'''Shenyang''' (__?; Sh?nyang. Historical: Mukden) is the capital of Liaoning Province in China.
Understand
Capital of Liaoning Province and the largest city in the northeast of China, Shenyang is a city steeped in history which more than makes up for what it lacks in beauty. In 1625, Shenyang became Shenjing, the new capital city of Manchuria. It was here that Nuerhachi build his imperial palace and here in Yongling Tomb, that he sleeps. His son is also buried in the city in Dongling's Zhouling tomb, these being the first two imperial tombs of the Qing dynasty of China. The imperial palace and the two tombs are all listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Shenyang may lack the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Dalian, but it serves as an important transport and industrial hub for the region. It was in Shenyang that the Russian army was defeated by the Japanese in 1905. It was also here, on September 18th, 1931 that the Mukden incident ignited a war between China and Japan that would see the Japanese occupation of all of Northeast China. This city was also the home to the warlord Zhang Zuolin and his son Zhang Xueliang who ruled over the Northeast during the 1920's. The later 20th century saw Shenyang develop as a major industrial centre. Today the city is rapidly modernising with large scale construction throughout the city.
Get in
By plane
The city is served by the '''Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (__?______?__?, airport code SHE)''', as well as by several smaller, regional airports. Direct flights from Shenyang go to Beijing, Changsha, Chaoyang, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Hong Kong, Jinan, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qiqihar, Sanya, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Urumqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xian, Xuzhou, Yanji, Yantai, Zahuang, Zhengzhou, and Zhuhai.
Direct international flights go to Seoul and Cheongju, South Korea; Pyongyang, North Korea; Irkutsk and Khabarovsk, Russia; Osaka and Tokyo, Japan with connections to Frankfurt, Germany, Sydney, Australia, Los Angeles, USA and other cities. The airport is located 30 km south of the city. An airport shuttle runs from the airport to the main China Northern Airlines ticket office (Zhonghua Lu 117) and back frequently.
By car
Shenyang is connected by a major expressway, the Jing-shen 6-lane Expressway, to the city of Beijing, some 658 kilometers away. Expressways also link Shenyang with Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. The Shen-Da Expressway connecting Shenyang and Dalian was the first expressway ever built in China. It is the fastest highway (8-lane) linking one of the largest port cities to Shenyang.
By train
Train service is provided through two train stations, the north train station and the south train station. The north train station handles the majority of the long-distance trains while the south train station handles most of the Dongbei (northeast) trains and does local service around the province. Some trains travel to both stations so be aware of which station you need to board your train.
'''North Train Station''' (Shenyang Bei Zhan) at Beizhan Lu
'''Beijing''' - takes about 8 hours (or if you are lucky to get a ticket for the new fast train 'D Train', about 4 hours)
'''Dalian''' - takes about 6 hours (express trains take 3 - 4 hours)
'''Dandong''' - takes about 5 hours
'''Guangzhou''' - takes about 30-48 hours
'''Harbin''' - takes about 7 hours
'''Jilin''' - takes about 6-9 hours
'''Shanghai''' - takes about 27-34 hours
'''Tianjin''' - takes about 10-14 hours
'''Qinhuangdao''' - takes about 5-6 hours
'''South Train Station''' (Shenyang Huoche Zhan) at Shengli Beijie
'''Baihe via Songjianghe''' - takes about 9 hours
'''Beijing''' - takes about 8-10 hours
'''Changchun''' - takes about 4 hours - 2 hours for express trains
'''Dalian''' - takes about 5 hours
'''Dandong''' - takes about 4 hours
'''Harbin''' - takes about 7 hours
'''Jilin''' - takes about 7 hours
'''Tianjin''' - takes about 9 hours
'''Tonghua''' - takes about 7 hours
'''Tumen''' - takes about 16 hours
By bus
Long distance bus service is handled by two bus stations.
'''Main Long-Distance Bus Station''' (Shenyang Qiche Kuaisu Keyun Zhan)
Located on Huigong Jie, this station serves routes to and from major cities. You can also find night buses to Beijing being hawked outside the north train station.
