Top 10 Things To Do In Shenyang, China

1. Explore the fascinating Strange Slope Scenic Area

What makes the Shenyang Slope famous is its rather intriguing design. The park appears to slope upwards when you reach the bottom part, making the entire experience of biking or walking through the space quite enchanting and thrilling. Many theories, including the impact of gravity, were put forward to explain the slope design. But there isn’t a definite scientific theory that accounts for the experience. If you’re keen to try an extraordinary strolling or biking experience, then you must visit Shenyang’s Strange Slope Scenic Area. The park looks postcard-perfect during winter, too.

Strange Slope Scenic Area

Address: China, Liaoning, Shenyang, Shenbei, Guaipo Rd

Opening hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (daily)

Price: 40 CNY (6 USD)

2. Go shopping on Zhongjie's Pedestrian Street

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Running 150 meters (492 feet) long, Zhongjie Pedestrian Street or Middle Street is a vehicle-free district filled with shopping, dining, and other commercial establishments. It is considered one of China’s earliest shopping districts, having been inaugurated in the early 1620s. Here, you will find market stalls that sell a wide range of local foods and crafts for souvenirs. Tourists love the exciting vibes of Zhongjie’s nightlife, free from honking cars and speeding motorists.

Zhongjie's Pedestrian Street

Address: Zhongjie Pedestrian St, Beizhen, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China

Opening hours: 12am - 12am (daily)

3. Take a soulful stroll in Shenyang Botanical Garden

Shenyang Botanical Garden offers a peaceful vibe quite contrary to the bustling atmosphere of the city. It is located in the eastern suburbs and covers an area of about 190 hectares (470 acres). The garden has 1,700 different plant species and beautiful landscapes, including flower fields, stately pine trees, waterfalls, placid lakes, and even manmade arches that all make up a picture-perfect scenery. Walking leisurely in the botanical garden relaxes the body, the mind, and the soul. You shouldn’t miss this rewarding stroll after a long day of rigorous activities, as well as the sight of the 125-meter (410-foot) high Lily Tower.

Shenyang Botanical Garden

Address: No 301 Shuangyuan Road, Hunnan district, Shenyang, Liaoning province

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 50 CNY (7 USD)

4. Visit Zhao Mausoleum

Also known as the North Tomb, Zhao Mausoleum is the burial site of the Qing Dynasty’s emperor, Huang Taiji, and other royalties. It is now turned into a park, spanning 160,000 square feet (15,000 sqm) in space. This tourist attraction was built for 8 years and is located in northern Shenyang. It’s popular not only for the elaborate emperor’s mausoleum but also for the other historical buildings and the Beiling Park filled with evergreen trees.

Zhao Mausoleum

Address: Huanggu, Shenyang, China

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 50 CNY (7 USD)

5. Discover Zhang Xueliang's Residence

Visiting a warlord’s dwelling place like Zhang Xueliang’s residence is an experience, both educational and refreshing. It’s not every day that you see historical places with well-preserved artifacts that are bespoke of China’s formative Manchurian era and their celebrated patriotic hero, Zhang Xueliang. Plus, the ruler’s family abode, divided into east and west, reflects diverse architectural styles for further exploration. Certainly, you must not miss this tour.

Zhang Xueliang's Residence

Address: 46 Shaofu Alley, Chaoyang Street, Shenhe District, Shenyang

Opening hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (daily)

Price: 60 CNY (9 USD)

6. Learn about Shenyang's history at 918 History Museum

Shenyang’s “September 18 (or 918) History Museum” marks the start of the Japanese invasion in 1931, the very day and the very place of the bombing incident. On-site, you will be welcomed by a social-media-worthy installation that appears like a gigantic opened book with inscriptions, under which is a passageway you can go through and strike a pose with. The 9000-square-foot (836 sqm) museum also offers other exhibition halls and installations for you to add to your snap collections.

918 History Museum

Address: 46 Huanghua South Street, Dadong District, Shenyang

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 4:30pm

Price: Free

7. Hike the Qipan Mountain

The Shenyang Qipan Mountain is the largest natural scenic zone in Shenyang that forms part of the famous Changbai Mountain range. The lovely view of the placid lake is worth every minute spent hiking. More than the view though, Qipan Mountain offers several recreational activities, including hiking, mountain sliding, paintballing, and skiing. The breathtaking landscapes look evergreen in the summer and turn into a wonderland in the winter. It’s a perfect place to spend adventures with friends and loved ones.

Qipan Mountain

Address: Mantang county, Hunnan district, Shenyang, Liaoning province

Website: Qipan Mountain

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 30 CNY (4 USD)

8. Play with your kids at Seven Star Ocean World

Shenyang has several options for theme parks where you can spend quality time with the kids. If your family seeks a good thrill, bring them to Shenyang’s Seven Star Ocean World, highly rated by tourists for its cool water slides, wave pools, science and technology museums, outdoor parks, seafood restaurants, and hot springs. The Seven Star Ocean World is one of the largest marine amusement parks in China that serves multiple functions. It has conferences to accommodate business professionals. So to speak, it fits people of all ages.

Seven Star Ocean World

Address: No 53 Qixing Avenue, Shenbei New District, Shenyang

Opening hours: 9:30am - 4:30pm (daily)

9. Learn how to ski at Northeast Asia Ski Center

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Winter tourism in Shenyang is a booming industry. One of the many ski fields to try besides the infamous Qipan Mountain’s Ice and Snow is the Northeast Asia Ski Center, which is appropriate for beginners. The area can get crowded during peak seasons from December to February. If you’re keen on learning skiing, you may want to get there in early December or late February, when there’s enough snow coverage but few people.

Northeast Asia Ski Center

Address: Shenyang National Forest Park, Magang Country, Shenyang, China

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 150 CNY (22 USD)

10. Marvel at the stunning Mukden Palace

A visit to Shenyang is not complete without experiencing the Mukden Palace (also known as the Imperial Palace). This major attraction was built in the 1700s during the Manchurian Qing dynasty. In July 2004, this attention-grabber became a UNESCO Heritage site, owing to its architectural and historical significance. Its design reflects a combination of the Mongolian, Man, and Han ethnic influences. The area runs about 60,000 square meters (650,000 Sq ft) filled with impressive buildings and over 300 rooms to explore, so you will definitely have a day full of wonderful discoveries.

Mukden Palace

Address: 171 Shenyang Rd, Zhong Jie Shang Quan, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, China

Opening hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm (daily)

Price: 60 CNY (9 USD)

Experience Shenyang's culture

Shenyang is one of the known centers for trade and industry in northern China for good reasons. Here, you will find a wide range of options for activities, from quiet garden strolling to cultural wandering to fun-filled skiing in the mountains. A week spent in Shenyang is sure to be enjoyably tight.