Very little is available from the scientific literature on Sh 2-163 beyond a large range of distance estimates (from 2500 to 4000 parsecs) and the fact that it contains the embedded infrared cluster [BDS2003] 45. (These distance estimates place it within or behind the dusty OB association Cas OB2 in the Perseus arm.) So I was very surprised to discover that IPHAS reveals that Sh 2-163 is a large and complex object.

Here's an overview image:

and a detail:

Obviously a lot is going on in this region and it is worth further study!