With close to 7 million citizens Shenyang can be aptly described as sprawling. Because of this, the city lacks a convenient central location glowing with an abundance of attractions. Visitors must travel blocks, sometimes miles, to gape at Shenyang's few, but impressive "Do Not Miss" sites. This especially becomes a problem when time is limited. An organized itinerary can best combat Shenyang's distance gaps and help save money on taxi costs.
Downtown Centrally located Zhongshan Square serves as sound starting point. Always bustling with human activity ranging from tai chi practitioners in the morning to soccer games at night it provides a good handle to the overall feel of the city. A massive statue of Chairman Mao, built in 1969, leers as the park's centerpiece. With arms raised many locals joke that the statue appears to be in permanent directing traffic mode. It is worthy of three snapshots, or four if ballroom dancers (a noted form of Chinese exercise) are traipsing about the park. Visitors in search of shopping can also use the square as a good stepping point onto Shenyang's famous Taiyuan Street. Full of department stores, chain boutique shops, and fast food restaurants it represents a classic example of east meets west.
From here wander two blocks southeast to the Liaoning Provincial Museum on Beisanjing Street. Deemed as one of northeast China's largest museums it packs more than 3,000 artifacts. It almost serves as an apology for Shenyang's museum shortage by parading a little of everything ranging from classic Chinese paintings and embroidery to massive dinosaur bones.
After exiting the museum follow Daxi Road northeast until it turns into Shenyang Road and look for the Imperial Palace on your left. Stunning, staggering, spectacular and wondrous are just a few of the many adjectives that aptly describe Shenyang's choice attraction. Built in 1625 during the Qing dynasty, it mimics a smaller version of Beijing's famous Forbidden City. Out of all of Shenyang's attractions, this one should not be ignored. Cameras, unfortunately, are not allowed inside. After touring the palace wander down Shengjing Ancient Cultural Street. Classic Chinese buildings fronted by red and green wooden beams and ornate eaves cast visitors back to 17th century China. Souvenirs are deep and varied.
Hail a taxi and wander north to the Northern Pagoda. While it will not numb the brain like the Imperial Palace, it stands as one of the best remaining pagodas in all of Shenyang. It, if anything, provides up-close insight to classic Chinese architecture.
After snapping a few photos board a taxi east to the 9.18 Museum. Named after September 18, 1931, the day Japanese forces invaded Shenyang, it provides detailed insight into the event and the subsequent Japanese occupation. The museum's anti-Japanese lean, however, tends to border on propaganda.
Cap this tour by again hailing a taxi, but this time northwest, to Beiling Park, Shenyang's largest. Pad around scenic paths, huff a paddleboat on a lake, or tour the vaunted North Tomb, built in 1643. And if time allows visit the Xinle Relics just west of the park.
Southern Shenyang and Beyond Begin the tour in the visually harmonious Shenyang Botanical Garden. More than 1,000 varieties of flowers and trees mesh with a landscape of scenic ponds to create the kind of setting normally only found on the covers of home and garden magazines. While there wander into the Shenyang Steam Exhibition Hall. A train museum inside a Botanical Garden seems odd, yet somehow it works. More than 20 classic steam engines from around the world are displayed, including one from 1907.
Then rent a car or ride a tour bus about 40 miles southeast from here to Benxi Water Cave National Park. Hailed as one of the "wonders of the world" that dates back more than 5 million years, the cave is so massive that guide boats lead guests through a wild labyrinth of stalagmites and stalactites.
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