Getting Around, Shenyang Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Shenyang, Liaoning, China)

Shenyang is the largest transportation hub in northeast China, which makes getting here a relatively easy proposition from most international destinations. The busy Shenyang Taoxian Airport handles flights from every Chinese city, as well as many other continents, providing the easiest means of arrival.

The city of Shenyang is also the region's main train transport depot, while long-distance coaches steadily travel around the Liaoning highway network from all over the country, throughout the day and night.

Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) / Arriving by Air

Address: Taoxian Town, Dongling District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110169, China, CN
Tel: +86 24 8939 2520
As the largest airport in north-eastern China, Shenyang is a major hub for air travellers. Only Beijing and Shanghai service more visitors from more countries, with dozens of airlines providing regular daily flights between almost 60 domestic cities and much of the rest of the world.

The large terminal is well-equipped to handle any travelling need, such as currency exchange, shopping and car hire. An airport information and ticketing kiosk can be found in the International Arrivals area to help with any questions (tel: +86 024 8939 2510).

As the airport is located 30 km / 19 miles south of downtown Shenyang, visitors can choose from shuttle buses or taxis to transport them from the terminal to their onward destination. Airport shuttles depart from the ticket office outside the arrivals area every 30 minutes and travel into Shenyang city centre. For convenience, taxi transport can also be hired at the same ticket office for a reasonable price.

Car Rental

Renting a car in China is a tricky business, since it is illegal for travellers on a tourist visa to hire one by themselves. You also need to obtain or hold a Chinese driver's licence, which is an unlikely prospect. The most common practice is to hire a car and a driver from one of the many travel companies available at both the airport and around the city of Shenyang. This convenient mode of transport allows you to enjoy the scenery as you are chauffeured around, and also to avoid the stress of negotiating the notoriously chaotic Chinese traffic.

Book your Shenyang Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

Shenyang lies at the crossroads of several national highways, which converge on the city from every direction. Long-distance coaches travel frequently at all hours of the day and night, offering an inexpensive and easy way to travel to Shenyang, if you are already in China. There are several long-distance bus stations in the city, but most travellers will arrive at Qiche Kuaisu Keyun Zhan Station. By far the best transport option is to take one of the luxury buses, which for a little extra cost provide a lot of additional comfort.

Shenyang isn't a very walkable city, so visitors will be happy to know that there are over 3,000 public buses servicing around 150 different routes in and around the city. Tickets are very cheap, although the buses are a bit difficult to navigate if you can't read Mandarin. Minibuses with conductors also travel around the city streets, but don't expect much English communication on these either.

Trains

Shenyang is one of China's largest train transport hubs, with two massive railway stations located in the downtown Heping district and the northern Shenhe district. Most long-distance trains will arrive at the newer North Shenyang Railway Station in Shenhe, as the Heping Station is for regional coaches. Buses frequently travel between the two stations and other central parts of the city, making urban travel fairly simple. You can book your tickets up to five days in advance at either of the stations.

Taxis

The easiest and most convenient means of travelling around Shenyang is by using taxis for transport purposes. There are more than 200 taxi companies currently operating in the city, which means that it is never hard to find a cab. Most taxis use meters, as is the standard practice, but always check that your driver has turned it on when you start moving. During the hours of 22:00 and 06:00, the rate per kilometre increases.