Shenyang to offer 72-hour visa-free visits

Zhaoling Mausoleum

Sheyang, capital of Liaoning province, will offer 72-hour visa-free stays for foreign travelers as part of its effort to attract more tourists from all over the world.

The policy will take effect in January or February next year, the official said.

According to local government statistics, more than 750,000 foreign tourists visited Shenyang last year, an increase of 18 percent over 2011.

"The number of tourists is expected to increase after the policy is put into use," said Chen Rijie, an official with the Shenyang Tourism Bureau.

Three days in Shenyang at a glance

Day 1

Shenyang Imperial Palace, also called Mukden Palace, was built in 1625 as the residence of Nurhaci and his son Hong Taiji, founders of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Day 2

Zhaoling Mausoleum is the imperial tomb of Hong Taiji, the second emperor of the Qing Dynasty. It now includes a public park with trees, flowers and lakes.

Day 3

17 km from downtown, Qipan Mountain offers beautiful scenery including peaks and a lake.