Liaoning sits at the northern edge of China's coast, where Dalian's cliffs meet the sea and Shenyang's old streets guard a 400 year old palace three hours inland. The province runs on cold-water seafood and a proper northern winter, and it rewards travellers who split a trip between the harbour and the capital rather than picking just one.

Shenyang's biggest drawcard is the Shenyang Imperial Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1620s and 1630s as the residence of the early Qing emperors before the dynasty moved its capital to Beijing. The palace blends Manchu, Han and Mongolian building styles under one roof and is still the most visited sight in the city, alongside the nearby Beiling Park and its Qing-era royal tomb grounds. Dalian's drawcard is simpler: clean, cold water that produces some of the best sea cucumber, abalone and razor clams in the country, served everywhere from harbourfront stalls to hotel restaurants.

Liaoning has plenty of places to base yourself, from harbourside towers in Dalian to city hotels a short walk from Shenyang's palace walls. A high-speed rail line strings the main cities together, so a stay in one is never far from a day out in the next. Here's where to stay, what it costs and which hotels are worth booking.

Where to stay in Liaoning

• Dalian: a port city with cliffside coastline, seafood markets and a tram line through old Russian-style streets. Good base for beach days at Golden Pebble Beach or Laohutan Ocean Park. See hotels in Dalian.
• Shenyang: Liaoning's capital, built around the Qing dynasty Imperial Palace and a busy modern shopping strip. See hotels in Shenyang.
• Anshan: known for its hot springs and a jade Buddha statue carved from a single 261 tonne stone, plus the temple-covered slopes of nearby Qianshan Mountain. See hotels in Anshan.
• Panjin: home to the Red Beach wetlands, where the marsh grass turns a deep red each autumn and migratory birds move through in their thousands. See hotels in Panjin.

How much is Liaoning accommodation?

A typical night's stay across Liaoning averages around AU$70, though it swings hard between a hostel bunk and a harbour-view suite. Here's the general ladder:

• Backpackers/Hostels: From AU$20 per night. Dorm beds near Dalian's train station or Shenyang's North Station.
• Budget hotels/Guesthouses: From AU$40 per night. Simple, clean rooms usually a short walk from a metro stop.
• Mid-range/Apartments: From AU$70 per night. Serviced apartments and 3-star chains with a proper breakfast included.
• Boutique: From AU$110 per night. Smaller, design-led hotels concentrated in Dalian's seafront districts.
• Luxury/Resorts: From AU$180 per night. Five-star towers with spas, harbour views and in-house dining.

Top-rated hotels in Liaoning

• Grand Hyatt Dalian: a full-service spa and indoor pool a short stroll from Xinghai Bay Beach.
• Shangri-La Shenyang: set in the city centre, an easy taxi ride from the Imperial Palace.
• Crowne Plaza Dalian Xinghai: steps from Xinghai Square's beach, aquarium and exhibition centre.
• New World Shenyang Hotel: connects straight into the K11 Art Mall, handy for a grey-weather day.
• Shenyang Marriott Hotel: a 12-minute walk from Shenyang North Railway Station, useful if you're catching the high-speed train on to Dalian.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Liaoning

• Base yourself near Dalian's Xinghai Square or the old town if you want to walk to seafood restaurants and the beach without needing a taxi.
• In Shenyang, a hotel near the Imperial Palace or North Station keeps both the old town and the train line within walking distance.
• The high-speed train between Shenyang and Dalian takes about two hours, so one city works well as a base with the other as a day trip, rather than booking separate stays in both.
• Winter runs well below freezing across the province from December to February. Rates drop too, so pack for the cold rather than chase a discount in peak summer.
• Seafood is at its best through the colder months, so a room near Dalian's harbour puts you closest to the freshest catch straight off the boats.
• If Golden Pebble Beach or Laohutan Ocean Park is the main reason for your trip, a hotel in Dalian's eastern Development Zone cuts down the commute.

Liaoning pairs well with a wider look at China. It's a genuinely different side of the country to Beijing or Shanghai. It runs colder, it's coastal in parts, and it stays quiet outside the big holiday weeks. If your trip runs beyond the province, Traveloka's China hotel guide covers the rest of the country.