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Shenyang

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This article is about a city. For aircraft manufacturer, see Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shěnyáng 沈阳
Administration Type Sub-provincial city
Seat of government Shenhe District
GDP
- Total
- Per Capita 		 
¥248.3 billion (2006)
¥35,658
Area
- Total
- Urban Area
12,924 km²
3,495 km²
Population
- Total
- Urban Area
7,204,000
5,066,000
Elevation 55 m / 181 ft
CPC Committee Secretary Chen Zhenggao (陈政高)
Mayor Li Yingjie (李英杰)
Regional dialect Northeastern Mandarin: Shenyang Dialect (东北话)
Area code 24
Postal Code 110000
License Plate Prefix 辽A
Shenyang (沈阳 Shěnyáng, in Chinese), or Mukden (in Manchu), is the capital city of Liaoning province in Northeast China. It is a sub-provincial city with a population of 7.2 million within its administrative area of 12,924 km². The Shenyang metropolitan area is 7400 km² in size and has a population of 5.53 million. Along with its nearby cities, Shenyang is an important industrial center in China, and the transportation and commercial centre of China's Northeastern region. The city was also known as Shengjing (盛京) or Fengtian (奉天).

History

The city’s name, Shenyang, literally meaning "the city in the north of Shen River", comes from the Hun River on the city’s south side, which used to be called Shen River. Archaeological findings show that human beings resided in present day Shenyang as early as 7,200 years ago. The City of Shenyang was first established by Qin Kai, a general of Yan in the Warring States period about 300 B.C. It was named as Hou City (Chinese: 候城) at that time. It became known as Shen Prefecture (瀋州) in the Jin Dynasty and Shenyang Path (Chinese: 瀋陽路) in the Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, it became Shenyang Zhongwei (Chinese: 瀋陽中衛).

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 relocation of the capital to Beijing in 1644 after the fall of Ming dynasty. 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, "obeying heaven") 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. However, Shenyang 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.

In the early 1900s, Shenyang began expanding out of its old city walls. Shenyang Railway Station on the South Manchurian Railway and the Shenyang North Railway Station (today's old north station) on the Jingfeng railway became new commercial centers of Shenyang. Several factories was built by Chang Tso-lin to manufacture ammunition in northern and eastern suburb. These factories laid the foundation for Shenyang's industrial development.

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. During the Japanese occupation, Shenyang was developed into a heavy industry center.

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 known as the Liaoshen Campaign. Since 1949, Shenyang became one of the most important heavy industry centers of China.

City Walls

Shenyang used to have two city walls. The inner city wall was built on 1625. Most of it was rebuilt on the old city wall of Ming Dynasty, and the gates of city wall were increased from four to eight. The outer city wall was built during 1700s to protect the urban area outside the inner city wall, which also had eight gates. Nearly all of the city walls have been demolished after 1949. Two gates and one corner tower of the inner city wall have been rebuilt during 1990s.

Military

It also holds the Headquarters of ths Shenyang Military District.

Economy

Shenyang is an important industrial center in China. It has been focused on heavy industry, particularly aerospace, machine tools, heavy equipment, and defence, and recently, on software, automotive, and electronics. During the first five-year plan (1951-1956), many factories were built in Tiexi district. At its peak (1970s), Shenyang is one of the top three industrial centers in China (the other two are Shanghai and Tianjin). However, after the 1980s, the heavy industry has declined gradually and Shenyang has become a rust belt city. The economy of the city has revived significantly in recent years, thanks to Chinese government's "Revitalize Northeast China" campaign and the rapid development of software and auto manufacture industries.

Many major industrial companies have their headquarters in Shenyang. Brilliance China Auto is a major Chinses automobile manufacturer, and most of its production plants are also located in Shenyang. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation produces airplanes for civilian use as well as for the PLAAF. Neusoft Group is the biggest software company in China. Shenyang Machine Tool Group is the largest machine tool manufacturer in China.

Demographics

Shenyang has a population of 7.2 million and its urban population is 4 million. By urban population, it is the largest city in northeastern China and among top ten largest cities in China.

