This northeastern Chinese metropolis houses the Qing Dynasty's Mukden Palace and Dazheng Temple. A center of heavy industry with Korean cultural influence in its streets and cuisine.
Shenyang, home to 9 million people, is Northeast China's largest city. You can explore the UNESCO-listed Mukden Palace with its red walls and golden roof tiles, walk through the 14.5-kilometer South Canal Linear Parks, or shop at Middle Street's century-old buildings. The city's restaurants serve northeastern specialties like suan cai stew and dumplings, while two imperial tomb complexes lie in the surrounding hills.
Getting Around Shenyang
You can reach Shenyang through Taoxian International Airport, which has direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo. The subway system has five lines covering central districts, with signs in both Chinese and English. City buses run from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. When taking taxis, show drivers your destination in Chinese characters - most don't speak English.
Imperial Architecture of Shenyang
The Mukden Palace complex spans 60,000 square meters with 114 buildings from 1625. Inside, you'll see wooden throne rooms with dragon carvings and gold leaf decorations from the Qing dynasty. Visit the Fuling Mausoleum to see founder Nurhaci's tomb, surrounded by stone animals and ceremonial gates. At Zhaoling Mausoleum, walk through Emperor Huang Taiji's burial complex with its red walls and marble bridges.
Parks and Natural Areas
Walk or cycle along the South Canal Linear Parks' 14.5-kilometer stretch of riverside paths. In winter, Qipan Mountain, 20 kilometers north of downtown, becomes an ice sculpture park from December to February, with illuminated ice buildings and slides. The Shenyang Botanical Garden grows over 1,500 species of plants, including rare northeastern medicinal herbs like ginseng and Chinese magnolia vine.
Northeastern Chinese Food
Try local dishes like suan cai (spiced fermented cabbage), di san xian (stir-fried potato, eggplant, and green pepper), and guobaorou (sweet and sour pork). Restaurants near Middle Street serve traditional meat pies filled with pork and chives. The Korean neighborhood around Xita Street has family-run restaurants making fresh kimchi and cold noodle soup.
Shopping on Middle Street
Walk through Middle Street's 1920s buildings, now filled with shops. Local pharmacies sell traditional medicines and dried herbs, while food shops stock regional products like wild mushrooms and pine nuts. You'll find Shenyang-style pastries at century-old bakeries, and modern shopping centers at both ends of the street.
When to Visit Shenyang
Summer (June-August) brings temperatures up to 30°C with afternoon rain showers. Winter temperatures drop to -20°C from December to February. May-June and September-October have mild weather between 16-28°C with less rain. Bring a jacket for cool evenings even in summer. For winter visits, pack thermal clothing and snow boots, especially if you plan to attend the Ice and Snow Festival.
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