Dazzling outdoor skating rink opens in Shenyang

The first large-scale outdoor skating rink in the city of Shenyang, capital of northeastern Liaoning province, opened with great fanfare to the public on Dec 26, according to local officials.

They said the facility is located in Shimin Square in Zhongyang Park, in the city’s Hunnan district. It covers an area of around 10,000 square meters and reportedly gives visitors a unique experience by combining lights, shadows, colors and rhythms.

When night falls, the skating rink is illuminated by pink lights and shadows with sonorous melodies played, turning it into something of a fairy-tale world.

Outside the skating rink, a 1,000-square-meter food area has been set up, with numerous local snacks and food on offer.

At the opening ceremony for the skating rink held the same day, a video message from former figure skating world champion Zhao Hongbo was played. Meanwhile, world-class figure skaters Peng Cheng and Jin Yang performed a wonderful ice dance.

The new skating rink will raise the profile of winter sports greatly in the city, local officials said.

Multicolored beams spotlight the newly-opened outdoor skating rink in Shimin Square in Zhongyang Park. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Children skate joyfully in the newly opened outdoor skating rink in Shimin Square in Zhongyang Park in Shenyang city’s Hunnan district. [Photo/chinanews.com]

World-class figure skaters Peng Cheng and Jin Yang take to the ice, thrilling visitors to the new skating rink in Shenyang. [Photo/chinanews.com]

An enthusiast shows off his skills on the new skating rink in Shenyang. [Photo/chinanews.com]