjin drive
• Shenyang to Sumida drive
• Shenyang to Kamakura drive
• Shenyang to Nikko drive
• Shenyang to Gyeongju drive
• Shenyang to Matsuyama drive
• Shenyang to Changchun drive
• Shenyang to Ulaanbaatar drive
• Shenyang to Takayama drive
• Shenyang to Beppu drive
• Shenyang to Matsumoto drive
• Shenyang to Ise drive
• Shenyang to Pyongyang drive
• Shenyang to Fujikawaguchiko-machi drive
• Shenyang to Kochi drive
• Shenyang to Matsue drive
• Shenyang to Zhangjiajie drive
• Shenyang to Yangshuo County drive
• Shenyang to Jinan drive
• Shenyang to Takamatsu drive

Explore nearby places

• Tieling County
• Fushun County
• Liaozhong County
• Liaoyang County
• Diaobingshan
• Faku County
• Benxi County
• Tai'an County
• Zhangwu County
• Kangping County
• Heishan County
• Changtu County
• Qingyuan County
• Xinbin County
• Panshan County
• Fuxin County
• Dawa County
• Xifeng County

All related maps of Shenyang

• Map of Shenyang
• Map of Fushun
• Map of Tieling County
• Map of Xinmin
• Map of Fushun County
• Map of Liaoyang
• Map of Tieling
• Map of Benxi
• Map of Liaozhong County
• Map of Liaoyang County
• Map of Diaobingshan
• Map of Faku County
• Map of Benxi County
• Map of Anshan
• Map of Tai'an County
• Map of Kaiyuan
• Map of Zhangwu County
• Map of Kangping County
• Map of Heishan County
• Map of Haicheng
• Map of Changtu County
• Map of Qingyuan County
• Map of Xinbin County
• Map of Panshan County
• Map of Panjin
• Map of Beizhen
• Map of Fuxin County
• Map of Dawa County
• Map of Fuxin
• Map of Xifeng County
• Map of Dashiqiao

Shenyang throughout the year

• Shenyang in January
• Shenyang in February
• Shenyang in March
• Shenyang in April
• Shenyang in May
• Shenyang in June
• Shenyang in July
• Shenyang in August
• Shenyang in September
• Shenyang in October
• Shenyang in November
• Shenyang in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Shenyang?

Get inspired for your trip to Shenyang with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Shenyang Itinerary
• 2-Day Shenyang Itinerary
• 3-Day Shenyang Itinerary
• 4-Day Shenyang Itinerary
• 5-Day Shenyang Itinerary

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Shenyang travel guide

Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, is renowned for its heavy industry and manufacturing, earning it the nickname "Orient Ruhr". It is also a famous historic city in China, with over 2,000 years of history since Nurhaci founded the Later Jin dynasty here in 1625. Later, Huang Taiji established the Qing dynasty in Shenyang, giving it acclaim as the "Place Where One Dynasty Arose, and Two Emperors Ruled". Numerous highly valued ancient relics remain today. 

Shenyang is also a witness to national humiliation, where Japan launched the September 18th Incident in 1931. The September 18th History Museum now stands to commemorate this, and every September 18th at noon, air raid sirens wail as the museum's "Never Forget National Humiliation" bell tolls mournfully across the sky...

Yet with rich history and culture alongside modern development, Shenyang continues moving forward as an energetic city. Visitors can appreciate its imperial palaces, experience traditional Manchu culture, and enjoy vibrant nightlife in this hub of China's northeast.

Huangsi Temple Fair

Experience the Grand Imperial Temple Fair in Shenyang

The Grand Imperial Temple Fair is one of the four most famous temple fairs in China, along with the Beijing Temple of Earth Fair, the Shanghai City God Temple Fair, and the Nanjing Confucius Temple Fair. It is held during major holidays at the Shisheng Temple on Huangsi Road in Shenyang's Heping District. Visitors can enjoy folk art and crafts, tasty snacks, and cultural performances like Northeastern errenzhuan and Xibe ethnic dances. During Spring Festival, the fair coincides with the beautiful Yuanxiao Lantern Festival. The temple also displays its precious five-colored Buddhist relics.

