Shenyang travel guide

Shenyang is one of the largest transport hubs in Northeast China, with a modern network of railways, highways and civil aviation.

Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, one of the largest airports in Northeast China, is located in Taoxian Township, Dongling District, 22 km from downtown Shenyang. More than 40 domestic routes depart from Shenyang, with flights every day to all major cities in China, as well as international routes to North Korea, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

Shenyang is one of the largest railway hubs in Northeast China, where five main lines meet: Beijing–Harbin, Shenyang–Dalian, Shenyang–Jilin, Shenyang–Dandong and Shenyang–Fushun. Passenger services mainly use Shenyang North Railway Station, with Shenyang Railway Station as a secondary option. Trains from Shenyang generally depart from Shenyang North Station, and many trains on the Beijing–Harbin and Shenyang–Jilin lines pass through North Station without stopping at Shenyang Station.

Freight and Passenger Combined Ticket Office

The newly opened Harbin–Dalian railway serves Shenyang Station and Shenyang North Station, so visitors can take high-speed trains to Harbin and Dalian.

Expressways connect Shenyang with Beijing, Dalian, Changchun, Fushun and Benxi, and express coach services run along these routes.

Long-distance coach services link Shenyang with cities and counties in the three northeastern provinces, Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and Inner Mongolia, accounting for one-third of the city's external passenger traffic.

Numerous overpasses have ended the era when railway lines cut the city in two. More than 300 bus and trolleybus routes operate in the city, and some buses run through the night. City buses have no conductors, and most routes charge a flat fare of ¥1. Suburban buses also have no conductors and charge by distance.

Shenyang Metro Lines 1, 2, 9 and 10 are open, with other lines under construction. The starting fare is ¥2.

Shenyang's cuisine has a long history. Built on Manchu cooking, it has developed its own distinctive style, the most representative example of which is the Manchu-Han Banquet.

Because ethnic minority and Han Chinese rulers took turns governing the region, a wide range of ethnic snacks gathered in Shenyang. Examples include Ma's Shaomai (Muslim-style steamed dumplings), Najia white pork with blood sausage (Manchu), and Korean dagao (rice cakes), grilled beef and Xita cold noodles. Traditional snacks such as Laobian dumplings and Laoshanji's Haicheng-style filled pies bear the hallmarks of Han Chinese cuisine.

As the capital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang has very convenient accommodation, with hotels and guesthouses at every price level. However, it is best to book rooms in advance in autumn and winter, when many people visit Shenyang. Staying near Shenyang North Railway Station or Zhongjie is recommended.

Xita Street, located in Heping District, is nearly 500 metres long. Both sides of the main street are lined with shops in Korean ethnic style, and most signs are written in both Chinese and Korean, while some use only Korean. At night the street is bright with lights and crowds, making it a great place to relax, shop, sample Korean cuisine and learn about Korean culture.

Almost every visitor to Shenyang goes to see an Erren Zhuan performance at the Liu Laogen Grand Stage on Zhongjie. The stage has an old-fashioned charm and luxurious private boxes, where you can enjoy distinctive Northeastern Erren Zhuan.

People in Shenyang are very warm and give detailed answers to any question you ask.

This restaurant specialises in local snacks and is well known for its long-established brands. Its Shenyang signature dishes include Beiyang jiaozi, Li Liangui smoked meat pancake, Tianjin baozi, Majia shaomai, the Beiyang jiaozi banquet and the Kaifeng baozi banquet. It also serves famous specialties from other regions: Kaifeng guantang bao, Shandong shuijian bao, Sichuan longchaoshou, sesame pan-fried buns, soy-braised meat buns, small tangyuan, pearl tangyuan, Shanghai shengjian bao, pork and vegetable wontons, Shaanxi roujiamo, Jingsheng corn vegetable cakes, jianbing guozi, leek boxes, Korean cold noodles, knife-cut noodles, multi-flavoured noodles, Qingzhen huitou and spring pancakes, among others.