Things to do in Liáoníng
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Shenyang Botanical Garden
These rambling gardens are filled with plants and flowers native to northeastern China. Special exhibitions highlight tulips (May), peonies (June) and chrysanthemums (October). Even more entertaining than the vegetation are the nearly 50 bridges suspended across a shallow river that visitors try to traverse. There are narrow log bridges - like over-water balance beams - as well as rolling barrels, swinging bridges, floating rafts and more.
Cross if you dare; you'll likely end up in the water!
Trains run about once an hour from the north and south stations to the Botanical Garden (30 minutes), about 20km east of the city centre.
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18 September History Museum
There's an obvious propagandic purpose to this museum, but the hundreds of photographs, sculptures, paintings and dioramas are informative on this notorious part of China's modern history. English captions are limited. Bus 325 from the north train station stops in front. The museum is about 2km northeast from the town centre.
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North Tomb
Another Shěnyáng highlight is this extensive tomb complex, the burial place of Huang Taiji (1592–1643), founder of the Qing dynasty. The tomb's animal statues lead up to the central mound known as the Luminous Tomb (Zhāo Líng).
In many ways a better-preserved complex than the Imperial Palace, the tomb site is worth a few hours examining the dozens of buildings with their traditional architecture and ornamentation. Lóng'ēn Hall is a particularly fine structure, and as you circumambulate the base observe the richness of traditional symbols (peonies, vases, lucky clouds) carved in relief.
The North Tomb sits a few kilometres north of town inside expansive Běi Líng Park…
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Zhongshan Sq
This is Dàlián's hub, with grand buildings, mostly from the early 1900s, encircling a huge roundabout. Dàlián Bīnguǎn, a dignified hotel on the square's south side, appeared in the movie The Last Emperor.
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Imperial Palace
Shěnyáng's main attraction is this impressive palace complex, which resembles a small-scale Forbidden City. Constructed between 1625 and 1636 by Manchu emperor Nurhachi (1559–1626) and his son, Huang Taiji, the palace served as the residence of the Qing-dynasty rulers until 1644.
The central courtyard buildings include ornate ceremonial halls and imperial living quarters, including a royal baby cradle. In all, there are 114 buildings, not all of which are open to the public.
Don't miss the double-eaved octagonal Dàzhèng Hall (at the rear of the complex), which has two gold dragons curled around the pillars at the entrance, a deep interior plafond ceiling and an elabor…
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Dalian Modern Museum
With exhibits like 'Dalian: A City Without Traffic Jams', the gleaming Dalian Modern Museum resembles a regional public-relations campaign, but it's still a fascinating look at the city's recent (and forthcoming) urban developments.
The museum is near Xinghai Sq, in the southwest of the city. Take bus 23 to the Exhibition Centre stop, about a 20-minute ride from Zhongshan Sq.
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Pagoda Of Buddhist Ashes
This 13-storey brick pagoda dates back to AD 1044. A small museum on the peaceful grounds includes relics removed from inside the pagoda. Take bus 205 from the North Tomb or the south train station and get off at the corner of Taiwan Jie and Ningshan Lu. Walk north, cross the bridge and turn right. The pagoda is a three-minute walk north of here. Look for a red gate on the right.
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Bàngchuídǎo Jǐngqū beach
Five kilometres southeast of the city centre is Bàngchuídǎo Jǐngqū beach, a secluded sandy beach on the grounds of Bàngchuídǎo Bīnguǎn, a hotel complex that's a long-time favourite with top-ranking Communist Party members. Unfortunately, there's no bus service to this area; a taxi from town will cost about Y20.
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Suiyuan Home-Like Restaurant
Traditional Chinese furnishings and widely spaced tables give this dōngběi restaurant a classy feel, but the hearty fare and moderate prices do make it 'home-like' - at least if your mother used to prepare cold meat platters, greens with Sichuan peppercorns and crispy fried breads. The entrance is in the lane behind the Liaoning Hotel.
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Golden Stone Beach
The coast around Golden Stone Beach, 60km north of the city, is in the process of being turned into a domestic tourist mecca with a number of theme parks, and rock formations commanding inflated entrance fees. The long pebbly beach itself is free and quite pretty, set in a wide bay with distant headlands.