Location: Shisheng Temple, 206 Huangsi Road, Heping District, Shenyang Time: During Spring Festival, May 1st, and October 1st national holidays

Experience the hype and history of one of China's grandest temple fairs in Shenyang. Wander crowded market stalls bursting with handicrafts and tasty snacks. Thrill to dazzling lantern displays and captivating cultural shows. Against the tranquil backdrop of the Shisheng Temple pagoda, immerse yourself in the enduring vibrancy of Chinese folk culture.

Qing Culture International Tourism Festival

Shenyang is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty, and every September the city holds the Qing Culture International Tourism Festival. Numerous activities centered around Qing culture take place at attractions like the Shenyang Imperial Palace, Zhao Mausoleum, and Fuling Mausoleum. Highlights include the Royal Etiquette Parade, Reenactment of the Emperor's Inspection Tour, Manchu court dances and Shamanic Mid-Autumn sacrifices, and the Shengjing Cultural Temple Fair.

Immerse yourself in the enduring majesty of the Qing empire at this dazzling festival. Marvel at the pomp and pageantry of imperial parades and court rituals. Browse bustling stalls showcasing calligraphy, handicrafts, and antiques. Against the tranquil backdrop of Shenyang's imperial sites, experience the splendor of traditional Manchu culture come to life.

Shenyang Ice and Snow Tourism Festival

Experience the Shenyang Ice and Snow Tourism Festival

The Shenyang Ice and Snow Tourism Festival is a major highlight of Liaoning's winter tourism. Numerous parks and scenic areas across Shenyang hold large-scale ice and snow sculpture exhibitions, lantern fairs, and more. Major ski resorts also host skiing, speed skating, winter swimming, and other competitions. In addition, many amusement activities combine ice and snow with entertainment. Every year, numerous tourists are drawn to the festival, which brings joy to many.

Slide, skate and celebrate at one of China’s biggest winter festivals in Shenyang. Stroll through a glittering world of ice sculptures and colorful lantern displays. Cheer on athletes at thrilling ski and skating competitions. Scream down icy alpine slides or drift across a frozen lake on a bumper car. With endless wintery delights, the Shenyang Ice and Snow Festival offers chilled-out fun for all ages.

Strange Slope Sophora Flower Festival

Experience the Huaihua Festival at Guaipo Scenic Area

Every May is the most beautiful time to see the pagoda trees blossom at Guaipo Scenic Area. Especially in the pine-pagoda tree valley, where the entire mountain valley is blanketed in light white pagoda flowers, creating quite a stunning view. During the Huaihua Festival, visitors can not only take in the fragrant blossoms, but also enjoy lively entertainment activities like music festivals and picnic parties.

Wander through a sea of delicate pagoda blossoms at Guaipo’s delightful flower festival. Feast your eyes on acres of elegantly swaying white blooms. Picnic under the pine trees while listening to live music concerts echo through the valley. As the floral fragrance fills the air, breathe deep and immerse yourself in the beauty of springtime in northeast China.

Best Travel Time

Airport shuttle bus.

Airport shuttle bus fares are ¥15/person and the journey takes 45-60 minutes.

1. The airport express shuttle departs from Terminal 2 and runs to Shenyang TV Station (Qingnian Dajie - Beiwenrui intersection) and final stop at Maluwai (in front of hospital). Fare is ¥15 and travel time around 40+ minutes, with one stop at TV Station (Exhibition Center). Shuttles run based on flight schedules.

Travelers from Fushun can take the domestic airport bus, which departs from 2 Dongyi Road (near Dajiudian Hotel). Fare is ¥33 including fuel surcharge.

2. Spring Airlines shuttle route is Terminal 1 - Shenyang TV Station - Final stop Shenyang North Station (in front of Kailai Hotel).

With regular shuttle service connecting Taoxian Airport to downtown Shenyang at major transit points like the train station and TV tower, travelers can conveniently continue their onward journeys. Buses run based on flight arrival times and cost just ¥15-30. Pre-purchase tickets on board or at airport counters.

Self driving

Shenyang has an extensive road network, with the intersection of national highways 101, 102, 202, and 304. Five major expressways - ShenDa, JingShen, ShenHa, ShenFu, and ShenBen - form a ring and radial network with through highways.