'''Beijing''' - takes about 8 hours
'''Changchun''' - takes about 4 hours
'''Dandong''' - takes about 3 hours
'''Dalian''' - takes about 6 hours
'''Harbin''' - takes about 7 hours
'''Jilin''' - takes about 5 hours
'''Jinzhou''' - takes about 3 hours
'''South Bus Station'''
Buses queue along Minzhu Lu (opposite the south train station), around Minzhu Square and some nearby streets. On most buses you pay the conductor on the bus but for Anshan and Liaoyang you must purchase tickets at the office on the east side of Minzhu Square. These buses run medium distance routes to neighbouring cities within Liaoning. Buses stop departing this bus stations around 6pm. Passengers arriving to this station may be offloaded from the bus on a nearby street or some distance away at a yard used for storing coaches, sited behind the post office on Zhongshan Jie.
'''Anshan''' - takes about 1 hour 40 minutes
'''Benxi''' - takes about 1 hour
'''Liaoyang''' - takes 1 hour
'''Fushun''' - takes 1 hour
Get around
Sights in the old city , Shenhe District, can be walked between, but other areas such as those in Beiling or Dongling require transport. Shenyang has a comprehensive bus system, but it can be incomprehensible if you don't read Chinese. Make sure you pick up a city bus and area map at either train station. Very handy to help get around. Buses charge 1 to 2 RMB and major bus lines congregate around the train stations. Bus 203 travels between the two train stations. There are plenty of taxis whose meters start at 8 RMB. Make sure you get a taxi in which the meter is mounted on the dashboard and easily visible from your seat instead of behind the gear shift - it's possible the driver may be pulling some sleight of hand to increase your fare.
See
Mao Zedong's Statue. hongshan Square, Heping District. bout 1.25 km from the south train station. ree. This is the largest statue of Mao Zedong in china. Around the base of the statue are images of workers, peasants and soldiers in heroic poses. The square is a popular place for locals to relax.
Liaoning Provincial Museum. 6 Shiwei Road, Shenhe district. n the east side of Shifu Square beside the Liaoning Theatre.. 86 24 22821903. loses at 4PM. ree. A high-quality museum featuring many relics of China's past found mainly found in Liaoning. Also large collections of Chinese traditional art and caligraphy. There may be queues to enter during main public holidays.
Liaoning Industrial Exhibition Hall. unnan District. ear to the new Olympic Stadium.
9.18 Memorial Museum. On September 18, 1932, at 10:30pm, a bomb exploded beside the Japanese run railway line near Shenyang. Though instigated by the Japanese, the Chinese were blamed for event giving the Japanese an excuse to invade and occupy the whole of the northeast of China. Shenyang was the epicenter of that invasion, so it is most appropriate that the museum for the 9.18 Incident, as it is known, is in Shenyang next to the spot where the explosion occurred. The museum, as one would expect, depicts the incident from a Chinese perspective. It is not for the feint of heart because it unflinchingly displays the atrocities of war. The educational value of the experience is diminished by the lack of English signs and explanations.
North, East, South and West Pagodas. k__ Beita, ____ Nanta, ?__ Dongta, ____ Xita. ree. Built in the 1640's and now restored to close to original, these four pagodas stand each about 4km north, south, east and west of the Imperial Palace that was the centre of the old city. Each pagoda is almost identical to the others but the north and south pagodas are in the best condition today. The west pagoda may be difficult to find as it is now set within the courtyard of some other buildings where as the other three enjoy their own small parks.
Mukden Palace. _? Gugong. henyang Lu, Shenhe District. 0 RMB. Former Imperial Palace - First built in 1625 for Nurhachi, and inherited by his son Abahai (Huang Taiji), the Former Imperial Palace of Shenyang is one of two royal complexes extent in China today. The splendid and distinctly ethnic Manchu architectural style of the palace, which includes Dazheng (Grand Politics) Hall, the Ten Princes' Pavillion, Chongzhen (Golden Chimes), Phoenix Chamber and Qingning (Pure Tranquility) Pavillion, are still in perfect shape. On Saturday afternoons during the summer, the palace is the venue for a grand Imperial procession. This is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the palace in Beijing. It is also an AAAA rated tourist site on the Chinese national scale. A guidebook is available in English at the ticket office, priced 25 RMB, which provides a detailed explanation of the exhibits.
