This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Shenyang.
Shenyang is the capital city of the Liaoning province in northeastern China. It lies on the north side of the Hun River (known in ancient times as the Shen River). Shenyang is the birthplace of the Qing dynasty, which was founded by the Manchu after defeating the Ming dynasty in the 17th century. Today’s city is a transportation hub and industrial centre with strong ties to trade in Japan, Korea, and Russia.
Shenyang has two of the best imperial palace complexes from the Qing dynasty. The most famous is the Shenyang Imperial Palace, also known as the Mukden Palace, which dates from the early 17th century when the Manchu became the Qing dynasty. There mausoleums of the first two Qing emperors are two more popular attractions; all three of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The international airport is one of the largest in China. You can fly into Shenyang Taoxian International Airport from most other Chinese cities or Japan, Korea, and Russia. The rail and bus network is extensive, which makes it very easy to get around town.
Budget accommodation is plentiful in Shenyang. There are many hostels, guesthouses, and hotels. Hostels are scattered around the city, but some of the more popular ones with young backpackers are in the central Shenhe District, between the science centre and the main highway. Staff at most Chinese hostels are super friendly and knowledgeable about tourist attractions. They can often arrange tours for you.
Shenyang has many museums and cultural attractions, but there is one tourist spot that you might want to check out. It’s an anti-gravity slope, where you exert more energy going downhill than you do when going uphill. These occur in several other places in the world and are spots of weird geomagnetic forces. Shenyang has a very good food and drink scene; expect to see a lot of Korean food due to the proximity to Korea.
Written by local enthusiast for Shenyang hostels
Jakob Lombardi
