Shenyang
Shenyang () 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 is an important industrial center in China.
|
Major districts of Shenyang. |
* Dadong District (大东区 Dàdōng Qū) (northeast of downtown)
* Heping District ('平区 Hépíng Qū) (downtown)
* Huanggu (皇姑区 Huánggū Qū) (directly north of downtown)
* Shenhe District (沈河区 Shĕnhé Qū) (east of downtown)
* Tiexi District ("西区 Tǐexī Qū) (west side) :Farming and mining.
*
Sujiatun District (苏家屯区 SuJiaTun Qu)(17 Km south of downtown)
* Dongling (东陵 Dōnglíng) (Meaning East Tombs, burial site of
Nurhaci)
* Xinchengzi (沈阳新城子 Shěnyáng Xīnchéngzi) (20 miles north of downtown)
* Xinmin (新民县 Xīnmín Xiàn)
* Yuhong (于洪区 Yuhong Qu)
* Faku
* Kangping
* Liaozhong
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 (sometimes spelled Moukden) through much of the 20th century.
With the building of the
South Manchurian Railway, Mukden became a
Russian stronghold.
During the
Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Mukden was the site of the
Battle of Mukden from on
19 February -
10 March 1905. It was the largest battle of the world when it was fought. Following the
Japanese victory, the Japanese concession at Mukden was one of the chief bases for Japanese economic expansion into southern
Manchuria. It was also the seat of the Chinese
viceroy of the three Manchurian provinces. In the 1920s, Mukden was the capital of the warlord
Chang Tso-lin, who was killed when his train was blown up near Mukden at a Japanese-guarded railway bridge.
The
Mukden Incident (
18 September 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 on the surrender of Japan. The Soviets were replaced by the
Nationalist Chinese, who were flown in on US transport planes. During the
Chinese Civil War, Shenyang remained a
Kuomintang stronghold from 1946-1948, although the Chinese
communists controlled the surrounding countryside. It was captured by the communists on
30 October 1948 following a series of offensives. 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.
Heping District ('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. |
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: "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)
Huanggu district is the site of the large, historical tomb of
Huang 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 ("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 [
1].
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)
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.
In August 2006 the City announced the start of construction of the Shenyang Metro (subway line).
Shenyang MetroThe local soccer team is the
Shenyang Jinde, in the
Chinese Super League. The team plays in a large downtown stadium.
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
*
ShenYang Polytechnic University*
Northeastern University English Version*
Shenyang Institute of Aeronautical Engineering English Version*
Shenyang University of Technology*
China Medical University English Version*
Liaoning University*
Shenyang Jianzhu(Architechtural) University English Version*
Shenyang Normal University *
Shenyang Institute of Chemical Technology*
Shenyang Medical College*
Shenyang Agriculture University*
Shenyang Institute of Aviation*
Shenyang Pharmaceutical University English Version*
Shenyang University*
Shenyang Institute of Physical Education*
Shenyang Ligong University*
China Criminal Police University English Version*
Shenyang Institute of Engeering*
Liaoning Administrators College of Police and Justice*
Liaoning Radio and TV University*
Shenyang Radio and TV University*
LuXun Academy of Fine Arts*
Liaoning Party Institute of CCP*
Liaoning Finance Vocational College*
Liaoning Economy Vocational College*
Liaoning Korean Normal School*
Liaoning Traffic College*
Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineSister cities of ShenYang
The following are sister cities of ShenYang:
*
Sapporo (
Japan) 1980
*
Kawasaki (
Japan) 1981
*
Dusseldorf (
Germany) 1984
*
Torino (
Italy) 1985
*
Chicago (
USA) 1985
*
Irkutsk (
Russia) 1992
*
Quezon (
Philippines) 1993
*
Monterrey (
Mexico) 1993
*
Songnam (
ROK) 1998
*
Yaoundé (
Cameroon) 1998
*
Shenyang Municipal Government 沈阳人民"府
