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Shenyang

Encyclopedia : S : SH : SHE : Shenyang

沈阳 (Shěnyáng)
Administration Type Sub-provincial city
GDP
- Total
- Per Capita 		 
¥
¥
Area 13,000 km²
Population 7,204,000
Mayor Li Yingjie (李英杰)
Shenyang (Simplified Chinese: }}}; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) is the capital of Liaoning province in China. It is a sub-provincial city with a population of 7,2 million (metropolitan area 5 million). Along with its nearby cities, Shenyang serves as an important industrial center in China.

Contents

Districts and zones

Major districts of Shenyang.
Enlarge
Major districts of Shenyang.

History

In the 12th century, Shenyang was one of the three capitals of the empire of the Jin Dynasty (Golden Empire).

In 1625 the Manchu leader Nurhaci moved his capital to Shenyang. It was renamed to Shengjing (in Chinese, 盛京) in 1634. Shenyang remained the capital of the Qing Dynasty until the overthrow of the Ming dynasty, and relocation of the capital to Beijing in 1644. However, it retained considerable prestige as the older capital, treasures of the royal house were kept at its palaces, and the tombs of the early Qing rulers were once among the most famous monuments in China.

In 1657 Shenyang was renamed Fengtianfu (奉天府), Mukden in Manchu, but it changed back to its old name Shenyang in 1914. However, it continued to be known as Mukden in English sources through much of the 20th century.

During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), there was a Japanese victory at Shenyang on February 19-March 10, 1905. It was the site of a far larger battle, the Battle of Mukden the year afterwards - the largest battle of the world when it was fought.

The Mukden Incident (September 18, 1931), which gave the Japanese an impetus to create the Manchukuo state, took place near Shenyang.

During the Manchukuo era (1932-1945) the city was called Fengtian again. Soviet forces occupied Shenyang in early August 1945. The Soviets were replaced by the Nationalist Chinese on the surrender of Japan. During the Chinese Civil War, Shenyang was a Kuomintang stronghold from 1946-1948. It was captured by the Communist Party of China on October 30, 1948.

Since 1949, Shenyang developed into a major industrial center. Many of the major industrial companies have their headquarters located in Shenyang, such as Brilliance Auto and their production plants. Also the Shenyang Aviation Company which produces airplanes for civilian uses as well as for military for the PLAAF.

Tourism

Heping District (和平区 Hépíng Qū) (downtown)

The downtown Heping district has all manner of businesses that are brightly lit by neon at night.

At the center of the district, is the famous Zhongshan Square, featuring one of China's largest statues of Chairman Mao. To this day, flowers are still placed around a large statue of Chairman Mao around the holidays.

Heping district also contains the Liaoning Provincial Museum.

Dadong District (大东区 Dàdōng Qū) (northeast of downtown)

Dadong District is the home of the 9.18 Museum and the Northern Pagoda. It is the largest district of the urban Shenyang city area.

Shopping districts

There are several shopping districts in Shenyang.

Western-style shopping and dining.
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Western-style shopping and dining.

One of the districts, Taiyuan Street, (Simplified Chinese: 太原街), features western-style shopping and dining, including a Wal-mart, a Pizza Hut (which is very different from those located in North America since it is designed for premium dining, possessing an upscale interior design and a much large staff), consumer electronics stores, and a number of large, multi-story department stores selling products from around the world.

Another district, Wu'ai Market, (Simplified Chinese: 五爱市场), features a large multi-story shopping center with a size comparable to that of many city blocks. It contains hundreds, if not thousands, of mini or boutique stores that open very early in the morning and close in the early afternoon.

There is also another district located in the center of the city, Zhong (meaning "centre") Street, (Simplified Chinese: 中街), which is similar to Taiyuan Street. It features one of the largerst department stores in Shenyang.

There are also a number of large superstores located throughout the city that sells everything from meat and dairy to clothes and electronics.

Huanggu district (皇姑区 Huánggū Qū) (directly north of downtown)

Beiling park
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Beiling park

Huanggu district is the site of the large, historical tomb of Hong Taiji (of the Qing Dynasty), called Beiling park. The park covers an area of 3,300,000 sq. meters, and is serviced by trams for visitors who do not wish to (or cannot) traverse the length of the park.

Huanggu district also hosts the Liaoning Mansion Hotel.

Shenhe District (沈河区 Shĕnhé Qū) (east of downtown)

Shenhe District is the site of the Mukden Palace, a former imperial palace of the Qing emperors, now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the site of Zhang Zuolin's former home and headquarters, Shengjing Ancient Cultural Street, and Gloria Plaza, a high-end hotel.

Tiexi District (铁西区 Tǐexī Qū) (west side)

This mixed-use district contains large blocks of residential complexes, as well as strips of small to medium-sized shopping. It recently featured in a documentary called West of the Tracks (the literal meaning of Tiexi) by the young filmmaker Wang Bing [link].

Tiexi is also home to the Shenyang Economic and Technological Development Area, a state-level development zone. This new development area combined with Tiexi District has a population of 1 million people, a total area of 126 km², and enjoys the same administrative rank as municipality. (Administrative Committee of Shenyang)

Transportation

Shenyang is served by air, rail, and an extensive network of streets and expressways, with bus service throughout the city.

Shenyang is connected by a major expressway, the Jingshen 8 lane Expressway, to the city of Beijing, some 658 kilometers away.

The city is also served by the Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (airport code SHE), as well as by several smaller, regional airports. Direct flights from Shenyang goes to Beijing, Shanghai ,and Seoul etc.

The Shen-Da Expressway connecting Shenyang and Dalian is the first expressway ever built in China. It's the fastest highway linking one of the largest port city to Shenyang.

Sports

The local soccer team is the Shenyang Jinde, in the Chinese Super League. The team plays in a large downtown stadium.

Education System

Shenyang has many schools, both public and private. There are also a number of privately-operated training centres that provide additional English skills. [Shenyang International School] provides primary and secondary education for expatriates, using the American SAT system.

Colleges and universities

Liaoning College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

External links


Prefecture-level divisions of Liaoning
'''Sub-provincial cities: Dalian | Shenyang
'''Prefecture-level cities: Anshan | Benxi | Chaoyang | Dandong | Fushun | Fuxin
Huludao | Jinzhou | Liaoyang | Panjin | Tieling | Yingkou
List of Liaoning County-level divisions

 

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