Liaoning is a province in northeast China on the Bohai and Yellow Seas, bordering North Korea along the Yalu River. It combines Shenyang's Qing-dynasty imperial heritage, Dalian's beaches and European-style squares, Dandong's view across the border, and a long Great Wall coastline at Hushan and Xingcheng. Liaoning is also the heartland of Dongbei cuisine: dumplings, barbecue, stews, and fresh Yellow Sea seafood.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Xiuyan Jade (岫岩玉)
Xiuyan County in Anshan prefecture is China's largest source of serpentine 'Xiuyan jade'; carved pendants, bangles and figurines are sold in specialist shops and jade markets. Insist on a certificate for costly pieces
Price: CNY 50-2,000 (approx. USD 7-300)
Where: Anshan Yufo Yuan jade market area, Shenyang Wu'ai Market, Dalian Tianjin Street shops
Dalian Dried Sea Cucumber and Abalone (大连海参 / 鲍鱼)
Dalian is famous for sea cucumber and abalone; dried or vacuum-packed products are common gifts. Buy from established stores with fixed prices, not street sellers
Price: CNY 300-3,000 per pack (approx. USD 45-450)
Where: Dalian Tianjin Street specialty stores, Dalian Airport duty-free shops, supermarkets in Xiping Street area
Dalian Shell Carving (贝雕)
Dalian's traditional craft of carving and assembling seashell pictures and ornaments, an officially listed local handicraft
Price: CNY 30-500 (approx. USD 4-75)
Where: Dalian Russian Street stalls, Xinghai Square souvenir shops, Fisherman's Wharf
Manchu Embroidery, Paper-Cut and Qipao Accessories (满绣 / 剪纸)
Shenyang shops around the Imperial Palace sell Manchu-style embroidered pouches, paper-cuts, jewellery and hair ornaments
Price: CNY 20-400 (approx. USD 3-60)
Where: Shenyang Imperial Palace gift shops, Zhongjie Pedestrian Street, Shenyang North Market area
Laobian Dumpling and Sa Qi Ma Pastries (老边饺子 / 萨其马)
Sa qi ma is a sweet Manchu fried pastry sold in boxes; Laobian Dumplings (a 19th-century Shenyang brand) sell frozen dumplings for travellers; check airline food rules before flying
Price: CNY 15-80 (approx. USD 2-12)
Where: Zhongjie Street, Shenyang Taiyuan Street stores, supermarkets
Dandong Strawberries and Dried Fruit (丹东草莓)
Dandong is renowned for strawberries in spring (Feb-May); dried strawberries and ginseng products are portable gifts
Price: CNY 30-120 (approx. USD 4-18)
Where: Dandong Zhongshan Road markets, Dandong Railway Station shops, supermarkets
Northeast Ginseng and Deer-Antler Products (人参)
Dongbei ginseng from the Changbai region is sold in Shenyang and Dalian pharmacies and TCM shops; buy from licensed pharmacies and keep receipts
Price: CNY 100-3,000 (approx. USD 15-450)
Where: Shenyang Tong Ren Tang branches, Dalian pharmacies around Qingniwaqiao
Dalian Beer and Liaoning Baijiu (大连啤酒 / 老龙口)
Snow Beer (雪花) began in Shenyang; Laolongkou (老龙口) is a Shenyang baijiu brand dating to 1662. Both are inexpensive gifts, though liquid limits apply at airport security
Price: CNY 20-300 (approx. USD 3-45)
Where: Supermarkets, airport duty-free, Zhongjie stores
Dandong Silk (丹东丝绸)
Dandong has a long-established mulberry-silk industry producing scarves and quilts
Price: CNY 60-800 (approx. USD 9-120)
Where: Dandong Zhongshan Road stores, Dandong Railway Station area
Fuxin Agate Carvings (阜新玛瑙)
Fuxin, in western Liaoning, is known as the 'Agate Capital'; polished stones and carved pieces are sold in Shenyang jewellery markets
Price: CNY 30-1,500 (approx. USD 4-225)
Where: Shenyang Wu'ai Market, Fuxin Agate City
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Shenyang Zhongjie Pedestrian Street (中街)
China's first commercial pedestrian street, dating from the Qing era, with department stores, Laobian Dumplings, Manchu-style snacks and souvenirs
Where: Shenhe District, Shenyang
Hours: Daily about 9AM-10PM (most stores 10AM-9:30PM)
Shenyang Taiyuan Street (太原街)
The city's biggest shopping district near the railway station, with malls, underground arcades, cheap clothing and electronics; bustling and less polished than Zhongjie
Where: Heping District, Shenyang (near Shenyang Railway Station)
Hours: Daily about 10AM-10PM
Xita Korean Street (西塔朝鲜族街)
Korean-minority commercial district with Korean groceries, kimchi, hanbok shops, cosmetics and grilled-meat restaurants
Where: Heping District, Shenyang
Hours: Daily about 9AM-10PM; restaurants until 11PM
Shenyang Wu'ai Market (五爱市场)
One of Northeast China's largest wholesale clothing, bag and toy markets; bargaining expected; go early, bring cash or use WeChat Pay
Where: Shenhe District, Shenyang
Hours: Daily about 8AM-5PM (wholesale hours)
Dalian Tianjin Street (天津街)
Dalian's oldest and most famous shopping street, lined with department stores, seafood and souvenir stores near Qingniwaqiao, with Japanese-era buildings
Where: Zhongshan District, Dalian
Hours: Daily about 10AM-9:30PM
Dalian Qingniwaqiao Shopping District (青泥洼桥)
Dalian's downtown commercial core around Qingniwaqiao intersection with underground malls and department stores including Dalian Friendship Shopping Mall
Where: Zhongshan District, Dalian
Hours: Daily about 10AM-10PM
Dalian Russian Street (俄罗斯风情街)
Historic street of Russian-era buildings converted into souvenir shops, nesting dolls, amber and cafes
Where: Zhongshan District, Dalian
Hours: Daily about 9AM-9PM
Dalian Xiping Street (西安路商圈)
The biggest modern retail hub in Dalian's Shahekou District with malls, international brands and restaurants; a rival to Qingniwaqiao
Where: Shahekou District, Dalian
Hours: Daily about 10AM-10PM