Shenyang Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Shenyang, Liaoning, China)



Photo taken at the Imperial PalaceAn important trading centre for almost 1,000 years, Shenyang is a huge city and can be quite overwhelming when you first arrive. Shenyang has a population of more than 3.5 million people and despite its size, you will soon be immersed in local life and sucked into the charm of this sprawling city.

Shenyang contains a number of prominent pedestrianised streets, such as Zhong Jie, where the buildings are a true mixture of past and present. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the many urban areas are a number of rather surprising botanical gardens, temples and hidden treasures. Here are top travel tips about life in Shenyang.


Image of temple at the Imperial Palace

Useful Contact Information

Around the city are plenty of places where you are able to obtain travel advice and general information about the city. Known as 'Service Centres', these tourist offices offer English-language brochures and maps of Shanghai, while the numerous Internet cafes also offer a useful resource and are often used to send e-postcards.

Bank of China
Address: Zhongguó Yingháng, 253 Shifi Dalu (close to Government Square), Shenyang, China, CN
Tel: +86 024 2285 6666
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00

Post Office
Address: Yóujú, 78 Beizhan Lu, Shenyang, China, CN
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 20:00

Liaoning Tourism Bureau
Address: Liáoning Sheng Luyóujú, 113 Huanghe Dajie, Shenyang, China, CN
Tel: +86 024 8680 7316
Fax: +86 024 8680 9415

China International Travel Service (CITS)
Address: Zhongguó Guóji Luxingshè, 113 Huanghe Dajie, Shenyang, China, CN
Tel: +86 024 8680 9383
Fax: +86 024 8680 8772

Picture of the Imperial Palace (Mukden Palace)

Language and Dialect

Although some locals in Shenyang will be able to recognise basic English phrases and questions, English is by no means widely spoken in China. The official language here is 'Chinese', otherwise known as 'Mandarin' or locally as 'Putonghua', being written using highly stylised pictures and characters. Consider bringing a good Chinese phrasebook, which can be invaluable at times.

Hello - Ni hao
Goodbye - Zaijian
I'm looking for a hotel - Woyao zhao luguan
May I see the room? - Wo neng kankan fangjian ma?
How much is it? - duoshao qian

Passport and Visa Information

Visa applications for travel into China usually take between three to five days from the local Chinese Embassy, although if you are applying by either post or online, it may take three weeks or longer. A passport-sized photo will be necessary for all visa applications. The Shenyang Public Security Bureau (PSB) can be found on Zhongshan Square and will be happy to assist should you have any queries about either your visa or passport, or if you need an extension to your visa.

Public Security Bureau (PSB)
Address: Gonganjú, Zhongshan Square, Shenyang, China, CN
Tel: +86 024 2253 4850

Drinking Tap Water

Drinking tap water in Shenyang should be avoided at all costs, since the water is known to contain harmful bacteria and may cause diarrhoea or even sickness. Tap water is safe to drink if it has been boiled, treated with sterilisation tablets or specially filtered.