Top 20 Best Things to Do in Shenyang
left-leaf
trip-best

Top 20 Best Things to Do in Shenyang

right-leaf
Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
2026 Global 100
2026 Global 100 image
Innovation Award
Innovation Award image
Contact Us
facebook icon
instagram icon
tiktok icon
󰴉
Theme filters
District
Theme filters
District
  • Shenyang Imperial Palacetop_1
    󰺂8.5
    6.42
    Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market13.5 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoShenyang's snowscapes are captivating, and the Imperial Palace is as beautiful as a poem | Nov 2025-Jan 2026
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󰋄Phoenix Tower offers "Fenglou Sunrise"
    󰀆Learn about Qing Dynasty court culture at the cultural exhibition
    󱨠Saved by 712 users󱨠24115 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    teddyuteddyu

    Stepping into Shenyang Imperial Palace, one is immediately drawn to the upturned rooftops, brimming with the flavor of old Shengjing (Shenyang). The gray-blue palace walls enclose a rustic world, the octagonal roof of the Dazheng Hall holds stories of the Eight Banners' descendants, and beside the railings of the Phoenix Tower, one can almost imagine the emperors who once stood here. Every brick and every tile exudes the boldness of the Northeast and the refinement of the Central Plains. Wandering around, one can feel the centuries of history accumulated in this old city, which is truly captivating.

  • Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museumtop_2
    󰺂8.5
    8.8
    Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market13 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    5 buildings show Zhang Xueliang's life
    Explore the restoration scenario of the Original Frontier Bank
    󱨠Saved by 327 users󱨠29668 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    A very nice tourist attraction. Zhang Xueliang's former residence features both a traditional Chinese-style three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) and Western-style buildings, including the large and small green buildings. Zhao Yidi's former residence is also open to visitors. The 18 yuan entrance fee is truly reasonable. The exhibition on Zhang Xueliang's later life is also very well arranged. While events like the Northeast Flag Change, the July 7th Incident, and the Xi'an Incident seem distant, seeing that Zhang Xueliang used similar small appliances and liked cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse in his later years makes this historical figure feel closer to us, prompting reflection.

  • Liaoning Provincial Museumtop_3
    󰺂7.2
    Shenyang.Liaoning Provincial Museum/Taoxian International Airport352m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shenyang
    Highlights:
    󱓊110,000 relics including jade & bronze
    󱓊11,000 artifacts & paintings
    󱨠Saved by 188 users󱨠1326 positive reviews
    4.9/5
    午后时光~午后时光~

    5 out of 10! The Liaoning Provincial Museum is Shenyang's hidden cultural treasure; a whole day isn't enough! As the first museum in New China, the Liaoning Provincial Museum truly embodies the spirit of "understated yet rich in content"! Free admission and directly accessible by Metro Line 2 (Exit D, just a 150-meter walk), it's incredibly convenient, requiring no navigation. The architecture is magnificent and grand, with a clear exhibition layout. The 22 exhibition halls cover 17 categories of collections, including prehistoric culture, Liao Dynasty artifacts, and calligraphy and painting masterpieces, with over 115,000 artifacts to explore—a paradise for history buffs! The must-see exhibits are truly breathtaking! The white jade pig-dragon from the Hongshan Culture is exquisite; its rounded shape is both ancient and mysterious, a marvel of 5,000-year-old carving techniques. Zhang Xu's "Four Poems in Ancient Style" features unrestrained cursive script; even the ink smudges are clearly visible under magnification, exuding the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. There's also the Murong Xianbei's gold hairpin shaped like a flowering tree and the Yongzheng kiln-fired red-glazed pomegranate-shaped vase—both aesthetically pleasing and historically significant. For a deeper understanding, I recommend renting a VR audio guide for 50 yuan. It not only provides detailed explanations but also comes with a postcard, making it far more rewarding than wandering around aimlessly. Don't miss the volunteer guides either, as they are packed with information! The exhibition hall is vast, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Allow at least 3-4 hours for a leisurely visit. There's a restaurant on the first floor for a light meal, and the "Hairpin Flower" series of souvenirs in the cultural and creative area are very attractive—perfect for gifts or personal enjoyment. The only minor drawback is that some of the museum's most prized artifacts (such as the "Auspicious Cranes" painting) may be temporarily closed for conservation purposes; check the official website for announcements before you go. Whether you're introducing history to your children or experiencing cultural heritage with friends, the Liaoning Provincial Museum is worth visiting multiple times! Every artifact here tells a story spanning thousands of years. After a visit, you'll be deeply moved by the profoundness of Chinese culture. Don't miss it when you're in Shenyang!

  • Qinghe Peninsula Spa&Hot Spring
    4
    󰺂7.0
    47.46
    Shenyang.Shenbei University Town/Fantawild Adventure28.9 km from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    3rd floor beer bar with hot springs
    DIY crafts & outdoor BBQ party
    󱨠Saved by 609 users󱨠956 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    高冈市灌夫高冈市灌夫

    It was a great experience. The service was excellent. The attractions were good. I tried the indoor rafting, which was great. The fish spa was nice, with its small fish and water guns. The breakfast at the Suifeng restaurant and the food on the third floor of the hot springs were also very impressive and good.