For self-driving in Shenyang, the web of expressways provides quick access around the metropolitan area and beyond. From downtown, it's easy to reach attractions like Shenyang Imperial Palace and Zhaoling Tomb via the ShenDa, ShenBen or ShenFu expressways. Northeast China destinations like Dalian, Harbin, and Changchun can be conveniently accessed via intersections with the JingShen and ShenHa expressways. And highways like the G101 and G304 connect to inner provinces.

Though Shenyang's roads can get congested during rush hours, the network of urban arteries and modern highways enables self-driving flexibility. Just be sure to plan alternate routes and factor in extra time when traveling during peak periods. With Shenyang as a base, visitors can set out to discover the industrial heritage of China's northeast and its vast countryside.

Medical treatment

Emergency call, shenyang surrounding cities.

Popular tourist cities in China

• Best Time to Visit Shenyang
• Events & Festivals in Shenyang
• How To Reach Shenyang
• Restaurants in Shenyang
• Shenyang Map
• Things To Do in Shenyang
• Shenyang Itineraries
• Shenyang Tours
• Shenyang Hotels

Top Tourist Attractions in Shenyang

• Things To Do In Shenyang

Best Things To Do in Shenyang, China

Are you looking for what to do in Shenyang?

PLACES TO SEE

• Mukden Palace: An imperial palace belonging to the Qing dynasty and is a popular tourist attraction in the city. A travel guide can help you with the history of the palace.
• Beiling Park: A park bearing the tomb of Huang Taiji, the tomb of Qing dynasty’s second emperor.
• Liaoning Provincial Museum: Home to ancient artefacts and other earliest writings of mankind.
• Mao Zedong's Statue: The largest Mao Zedong statue in china, surrounded by smaller size statues of the workers.
• Liaoning Provincial Museum: Exhibits of Traditional Chinese arts and other calligraphy works.

GUIDED TOURS

• Shenyang Guaipo Scenic Resort: Tour around the Icy ski resorts with tour guides and coaches. Qingshuita Town, Shenbeixin District, Shenyang 110121, China.
• Xingshun International Tourist Night Market: A huge night market always swamped with tourists. Xingshun Street, Tiexi District, Shenyang 110000, China.

Below we have a list of things to do in Shenyang and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Shenyang getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Shenyang with confidence.

• Adventure activities in Shenyang
• Things to do with Family & Kids in Shenyang
• Leisure Activities in Shenyang
• Entertainment Activities in Shenyang
• Historical Places in Shenyang
• Museums in Shenyang
• Art & Cultural Attractions in Shenyang

Tourist Attractions in Shenyang

Here is the list of things to do in Shenyang and tourist attractions in city.

Shenyang Imperial Palace

Art And Culture, Museum, Palace, Architecture

Beiling Park

Park, Historical Site, Tomb

International Horticultural Expo Garden

Bar, Garden, Golf Course, Cafe

Marshall Zhang Mansion

History Museum, Historical Site, War Memorial

Zhaoling Mausoleum

Religious Site, Tomb, Heritage Building

'9.18' Historical Museum

History Museum, Historical Site, Memorial, Exhibition

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden, Lake

Qipan Mountain

Temple, Adventure, Water Sport, Nature

Middle Street-pedestrian Mall

Mall, Street Market, Shopping Center

Royal Ocean World

Amusement Park, Water Park

Tai Cny Pedestrian Street

Mall, Street Market, Shopping Center, Street Food

Liaoning Provincial Museum

Specialty Museum

Wuli River Park

Waterfront, Park, River, Leisure

Fuling Tomb And Dongling Park

Religious Site, Park, Castle, Architecture

Zhongshan Park

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Searching for the museum with the Tang Dynasty Exhibit that is on display now

I think you are talking about the Liaoning Provincial Museum. You can consider calling the museum staff on  86 24 2274 1193 for details. 

• Things to do in Beijing
• Things to do in Shanghai
• Things to do in Xi'an
• Things to do in Shenzhen
• Things to do in Qingdao
• What to do in Shenyang in 2 days
• What to do in Shenyang in 3 days
• What to do in Shenyang in 5 days

7 Reasons to Visit Shenyang, China

Why Visit Shenyang

Things to know before your travel to Shenyang, what to do when you visit Shenyang, and how to make the best of your trip to Shenyang! 

