Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans and rodents at surveillance sites in Liaoning province, China, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods Data on the epidemic situation of HFRS from 2012 to 2016 were collected from 5 surveillance sites in Liaoning province, and investigations on host animals were performed in both spring and autumn. The trap-at-night method was used to determine rodent density. Hantavirus antigen and antibody tests were performed for rodent lung and blood film specimens. Results The incidence rate reported by each surveillance site was between 0.49/100 000 and 16.85/100 000. The five-year mean rodent density was 4.03% in residential areas and 4.09% in the field. The dominant rodent species was Rattus norvegicus in residential areas (72.91%) and Apodemus agrarius in the wild (74.55%). The virus-carrying rate and infection rate in rodents were 4.57% and 13.94%, respectively. Conclusion R. norvegicus and A. agrarius are the main host animals and infection sources of HFRS in Liaoning province. It is necessary to formulate targeted prevention and control strategies and measures specific to the incidence characteristics of HFRS at different surveillance sites due to the relatively significant differences in rodent density and virus-carrying rate between surveillance sites.