  • Liu Laogen Theatre
    5
    󰺂6.9
    Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market13.7 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Cultural landmark in bustling Zhongjie
    󰋄Century-old theater & comedy show
    󱨠1103 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    _We***40_We***40

    With its renowned reputation, it's a must-see when visiting Shenyang. Here are a few details to share. Without spoiling anything, the Liu Laogen Grand Stage is now labeled a "Green Errenzhuan" (two-person opera) production, which doesn't affect the quality of the performances. However, locals also recommend the Nanfeng Grand Theater, claiming it's more grounded in Errenzhuan (though I didn't go). Liu Laogen is more expensive, as you'll usually see some of the people you see on TV. When it comes to ticket purchases, Liu Laogen's process is somewhat of a hybrid of online and offline, unlike the usual practice. You can buy tickets in advance through the official ticket app, but the offline ticket booth doesn't open until 10 a.m. on the morning of the show to select and collect your seats. This means if you don't select your seat early and wait until showtime to redeem your ticket, you'll only be assigned the last seat in that section. You can also buy tickets offline early, and you can choose your ideal seat, but there's a chance that a large number of people who buy tickets online in advance will sell out early (this situation shouldn't be very likely). Buying tickets through mainstream platforms like Ctrip doesn't require or require offline seat selection; the system automatically assigns tickets, but you still have to go to the ticket window to redeem them. I feel like the seats you're assigned are generally in the middle row, not the closest seats (because I bought my ticket as soon as it became available at 12 a.m., and still ended up in the middle row). As for other details, the theater has a snack and souvenir shop with reasonable prices. You can also scan the QR code at your seat to buy, and a staff member will bring it to your scanned location. If you arrive early, there's a warm-up performance at the theater entrance.

  • Shenyang Museum
    6
    󰺂6.6
    Shenyang.Renmin Square/North Market14.1 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 4 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shenyang
    Highlights:
    Hands-on Ceramic Rubbing Experience
    󱨜Qing Dynasty Enamelware Exhibit: Dazzling Charm
    󱨠Saved by 156 users󱨠2016 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    E14***18E14***18

    I was the only visitor this time, and the guide was incredibly attentive! She explained everything very thoroughly, highlighting key artifacts and emphasizing their importance. The two-hour tour lasted a full two hours, and she even answered all my questions. The Shenyang Museum has many worthwhile artifacts to see, and this tour was truly well worth listening to!

  • The Governor's House of Northeast China
    7
    󰺂6.5
    7.15
    Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market13.3 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Learn history of Provincial Governor's
    󱨜Late Qing & early Republic history
    󱨠401 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Visiting the Governor's Palace allows you to learn about history, see China's development, and appreciate their efforts. It's quite impressive. There are very few visitors here, but those under 70 years old need to buy a ticket.

  • Zhongjie Street
    8
    󰺂6.5
    Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market13.7 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱤎Thousands of lights brighten Shenyang
    󱓊Taste Shenyang's dumplings & snacks
    󱨠Saved by 309 users󱨠404 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    行走的奶酪君行走的奶酪君

    When you come to Zhongjie, you just don't want to leave. You can't stop shopping. Food, entertainment, culture, history, everything can be explored for a whole day. The scenery is beautiful and there is no lack of fun.

  • Qipanshan Ice and Snow World
    9
    󰺂6.5
    5.32
    Shenyang.Qipanshan34.5 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoQipanshan Ice and Snow World Opens for Trial Operation | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Ski Resorts in Shenyang
    Highlights:
    Enjoy the speed and passion of the snow slide
    󱨜A great place to take photos of the huge ice sculpture exhibition
    󱨠133 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    M47***12M47***12

    : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

  • Shenyang Forest Zoological Garden
    10
    󰺂6.3
    Shenyang.Qipanshan33.3 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoPandas at Shenyang Forest Zoological Garden Frolic in the First Snow
    trip best small logoNo. 6 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shenyang
    Highlights:
    󱓊Animal enclosures blend with nature
    󰀆Feed & play with animals
    󱨠Saved by 263 users󱨠1850 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    圣佩玛丽黛佳圣佩玛丽黛佳

    I went with my parents and grandma. The air was fantastic! Although some animals weren't out in winter, it was still very interesting. The tour is very convenient; it's a loop, and you can see all the animals by following the main path! The only downside was the cold weather; many stalls weren't open, so I recommend bringing some food. There were only two or three stalls, and it wasn't crowded. I think it was better than going in the summer when it's hot and has lots of mosquitoes. Plus, they have discounted tickets now! Highly recommended! Highly recommended!

Best things to do in Shenyang (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Shenyang? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Shenyang offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Shenyang

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Shenyang experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Shenyang Imperial Palace

• Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market | 13.5 km from downtown

• : Phoenix Tower offers "Fenglou Sunrise",Learn about Qing Dynasty court culture at the cultural exhibition

Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museum

• Shenyang.The Imperial Palace/Xiaoheyan Morning Market | 13 km from downtown

• : 5 buildings show Zhang Xueliang's life,Explore the restoration scenario of the Original Frontier Bank

Liaoning Provincial Museum

• Shenyang.Liaoning Provincial Museum/Taoxian International Airport | 352m from downtown

• : 110,000 relics including jade & bronze,11,000 artifacts & paintings

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Shenyang

If you want to explore attractions just outside Shenyang, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Shenyang, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Shenyang special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Shenyang

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Shenyang

Ready to explore the best of Shenyang? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Shenyang?
These are all Best Things to Do in Shenyang:Shenyang Imperial Palace, Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museum, Liaoning Provincial Museum, Qinghe Peninsula Spa&Hot Spring, Liu Laogen Theatre
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Shenyang?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Shenyang include:Shenyang Imperial Palace:4.7, Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museum:4.7, Liaoning Provincial Museum:4.9, Qinghe Peninsula Spa&Hot Spring:4.5, Liu Laogen Theatre:4.6
At what locations in Shenyang can Best Things to Do in Shenyang be found?
The Best Things to Do in Shenyang are mainly located in:Shenyang Imperial Palace:Shenyang, Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museum:Shenyang, Liaoning Provincial Museum:Shenyang, Qinghe Peninsula Spa&Hot Spring:Shenyang, Liu Laogen Theatre:Shenyang
󰴉