Shengjing Ancient Cultural Street. henyang Lu. utside the Imperial Palace. ree. Shenjing is the old name for Shenyang during the 17th century - 'jing' meaning capital city. This street tries to recreate the architectural styles of the time. It is however only a facard over the front of relatively modern 20th century structures within which a veriety of tourist orientated shops operate.
Shenyang Horticultural Exposition Garden. 006______?___E??__?__. ongling District. 8km east of the north train station, about 5 km further east than Dongling Park.. ttp://www.expo2006sy.gov.cn/index-e.htm. This is the site of th 2006 International Horticultural Exposition. One of Shenyang's main tourist attractions, it continues to operate though the expo has officially ended. It features international gardens reminiscent of Epcot Center in Disney World in the United States. It also features gardens for different provinces and cities within China and the expo's most recognizable feature, the Lily Tower, a massive structure inspired by its namesake flower. Before its transformation to the Expo Gardens, this was once the much humbler Botanical Gardens. It opens in the spring and closes in October. Most of the signs are in English and Chinese. Buses from the south bus station going to Fushun city will stop outside the park. The bus fare is 10 RMB each way.
Zhaoling. ___. eiling Jie, Huanggu District. n the center of Beiling Park, about 1 km from the South entrance of the Park. 0 RMB in addition to the park fee of 8 RMB. This is the tomb of the second Qing emperor, Huang Taiji, and his consorts. It was built over a period of eight years during the early 17th century. The buildings are currently covered with scafholding as renovation work is undertaken. The site is a unique blend of traditional Manchu and Chinese architecture. The area is listed, along with the other imperial tombs of the Ming and Qing dynasty, as a UNESCO world heritage site and a AAAA rated tourist site on the Chinese national scale. It is one of only 3 imperial tombs north of the great wall of China. Around the tomb is set out the extensive lands of Beiling Park which includes large areas of forest and several lakes.
Fuling. ___. ongling Lu, Dongling District. bout 13km east of the north train station.. 0 RMB. This is the first tomb of the Qing Dynasty in which Nuerhachi, the founder of the dynasty, is laid to rest. It dates to the early 17th century and is constructed in traditional Manchu style along lines of Chinese funshui. The area is listed, along with the other imperial tombs of the Ming and Qing dynasty, as a UNESCO world heritage site and a AAAA rated tourist site on the Chinese national scale. It is one of only 3 imperial tombs north of the great wall of China. To the east of the tomb site a large area of park land forms Dongling Park.
Former residence museum of Zhang Xueliang. arshal Zhang's Mansion. outh Shuaifu Lane, Shenhe District. short walk south from the Imperial Palace. This was the home of Zhang Zuolin and his son Zhang Xueliang during the end years of the Qing dynasty and the beginning of the Republic. Zhang became, with the fall of the Qing Emperor, the warlord in control of the northeast of China and for a short time was proclamed president of China.
Steam Locomotive Museum. 4 Zhonggong Bei Jie, Teixi District. 86 24 81270010. ttp://www.syslm.com.cn/english/english.htm. Housing 15 historical locomotives and 3 duplicated historical locomotives. It is the biggest steam locomotive museum in China.
