Liaoning

Shenyang Imperial Palace (Mukden Palace) · Photo: Techyan · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cities in Liaoning

2–3 daysShenyang沈阳The Manchu emperors’ first palace and tombs, and Korean barbecue in Xita.best May–Jun, Sep–Oct

2–3 daysDalian大连A breezy seaside city with Russian- and Japanese-era streets, coastal drives and Lüshun’s war history.best May–Oct

Top sights

沈阳故宫Shenyang Imperial Palace (Mukden Palace)The palace of the early Manchu Qing rulers, built from 1625 before they moved to Beijing; with the octagonal Dazheng Hall and the Ten Kings’ Pavilions. Part of the UNESCO site “Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang”.ShenyangBooking recommended清昭陵（北陵公园）Zhaoling Tomb (Beiling Park)Tomb of Hong Taiji, the second Qing ruler, the largest of the three early Qing tombs in Liaoning; a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties), set in a big lakeside park.Shenyang张氏帅府Marshal Zhang’s MansionHome and headquarters of the warlord Zhang Zuolin and his son Zhang Xueliang, the “Young Marshal”: Chinese courtyards next to a grand Western-style mansion, the Daqinglou.ShenyangBooking recommended星海广场Xinghai SquareA vast seafront square built in 1997, with a 19.97 m marble column, a giant open-book sculpture marking Dalian’s centenary and views of Xinghai Bay Bridge.Dalian滨海路Binhai Road coastal drive and boardwalkA winding road along the cliffs of Dalian’s south coast, linking beaches, lookouts and the Beidaqiao suspension bridge, with a 21 km wooden boardwalk beside it.Dalian老虎滩海洋公园Tiger Beach Ocean Park (Laohutan)A big seaside marine park on Binhai Road with a polar aquarium, coral hall, bird garden, sea-mammal shows and a cable car over the bay.DalianBooking recommended