To get there take the light rail, known by the locals as Line 3 (轻轨三号线; Qīngguǐ Sānhàoxiàn), from the depot on the east side of Triumph Plaza, behind the Dàlián train station (Y8, 50 minutes). From the beach station it's a 10-minute walk to the beach, or catch a tourist shuttle bus (Y20, 30 minutes) which winds round the coast first before dropping you off at the beach. T…
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Zhongxing Shenyang Commercial Building
Inside the Zhongxing Shenyang Commercial Building, near the south train station, there's a decent supermarket on the 2nd floor. At the Carrefour Supermarket (Jiālèfú; Beizhan Lu), near the long-distance bus station, you can pack a picnic for your travels or grab a quick bite from the food court.
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Liáoníng Provincial Museum
Three floors of exhibits highlight the region's prehistoric culture, Liao- dynasty ceramics, ancient Chinese money and carved stone tablets illustrating the evolution of Chinese calligraphy.
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Tiger Beach Park
Tiger Beach Park has a massive carved-marble tiger sculpture, a small beach and a snazzy amusement park. On either side of the park the coastal road provides excellent views of the ragged cliffs and crashing waves. Buses 30 and 712 from Zhongshan Sq travel to Tiger Beach Park (Y1, 20 to 30 minutes).
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Carrefour Supermarket
Near the long-distance bus station. You can pack a picnic for your travels here or grab a quick bite from the noodle joints on the ground floor.
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I-55 Coffee Stop & Bakery
With a library of English-language books, a stack of games, and treats that range from quiche to fresh-squeezed orange juice to oatmeal cookies, this contemporary café is a popular expat hang-out. English menu, English-speaking staff and free wireless internet access too.
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Dazheng Hall
Don't miss the octagonal Dazheng Hall with its coffered ceiling and elaborate throne, where Nurhachi's grandson, Emperor Shunzhi, was crowned. The central courtyard buildings include ornate ceremonial halls and imperial living quarters, including a royal baby cradle.
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Suíyìshāo Kǎoròu Zhuānméndiàn
Cook your own pork belly, beef and other meats 'as you please' at this family-run BBQ joint. Sit under the space-age metallic fixtures and ask for suāncài (酸菜; pickled cabbage) or sliced potatoes to add to your tabletop grill.
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Xiǎo Tǔdòu
This dōngběi (northeastern) eatery is packed with families, couples and groups of all ages who come for the eponymous potato dish that's anything but small; it's a hearty and delicious stew of spuds and greens in a meaty broth.
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View & World Vegetarian Restaurant
Peking duck (Y28) and meatballs (Y24) are on the menu here, but there won't be any actual meat on your plate. Everything is meat-free at this nearly vegan paradise, which claims to be the only non-MSG restaurant in all northeast China (an astonishing claim if true). The fruit and vegie drinks pair up nicely with the main courses.
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Labour Park
In the centre of this hilly park is a giant football, a reminder of the time at the turn of the century when the local soccer team, Dàlián Shi'de, was the best in China. There are good views of the city from the TV Tower.
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Jia Music, Food & Drinks
Korean restaurants, karaoke bars and coffee shops line the brightly lit (if slightly seedy) Xita Jie. A more upscale choice is Jia Music, Food & Drinks , a stylish lounge in the same building as the Golden Triangle Hotel.
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New-Mart Shopping Mall
It seems as if a new mall opens in shopping-crazed Dàlián nearly every week. Qingni Jie, south of Victory Sq, is a pedestrian plaza lined with upscale department stores, including the New-Mart Shopping Mall.
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Dàbáicài Gǔtouguǎn
This home-style restaurant with a friendly and loud atmosphere serves fresh seafood and fiery northern-style fare. Look for the sign high up with a green cabbage on it. Note that the restaurant is located on a corner and you must walk up the stairs to get to it. Otherwise it's easy to pass by.
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East Tomb
Also known as Fú Líng, this smaller tomb complex is the final resting place of Nurhachi and his mistress. It's 15km east of the city centre. Take bus 218 (45 minutes) from the Imperial Palace.
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Friendship Sqare
West of Zhongshan Sq, Friendship Sqare is a traffic circle that surrounds a Dàlián landmark - a vast spheroid that's illuminated like a giant disco ball at night.
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