If you don’t try these activities in Shenyang during winter, you might as well not have come. First and foremost, you must experience the city’s ice and snow culture by visiting the Qipanshan Ice and Snow World. Admire ice sculptures, go skiing, and try various ice activities to relive the snowy childhood of northeastern kids.
Additionally, you should visit the Guandong Film City to explore old Shenyang’s shops and architecture, savoring a taste of the region’s bygone days; pay respects at the Qingfu Mausoleum to honor the great emperor Nurhaci; if that feels a bit heavy, hop in a car or rent one to drive to Hunnan’s drive-in cinema for a movie—experience a different kind of romance.
One: Savor a Taste of Old Guandong
Sip a pot of aged liquor, drunk in a dream; share a past tale, emotions in the heart; dream of bygone days, tears in the eyes…
History, even if you’ve never lived it, can still move you. We’ve all probably regretted only being able to hear stories from those who experienced the old Beishi market’s lively chaos, or having to imagine the grandeur of horse-drawn tramways. Though we’re occasionally grateful for old photos that help us search for memories, the true experiences remain forever out of reach.
Guandong Film City is a city within a city. Step through that gate, and time quickly rewinds a hundred years—narrow streets, gray-brick houses, posters advertising cigarettes… It’s a lonely city, having long left the track of time, leaving only mourning for a castle in the air; it’s also a bustling city, decked out in lights and decorations during festivals, letting people sense its former existence.
The buildings in the film city were reportedly personally designed by the famous art director Mr. Huo Tingxiao. Seventeen-seven structures showcase the architectural styles of old Shenyang’s Zhongjie, Taiyuanjie, Beishichang, and Nanshichang—each spot capturing the essence of the city’s buildings. Ji Shuntong Silk Shop on Old Zhongjie, Qingxianlou east of the Bell and Drum Tower, and Puyunlou—one of Beijing’s famed “Eight Great Restaurants”… There’s so much more, including the Huaiyuan Gate and Fu Jin Gate, both built at a 1:1 scale, along with various iconic old Beishi market buildings. It all creates a wistful sense of stepping back in time, making you wonder if you were truly part of it.
Suddenly, you spot someone in a long traditional gown at a street corner—let yourself briefly time-travel. If you’re lucky enough to run into a TV or movie star, the dream will naturally fade, and you’ll seamlessly switch back to “Loser Mode”!
Two: Winter’s Snowy Revelry
Chai Xiaoniu, a true northeastern girl. Once, we’d wear thick cotton-padded jackets and pants, playing exuberantly in the snow on the playground, letting shimmering snowflakes sneak into our coats and shoes—but that thrill is something southern girls could never understand. We also miss those after-school afternoons, sledding on tiny ice carts until our noses and cheeks were red, but our heads steamed with heat. Now, this girl has married and moved south, but her biggest concerns, aside from the class monitor she once secretly admired but never got, are the snowy adventures of northern winters. Whenever she returns home, she insists on waiting for snowfall, rounding up old classmates for skiing and making sure her son experiences the icy joy of the north.
With age comes upgraded gear—snowboards and full skiing equipment have replaced tiny ice carts. But the vastness of the north accommodates it all. So besides Qipanshan Ice and Snow World and the New Northeast Asia Ski Resort, there are plenty of modern and nostalgic snowy activities. And my dear Chai Xiaoniu? Aside from admiring “model-like” abs, she loves watching dashing snowboarders carve down slopes in S-turns, then giving her resolute verdict: “So cool!”
Determined to claim some of that ultimate coolness for herself (without threatening her marriage), this girl actually filled her entire winter break taking her son to Shenyang to learn skiing. They say there’s a type of cold called “mom-thinks-it’s-cold.” Well, here you could say there’s a type of cool called “mom-thinks-it’s-cool”! But when sunlight refracts off ice crystals, giving the pure white snow a diamond-like sparkle, and you step onto it—this beauty truly takes your breath away.
