Shenyang independent travel guide (2025): top things to do near you, popular tourism attractions, itinerary planning, accommodation, food, transportation, weather, and more - everything you need to know (updated July 2025) | Trip.com

About Shenyang

Recommended length of visit

28°C

View Local Experiences on Map

Shenyang Imperial Palace Reenacts Daily Life of Qing Imperial Concubines@Shenyang Imperial Palace

Liaoning's National Treasures: Selected Edition Summer Residency at Liaoning Provincial Museum Offers Immersive Experience in Bringing Cultural Relics to Life@Liaoning Provincial Museum

Beiling Park Summer Lotus Viewing Guide@Beiling Park

View More

Shenyang Local Travel Guide 2025

View More





Shenyang Brief Guide

Shenyang, the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province, gives visitors an impression of great change and modernizing resilience. As the former base of the Imperial City Wall, Shenyang bore witness to the rise of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. The last four hundred years have left the people of Shenyang with a royal palace, two imperial tombs and numerous royal architectural remains. The colonnades of The Shenyang Palace Museum resemble Beijing’s Forbidden City and still give voice to the secret history of the court. Every brick in Marshal Zhang’s Mansion depicts the history of the Warlord Era. The 9.18 Historical Museum tells the story of the pain of that humiliation (also known as the Manchurian Invasion). Shengjing, as it was once known, now has more of a modern feeling. It is a major industrial center and transportation hub for Northeast Asia. The bustle and neon of Zhongjie Street, the lofty television towers, and the lively Liu Laogen Grand Stage all bear witness to the ever-changing nature of Shenyang.

Shenyang Must-try Local Experiences

1. Discover the Heart of History in Shenyang Explore Shenyang's rich history by visiting the Zhao Mausoleum, Shenyang Imperial Palace, and Liaoning Provincial Museum. These sites offer a glimpse into the city's imperial past and cultural heritage. 2. Delve into the World of the Last Emperor at the '9.18' Historical Museum You can have a comprehensive understanding of the heavy historical background and the great course of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japan. It is not only a good place to learn history, but also an important place to cultivate patriotic feelings. 3. Explore the Shenyang Imperial Palace Visit the Shenyang Imperial Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to experience the grandeur of the early Qing Dynasty and the opulent lifestyle of the emperors. 4. Discover the Shenyang Finance Museum Visit the Shenyang Finance Museum to learn about China's financial history through exhibits on currency, banking, and economic development. 5. Attend the Shenyang International Ice and Snow Festival Held annually in winter, the Shenyang International Ice and Snow Festival features stunning ice sculptures, snow activities, and cultural performances. 6. Sample Local Cuisine Enjoy Shenyang's local cuisine, including Laobian Dumplings and Shenyang-style hotpot. 7. Enjoy shopping Taiyuan Street Business Area is a bustling commercial area in Shenyang, with large shopping centres such as the Zhongxing Business, where you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, from fine china to special Northeastern dried fruits. If you want to go to a more grounded place to shop, you can choose Wuai Market. 8. Capture the Beauty of Shenyang's Autumn Foliage Visit Shenyang in the fall to capture stunning photos of autumn foliage, especially in Beiling Park and Dongling Park. 9. Take a Day Trip to Qi Pan Shan Qi Pan Shan offers outdoor activities like hiking, boating, and skiing, providing a scenic escape from the city. 10. Relax at the Shenyang Expo Garden The Shenyang Expo Garden features themed gardens, pavilions, and a large lake, ideal for leisurely strolls and picnicking.

Shenyang Must-see Attractions

Shenyang, a city rich in cultural heritage, boasts the UNESCO-listed Shenyang Palace Museum, the historically significant Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museum, the family-friendly Shenyang Fantawild Adventure theme park, the culturally vibrant Liaoning Grand Theatre, and the historically enlightening Liaoning Provincial Museum.

Shenyang Food Guide

The culinary delights of Shenyang blend Northeastern flavors, featuring dishes from ancient royal cuisine like Xueyi Dousha, to popular street food including fried chicken ribs, smoked meat pancakes, and Da La Pi. Each dish showcases the unique local flair and the city’s rich cultural heritage, offering an enticing and aromatic gastronomic experience.

Shenyang Transportation

Shenyang's transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and Shenyang Railway Station being key hubs for intercity travel. Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (IATA: SHE, ICAO: ZYTX) is located about 20 km south of the city center in Hunnan District and serves as a focus city for China Southern Airlines. It is the 23rd busiest airport in China and offers both domestic and international flights. Ground transportation to the city center is available via Shenyang Metro Line 2, providing convenient access to various parts of Shenyang. Shenyang Railway Station is a major railway hub located in Heping District, with connections to several key railway lines including the Shenyang–Dalian railway and the Beijing–Shenyang high-speed railway. The station is accessible by Metro line 1, which is the most recommended public transport to reach the station. It operates both ordinary and bullet trains to major domestic cities.

Shenyang Where to Stay

Shenyang is a prominent city in northeast China, offering a diverse range of accommodation options for travelers. The city's hotels are primarily clustered in key commercial and tourist areas, each presenting unique features and conveniences for visitors.

Shenyang Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Shenyang is from April to October, when the weather is moderate and comfortable for exploring the city's attractions. Spring, particularly from April to June, is a delightful period as the city becomes warm and green, with flowers blooming in places like the Shenyang Botanical Garden and the Shenyang Expo Park. Autumn is another recommended season, offering sunny and dry conditions, making it ideal for visiting outdoor sites such as Beiling Park and enjoying the beautiful foliage. For winter sports enthusiasts, January and February are the best months to enjoy skiing and the ice and snow landscape, with the Ice & Snow Festival providing additional entertainment.

Shenyang Useful Guide

- Alipay: This app manages nearly all payment and public transport needs with ease by simply scanning QR codes. - WeChat: Essential for communication, social sharing, and transactions, also supports international credit cards for tourists. - DiDi Chuxing: Popular ride-hailing app, handy for city travel and integrates with Alipay for seamless payments. - Baidu Maps: Accurate and up-to-date map service, surpassing Google Maps in China, offering navigation and taxi-hailing directly within the app. - MetroMan: Useful for navigating metro systems across various Chinese cities, helping plan routes efficiently. - Trip.com: is a popular online travel platform that provides a comprehensive range of services including booking flights.