The West Pagoda district in Shenyang (the capital city of northern Liaoning Province) was called "China's Seoul." Korean restaurants and shops stand in great numbers by its streets, and numerous consumers flock to the district.

Most Chinese Koreans in Shenyang lived in the West Pagoda district, the poorest residential place in Shenyang for years. In the early days of the opening-up, they sold snacks and ornaments. Korean restaurants were also opened in the 1980s. After China and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992, some South Korean businessmen thought this place could bring them profits and began to invest in local businesses. The local government also started infrastructure constructions at that time. More Korean shops gradually emerged, and West Pagoda Street became famous among the Koreans.

Several boutiques, restaurants, barber's shops and entertainment places located on West Pagoda Street only have Korean names like Jinju, Chonju or Soraksan. Consumers here can find Korean marks on menus, ornaments, clothes, etc. They usually can see the salespersons in traditional Korean clothes upon entering the shops. All these make them wonder whether they have come to South Korea.

Most managers of West Pagoda's shops are said to be from South Korea, but some are also believed to be Chinese Koreans or North Koreans, though their appearances are almost the same.

Li Dongguo, a member of the Koreans Association in Shenyang, said currently there were 15 thousand South Koreans living in Shenyang. They were frequent consumers of the West Pagoda district. But Han consumers often spend more money than Koreans here, most of them coming here for the unique Korean taste.

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