Shenyang (沈阳 Shěnyáng), known as Mukden in the Manchu language, is the capital of Liaoning Province in China. Shenyang is the largest city in the northeast of China, and it is steeped in history.
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Nurhaci built his imperial palace and was laid to rest in one of the first two imperial tombs of the Qing Dynasty, Fuling Tomb. His son Hong Taiji is buried in Zhaoling tomb, which is the second of the first two imperial tombs. The imperial palace and the two tombs are all listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. It was in Shenyang that the Russian army was defeated by the Japanese in 1905, resulting in Japan taking control of the Liaodong Peninsula from Russia. It was also here, on September 18, 1931 that Japan would stage the Mukden incident in order to use it as a pretext to occupy all of Northeast China.
Sights in the old city, Shenhe District, can be walked between, but other areas such as those in Beiling or Dongling require transport. The Shenyang Metro has three lines. Line 1 runs east-west across the city (serving Shenyang rail station). Line 2 runs north-south (serving Shenyang North rail station). Line 9 runs in an L shape, from northwest to southwest to southeast. Line 10 runs in an L shape, from northwest to southwest to southeast. Shenyang has a comprehensive bus system, but it can be incomprehensible if you do not read Chinese. Make sure you pick up a city bus and area map at either train station. Very handy to help get around.
City walls, Shenyang Lu. The original city walls of Shenyang were destroyed in the 1950s. Some small sections have been reconstructed to give an impression of the former city. These remains consist of two gates, Huaiyuanmen and Fujinmen, at either end of Shenyang Lu. 1 Huaiyuanmen (怀远门). (updated Oct 2018) 2 Fujinmen (抚近门). (updated Oct 2018) 3 Former residence of Zhang Xueliang (Marshal Zhang's Mansion 张氏篩府), S Shuaifu Ln, Shenhe District (a 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.
Happy Family (兴隆大家庭 xīng lóng dà jiā ting). 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. Public Bathhouses (洗澡). 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. (updated Jul 2023) Shenyang Huangsi Temple Fair, No. 206, Huangsi Road, Heping District.
Liaoning is home to Liaocai (辽菜), a distinctive cuisine named after the area. Liaocai tends to be strong in flavour with plenty of 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. Some of the city's best types of cuisine include 火锅 hot pot, 麻辣烫 mala tang, or spicy pay-by-weight soup, and 串儿 chuan'r barbeque. There are many Muslim hand-pulled noodle places, and also a number of very good Korean restaurants. All of Shenyang's top hotels feature fancy restaurants serving Cantonese, Japanese and Western food. At least two different places offering Mexican specials.
Buddha Bar and Restaurant, Xi Bin He Lu 58 (next to the Kempinski hotel, Qing Nian Gong Yuan subway station exit A), ☏ +86 13998138144 (English), buddhabar.restaurant@yahoo.com. 17:30-02:00 daily. Cocktail and wine bar with large selection of imported beers, Also serves sushi. Party 98 -2 (pai dui er), Shi San Wei Road (十三纬路 near Heidis and the U.S. Embassy, walking distance to the Kempinsky Hotel). One of the most popular clubs for foreigners. The first floor plays HipHop and R&B (mainly foreigners), the second floor (mainly Chinese) has singers and electronic music. Black Sheep (hei yang xi can ting), Sanjing Jie and Shisanwei Lu (across the street from Party 98).
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Shenyang typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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