Things to Do in Shenyang
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Shenyang.
Top Attractions in Shenyang
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
What travellers are saying
- FunambulatorThe Rocks, Australia1,771 contributionsIf you visit Shenyang’s Gu Gong only after seeing the Forbidden City in Beijing, you might not be that impressed with the northern provincial city’s Imperial Palace. It was built in the 17th century by the founding Qing Dynasty emperors to resemble the much larger Beijing royal palace (Gu Gong is only one-twelfth the size of the Forbidden Palace). Nonetheless the architects have packed a lot into a relatively small space - the Emperor ‘s Palace has over 300 rooms and around 20 courtyards. The most interesting thing about the buildings is that the architecture consists of an amalgam of styles including Han, Mongolian, Manchu and Tibetan. For a charge of 60-100 yuans you can get dressed up regally as a Qing emperor or empress and be photographed astride a mock imperial throne. One of the things I enjoy in China is the authorities’ attempt to render signs in public places into English. At the Shenyang palace the translation that especially caught my eye was “Splash tears when stepping on. After stepping grass heart-wrenching” - meant to convey the message “please keep off the grass”. Pure ‘Chinglish’ at its most mangled and yet quite poetic in its own idiosyncratic way.Written 14 September 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- FunambulatorThe Rocks, Australia1,771 contributionsMarshal Mansion is located on Chaoyang Street, by itself an interesting and varied street in Shenyang. This was the Zhang dynasty home of Dongbei warlord Zhang Zuolin and his son and successor Zhang Xueliang. The layout of the mansion has several buildings connected by courtyards. The main building, the mansion, is neo-Gothic in style and is fronted by a concentration of large stones which have a prehistoric resemblance. The other buildings include an amalgam of different architectural styles (eg, traditional Siheyuan buildings, South China pavilions and Chinese-Western mixed styles). There’s lots of military stuff and a good collection of material on the younger Zhang’s life after his fall from power and emigration to the US. Other items of interest at the museum include the Zhang family carriage and one of China’s very earliest motor vehicles. Admission is ¥60 adult and ¥30 concession (the same as the Emperor’s Palace).Written 16 September 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Dwayne ThomasShenyang, China4 contributionsSo much to see and enjoy
Take your time and visit several times so you can enjoy it
Don't rush
We took our entire family there yesterday and it was wonderful
If you time it right there will me more flowers to see
The water features are breathtaking
There are some very beautiful old trees everywhere
Too many beautiful things
Couldn't stop taking photos most of the timeWritten 28 May 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - TimShenyang, China25 contributionsIf you love shopping and large pushy crowds don’t bother you, then Wuai is the place. You can find anything and everything at Wuai. The prices are great and you can always negotiate for the price you want.Written 27 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- RincewindAnshan, China180 contributionsI went to the Shenyang Internation Horticultural Expo when I first opened in 2006. At that time, this was quite something to see. The site was incredibly busy. Really quite a hectic experience. You didn't really have enough space by yourself to enjoy the gardens.
Twelve years on, I revisited this site. They still charge a 50 RMB entry fee. The exhibits have all aged. In some cases, the maturity actually helps the gardens, in other cases, they have allowed the garden to be spoiled by neglect.
The International Horticultural Expos are a curiosity. I don't think everyone really gets what they are about. The original Expo was a huge park, within which were about three dozen display gardens. There were gardens representing each city in Liaoning, a set of gardens representing other large cities in China, such as Shanghai, Nanjing and Suzhou, and a third set of gardens representing various counties around the world such as Kenya, the DPRK, Pakistan, etc.
In addition to the show gardens, there were many buildings and fun displays such as dinosaurs and such like. At one site, there was the Lily Tower, which if you queued for long enough, gave you a great view of the hazy pollution that hung over the city back then. There were also fun fair type rides for the kids.
Today, the show gardens have been neglected. The staff maintain them clearly don't quite understand what they are. The water pools are dry or not cleaned. Other displays have been set up obstructing the pathways. It is a shame. If they were maintained, they would be every bit as interesting as they were when the park was new. However, it is clear that the current administrators treat the site as just a big city park like any other park in China. They don't really understand the value of the display gardens.
The Lily Tower is still there. It costs 20 RMB per adult and 10 RMB per child to go up the elevator. The view from the top is not great. You can see a long way. You can see Qipaishan, Shenyang city, and Fushun city, however, the structure of the tower and the security fencing blocks out much of the view. The really went a bit OTT with the barriers.
Half of the original park is no longer there. The area that used to house the museums and exhibit buildings, to the Southwest end, have been demolished and the site is under ongoing construction. Of what I don't know. What remains is more than enough for a good day out if you want a day out in a park.
It is a park. A big park. Don't expect it to be any more than that. If you want a walk in a park with trees, flowers, and not too many people, then come out here. If you don't mind the crowds, then there are other parks in the centre of the city that are more convenient.
