Liaoning is located in the northeast of China, and together with Jilin and Heilongjiang makes up the region now known as Dongbei, which was formerly known as Manchuria. Today these 3 provinces are the powerhouse of the Chinese economy and centers of heavy industry. Liaoning has rich natural resources and has benefited from its proximity to its Asian neighbors in South Korea and Japan.

More than half of China's Manchu ethnic minority live in Liaoning and the provincial capital Shenyang was once the capital of Manchuria. Built before the Manchu emperors founded the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and moved to Beijing, the 17th century imperial palace in Shenyang has been well preserved.

One of the great treasures of Liaoning is the port of Dalian, which is both a major center for industry and an appealing tourist destination. Surrounded by beaches and countryside, Dalian is also known as the "sparkling pearl" on the Bohai Sea.