Shenyang has 38 of China's 56 recognised ethnic groups, including the Han Chinese majority that make up 91.26% of Shenyang's population. The 37 minority groups are Manchu (滿族), Korean (朝鮮族), Hui (回族), Xibe (錫伯族), Mongolian (蒙古族), Zhuang (壯族), Miao (苗族), Tujia (土家族), Dong (侗族), Daur (達斡爾族), Bai (白族), Uyghur (維吾爾族), Tibetan (藏族), Yi (彝族), Taiwanese Aboriginal People (高山族), She (畲族), Buyei (布依族), Yao (瑶族), Akha (哈尼族), Kazakh (哈薩克族), Dai (傣族), Li (黎族), Shui (水族), Nakhi (納西族), Jingpo (景頗族), Kyrgyz (柯爾克孜族), Tu (土族), Mulao (仫佬族), Qiang (羌族) Maonan (毛南族), Gelao (仡佬族), Russian (俄羅斯族), Evenks (鄂温克族), Tatars (塔塔爾族), Oroqen (鄂倫春族), Nanai (赫哲族), Lhoba (珞巴族). Most of these groups are not native to the Shenyang area, but some, like the Manchus and the Xibe, are.

Districts and zones

Inner City Districts

Outer Districts and Areas

Heping District (和平区/和平區 Hépíng Qū)

Heping District is located in the center of Shenyang. It has an area of 21km² and a population of 0.64 million. 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 (Zhong Shan Guang Chang, 中山广场), featuring one of China's largest statues of Chairman Mao. To this day, flowers are still placed around a large statue of Chairman Mao during the holidays.

Koreatown is located in the northern Heping District, as well as the Western Pagoda.

Shenhe District (沈河区/瀋河區 Shěnhé Qū)

Most of Shenhe District is within the old city wall. It has an area of 18km² and a population of 0.61 million. Shenhe District is the site of the Mukden Palace. It is also the site of Zhang Zuolin's former home and headquarters, Shengjing Ancient Cultural Street, and Gloria Plaza, a high-end hotel. In the western Shenhe locates Muslim town. Southern Pagoda is located in southern Shenhe.

Dadong District (大东区/大東區 Dàdōng Qū)

Dadong District is an industrial district. It has an area of 51km² and a population of 0.64 million. It is the largest district of the urban Shenyang city area. It is also the home of the 9.18 Museum and the Northern and Eastern Pagoda.

Huanggu District (皇姑区/皇姑區 Huánggū Qū)

Huanggu district has an area of 37km² and a population of 0.75 million. It is the site of the large, historical tomb of Huang Taiji (of the Qing Dynasty), called Beiling park (Chinese: 北陵公園).

Huanggu district also hosts the Liaoning Mansion Hotel.

Huanggu's name comes from Huanggutun ("tun" means village), where the Huanggutun Incident took place.

Tiexi District (鐵西新區/铁西新区 Tiěxī Xīn Qū)

Tiexi district is famous for its industry. This mixed-use district also contains large blocks of residential complexes, as well as strips of small to medium-sized shopping. It has an area of 39km² and a population of 0.81 million.

It recently featured in a documentary called West of the Tracks (the literal meaning of Tiexi) by the young filmmaker Wang Bing showing the transition in this rust belt district.

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)

Tourism

Attractions

Shopping areas

There are several shopping areas in Shenyang. One of the districts, Taiyuan Street, (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 larger staff), consumer electronics stores, and a number of large, multi-story department stores selling products from around the world. There is also a very large underground shopping complex offering lots of bargains, especially in fashion jewelry, accessories and cloths.

Another area, Wu'ai Market, (Traditional Chinese: 五愛市場, 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 wholesaling cheap clothes and household stuff.

There is also another area located in the center of the city, Middle Street, (Chinese: 中街), which is similar to Taiyuan Street. It features one of the largest department stores in Shenyang.

