Shenyang

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 variety of tourist orientated shops operate.

From 1942 to 1945, around 1500 soldiers from six different countries were interned by the Japanese at this POW camp in Shenyang. The site is now a museum. Information is provided in both Chinese and English.

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 Chinese and English and the site is rated AAA on China's national tourist scale.

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 mid-17th century. 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.

At 22:30 on 18 September 1931, a bomb exploded beside the Japanese-run railway line near Shenyang. Though instigated by the Japanese, the Chinese were blamed for the 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 Mukden Incident, known in China as the '9.18 Incident', 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 faint of heart because it unflinchingly displays the atrocities of war. Only the main descriptions are available in English, but it's enough to follow the course of events. The pictures and exhibits speak for themselves, anyway.

Tells the story of the industrialisation of China. The museum is built on the site of an old foundry, which has been largely preserved in its original state.

A high-quality museum featuring Liaoning history from the stone age to the Qing dynasty, with many relics of China's past found in the area (3rd floor). Also houses large collections of Chinese traditional art and calligraphy, plus temporary exhibitions. There may be queues to enter during main public holidays.

Claims to be the largest paleontological museum in China. Maintains a huge collection of fossils.

Beiling Airport is the site where China produced its first modern jet aircraft in the early 1950s. The first ones were copies of Soviet MIG fighters but gradually Chinese designs were developed. A strong focus is placed on comparing Chinese and American aircraft, in particular those involved in the Korean War of the 1950s. 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 Chinese space flights. This is an AAAA-rated site on China's national tourist scale.

Housing 15 historical locomotives and 3 duplicated historical locomotives. It is the biggest steam locomotive museum in China.

Opened in 2008 and still being expanded, this claims to be the biggest aquarium in Asia. There are four displays open. The Ocean World display contains sea and fresh water aquariums filled with all manor of aquatic life. The Century Forest display focuses on reptiles. 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). Lastly there is Susu world, a soft play centre for children. Each of these displays can be purchased separately or on a combined ticket. Beside this site, Asia's largest water park features swimming pools, water flumes and other water activities.

This is the site of the 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 U.S, (the amusement park is really awesome compared to the gardens, which includes a roller coaster and many other fun activities!). 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 (for ¥30, you can take an elevator to the top of this magnificent structure). 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.

Built in the 1640s and now restored to close to original, these four pagodas stand each about 4 km 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.

Taoist temple built in the Qing Dynasty .

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. Also called 'Taxi Square' by the locals.

The Happy Family Malls (one in Tiexi and the one on Zhongjie) have indoor ice rinks with skates you can rent an occasional specials on teachers.

Going to wash up at a bathhouse is an experience highly recommended by Shenyang locals. Entrance fees vary from ¥50–150 which usually cover showers, shower supplies, bathtubs, and saunas. You can also add extra services like spa treatment or massages. Bathhouses can be found around the city by searching for Tang Quan (汤泉). Yun Qi Tang Quan (元气汤泉) is clean and has great service.

Shenyang Shisheng Temple is also known as Huangsi. Founded in 1636 (the first year of Chongde in the Qing Dynasty), it is a large-scale and early Lama temple in Shenyang. In Shenyang, as long as the temple fair is mentioned, the first reaction of most Shenyang people is Huangsi Temple Fair. To this day, Shenyang holds Huangsi Temple Fair every year. During the temple fair, there are colorful performances and a variety of delicacies.

With 700,000 m² of skiing area, this is the biggest ski resort.

The site includes a freestyle aerial skiing and off-piste areas. Total area is 530,000 m².

Within Qipanshan Scenic Area and covering an area of 500,000 m².