Liaoning Administrative Divisions

Liaoning Province is located in southern Northeast China, with Shenyang (沈阳) as its provincial capital. It is China’s only province that borders both the sea and international frontiers, neighboring North Korea, the Bohai Sea, and the Yellow Sea. The province covers approximately 148,700 square kilometers and has a resident population of around 41.55 million.

The administrative structure consists of 14 prefecture-level cities and the Shenfu (沈抚) Demonstration Zone, with 100 county-level divisions including 59 districts, 16 county-level cities, 17 counties, and 8 autonomous counties.

Tourism resources are rich and diverse, featuring 6 World Cultural Heritage sites, 7 5A-level attractions, and a combination of Qing Dynasty culture, coastal resorts, border landscapes, mountain geology, and hot spring/winter tourism.

Profile of the 14 Prefecture-Level Cities and Key Tourism Highlights

Shenyang (沈阳) – Provincial Capital

Administrative Divisions: 10 districts (Heping, Shenhe, Huanggu, Dadong, Tiexi, Sujiatun, Hunnan, Shenbei New Area, Yuhong, Liaozhong), 1 county-level city (Xinmin), 2 counties (Kangping, Faku).

Key Tourism Resources:
World Heritage: Shenyang Imperial Palace (沈阳故宫), Zhaoling Tomb (北陵), Fuling Tomb (东陵)
Modern History: Marshal Zhang's Mansion, Miss Zhao’s House
Cultural Streets: Zhongjie Pedestrian Street, Xita Korean Folk Street, Beishi Market

Dalian (大连) – Coastal Metropolis

Administrative Divisions: 7 districts (Zhongshan, Xigang, Shahekou, Ganjingzi, Lushunkou, Jinzhou, Pulandian), 2 county-level cities (Wafangdian, Zhuanghe), 1 county (Changhai).

Key Tourism Resources:
Coastal Landmarks: Xinghai Square, Binhai Road, Bangchuidao Island, Jinshitan (金石滩, 5A)
Marine Attractions: Laohutan Ocean Park (老虎滩海洋公园, 5A), Shengya Ocean World
Historical Sites: Lushun Naval Port, Baiyushan, Russo-Japanese Prison Ruins

Anshan (鞍山) – Steel & Jade City

Administrative Divisions: 4 districts (Tiedong, Tiexi, Lishan, Qianshan), 1 county-level city (Haicheng), 2 counties (Taian, Xiuyan Manchu Autonomous County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Mountains: Qianshan Mountain (千山, 5A), Jade Buddha Garden (玉佛苑)
Hot Springs: Tanggangzi Hot Springs, Tianlai Valley Hot Springs
Local Specialty Tourism: Xiuyan Jade Market, Nanguo Pear Orchard

Fushun (抚顺) – Cradle of the Qing Dynasty

Administrative Divisions: 4 districts (Xinfu, Dongzhou, Wanghua, Shuncheng), 3 counties (Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Qingyuan Manchu Autonomous County, Fushun County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Qing Tombs: Yongling Tomb (永陵, World Heritage)
Natural Landscapes: Sa’erhu Scenic Area, Honghe Valley Rafting
Industrial Culture: Fushun Coal Mine Museum, Coal Carving Heritage Workshops

Benxi (本溪) – Maple Capital

Administrative Divisions: 4 districts (Pingshan, Xihu, Mingshan, Nanfen), 2 autonomous counties (Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, Huanren Manchu Autonomous County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Geological Wonders: Benxi Water Caves (本溪水洞, 5A)
Autumn Foliage: Guanmen Mountain, Laobian Valley, Dashihu Lake
World Heritage: Wunü Mountain Ancient City (五女山山城, Goguryeo capital)

Dandong (丹东) – Border City

Administrative Divisions: 3 districts (Yuanbao, Zhenxing, Zhen’an), 2 county-level cities (Donggang, Fengcheng), 1 autonomous county (Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Border Landmarks: Yalu River Broken Bridge (鸭绿江断桥), Hushan Great Wall
Eco-Scenic Spots: Phoenix Mountain, Tianqiao Valley, Lvjiang Village
Ethnic Culture: Korean Folk Village, Antong Old Street

Jinzhou (锦州) – Gateway to Western Liaoning

Administrative Divisions: 3 districts (Guta, Linghe, Taihe), 2 county-level cities (Linghai, Beizhen), 2 counties (Heishan, Yi).

