Encounter the Orange Sea at Dingxiang Lake

🌅 Have you ever looked at a screen and yearned for faraway places? Perhaps the South American waterfalls from "Up," the Hobbiton houses in New Zealand, or the coconut palm-lined beaches of Hawaii? You don't have to travel far; in Shenyang, you can experience a one-stop "pretend vacation" filled with romance. Make a date with the orange sea at Dingxiang Lake and stay at a treasure hotel in the core area of Zhongjie to experience heartwarming service. This weekend, slow down and enjoy the scenery right in front of you! Must-Visit Hotel During the Dragon Boat Festival - Shenyang Zhongjie x Hotel 🌊 Shenyang Version of the "Orange Sea": Dingxiang Lake Sunset Roaming Guide 📍 Location: Dingxiang Lake Park, Yuhong District, Shenyang (Dingxiang Lake Station, Metro Line 10, Exit C) 🎫 Tickets: Free | ⏰ Best time to visit: All day (sunset hours 17:00–19:00 are divine!) 📸 Three Great Photo Spots for Vacation Blockbusters ❶ Haiyun Square – Cartoon-like Train Tracks The tracks extend into the distance, with the sparkling lake as a backdrop. Wear a white shirt + floral dress and strike a pose for a full-on Japanese fresh style! It is recommended to shoot with the light around 10am; the sunlight shining on your hair creates a soft-focus filter. ❷ Shenyang Evening News Cultural Square – Sunset Orange Sea Stake out your spot for the sunset at 6pm sharp! The setting sun dyes the lake surface the color of orange soda. Shoot upwards from a low angle to capture the reflection of the "melting gold" sunset. Backlight shots of silhouettes are super atmospheric. Post it to your social media and get bombarded with questions like, "Which beach is this?" ❸ Lakeside Trail – Healing Scenery Stroll along the 2.5 km wooden boardwalk. The reed beds, water birds, and European-style lighthouse (near the West Gate) are all natural backdrops. Wear light-colored outfits for better photos; every shot looks like a movie still. 👨👩👧👦 Family/Camping Guide ✅ Must-have for kids: Buy fishing tools from the small stalls at the East Gate (fishing nets are CNY 10 each, negotiable). There are tons of loaches and crayfish in the lake, and kids can play by the shore for an entire afternoon. Bring sand-digging toys, and the beach area at the West Gate instantly turns into "Little Sanya." ✅ Camping Guide: The lawn at the West Gate is flat and less crowded, suitable for setting up tents, flying kites, and playing frisbee. Remember to bring mosquito repellent! There is a sailing club nearby; if you're lucky, you can capture the scene of white sailboats gliding across the lake. ✅ Transportation Tips: For self-driving, navigate to "West Gate Parking Lot of Dingxiang Lake" (easier to park than the East Gate), free parking; direct access by metro to Exit C, a 3-minute walk from the station to the lake. 💡 Photo & Travel Tips - Choose a sunny day! On cloudy days, the light and shadow on the lake surface are more dynamic. The 30 minutes before sunset is the "golden shooting period." - Shoot the lake surface from a high angle (such as on a bridge) for a clean background without clutter; take portraits from a low angle to let the sunset fall on your shoulders or hair. - There are no formal restaurants in the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring your own snacks and drinks. The small stalls at the East Gate sell grilled cold noodles and hand pancakes, which you can buy to fill your stomach, but don't expect too much. 🏨 Treasure Hotel in the Core Area of Zhongjie: A Heartwarming Stop in the Bustling City – Shenyang Zhongjie Leeden Hotel 📍 Location: Core area of Zhongjie Pedestrian Street (50 meters from Exit A of Zhongjie Station on Metro Lines 1/6, 10-minute walk to the Forbidden City) 💰 Reference Price: From CNY 300/night | ✨ Must-Experience Highlights: Enthusiastic service + free afternoon tea + billiards room 🌟 Check-in Experience Touched by Details ✅ 24℃ Heartwarming Service: From the front desk to the cleaning staff, everyone is super enthusiastic! They proactively offer iced plum juice when checking in and provide children's slippers and cartoon toothbrushes when they know you have kids. They even hand-draw maps with marked attractions