1. Get off the (slightly) Beaten Tourism Path in China

First and foremost, Shenyang (Mandarin: 沈阳) is not a typical stop on the tourist route in China.

Usually, when you think of tourism in China, cities like Beijing and Shanghai are the first that come to mind.

But Shenyang is a second-tier (or New Tier 1 ) city, located a bit out of the way of that typical route. It’s easy enough to get to but, for many, it’s hard to find enough convincing information online to actually make the trip.

My hope is that the following paragraphs can begin to change that mindset and prove that Shenyang is definitely worth the visit.

Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning (Mandarin: 辽宁) province, with a metropolitan population of over 8 million.

It is the largest city, and the industrial and economic heart of China’s Dongbei (Mandarin: 东北, trans.: northeast) region, consisting of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. Being where it is geographically, visitors can expect quite warm and humid weather during summer visits, and very cold and dry weather during its winter months, with highs and lows ranging from about 40°C to −35°C.

2. Explore Unique Dongbei (North-East China)

Shenyang is also the best starting point for the rest of your exploration of the Dongbei region.

With an international airport, highspeed trains that move in every direction, and a wide range of other transportation options, travellers will be able to book a trip to their next destination with ease.

Other Dongbei cities such as Dandong, Changchun, Dalian, Yanji and Harbin can all be reached via numerous methods of transportation, many of which will cater to a flexible schedule for those last-minute excursions.

The city can also be reached from other major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai with ease.

On top of that, Shenyang is one of the few cities that offers direct flights to Pyongyang, in addition to housing a North Korean consulate.

3. Learn about Shenyang's Deep History 

Shenyang has a long and extremely rich history and this narrative is present among numerous sites in the city, deriving from various time periods.

The region has had such an active history that it would take days to read through it in any amount of detail. 

Proof of human life has been discovered in the region that is estimated to be over 8000 years old.

There is also extensive proof of life and culture in the region from around 6800-7200 years ago exhibited in the famous XinLe Museum.

Beyond these periods and into recorded history, the city has changed hands (and names) countless times between various dynasties, nomadic warriors and even different countries. Just to name a few brief examples, the city was occupied by the Korean Koguryo Kingdom for some time beginning in the year 404. Much later in 1634, it was captured by the Manchu people.

After that, it briefly played a role as the capital of the Qing Dynasty.

In more modern times, the city has unwillingly become a stronghold for both Russian and Japanese imperial forces fighting for influence over the resource-rich Manchurian region.

During the struggle between these foreign powers, Shenyang and its surrounding region arguably became the grounds for the invention of many methods of modern warfare preceding WWI, when the ferocious fighting of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) saw Japan rise to the stage of world powers by being the first Asian country to defeat a European country in a war that saw the first uses of the industrialized world’s new modernized technologies being utilized on a mass scale in battle.

The conclusion of this battle resulted in a major shift of previously perceived power dynamics in East Asia and the world. It is also widely considered to be a major factor in the lead-up to WWI.

With Japan’s victory, the region then became occupied by Japanese imperial forces, which abruptly ended after their defeat and surrender at the end of WWII, when Shenyang and the rest of Manchuria were returned to Chinese control. However, during the time of occupation, the region was known to be a hotspot of Chinese, Korean and Russian guerilla fighters opposing Japanese imperialism.

After that time, Shenyang became a main battleground in the Chinese Civil War, first acting as a base for the nationalist Kuomintang and later being captured by the Communists.

This rise and triumph of Mao Zedong’s Communist Party is memorialized in the city’s main square, Zhongshan Square (Mandarin: 中山广场 zhong’shan’guang’chang ), which displays what is reportedly the largest revolutionary statue of Mao Zedong in all of China in the centre of an expansive roundabout. 

Today, the city is sprawling with tall modern buildings, broad avenues and shopping centres in every direction. It is a hub of heavy industry and although admittedly it is not the most aesthetically pleasing city across the board, few would refute the idea that it has an incredibly unique and distinctive character about it.

4. Learn 'Dongbeihua', China's North East Dialect

There is a local dialect spoken in Shenyang and its surrounding region that is known as Dongbeihua (Mandarin: 东北话, trans.: northeastern dialect).

