Travel in China: Shenyang

This photo of the Lily Tower in the World Horticultural Expo is from Catty Lee.

Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, is one of the largest cities in Northeast China and one of the most important cities in the nation. Historically, this is where the Manchu people built their capital before assuming political control of China and forming the Qing Dynasty in 1644. Since then, the city has retained its heritage as the center of Manchurian culture.

Even with its considerable historical legacy, Shenyang today is a bustling city. A massive city of over seven million, Shenyang has visible ethnic communities of Manchu, Mongol, and Hui peoples operating business and restaurants throughout the city, including a Korean influence. Modern, wide boulevards and international shopping centers only form a small part of picture: old hutong districts also cohabit the main downtown districts. These areas, filled with merchants and street vendors, give the city a festive atmosphere, while ancient trees provide shade for many of these places of ancient brick and lantern.

This photo of the Expo Garden in Shenyang is from Donicia Habiling.

The Horticulture Exposition Garden in Shenyang was recently chosen by the China National Tourism Administration as one of 66 high-profile scenic spots in China out of over 3,000 potential candidates.

This photo of one of the exhibits in Ocean World is from Donicia Habiling.

Shenyang’s Ocean World, actually located a little outside of Shenyang, opened in 2006–around the same time as the World Horticultural Exhibition. Ocean World features a large “walk-through” aquarium with a variety of fish, sharks, turtles, and rays, among other attractions of the sea. The aquarium includes a sea lion show, a small reptile garden, a beluga whale, and what it claims as its most amazing attraction…a “mermaid show.” Tickets cost around 80 Yuan/person.