Three: Honoring Nurhaci at Qingfu Mausoleum
An emperor’s mind—it’s probably something us ordinary folks can never fully comprehend. He could charge into battle with sword and horse, yet also strategize with grand vision; he could have countless wives, not just for love, but could also fly into rage over a single beauty; he could lead the nation with boundless ambition, yet also show tender affection and joy. But who has ever truly stepped into his heart? Perhaps only he knows. And so, throughout history, emperors have all been lonely—and only through loneliness can they maintain a clear head, so clear they end up with no friends…
In the Fuling Mausoleum, backed by mountains and facing water, lies Emperor Nurhaci alongside his two imperial consorts. The green mountains and cypresses quietly grow fuller with the passing years, from youth to middle age to hoary old age, accompanying the invincible warrior who dominated on horseback, guarding his soul’s peace, and witnessing every moment of emperors Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Qianlong paying their respects. Centuries have passed, but they remain, while time has turned over countless cycles.
Walk through that vermilion gate, pass through the pine and cypress grove, where birds chirp crisply amid the woods. The marks of time always arrive fittingly, and perhaps only here, in this place, can time flow while dreams drift back through the years.
Cross an arched bridge, climb the 108 steps—one must bow humbly, akin to ascending five floors in one go. These 108 steps are a unique feature among imperial tombs, said to represent the 108 worldly afflictions—climbing them means trampling those troubles underfoot. Just the designer of these 108 steps must have held great reverence for Nurhaci; otherwise, they wouldn’t have made visitors adopt such a reverent posture while climbing. Even later generations couldn’t avoid it—truly a labor of deep thought. Above the brick steps lies the stele pavilion, double-eaved with a hip-and-gable roof, topped with yellow glazed tiles. Inside stands the “Shengong Shende Stele of the Great Qing Fuling” inscribed in both Manchu and Chinese by Emperor Kangxi. The stele, carved from a single block of white marble, was supposedly transported manually for ten years because it had to remain unpolished en route.
Pass through the Long’en Gate, and you’ll reach the Long’en Hall. It’s said that the earliest imperial tomb structures only included this hall and the two side halls, all made of rammed earth during the Shunzhi era, before being renovated by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong.
Buried in Fuling are Emperor Taizu Nurhaci and Empress Xiaoci Gao, Lady Yehe Nara. But legend also says that Nurhaci’s favorite and youngest imperial consort, ABAHAI—the mother of Dorgon—was also interred here. This woman, who married Nurhaci at age 12, was expelled from the palace before being recalled, and at age 37, was strangled with a white silk cord by Hong Taiji and buried with him. She played a role in both Nurhaci’s political and emotional life. But some question the joint burial, as it’s uncertain whether Abahai is truly in Fuling. The mystery remains unsolved, as the tomb has never been opened.
Fuling is one of the few imperial tombs that has never been looted. Aside from the fact that the founding ancestor’s capital region had modest economic conditions (resulting in fewer valuable burial items), the Manchu tradition of cremation meant no coffins—and thus no gold or silver adornments—keeping it undisturbed.
There are too many unsolved mysteries here—whether intentional or simply folklore—all adding a touch of mystique to this tomb.
Four: Experience Romance at the Drive-In Cinema
The furthest distance in the world is definitely not when you love me but I love someone else, nor when I’m right beside you but you don’t recognize me—it’s when you drink coffee and I eat garlic.
Want to find out if such a distance exists around you? Or are you brave enough to test the gap between you and someone else? There are many ways—like traveling, or going to a drive-in cinema… This European-imported movie entertainment option is extremely private. If your car windows are dark enough—or you don’t need to pee during the film—even Faye Wong and Nicholas Tse could rendezvous here without paparazzi catching on. Beyond privacy, you can ditch the usual movie theater etiquette of staying silent. Cry if you want, laugh if you want, curse freely, or speak your mind without delay. That’s when you see someone’s true colors—coffee or garlic? Instantly revealed. But if the person next to you stays completely silent and expressionless the whole time? Only two possibilities: they’re incredibly secretive, or just clueless about romance. Being secretive is scary—but not getting romance? Isn’t that even scarier?
Of course, aside from privacy and freedom, people who love sound effects might prefer drive-in cinemas. It depends on your car speakers, but once you tune in, the immersive surround sound is super exciting.