Shen-air Museum. _?_q____??. ingdong Jie, Huanggu District. t the northeast corner of Beiling park next to Beiling Airport.. 86 24 86599602. very day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 5 RMB. Beiling airport is the site where China produced it's first modern jet aircraft in the early 1950's. These were initially copies of Soviet Mig fighters but gradually Chinese designs developed. In the front of the museum grounds stand nine aircraft produced on this site which can be closely inspected. Inside the museum building are displays telling the history of the airport and aircraft factory as well as Chinese aviation. A strong focus is placed on comparing Chinese and American aircraft, in particular those involved in the Korean War of the 50's. They also tell the history of Chinese missile development and other technologies. Civilian aircraft were also produced here and feature in the exhibits. The tour finishes with the modern J-11 fighter, China's new passenger aircraft (ACAC ARJ21 Xiangfeng or Flying Phoenix) and the recent Chinese space flights. This is an AAAA rated site on China's national tourist scale.
Xinle Site Museum. uanggu District. ust off of Huanghenan Da Jie on the west side of Beiling park.. On this location were found the remains of a 7000 year old, stone age, village. A museum now houses the archaeological finds and the village has been reconstructed. The site is in two sections. The ticket office is on the north side of the road. You will then be directed across to the museum on the south side to view the display before returning to the north side again to enter the reconstruction area. Displays are labelled in both Chinese and English and the site is rated AAA on China's national tourist scale.
City walls. henyang Lu. The original city walls of Shenyang were destroyed in the 1950's. Some small sections have been reconstructed to give an impression of the former city. These remains consist of two gates, Hauiyuanmen and Fujinmen, at either end of Shenyang Lu.
The old Longkou Wine Museum. V?__ laolongkou. iao Dong Lu. ree entry.. A small museum beside the Laolongkou distillery tells the history of Baiju production on the site which dates to the early 17th century. The display includes old maps and photographs of the area. Equipment used in the wine production and a collection of old bottles, labels and trademarks used by the company.
Royal Ocean World. c__?_n_C_m___E. ?___p(___g____??___o__. ff the Shenfu highway midway between Shenyang and Fushun cities. Technically over the border into Fushun but so close to Shenyang city as to warrant inclusion here.. 86 413 6118888 or +86 24 82711236. nfo@royaloc.com. 86 413 6201660 or +86 24 82711239. ttp://www.royaloc.com. 0RMB to 140RMB. Newly opened in 2008 and still under expansion, this claims to be the biggest aquarium in Asia. Currently there are two displays open (out of a planned four displays). The Ocean World display contains sea and fresh water aquariums filled with all manor of aquatic life. The Century Forest display focuses on reptiles, lizards, snakes and crocodiles. Each of these displays can be purchased separately or on a combined ticket. There is also the Narnian Castle which is a theatre where animal shows are performed several times throughout the day (show times may vary throughout the year). Beside this site, in 2009, Asia's largest water park will open, featuring swimming pools, water flumes and other water activities. Buses on route from Shenyang (South railway station) to Fushun stop on the express way near the park. The bus fair is 10RMB.
jin Zhixian. henyang. 24-23914779.
Do
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Winter sports
There are three ski resort areas within Shenyang prefecture. The 2008 Shenyang International Ice and Snow Festival will be held at these resorts, as well as in Beiling park in Shenyang city, starting on January 8 and running to 2008-February 28, 2008.
<do name="Northeast Asia Ski Resort" alt="?_k?____? Dongbeiya Huaxue Chang" address="Magang, Xingchengzi distict" directions="28km out of Shenyang city" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="Park entry is free. Daytime Skiing costs 135 RMB for two hours and night skiing is 125 RMB. Discounts for groups of 15 or more are available.">With 700,000 square metres of skiing area, this is the biggest ski resort.</do>
<do name="Baiqingzhai Ski Field" alt="__________?" address="Sujiatun district" directions="40km out of Shenyang city" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="Park entry is free. Daytime Skiing costs 135 RMB for two hours and night skiing is 120 RMB. Discounts for groups of 15 or more are available.">The site includes a freestyle aerial skiing and off-piste areas. Total area is 530,000 square meters.</do>
<do name="Qipanshan Ice and Snow World" alt="__?_R_u_______E" address="" directions="About 20km from downtown Shenyang. Take bus No. 330." phone="+86 24 88050020, 22723117" email="" fax="+86 24 22734066" url="" hours="Every day, 9AM-10PM winter only" price="Park entry is 10 RMB. Park entry is free. Daytime Skiing costs 150 RMB for two hours and night skiing is 130 RMB. Discounts for groups of 15 or more are available.">Within Qipanshan Scenic Area and covering an area of 500,000 square meters.</do>
Buy
Shenyang has two main shopping areas. One is on Zhong Jie, which has a number of shops selling cell phones, computers, electronic equipment or the latest fashions and accessories. For essential home items, appliances, and prepared foods try the multi-level Wal-Mart in the center of town, within walking distance of Zhong Jie. There is a Carrefour Shopping Center in the area near the north train station.
