Shenyang,The Olympic city of Shenyang (Football),

	» Hotels & Apartments	» News from London
	» Olympic Packages	» Symbols - Mascots - Medals
	» Olympic Venues	» Travel Tips
	» Games Tickets	» Games Schedule

« The Co-host Olympic Cities

Shenyang

Shenyang

The Olympic city of Shenyang (Football)

Shenyang in the Liaoning Province is the largest city in Northeast China and the political, economic, and cultural centre of the area. A famous historical city, it can trace its origins back through 2,000 years to the Warring States Period (476 BC -221 BC).

Although the climate is relatively dry the region is affected by summer monsoons when the temperature drop can be as much as 10 degrees C between day and night.

As the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), there are many cultural relics symbolizing the prosperity and subsequent decline of last feudal dynasty in China. A place of great historical significance and not to be missed is the Shenyang Imperial Palace which is second only to the Forbidden City in the extent of preservation. Two other famous imperial structures of the Qing Dynasty are Fuling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb.

For an unusual experience you can visit Strange Slope (Guaipo), which is an 'anti-gravity slope more than eighty meters long. Here, the natural laws of Physics are reversed and cars and bikes must accelerate to go down the hill but can easily roll upward toward the top. Pedestrians also experience a similar reversal in energy needed when walking up and down.

When you are feeling hungry the many famous and traditional dishes and snacks on offer in Shenyang will definitely tempt you. Pubs, Karaoke bars, cafes, and tea houses abound and you are sure to find something suitable when time comes to eat and relax.

Attractions and Sightseeing

The Shenyang Imperial Palace should not be missed. As the only existing royal Palace to be found outside of Beijing’s Forbidden City it was started in 1625 and finished in 1636. About one twelfth of the size of the Forbidden city it has more than 300 rooms based around 20 courtyards. The three sections have unique characteristics and the palace can be divided into East, Middle and Western sections.

Starting at the East we have the Hall of Great affairs where past emperors ascended the throne. Standing to the East and West of the Hall are a group of pavilions known as the Ten King Pavilions where emperors and leaders settled affairs of national importance. The buildings have a unique architectural style being an amalgamation of several other styles including Han, Manchu and Mongolian originating from the shape of the nomadic tent and are a good representation of the palace as a whole.

Moving on to the middle section we find Da Qing Gate and Chong Zheng Dian, The Phoenix Tower and Qingning Palace are arranged from South to North on a central axis. Chong Zheng Dian is the most eminent building in the whole palace complex being the place where the emperor Abahai held court. The Phoenix Tower used to be the highest structure in the city and Quingning Palace was the bedchamber of the emperor and his concubines.

The later Western section was constructed by Emperor Qianlong and its principal structure is the Wen Su Pavilion which contains the complete collection of the four treasures. The black painted roof, was supposed to protect the structure and its precious books from fire as was the custom at the time as black was believed to represent water.

Shenyang, selebration fro the Olympics 2008

Many other relics and works of art are preserved here and the Palace has become the most popular attraction in the city. You can reach the Shenyang Imperial Palace by taking the bus, routes 213 and 222. It is open from 8.10 am until 5.00 pm and admission cost is 50 Yuan.

Another attraction on the top list fro tourists is the Fuling Tomb, located in the Eastern suburb of the city. It is the mausoleum of the founder of the Qing dynasty, Nurhachi (who also started the building of the Imperial Palace) and his empress. Built against the Tianzhu Mountain and set amongst beautiful scenery the simplistic and elegant tomb was started in 1629 and finished in 1651.

On both sides of the grand red gate, the ‘frontispiece’ of the tomb stand beautifully carved stone lions, ornamental columns called Huabiao, stone tablets and memorial archways. The stone tablets bear 3 types of Chinese characters in Manchu, Han and Mongolian warning visitors, if they were mounted, to dismount and pass on foot. If they disobeyed punishment would follow. Passing through the gate you come to the Sacred Way, lined by pairs of stone lions, horses, tigers and camels. Reaching the end of the sacred way we come to the 108 step stairway indicating the sovereign right of imperial power.

Continuing on we come to the main construction of the tomb which is a Square Castle structure and characteristic of the Qing dynasty architectural style. Standing about 5 metres high the castle, the castle has four small towers, one on each corner. Behind the Square Castle stands the Bao Castle (Treasure Castle) underneath which is the mausoleum on Nurhachi and his empress. You can visit the tomb by taking bus numbers 218, 234 or 330 and the admission cost is 32 Yuan.

The other mausoleum worth visiting is Zhaoling Mausoleum which was begun in 1643 and combines Manchu and Han architecture.

If you have taste for travel with a religious theme then there are many fine attractions to satisfy you in Shenyang. The Xinle Remains is a 7,200 year old site of an aboriginal society where women’s word was law and among the relics unearthed here is a precious woodcarving of a bird - the oldest relic in Shenyang and the entire world!

For the centre of Taoism in Northeast China you can visit Taiqing Palace built in 1663 where you will find the Shenyang Taoism Association. For Buddhism, Ci’en Temple built in the Tang dynasty is the centre. For Tibetan Buddhism the Shisheng Temple, built in 1636, is the largest temple.

