Shenyang

沈阳市
Shěnyáng Shì

location of Shenyang within Liaoning, China
Administration Type	Prefecture-level city
Area	13,000 km²
Population	7,204,000
GDP - Total - Per Capita	¥ ¥
Mayor	Li Yingjie (李英杰)
Area code	24

Shenyang (simplified Chinese: 沈阳; traditional Chinese: 瀋陽; pinyin: Shěnyáng) 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.

Districts and zones

Major districts of Shenyang.

• Dadong District (大东区 Dàdōng Qū) (northeast of downtown) - Literally "Big East District"
• Heping District (和平区 Hépíng Qū) (downtown) - Literally "Peace District"
• Huanggu (皇姑区 Huánggū Qū) (directly north of downtown) - Literally "Emperor Aunt District"
• Shenhe District (沈河区 Shĕnhé Qū) (east of downtown) - Literally "Shen River District"
• Tiexi District (铁西区 Tǐexī Qū) (west side) :Farming and mining. - Literally "Steel West District"
• Sujiatun District (苏家屯区 SuJiaTun Qu)(17 Km south of downtown) - Literally "Su's District"
• Dongling (东陵 Dōnglíng) (Meaning East Tombs, burial site of Nurhaci) - Literally "East Tombs"
• Xinchengzi (沈阳新城子 Shěnyáng Xīnchéngzi) (20 miles north of downtown) - Literally "New Shenyang City"
• Xinmin (新民县 Xīnmín Xiàn) - Literally "New People's County"
• Yuhong (于洪区 Yuhong Qu)
• Faku
• Kangping
• Liaozhong

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) it changed back to its old name Shenyang in 1914.

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 in Manchuria, 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 Chinese on October 30 1948.

Since 1949, Shenyang developed into a major industrial center, although it is now considered part of the "rust belt" of China.

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.

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)

File:Shenyang63.jpg

Mukden Palace

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 [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)

Transportation

File:Shenyang65.jpg

Shenyang city

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 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.

The Shen-Da Expressway connecting Shenyang and Dalian is the first expressway ever built in China.

Famous people born in Shenyang

Shenyang is the birthplace of the actress Gong Li. the famous singer Na Ying and the pianist Lang Lang, as well as conductor Seiji Ozawa.

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

• Northeastern University English Version
• Shenyang Institute of Aeronautical Engineering English Version
• Shenyang University of Technology
• China Medical University English Version
• Liaoning University
• Shenyang Normal University English Version
• Shenyang Institute of Chemical Technology
• Shenyang Medical College
• Shenyang Agriculture University
• Shenyang Institute of Aviation
• Shenyang Pharmaceutical University English Version
• Shenyang University
• Shenyang Jianzhu University English Version
• 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 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

External link

• (Shenyang Municipal Government) 沈阳人民政府