Some words, phrases and ways of speaking here might cause confusion if used in other regions of China.

Imagine being a Briton in America referring to ‘the underground’ or ‘a lorry’ rather than ‘the subway’ or ‘a transport.’

It’s likely that you’ll still be understood, but there might be some delay or confusion before your thoughts are clearly articulated.

The dialect is often described as much more informal and derogatory than dialects in other parts of the country, giving an aura of grit to Shenyang’s population that matches the aesthetics of the city itself.

The brusqueness of people from Dongbei will likely become apparent through their use of this dialect.

Dongbeihua is known for terms and phrases that would be considered much more informal and sometimes even derogatory in other parts of China but have become something of a normal part of speech here. 

This dialect has also become a standard in Chinese comedy due, in part, to the fact that other parts of China find it to be somewhat more humorous than their own dialects.

5. Experience the Ethnic, Cultural and Religious Diversity of Shenyang

After reading a brief history of Shenyang, it’s easy to understand that numerous cultural influences exist in the region and have played a major role in its cultural development. However, even with such turmoil and external influence in its past, the region has developed a thriving culture of its own that is not found in any other part of China.

On top of being made up of 38 of 56 Chinese ethnic groups (some of which are native to the region), Shenyang is also home to a large population of Koreans (from the North, South and elsewhere) and Mongolians. 

Xita (Mandarin: 西塔 xi’ta , trans.: west pagoda) is a neighbourhood in Shenyang that is well-renowned for being the world’s second-largest Koreatown.

Its name derives from one of four Tibetan-style Buddhist stupas representing each cardinal direction in the city. Quite the interesting place, Xita is known for its international fashion imports, delicious foods and its former reputation as a Red-Light District.

It’s proximity to Korea and historical significance has made it a base for Koreans of all backgrounds.

Here you can find North Korean restaurants dotted between South Korean-style fried chicken spots and fashion boutiques, Chinese-Korean BBQ, flashy KTVs (karaoke bars), and so much more.

It is also a hub for what could be called the city’s counterculture, where young clubgoers, usually adorned in all black and often with colourful hairstyles, yakuza-style tattoos and unconventional fashion senses, congregate to enjoy the nearby nightlife.

Mongolian influence is slightly less apparent in the city in comparison but exists, nonetheless.

In fact, it was the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1206–1368) that first provided the city with the name Shenyang .

Visitors will undeniably find Korean restaurants with much more ease, but traditional Mongolian cuisine can still be found throughout the city with a little extra effort.

Despite a heavy anti-Japanese sentiment, influences from the Japanese occupation are still common throughout the city, as well.

Although it is not uncommon to find numerous Japanese restaurants in any major Chinese city, Shenyang offers much more than this.

There are museums dedicated to the Japanese occupation (i.e. the 9.18 Historical Museum), a POW site where the Japanese held Allied prisoners during WWII, and even entire neighbourhoods that were quite evidently built during the Japanese occupation based on their architectural characteristics.

In recent years, it has become popular to open trendy cafés, breakfast houses and bars along these streets, providing visitors with a much different atmosphere than the usual hotspots in the city, which are often located in typical large, modern complexes.

Shenyang is also home to a range of religious sites including Buddhist temples, mosques and churches.

Notable among these sites are the NanGuan gothic cathedral, the abandoned Christ the Savior Russian Military Church, the Shenyang South Mosque and the Beita Buddhist Temple.

Near the site of the mosque mentioned above, visitors will also likely come across and find themselves inevitably exploring Muslim Street.

This is the centre for the Muslim population of Shenyang. Explore the street to see customs that differ from anywhere else in the city. Read more about this area in the next section.

6. Shenyang's Local Cuisine

Seeking advice on visiting Shenyang will always come back to food, and there’s a good explanation for that.

Shenyang not only boasts its own local and regional cuisines but also provides a range of diverse options for those looking to try a wide variety of new things and/or find some of the comforts of home. 

The local cuisine is referred to as Liaocai (Mandarin: 辽菜, trans.: Liaoning provincial cuisine) and the larger regional cuisine is referred to as Dongbeicai (Mandarin: 东北菜, trans.: northeastern cuisine).