The second shopping area is Taiyuan Jie, located within walking distance of the south train station. This area has an english language bookstore and main post office nearby as well as food, clothing and electronics. Don't miss the underground shopping mall under the street. This area has a Wal-Mart as well as a bunch of major Chinese department stores.
Shenyang, being a major provincial city, has a mixture of top Western-style Brands, such as Pizza Hut and McDonalds (American) as well as Carrefour (French), along with Asian Brands like Yoshinoya (Japanese) and Parkson (Malaysian).
As a possible souvenir, by incorporating traditional Chinese painting techniques, artists of Shenyang have turned feather patchwork scrolls into something as refined and appealing as Chinese painting and calligraphy.
Wuai Market in Shenyang is the biggest wholesale market in the northeast of China with 300,000 customers per day and annual turnover of more than 2 billion RMB. It covers an area of 139,000 square metres. Products include dresses, shoes, caps, groceries, knitted goods, cloth materials, boxes, home appliances, gifts, daily sundry goods, beauty and hairdressing articles, small foods, bedding goods and more.
Eat
Liaoning is home to Liaocia (?__), a distinctive cuisine named after the area. Liaocia tends to be strong in flavour with plenty garlic, ginger and other spices but not hot. Shenyang has a large Korean and Mongolian population, who operate a lot of barbecue stands on the street corners of the city. There are also a number of very good Korean restaurants here. All of Shenyang's top hotels feature fancy restaurants serving Cantonese, Japanese and Western food. There are also some decent noodle shops, as well as the national chain California Beef Noodle, on some of the small roads near the train station.
American-style fast food is all the rage here, with branches of McDonald's, Pizza Hut and KFC in most major shopping centers. Yoshinoya, Japanese fast food, has several branches across the city as does the sudo-italian chain Europaer. There are also many Starbucks coffee shops. The imported, western style food tends to be at the higher end of the price market. By going after local cuisine you will save money.
Lao Bian Jiaozi Restaurant. 7 Beishichang Jie and also Zhong Jie, Shenhe District.. ext to the Imperial Palace. 0AM-8PM. Jiaozi are Chinese dumplings. This style of food is particularly popular in the north of China. Lao Bian Jiaozi, founded in 1829, is one of the most famous Jiaozi restaurants.
Churrascaria Rio's. outhern Nanjing Road. empinski Hotel. 86 24 22988988. rix fixe. A ''churrascaria'' is a Brazilian restaurant that serves meat, mostly grilled, and ''rodizio'' is a method of serving the different cuts of meat that originated in the south of Brazil in the early 1800s. Different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc., in succession, are served to each diner. Rio's attracts a big theater crowd, large groups, executives and tourists.
Cafe Lido. heraton Shenyang Lido Hotel. uignian Street. MB180-200. Located in The most prestigious 5* hotel of Shenyang, the Sheraton."It is recognized as being the best Western food in Shenyang. Serving Australian beef, Mashed potatoes Irish style, Guiness meat pies, fresh fish, salads and the tastiest pastries in town. Special on Friday's Seefood Night, small price for all you can eat and drink!
La Bellevue. For bigger budget there is also a fine dining French Restaurant, "La Bellevue".
Xita Korea Town. ____X. ita, Shifu Da Jia. rom the South train station head due north up Taiyuan Jie or take bus No. 249, 611, 255, or 252. Not one restaurant but an area with many good restaurants. The streets around the Western Pagoda (Xita) are home to many Korean people giving the area the name Korea Town. Fans of Korean food should head here.