BTW, the best place to eat within the park is the former Pakistan garden. The building there has been converted into a cafe with western food.Written 1 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - bziegelaStoneville, Australia3 contributionsThe park was well worth visiting on its own
Even to see Chinese families enjoying themselves
Many groups were dancing some in traditional costume
Seemed to be the only non Chinese person there on the day
Parts of. The tomb were being renovatedWritten 2 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Meg FRochester, New York, United States31 contributionsProvincial level museum with interesting exhibits but updates and relocation are still in progress. Difficult to get to, outside of downtown.Written 5 October 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- 陆澄矞Beijing, China22 contributionsThe square is in the center of Zhongshan Rd.
This sculpture is chairman Mao surrounded by proletariat, showing their highest salute to him.Written 2 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - ChiYuLuShenyang, China52 contributionsThis UNESCO site used to be the mausoleum of the founding father of the Qing dynasty, Nuherharji (1559-1626). He didn't assume the title of emperor of China (or the Manchus), but did first launch the campaign against Ming. Unfortunately, he died about two decades before Qing overtook Ming, and was later respected as the founding father of the last dynasty in China's history, Qing.
The site is not that far from the city center, but there are only a few public transport options (You can take bus No.218 or 168 from Zhongjie). Compared to Beiling park (located among residential areas, metro accessible), this park is isolated and quiet with much far less visitors, which is brilliant (so you can avoid the crowd and noise or the hectic urban environment altogether). As a local, I've been there multiple times, and I particularly enjoy the view from the high walls. Also, the tomb was located up on a hill, which was the Manchu way (unique compared with Han traditions).
The whole park is quite large, and the site was first built in the 17th century based on natural environment and local topography, whereas the Beiling site was man-made (authentically built in the 17th century with great nature though). From the map you'll see, Dongling park is connected with the hills and mountains to the east and the northeast, and Beiling park is located in the middle of a plain, with no natural habitat nearby (Beiling is worth visiting as well and easy accessible, but here we are ).Written 4 May 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Charan P1 contributionFirstly the entrance fee is too costly(200RMB/PERSON) which would cost less sometimes such as in national week. I would like to say the theme park is not worth of 200 RMB and i would rather suggest visiting shenyang expo which has many adventurous rides compared to fantawild.
If you are visiting fantawild. So here is my complete review
1. How to reach fantawild?
It is in the shenbei new district. You can take the subway till hangkonghangtiantaxue(航空航天大学) and then take 192 which drops at the entrance of fantawild
2. Entrance fee is usualy 200 RMB but sometimes you can get it for 100 if your lucky
3. There are numerous simulations inside this park few of which are really boring and only meant for children. But i can see few simulations such as showing the 7 wonders were extremely realistic. I suggest you visit all the simulations. And one more thing to mention is that all simulations have show times. So plan accordingly.
4. The rides are really good especially the roller coaster and 2 more which are more than an adventure.
5. All the rides are free inside except the boat ride.
6. For the mystic river you need buy a waterproof jacket which would cost you 10 RMB. I would suggest you go with bare clothes(if you have another pair) because the waterproof jacket really will make u miss the feel of the ride..
7. Food is very scarce inside and i suggest to carry something with you
Last but not the least this an expensive amusement park with few really worth attractions!Written 28 September 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - do_be_kindSingapore, Singapore79 contributionsA huge museum which takes one through the history and significance of the date. I didn't know what 18sep signified till visiting the museum.. lotsa effort put to replicate what it was like in those days with many wax statues.Written 11 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- iristalettaBeijing, China1,455 contributionsHuge shopping mall. We mainly enter to warm up a bit a cold November night. I noticed that they have all the shop brands as in Beijing. Good place to find everything in one place. Also a lot of options for food here.Written 29 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Tandem4LifeKota Kinabalu, Malaysia598 contributionsBeautifully managed park, clean and maintained daily. Even the public toilets are comfy. A great place to get away from the city life and just relax.Written 3 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Tandem4LifeKota Kinabalu, Malaysia598 contributionsA stunning church located in Shenyang. Open to the public for visits and it is also beautiful place to enjoy the beauty of the architecture.Written 18 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- George NShenyang, China444 contributionsThis is a great place to take a long stroll and to eat some tasty street food. I love all of the skewered options.Written 14 October 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shenyang
- The top attractions to visit in Shenyang are:
- Shenyang Imperial Palace (Gu Gong)
- Former Residence of Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang
- Beiling Park
- Wuai Market
- Shenyang Botanical Garden
- The best outdoor activities in Shenyang according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Beiling Park
- Shenyang Botanical Garden
- Shenyang Dongling Park
- Shenyang Zhongshan Park
- Shenyang Qipan Mountain
- The most popular things to do in Shenyang with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:See all kid friendly things to do in Shenyang on Tripadvisor