There are several museums of interest to the visitor in Shenyang City. The 9.18 museum is a reminder of the Japanese invasion of 1931 which was followed by 14 years of ruthless rule. Located in the Liutiaohu District, the museum contains pictures, videos and statues etc as a reminder of these times. Another museum related to these times is the Museum of ZhangXueliang Former Residence where the famous patriot of Anti-Japanese War resided. The house consists of several rooms in a mixture of Chinese, Japanese and European styles. Shenyang the Ci’en Temple

China’s first Steam Engine exhibition is to be found at the Steam Engine Exhibition Centre and contains 16 steam engines from various parts of the world. The Liaoning Provincial Museum stores thousands of cultural relics, many of which are very rare, providing a fascinating display for visitors.

For outdoor attractions here are some of the best: Quipanshan Scenic Park, located in the Eastern part of the city is based around a beautiful lake and three hills, the classic formation and is home to the Shenyang International Ice Snow and Festival in winter.

Meteorite Mountain Park contains what is thought to be the oldest meteorite in the world, being about 4.5 billion years old and weighing about 2,000,000 tons!

Strange Slope (Guaipo) is another unique experience where the laws of gravity seem to be defied. To drive your car down the slope you will have to put your foot on the pedal whilst to go up you need do nothing – it will go by itself. A real benefit when riding a bike as no hard pedaling is required but no so easy when you want to come down again!

For those with a love of flowers and plants the Shenyang Arboretum is sure to give pleasure with more than 1,700 kinds of plants. Various flower exhibitions are held every year.

Two more areas worth a visit are Wulihe Park on the river bank containing a music fountain, birch woods and a man-made beach and Shenyang West Lake which is home to birds and lotuses .

Time to Eat

Shenyang dining is based on Manchu cuisine giving a distinctive character to the dishes. Many of the dishes have their own traditions and legends. The Man-Han Banquet is an excellent representation of the dishes and there are many unique snacks which originate here.

The following list will give you some ideas of places to eat:
Lumingchun: at 28, Nanjing Beijie, Heping District is one of the oldest restaurants in the city with a reputation for exquisite cooking and one of the few restaurants where Man-Han Banquet is to be found.

Laobian Jiaozi Guan (Laobian Dumpling Restaurant): 206, Zhongjie Lu, Shenhe District serves the delicious dumplings which have been eaten here for at least 160 years.

Najia Guan (Najia Restaurant): 90, Shenyang Lu, Shenhe District Manchu cooking since 1884 its best know dishes are Bairou (tender pork sausage boiled in clear water and seasonings) and Xuechang (boiled pig intestine with pig blood and various flavourings inside).

Liangui Xunrou Dabing (Li Liangui Bacon and Cake): 88, Zhengyang Jie, Shenhe District (general). A well known place to eat the famous snack.

Yangjia Diaolu Bing (Yangjia suspending Furnace Cake): 2, Changxin Jie, Heping District. Shenyang, around the salad bar

Majia Shaomai Guan (Majia Shaomai Restaurant):   a famous Muslim snack shop.

Shenyang Da Qing Hua Jiaozi Guan (Da Qing Hua Dumpling Restaurant): 128, Shiyi Wei Lu, Erjing Jie, Heping District Dumplings with a distinctive Manchu flavour.

Laoshan Ji Haicheng bing (Laoshan Ji Haicheng Pie): 131, Nan Wu Malu, Heping District.

Little Potato Pickles: 327, Taiyuan Nan Jie, Heping District. A speciality food and popular snack throughout northeast China.

Xita Lengmian (West Tower Cold Noodle): opposite to Korean General Merchandise Hall (No.112, Shifu Dalu). A Korean flavour snack with cold boiled noodles and soup.

There are a couple of Dining streets you might like to try. The first is West Tower Street which is the longest street containing various pubs, restaurants and entertainment and food of Korean Flavour to be found in the Heping District. The second is Huihui Ying which is a place where Muslims gather and authentic Muslim food is on offer. Located in the Shenhe District.

Some restaurants worth trying are:

A Cha Zhenwei Dunpin:  (Dongbei dishes)    89, Sanhao Jie.
Lvse Shengtai Yuan:      (Authentic Dongbei dishes) Sha Gangzi, Changbai Jie.
Shu Xiang Yu Fu:            (Sichuan Cuisine) North gate of Northeastern University.
Xinjiang Shifu:              (Muslim food)   46-2, Chongshan Dong Lu.
Kuan Xiangzi:                (Vegetable Dishes Restaurant ) 202, Erjing Jie, Shiyi Wei Lu.
Pizza Hut: Zhongjie Branch:.201, Zhongjie Lu, Zhonghua Branch: 15, Zhonghua Lu Sanhao Branch: 90, Sanhao Jie.

Night life & Entertainment
Irish Bar:        1^st floor of Holiday Inn City Center, No.206, Nanjing Beijie.
BACCHUS:      37, Nan Sanjing Jie.
Bee House:    220, Fengtian Jie
Starbucks:     VIGO Shopping Center, Taiyuan Jie & 1^st floor of Holiday Inn City Centre,.206,Nanjing Beijie
U.B.C.Coffee:  Taiyuan Beijie, Heping District   &   Zhonghan Dasha, 124, Huigong Jie

                                       The Olympic Sports stadium of Shenyang

Shenyang Olympics Sports stadium