Shenyang is the political, economic and cultural centre of Liaoning Province. It is also an important industrial base and a famous historical city. As the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty, it has one of the country's two surviving imperial palaces.

Shenyang's climate is relatively dry majority of the year with spikes in precipitation during the summer, due to the influence of monsoons. Temperatures vary as much as 10℃ from day to night. In the winter they can drop below freezing, so the smart traveller will plan to dress in layers.

Shangri-La Shenyang is in Shenhe District, the city's economic, financial and commercial centre.