Although there is a lot of crossover between the two, there are some distinctions that make Shenyang unique compared to other cities and areas in the northeastern region.

Dongbeicai is known for its hearty dishes and hints of Manchu-inspired flavour.

Some of these include dumplings (Mandarin: 饺子 jiao’zi ), sour cabbage (Mandarin: 酸菜 suan’cai , often compared to sauerkraut) and meat pies (Mandarin: 馅饼 xian’bing or 肉饼 rou’bing ), among many others.

Laobian Dumpling (Mandarin: 老边餃子館 lao’bian’jiao’zi’guan ) may very well be the epitome of local cuisine in the city of Shenyang.

With a history dating back to 1829, it is one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in the city, undoubtedly known to all locals.

It is located on Shenyang’s famous Zhongjie (Mandarin: 中街) shopping street, surrounded by malls, an extensive underground market, multiple sources of entertainment and a pedestrian-only street catering to consumer needs of all kinds.

Therefore, there will be plenty to do and see both before and after your meal.

Night Markets

Shenyang is also home to a slew of night markets. These are the best places to have a taste of the multiple local delicacies, all in one place. It’s also one of the best places to interact with the local population. The most notable market is the massive Xingshun International Tourist Night Market (Mandarin: 兴顺国际旅游夜市 xing’shun’guo’ji’lu’you’ye’shi ).

Snow Beer..?

While you’re in Shenyang, and whether you’re looking for it or not, you will undoubtedly come across a brand of local beer called Snow (Mandarin: 雪花啤酒 xue’hua’pi’jiu , commonly referred to as 干啤 gan’pi [trans.: dry beer]).

It’s presence in every shop, restaurant and bar will make it easy to overlook, but this beer is actually quite spectacular for one reason: it is the most consumed beer in the whole world!

Although it is doubtful that anyone would recommend the beverage for its taste, it is worth having a try for bragging rights.

It’s likely that, if you are not from China, your friends and family back home will have never heard of it since the beer is sold almost exclusively in China.

And now you can say that you have tried it in the city where it was born!

Along with the cultural diversity of the city mentioned in the previous section comes a plethora of diverse and delicious food options outside of the local cuisine, some of which have already been mentioned. 

Read more on Xita and Korean food

7. people of shenyang.

Last but certainly not least, the local population of Shenyang makes the visit worth it.

Most of the population are not as accustomed to seeing foreign visitors as the populations of those cities on the regular tourist routes.

So, as a foreign visitor, be prepared for some prolonged glances, often followed by a smile! 

This also means that finding locals that speak a comfortable level of English will be a more difficult task than in other locations in China, but this is all part of the experience, so practice up on your Mandarin or have a translation app ready to go!

You’ll get the feeling that you have left the comforts of such a global city like Beijing to be immersed in what some would argue is a more authentic account of China.

( That’s not to say that you can’t find foreign foods and goods – don’t be surprised when you walk past a McDonald’s or H&M! ).

The best places to see and interact with locals in Shenyang would likely be in the bustling underground markets (the largest of which is located at Zhongjie [Mandarin: 中街]) or the night markets serving local street food.

With food and drink being such a large part of social life and relationship-building in China, the night markets are especially valuable in this sense for those that are looking to socialize and walk away from the experience with some new local friends. 

People from Dongbei are said to be taller, have larger builds and be slightly gruffer than those in other regions of China.

They’re also known for being more direct (often coming across as rude to outsiders) in their way of communicating.

That being said, people from Dongbei have a warmness to them that aptly matches the heartiness of their local cuisine.

Descriptions of their size, dialect and frankness may come across as daunting, but they are generally very welcoming and accommodating people that want to see guests walk away with a favourable impression of their home.

Different people have different goals, intentions and desires when they’re travelling. Some locations are fit for some people, but not for others. Shenyang, on the other hand, is a well-rounded location that provides more than enough for every style of traveller. 

Whether you’re looking to visit a city off the beaten paths of tourism in China, whether you’re a history buff hoping to experience the many rich historical narratives, whether you want to experience a range of culture and diversity far from home, whether you’re a foodie interested in some delicious new treats, whether you just want to relax and spend some time with locals in a new place… you’re guaranteed to find it in Shenyang.

