Liaoyang (simplified Chinese: 辽阳; traditional Chinese: 遼陽; pinyin: Liáoyáng) is a city in China, Liaoning province, located in the middle of the heavily polluted Liaodong Peninsula. The city is situated on the T'ai-tzu River with a current population of 1,810,000. It is approximately one hour south of Shenyang by car. Liaoyang is home to Liaoning University's College of Foreign Studies and a number of vocational colleges. Liaoyang suffers from air pollution in its metropolitan and industrial park areas. There is very limited 'night life' in karaoke bars and clubs with lavish neon lights to attract customers near the downtown area. There are a number of nice restaurants and a few offer menus in English. The city hosts a limited number of professional basketball and volleyball games in a modern sports facility. The inhabitants of the city are not use to visitors from the outside. While friendly, their spontaneous exclamations of surprise can be amusing or upsetting. Locals often ask visitors to permit them to practice their English. Students begin studying English in the third grade.