I visited the Shenyang Imperial Palace once before, just browsing around on my own. It wasn't a long trip, and I felt I didn't understand much. This time, I specifically chose to visit Shenyang last weekend and booked a guided tour on Ctrip, also including Zhang Xueliang's Former Residence and the Governor's Mansion, which I hadn't visited before.
The guided tour was very helpful. It provided detailed information on the history and background of the Imperial Palace, the Governor's Mansion, and the Governor's Mansion, as well as the architectural styles and functions, and introductions to relevant historical figures, interspersed with anecdotes. The guide was a young woman, but she was very professional and enthusiastic.
Saturday was incredibly crowded, even the guide was puzzled. The Imperial Palace and the Governor's Mansion aren't very large, and the crowds made many places very cramped, especially the indoor areas. It was practically shoulder-to-shoulder, making it difficult to even get a quick look around, which significantly impacted the experience.
Overall, the Imperial Palace and the Governor's Mansion are definitely worth visiting, and you don't need much time; you can see them all in less than half a day. The Governor's Mansion felt more like an exhibition hall and wasn't very good value for money.