Even at this length, the article presented here cannot even remotely begin to explain all of the wonders to be found in the city of Shenyang, although I hope it has worked to spark your interest in visiting the city. The only advice I can provide now is to go and experience Shenyang for yourself.

You’ll be happy that you did!

Koryo Tours North Korea Travel 

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Before and after photographs from our visits to North Korea since 1993.... and a few unusual collections thrown in too

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Top Things to Do in Shenyang, China - Shenyang Must-See Attractions

Things to do in shenyang, explore popular experiences, tours in and around shenyang.

4-Hour Private Shenyang Imperial Palace Tour

Best China Tour: Six Memorable Days in Northeast China

Private Day Tour to Shenyang Imperial Palace, Zhaoling Mausoleum and Fuling Tomb

Private Shenyang Highlights Day Tour with Manchurian-Han Style Lunch

The Best of Shenyang Walking Tour

Romantic Tour in Shenyang

All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Red Beach in Panjin City from Shenyang

8-Day Northeast China Private Trip: Shenyang, Changchun and Harbin

The Best of Fushun Walking Tour

Romantic Tour in Fushun

Transportation services.

Top Attractions in Shenyang

Other Top Attractions around Shenyang

Private & Custom Tours

Cultural & theme tours, tours & sightseeing, walking tours, what travellers are saying.

• Shenyang Imperial Palace (Gu Gong)
• Former Residence of Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang
• Beiling Park
• Wuai Market
• Shenyang Botanical Garden
• Shenyang Dongling Park
• Shenyang Zhongshan Park
• Shenyang Qipan Mountain

• Destinations

Shenyang is northeast China’s largest city with over 2,000 years of history represented by the Shenyang Imperial Palace. It is surrounded by impressive natural landscapes including the famous Strange Slope where walkers, cyclists, and car drivers seem to experience a reversal of gravity as they climb the hill. It has also modernized in recent years, making it a fantastic city for nightlife and dining.

Tours and activities in Shenyang

With so much to see and do in Shenyang, you should think about booking an organized tour or using a local guide who will be able to help you book shows and attractions as well as point out the best places to try local cuisine.

We have plenty of tours offers to choose from, or feel free to contact us to discuss specific requirements.

Best time to visit

Shenyang has a temperate climate and experiences monsoons all year round. January is coolest while July is the warmest, so your choice of when to visit depends on what you are looking for. Summer is warm, and the city is in full bloom, with plants and flowers all around. However, in winter, the city is a wonderland, and you have the opportunity to visit the Ice & Snow Festival which is an incredible sight.

Top Attractions in Shenyang

Shenyang is an ideal city for hiking enthusiasts, shopping and nature lovers. It offers dozens of creative activities with a bloom of China`s hundred years ago history. 

Without a doubt the most important landmark in the city, the Shenyang Imperial Palace is second only to the Forbidden City in terms of preserved royal palaces. It covers an area of over 60,000 meters and includes a number of different Halls and other buildings, as well as being home to many cultural and historical artifacts. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2004.

There are plenty of museums in Shenyang. The 9.18 Museum commemorates the Japanese invasion of the city in 1938 and contains thousands of images, videos and other exhibits relating to the ruthless 14-year-rule by the Japanese.

The Museum of Zhang Xuelian Former Residence commemorates a patriot who led the battle against the Japanese invasion and is the preservation of his former home, including a schoolroom, garden and drawing room.

If time allows, you could also schedule in a visit to the Steam Engine Exhibition Centre and Liaoning Provincial Museum.

The Qipanshan Scenic Area is made up of three large hills and a stunning lake. An incredible natural attraction, it is even more beautiful in winter, when the Shenyang International Ice & Snow Festival takes place.

The Strange Slope is a must-see on your visit. A natural wonder, cars that stop at the foot of the slope will roll to the top of the hill. Riding a bike, if you stop pedaling you’ll roll gradually to the summit, while you’ll have to exert energy to get back down again. Scientists still debate the reason for this weird phenomenon, with theories ranging from magnetic fields to an optical illusion – but it has to be experienced to be believed.

The Shenyang Xinglong Indoor Park and Glacier Zoological Paradise may be a mouthful, but it’s also a great place for the kids. Sometimes known as “Indoor Disney,” it contains Children’s World, with multiple rides and a 4-D theatre.