Key Tourism Resources:
Mountain & Sea: Bijia Mountain, Yiwulü Mountain
Historical Sites: Fengguo Temple, Wanfo Hall Grottoes
Red Tourism: Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall

Yingkou (营口) – Pearl of the Bohai

Administrative Divisions: 4 districts (Zhanqian, Xishi, Bayuquan, Laobian), 2 county-level cities (Dashiqiao, Gaizhou).

Key Tourism Resources:
Coastal Resorts: Bayuquan Baisha Bay, Xianren Island, Beihai Bathing Beach
Hot Springs & Wellness: Xiongyue Hot Springs, Silabao Hot Spring Town
Historic Streets: Liaohe Old Street

Fuxin (阜新) – Agate Capital

Administrative Divisions: 5 districts (Haizhou, Xinqiu, Taiping, Qinghemen, Xihe), 2 autonomous counties (Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Kalaqin Left Wing Mongol Autonomous County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Religious Culture: Ruiying Temple, Haitang Mountain Cliff Carvings
Prehistoric Sites: Chahai Site (First Chinese Dragon Discovery)
Local Specialty Crafts: Fuxin Agate City

Liaoyang (辽阳) – Northeast’s Historic City

Administrative Divisions: 5 districts (Baita, Wensheng, Hongwei, Gongchangling, Taizihe), 1 county-level city (Dengta), 1 county (Liaoyang County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Historical Relics: Liaoyang Ancient City Wall, Guangyou Temple (Largest Bronze Seated Buddha)
Hot Spring & Ski Resorts: Gongchangling Hot Spring Ski Area
Folk Villages: Qiandu Village (Strawberry Picking, Rural Homestays)

Tieling (铁岭) – Home of Rural Stories

Administrative Divisions: 2 districts (Yinzhou, Qinghe), 2 county-level cities (Diaobingshan, Kaiyuan), 3 counties (Tieling, Xifeng, Changtu).

Key Tourism Resources:
Rural Film Locations: Xiangyashan (Filming Site of “Countryside Love”)
Wetland Landscapes: Lotus Lake Wetland, Longshou Mountain
Industrial Tourism: Diaobingshan Steam Locomotive Museum

Chaoyang (朝阳) – Cradle of Hongshan Culture

Administrative Divisions: 2 districts (Shuangta, Longcheng), 2 county-level cities (Beipiao, Lingyuan), 3 counties (Chaoyang, Jianping, Kalaqin Left Wing Mongol Autonomous County).

Key Tourism Resources:
Prehistoric Civilization: Nihewan National Archaeological Park (5000-year Hongshan Culture)
Mountain Landscapes: Phoenix Mountain, Dahei Mountain
Fossil Culture: Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geological Park

Panjin (盘锦) – Wetland Capital

Administrative Divisions: 3 districts (Shuangtaizi, Xinglongtai, Dawa), 1 county (Panshan).

Key Tourism Resources:
Wetland Wonders: Red Beach National Scenic Corridor (Largest Red Beach in the World)
Local Cuisine & Agriculture: Panjin River Crab, Rice Field Sightseeing
Cultural Streets: Guangsha Art Street

Huludao (葫芦岛) – First City Beyond the Great Wall

Administrative Divisions: 3 districts (Lianshan, Longgang, Nanpiao), 1 county-level city (Xingcheng), 2 counties (Suizhong, Jianchang).

Key Tourism Resources:
Great Wall Wonders: Jiupengkou Great Wall (Water Great Wall, World Heritage)
Ancient Coastal City: Xingcheng Ancient City, Xingcheng Coastline
Island Resorts: Juehua Island, Dongdaihe

County-Level Administrative Divisions of Liaoning Province

Shenyang (沈阳)

Dalian (大连)

Anshan (鞍山)

Fushun (抚顺)

Benxi (本溪)

Dandong (丹东)

Jinzhou (锦州)

Yingkou (营口)

Fuxin (阜新)

Liaoyang (辽阳)

Tieling (铁岭)

Chaoyang (朝阳)

Panjin (盘锦)

Huludao (葫芦岛)