Shenyang Favorites

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Favorite thing: Shenyang Station building was built in 1910 by the Southern Manchurian Railway Company was formerly called Mukden Station, though I believe there was relatively recent restoration work. You can compare and see how the architecture is modelled upon Tokyo Station.

There is a parallel of similarity at Dalian Station in which it is modelled upon Ueno Station (the 2nd major train terminal in Tokyo).

Favorite thing: Wandering the streets of Shenyang, you can come across some fascinating buildings and sights.

The architecture, as with most Chinese cities, varies from the traditional to the bizarre.

I could not find it again, but there is one building in the shape of an old chinese coin, complete with the sqare hole in the centre.

This picture shows how some of the architecture can be interesting. You will find the building if you walk back from the Imperial City.

Favorite thing: Of course I would seem out of character if I didn't say shopping! But overall I found this city had a lot of personality....coming from someone who is self-admittedly a little shallow!

Fondest memory: Bargains aside, I loved seeing the "Da Bai Cai" or Chinese Cabbages everywhere. I enjoyed walking through the park and being invited to watch mahjong games or older people wanting to play with my daughter. Living in Bejing makes you forget that most of China is not so cosmopolitan. It was a refreshing change of pace and enjoyed my time there very much. I've been to at least 40 cities in China and found that Shenyang was a pleasant surprise.

Favorite thing: The new mayor is determined to make Shenyang a greener city, so thanks to recent efforts, the parks have improved quite a bit, and they are worth checking out! If the weather is nice, check out the large park by the river on the south side of town. The entrance is near the bridge on Qingnian Street . Entrance is free, and it is really beautiful in the non-freezing months. The river is pleasant, the grass is green (!) and there are many flower beds and fountains. It's a good place for jogging or quiet strolls--it reminds me a little bit of a park in my hometown on the Mississippi River.

This is my favorite park (since I live within walking distance) but the others are also nice. They can be great places to relax with locals and take in a few games of Chinese chess.

Favorite thing:

Shenyang
Originally called Shen, the city was a prosperous Mongol trading center from the 10th to the 12th century AD. Renamed Feng-t¡¯ien, it was under Chinese control during 1368-1625; and, as Mukden and Shengking, was an early capital (1625-1644) of the Qing (Manchu) dynasty (1644-1911) before its conquest of Beijing. Modern development, begun by Russian interests in 1895, continued under Japanese influence following the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and with the aid of powerful local warlords. The Mukden Incident (1913) marked the start of the Japanese conquest of Manchuria and establishment of the former Japanese-controlled state of Manchukuo (1932-1945). Looted of its industrial equipment, the city was returned to China in 1945 and renamed Shenyang in 1948. It was the capital (1949-1954) of the short-lived Northeast Administrative Region and was rebuilt as a diversified industrial center in the 1950s