Shenyang accommodation from AU$112

Historical attractions

Shenyang was the birthplace of the Qing dynasty in 1636, and still contains relics from that period, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace. The only royal palace left in China outside of Beijing’s Forbidden City, the palace has 20 courtyards and over 300 rooms. Split into three sections, one of its main attractions is the Hall of Great Affairs, an octagonal red and gold building containing the throne where Shunzhi was crowned emperor.

You can also visit Zhaoling Tomb, Emperor Taizong’s burial place. It’s in Bei Ling Park, the largest park in Shenyang, and the tomb is surrounded by pine trees and statues of horses and elephants.

Other things to do

Defy the laws of nature with a trip to Strange Slope, a mysterious stretch of road where gravity runs in reverse. A car that stops at the bottom of the slope will roll upward with no problems, but the driver has to accelerate to go downward. Science-type people believe it’s caused by a mixture of magnetic fields and optical illusion. Want to see for yourself? Take a walk on the slope and then check out the scenic area’s other mysteries: Xiangshan is a nearby hill where stomping on the ground causes a loud sound from inside the earth, while Wongding is another hill where hitting the ground with a stone results in the sound that inspired the place’s name. These three mysteries are surrounded by lakes, bush and towering mountains like Lunmaoshan Mountain.

Even Shenyang’s shopping destinations are unique. Zhongjie, also called ‘The Happy Family Mall’, is a 396-pedestrian mall with one of the city’s four ice-skating rinks. Nanhu Park is a great place to pick up some unique paintings or carvings, while Taiyuan Street has big malls and specialty shops surrounded by markets and bazaars. The Shenyang Botanical Garden has more than 1,700 different plant types among 189 hectares of colourful flowers, pine trees, and Cuihu Lake. Around the city you’ll find several Buddhist and Taoist temples, like Taiqing Palace and Royal Temple.

Getting here

We have cheap flights to Shenyang to go with your Shenyang accommodation, so book both with us and it’s all uphill (the easiest uphill of your life) from there!