Liaoning is a province in northeastern China, set between the Yellow Sea to the south and the border with North Korea to the east. Its coastline gives the province a different character from the inland plains and hills that make up much of the northeast, and its position makes it a useful place to understand how the region connects to the rest of the country and to the Korean Peninsula.
Cities to know
Two major cities anchor a visit to Liaoning. Shenyang, the provincial capital, is the larger inland city and a natural starting point for travellers arriving by air or rail. Dalian, on the coast, is the province's other major centre and gives visitors a look at the sea, with the Yellow Sea shaping both the scenery and the rhythm of the city.
What a visit offers
- Urban time in Shenyang, the provincial capital, as a base for exploring the northeast.
- Coastal time in Dalian, where the Yellow Sea sets the tone of the city.
- A sense of the border region, given the province's shared frontier with North Korea.
- Connections to the wider northeast, since Liaoning sits at the edge of the region and is easy to combine with neighbouring areas.
Because Liaoning covers a broad area rather than a single town, it suits travellers who want to move between a large inland city and a seaside one. Plan your route around the two main cities, and allow time to travel between them and to reach the coast.
