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| The downtown Heping district has all manner of businesses that are brightly lit by neon at night. | The downtown Heping district has all manner of businesses that are brightly lit by neon at night. | ||
Revision as of 19:54, 29 September 2006
 | |
| Administration Type | Sub-provincial city |
| GDP - Total - Per Capita |
¥224 bilion ¥ |
| Area | 13,000 km² |
| Population | 7,204,000 |
| Mayor | Li Yingjie (李英杰) |
| Area code | 24 |
Shenyang (simplified Chinese: 沈阳; traditional Chinese: 瀋陽; pinyin: Shěnyáng; also known as Shengjing 盛京 or Mukden in Manchurian native language) is the capital city of Liaoning province in Northeast China. It is a sub-provincial city with a population of 7.2 million, 13000 km² (districts area 5.53 million, 7400 km²). Along with its nearby cities, Shenyang is an important industrial center in China.
Districts and zones
- Dadong District (大东区 Dàdōng Qū)
- Heping District (和平区 Hépíng Qū)
- Huanggu (皇姑区 Huánggū Qū)
- Shenhe District (沈河区 Shĕnhé Qū)
- Tiexi District (铁西区 Tǐexī Qū)
- Yuhong District (于洪区 Yúhóng Qū)
- Sujiatun District (苏家屯区 Sūjiātún Qū)
- Dongling District (东陵区 Dōnglíng Qū) (东陵 Meaning East Tomb, burial site of Nurhaci)
- Xinchengzi District (新城子区 Xīnchéngzi Qū)
- Xinmin Town (新民市 Xīnmín Shi)
- Faku County (法库县 fǎkù xiàn)
- Kangping County (康平县 kāngpíng xiàn)
- Liaozhong County (辽中县 liáozhōng xiàn)
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, or Simiyan hoton as it is called in Manchu. The official name was changed to Shengjing 盛京 in Chinese, or Mukden in Manchu 1634. The name derives from the Manchu word, mukdembi, meaning "to rise", and this is reflected by its Chinese name, which means "rising capital". 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, Fengtian Prefecture (Chinese: 奉天府; Pinyin: Fèngtiān fǔ; Manchu: Abkai imiyangga fu or Fungtyian) was established in the Shenyang area, and Fengtian was sometimes used synonymously with Shenyang/Mukden. In 1914, the city changed back to its old name Shenyang.
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.
Tourism
Heping District (和平区 Hépíng Qū)
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.
Dadong District (大东区 Dàdōng Qū)
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 areas
There are several shopping areas in Shenyang. 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 area, 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. It is famous for cheap clothes and household stuff.
There is also another area 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)
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)
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)
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 .
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 6 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, Seoul, Tokyo, and other cities.
The Shen-Da Expressway connecting Shenyang and Dalian is the first expressway ever built in China. It is the fastest highway (8 lane) linking one of the largest port city to Shenyang.
In Shenyang, there are more than 150 bus routes.
In November 2005 the City announced the start of construction of the Shenyang Metro subway line.
Sports
The local soccer team is the Shenyang Jinde, in the Chinese Super League.
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
- ShenYang Polytechnic University
- Northeastern University English Version
- Shenyang Institute of Aeronautical Engineering English Version
- 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 Medicine
Sister cities of ShenYang
The following are sister cities of ShenYang:
Sapporo (Japan) 1980- Kawasaki (Japan) 1981
Düsseldorf (Germany) 1984
Torino (Italy) 1985
Chicago (USA) 1985
Irkutsk (Russia) 1992
Quezon (Philippines) 1993
Monterrey (Mexico) 1993
Songnam (ROK) 1998
Yaoundé (Cameroon) 1998