The Shenyang Xinglong Indoor Park and Glacier Zoological Paradise may be a mouthful but it’s also a great place for the kids. Sometimes known as “Indoor Disney,” it contains Children’s World, with multiple rides and a 4-D theatre.

The Zoological Paradise includes rare animals like pandas, Asian elephants, and leopards, with animal performances and amusement park rides like rollercoasters.

Zhong Jie is the longest pedestrian street and, at 396 years old, one of the oldest. Here you’ll find shops, pubs, and restaurants.

Nanhu Park is a fantastic shopping area for picking up local items like paintings, porcelains, and items made of jade.

The Shenyang International Ice & Snow Festival runs every year between December and February in the Qipanshan Scenic Area. With everything from ice and snow sculptures and an entertainment area filled with sports to an Alpine skiing area, the festival attracts millions of visitors from around the world and is something to behold.

Getting here and getting around

Shenyang Taoxian International Airport is one of the biggest transportation hubs in northeast China serving flights from many domestic and international cities. It is regularly used for connections to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Hong Kong, as well as Japanese cities like Osaka, Tokyo, and Seoul.

There are two railway stations in Shenyang which travel across and out of the city to many destinations in mainland China. Long-distance buses travel to hundreds of destinations, making Shenyang an important travel hub.

City buses criss-cross the city, with most fares being around ¥1, making it a cheap and efficient mode of transport. There are also two subway lines currently open allowing fast travel across the city. More than 19,000 taxis serve the city, including both air-conditioned and non-airconditioned models. Flag down rates start at ¥8 for day time and ¥9 at night.

Eating and drinking

Shenyang cuisine is a mix of Manchu and Muslim dishes. Specialties include Bairou (tender pork sausage) and Xuechang (boiled pig intestine with pig blood and a variety of flavorings). You can also try the 160-year-old recipe of Laobian Dumplings.

The Man-Han Banquet is an incredible feast that was once made up of 108 meals and now generally consists of around 32 dishes including monkey brain, egg tart, bear claw with sturgeon and Peking Duck. If you’re adventurous enough, one of the few places you can still try it is Lumingchan restaurant in the Heping district.

Liangui Xunrou Dabing is a great restaurant for local snacks while Majia Shaomai Guan is the city’s most famous and renowned Muslim snack shop – try the Shaomai, dumpling shaped like the peony flower.

Getting a good night's sleep

One of the highest rated hotels in Shenyang is Somerset Heping Shenyang. With beautiful, spacious rooms with large flat-screen TVs and dining areas, it also has sauna and steam rooms, hot tubs, a games room, and gym. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and you can also get light snacks in the lounge.

For a well-located mid-price stay, try the Ramada Plaza Shenyang CityCenter. Modern soundproofed rooms with a choice of computer facilities, 2 restaurants, and room service make this a great choice for travelers for business or sightseeing.

A fantastic budget option is Haitian Express Apartment Shenyang. In the middle of Da Dong, an excellent area for travelers, this budget hotel is decked out with quirky rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen area, and a comfortable seating area, this is a great place for meeting fellow travelers.

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Shenyang

Things to do in shenyang, explore popular experiences, tours in and around shenyang.

4-Hour Private Shenyang Imperial Palace Tour

Best China Tour: Six Memorable Days in Northeast China

Private Day Tour to Shenyang Imperial Palace, Zhaoling Mausoleum and Fuling Tomb

Private Shenyang Highlights Day Tour with Manchurian-Han Style Lunch

The Best of Shenyang Walking Tour

Romantic Tour in Shenyang

All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Red Beach in Panjin City from Shenyang

8-Day Northeast China Private Trip: Shenyang, Changchun and Harbin

The Best of Fushun Walking Tour

Romantic Tour in Fushun

Walking tours, top attractions in shenyang.

Other Top Attractions around Shenyang

Tours & Sightseeing

Cultural & theme tours, private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

• Shenyang Imperial Palace (Gu Gong)
• Former Residence of Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang
• Beiling Park
• Wuai Market
• Shenyang Botanical Garden
• Shenyang Dongling Park
• Shenyang Zhongshan Park
• Shenyang Qipan Mountain