The information technology center is in Sanhao street (Chinese: 三好街), in the southern part of the city.

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

Transportation

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

Inter-city transportation

Shenyang is the railway hub of the northeastern China. Eight railways connected Shenyang with Beijing, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin and Fushun. The travel time between Beijing and Shenyang is decreased to only around 4 hours by high-speed train in early 2007. Shenyang has two major railway stations: Shenyang North Railway Station and Shenyang Railway Station. The Shenyang North Railway Station was built in 1980s and used mostly for express service. Shenyang Railway Station (also known locally as the "Shenyang South Railway Station") has a history more than 100 years, built by Russian and expanded later by Japanese. Today, it is focused on regular service.

Shenyang is connected by several major expressways. The Jingshen 6 lane Expressway, to the city of Beijing, some 658 kilometers away. 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. Shendan Expressway is a 4-lane expressway to Benxi and Dandong. It also serves Shenyang Taoxian International Airport. There are other express ways to Fushun, Changchun, and Xinmin.

The city is served by the Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (沈阳桃仙国际机场, airport code SHE). Direct flights from Shenyang go to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Cheongju of Korea, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Sydney, Los Angeles and other cities. There are three other airports in Shenyang, none of them open to public: Dongta airport is the oldest airport in Shenyang, openned in 1920s and retired in 1980s. Beiling airport is used by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation for test flights. Yuhong airport is for military use only.

Intra-city transportation

Within Shenyang itself, there are three ring roads: Middle Ring, 2nd Ring, and Outer Ring (Shenyang Round City Expressway). The southern part of the 2nd Ring and the Outer Ring are express beltways. In addition, there is an east-to-west expressway through the city center, most of which is elevated.

In Shenyang, there are more than 160 bus routes. Shenyang used to have about 20 trolleybus routes, one of the biggest trolleybus networks in China. Unfortunately, the entire network was demolished in 1999 after a series of electrocution accidents.

Shenyang has been planning subway system since 1940. In November 18th, 2005 the construction of the first Shenyang Metro subway line finally started. The first (east-west) line is expected to be finished by 2010. Construction is made hard by the rocky ground on which Shenyang is built. The second (north-south) line started in November 18th, 2006.

Miscellaneous

The Shenyang "Incident"

Some schools in Shenyang, China have banned the manga Death Note after some of their students started to tease friends and teachers by altering a stationery notebook to resemble a Death Note and writing names of people they didn't like in it.

The newspaper Shenyang Night Report called Death Note "poison, creating wicked hearts". Others however, including one major Chinese newspaper, feel that the ban is an over-reaction and is inappropriate. The over-reaction could be considered similar to the over-reaction found in the UK and U.S. regarding violent video games.

A more famous Shenyang incident occurred in May 2002, when police entered the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang and detained five North Korean asylum seekers, causing a diplomatic furor.

Split from Liaoning?

There is speculation that Shenyang will combine with nearby Tieling and Fushun to become Shenyang City, a municipality directly controlled by the central government (瀋陽直轄市). This would downgrade Tieling and Fushun to districts within Shenyang, in a similar way that Jiading is a district in Shanghai. Although there is no confirmation of this change, preparations are already underway to change Tieling's area code to match that of Shenyang.

Sports

Shenyang is famous for its soccer tradition. The local soccer team is the Liaoning F.C., in the Chinese Super League. Another Chinese Super League team, Shenyang Jinde moved to Changsha in 2007. Shenyang Olympic Sports Center will be the venue for the soccer preliminary of 2008 Summer Olympics.

Culture

Shenyang is home of many performance art organizations, such as Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe of China , Liao Ning Song and Dance Ensemble , and Liaoning Ballet Many artists are from Shenyang, such as Na Ying, or Lang Lang

Liaoning Provincial Museum, the largest museum in northeastern China, also locates in Shenyang.

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.

High schools

Colleges and universities

Sister cities

The following cities participate in Town twinning:

See also

References

External links



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Last updated on Saturday March 08, 2008 at 14:03:53 PST (GMT -0800)
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