Drink
Mulligan's. anjing Bei Jie _____k_X 206. ocated on the fifth floor of the Holiday-Inn Hotel. Many restaurants now brew their own beer, with surprisingly good results. This Irish pub-style restaurant has a Filipino band is playing Monday to Saturday.
Jiuba Yi Tiao Jie. ar Street. Cheap night out can be had here. Numerous establishments along the street and, in the summer, the bars set up outdoor seating.
Don't Tell Mama. __??? bie gaosu m? ma. ita Jie (_____X), in Korea town. Packed even on weeknights, this large Chinese-style club offers a constant cabaret-style variety show with over-the-top dance acts and live singing. One highlight is the male performers seem compelled to chug any quantity of beer bought for them, up to two-liter pitchers, in one go, without using their hands.
Sunny's Night Club. Re-opened in May 2008 With a Bar area next to the Disco. Great ambiance. The Rendezvous for most of the Westerners in Shenyang!
Party 98. 8 ??__ - 98 ju le bu. ita Jie (_____X), in Korea town.
Boss Club. g_m__? - b? shi ji? b?. ita Jie (_____X), in Korea town.
VIP Room. ita Jie (_____X), in Korea town.
The Bee House. ___z. ?____?_s_s?___________V_X220__. henhe District. 86 24 22927711.
Sleep
Budget
Peace Hotel. 04 Shengli Beijie. 86 24 23833033. 86 24 23837389.
Shenyang Zhijia Qingnian Hotel (__?_v_____N__?) . 3 Shenyang Lu. 86 24 23833033. 86 24 23837389.
This small hotel is non-spectacular, but offers cheap singles (or, if you need "a short rest" will let a room to you for fours hours for 30RMB). The main attraction is the location, just North of Huaiyuan Gate, it is on an old street with attractive architecture, just one block west of the imperial palace.</sleep>
Mid-range
Eletel. 35 Zhong Jie. et back from the main road in a pedestrianized area.. 86 24 31307777. 67 RMB. The rooms are designed in a ultra modern style that some will like and others will hate. The location is on a main shopping street within walking distance of several attractions such as the Imperial Palace.
Grand Century Hotel. 8-2 Zhonghua Road, Heping District.. ccess to the hotel is round the back of the shopping mall, off of the main road.. 86 24 23402888. 86 24 23410099. ttp://www.grandcenturyhotel.com. 49 RMB. A recently decorated, high quality hotel at an affordable price. Located in the centre of the shopping area near to the south train station. Rooms in the upper stories provide good views across the city. Wireless internet is available in rooms.
Liaoning Taishan Hotel. 2 Taishan Rd., Huanggu District, Shenyang. 86 24 86809888. 86 24 86806290.
Railway Hotel. 02 Beizhan Lu, At North Train Station, Shenyang. 86 24 62231058. 86 24 62232888.
Splurge
Gloria Plaza Hotel. 2 Yingbin Street, Shenhe District, Shenyang. 86 24 22528855. 86 24 22528533.
Wonhurg International Hotel. 5 Kunshan Zhong Lu, Huanggu District. 86 24 86285555. 86 24 86843100. ttp://www.wonhurghotelshenyang.com. Premier business hotel with deluxe guestrooms, free Internet access, and 300-capacity ballroom. Online booking available from the official website.
Shenyang also has its share of Western 4-star properties such as Marriott, ShangRi-La, and Holiday Inn. There is a 24-hour Spa at the north train station.
Get out
Shenyang has bus and train links to the rest of the region, including Dalian, Harbin, and Vladivostok. Long distance trains can be booked here for destinations like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Countries with a consular presence in Shenyang include Russia, South Korea, Japan and the USA. There is a North Korean consulate in Shenyang, but it is difficult to enter the country unless on an official tour. Tour operators in Dandong or Beijing can arrange the visa and a tour to North Korea for people holding non-US passports at all times, and US passport holders sometimes.