Situated in the south of northeast China, lies at 181°53' to 125°46' east longitude, and 38°43' to 43°26' north latitude, Liaoning province is bordered along the Yalu River by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Liao was adopted by the Liao Dynasty (Khitan Empire) which ruled this area between 907 and 1125. 宁means "peace". The modern province was established in 1907 as Fengtian province and the name was changed to Liaoning in 1929. However, the province reverted to its 1907 name when the Japanese puppet Manchukuo regime established here. At last, the name Liaoning was restored in 1945.

The western part of Liaoning is dominated by the Nulu'erhu Mountains. The entire region is dominated by low hills. The central part of Liaoning is composed of the watersheds of rivers, such as the Liao, Daliao, and their tributaries, featuring flat and at low altitudes. The eastern part of Liaoning is dominated by the Changbai Shan Mountains and Qiaoshan Mountains, which extends into the sea to form the Liaodong Peninsula. The highest point of Liaoning is the 1336-meter-high Huabozi Mountain.