when you ask for directions. ✅ Free Afternoon Tea Time: The lobby bar serves red date and white fungus soup and freshly baked cookies from 14:00–16:00. Pair it with Shenyang Lao Xuehua soda. A bowl of soup after a tiring walk instantly replenishes your energy! ✅ Decompression Entertainment Space: There is a free billiards room on the 3rd floor. The cues are well-maintained. Play a game of "Northeast-style billiards" with friends. There are also free movie screenings in the evening (the movie list can be discussed with the butler in advance). ✅ Room Highlights: Full-house smart control (voice-controlled lights/air conditioning), the mattress is a KingKoil brand, and there are two types of pillows to choose from, soft and firm. The street-facing rooms are equipped with double-layer soundproof glass, so you don't have to worry about the hustle and bustle of the Zhongjie night market. 📍 Prime Location – Enjoy Shenyang's Nightlife - The Zhongjie Night Market is downstairs, and it's a 3-minute walk to Grilled Cold Noodles with Stinky Tofu and Lao Bian Dumpling Restaurant. - It costs CNY 10 to take a taxi to the Forbidden City/Marshal Zhang's Mansion, or a 10-minute walk. Take Line 10 directly to Dingxiang Lake. There is a bus stop right outside the hotel. - Surrounding shopping malls: Joy City, Yitian Holiday World. For souvenir recommendations, visit the Forbidden City Cultural and Creative Store (5-minute walk). 💡 Check-in Tips - It is recommended to go 10 minutes early for the free afternoon tea, as the cookies are freshly baked and available in limited quantities. - The billiards room needs to be reserved in advance at the front desk. It is more popular from 7–9pm, so you can experience it during off-peak hours. - For family trips, the "Family Theme Room" is recommended, with small tents and children's picture books. The kids won't want to leave! 🗓️ Shenyang Healing One-Day Itinerary: Lake Views + City Fun, Embrace 24 Hours of Gentleness ❶ Morning: Date with the Orange Sea at Dingxiang Lake 9:30 After breakfast at the hotel (including Chinese and Western buffet, recommended Shenyang Chicken Rack Porridge!), take Metro Line 10 directly to Dingxiang Lake. 10:00 First, go to Haiyun Square to take photos of the train tracks, then stroll along the lake to the West Gate, set up a tent, and accompany the kids to catch fish, enjoying the comfort of the lake breeze. 12:30 Bring your own sandwiches/sushi for a picnic, or go to a noodle shop near the East Gate for a bowl of stretched noodles (down-to-earth version of a lake view lunch~). ❷ Afternoon: Slow Stroll in Zhongjie + Hotel Recharge 14:30 Return to the hotel and enjoy free afternoon tea in the lobby bar, petting the hotel's resident cat "Zhongjie Xiaotian." 16:00 Walk around Zhongjie, check in at the century-old building in front of the Rose Hotel, and buy Zhongjie Daguobing ice cream (recommended sesame flavor!). 17:30 Return to the hotel for a couple of games in the billiards room, or watch the traffic on Zhongjie from the bay window in the room and take a lazy nap. ❸ Evening: Forbidden City Night View + Night Market Fireworks 19:00 Take a 5-minute taxi to the Donghua Gate of the Forbidden City to take photos of the red wall night scene (less crowded and brighter than during the day!). 20:00 Dive into the Zhongjie Night Market, eating your way from grilled squid to sugar paintings. Don't forget to bring a portion of Lao Bian dumplings to the hotel front desk as a "late-night snack to share." 21:30 Return to the hotel for a hot bath, turn on the smart speaker and listen to "Shenyang, Ah Shenyang," ending a fulfilling day in the warm light. 🌟 Travel Conclusion No need to envy the mountains and seas in the distance; the Dingxiang Lake in front of you can give you the romance of the orange sea. No need to worry about the trivialities of the journey; the heartwarming hotel in Zhongjie will catch your fatigue. The charm of Shenyang is hidden between the "gentleness of the lake" and the "bustle of the city," waiting for you to spend a weekend turning your days into the way you want them to be. 🌿 This weekend, don't wait for "later," do it now – come to Shenyang for a romantic date with yourself!