Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province and the biggest city in Northeast China, located on the north bank of the Hunhe River. North used to be called yang in ancient China and the Hunhe River was known as Shenshui, hence the city's name Shenyang.
    Shenyang has a history of 2,000 years and is one of the renowned historic and cultural cities in China. It was named Hou City in the Western han Dynasty and Shen State in the Liao and Jin Dynasties. The people began to ram and build their city wall with clay in the Liao and Jin Dynasties. Nurhaci, the founder of both the Latter Jin Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, chose it as the capital of the Latter Jin Dynasty. When Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty moved the capital to Beijing, he still chose Shenyang as the alternate capital, giving it another name “Mukden”.
    The scenic spots in Shenyang City are numerous and varied. The following spots are recognized as the 15 great tour attractions: the Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty in Shenyang, Imperial Mausoleum (Fu Mausoleum and Zhao Mausoleum), Mountain Huishan Scenery Area, Liaoning Broadcast and Television Center, Strange Slope, Winds of “September 18” (including the Museum of the September 18 Incident and Commander Zhang's Residence), Middle Business Ambulation Street, Hunhe River Amusement Park, Summer Palace, Xinmin WestLake, Xinle Ruins, Shenyang Botanical Garden, Canal Scenery Area, Lying Dragon Lake in Kangpin and Shenyang Ancient Cloud Stone.