{{Infobox settlement |name = Shenyang |official_name = 沈阳市 |native_name = 沈阳 |other_name = Mukden |nickname = |settlement_type = Sub-provincial city |motto = |image_skyline =Shenyang montage.png |imagesize = |image_caption =From top: Skyline of Shenyang, a building in Beiling Park, Zhongshan Square, Mukden Palace, and remains of the Xinle culture. |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |city_logo = |citylogo_size = |image_map = Location of Shenyang Prefecture within Liaoning (China).png |mapsize = |map_caption = Location of Shenyang Prefecture within Liaoning |pushpin_map = China |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = |coordinates_region = CN |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = People's Republic of China |subdivision_type1 = Province |subdivision_name1 = Liaoning |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |subdivision_type3 = County-level divisions |subdivision_name3 = 13 |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title =Party Secretary |leader_name =Zeng Wei (曾维) |leader_title1 =Mayor |leader_name1 =Li Yingjie (李英杰) |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |established_title2 = |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 12924 |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 =3495 |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2008 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 7760000 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = 5090000 |population_density_urban_km2 = auto |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |population_blank2_title =Major nationalities |population_blank2= |timezone = China Standard Time |utc_offset = +8 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |latd=41 |lath=47 |latm=44 |latNS=N |longd=123 |longh=26 |longm=53 |longEW=E |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m =55 |elevation_ft =181 |postal_code_type =Postal code |postal_code =110000 |area_code =24 |blank_name =License plate prefixes |blank_info =辽A |blank1_name =GDP (2008) |blank1_info =CNY 386 billion |blank2_name = - per capita |blank2_info =CNY 54,106

The sub-provincial city region includes the metropolitan area of Shenyang proper, Xinmin county-level city, and three counties.

History

The city’s name, Shenyang, literally meaning "the city to 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 BCE. It was named as Hou City () at that time. It became known as Shen Prefecture () in the Jin Dynasty and Shenyang Circuit () in the Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, it became Shenyang Zhongwei ().

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 () in Chinese, or Mukden in Manchu, in 1634. The name derives from the Manchu word, mukdembi, meaning "to rise", and this is reflected by its Chinese name, which means "rising capital". A major city needed a major building and in 1626 under Nurhaci's orders the Imperial Palace emerged as Shenyang's symbolic center. It featured more than 300 ostentatiously decorated rooms and 20 gardens as both a symbol of power and grandeur.

After the fall of the Ming Dynasty in 1644, Manchu rule moved west inside the great wall and was established in China proper in Beijing. However, it retained considerable importance as the previous capital and the spiritual home of the Qing dynasty through the centuries. 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 (; 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. Shenyang continued to be known as Mukden in some 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 1905 – 10 March 1905. It was the largest battle since the battle of Leipzig in 1813. 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 Zhang Zuolin, who was killed when his train was blown up near Mukden at a Japanese-guarded railway bridge.

In the early 20th century, 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 were built by Chang Tso-lin to manufacture ammunition in the northern and eastern suburbs. These factories laid the foundation for Shenyang's industrial development.

The Mukden Incident (18 September 1931), which gave the Japanese the pretext to create the Manchukuo state, took place near Shenyang. During the Manchukuo era (1932–1945) the city was called Fengtian in Chinese again, and Mukden in English. 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 U.S. 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.

Over the past 200 years or so, Shenyang somehow managed to grow and increase its industrial might, despite consecutive wars by Russia and Japan in the late 19th century and early 20th century, the second world war, and the China's Civil War (Shenyang became the main battleground between the Communists and Nationalists). The city had never come to an economic halt until 1990th, when its massive factories went bankrupt and left millions jobless, which was well documented in the film .

Xinle Remains

The remains of the Xinle culture, a Neolithic period society over 7,200 years old, are located in a museum in the north part of Huanggu District. It is complemented by a recreated village on site. A wood-sculptured bird unearthed there is the earliest cultural relic in Shenyang, as well as one of oldest wood sculptures found anywhere in the world.

Old City

Shenyang used to have two city walls. The inner city wall was built in 1625. Most of it was rebuilt on the old city wall of Ming Dynasty, and the city wall gates were increased from four to eight. The outer city wall was built in 1680 to protect the urban area outside the inner city wall, which also had eight gates. The total length of the outer city wall is around . Nearly all of the city walls were demolished after 1949. Two gates and one corner tower of the inner city wall have been rebuilt during the 1990s.

Around outside Shenyang outer city wall, there were four pagodas and four temples; East Pagoda/Yongguang Temple, South Pagoda/Guangci Temple, West Pagoda/Yanshou Temple, and North Pagoda/Falun Temple. They were built in 1643. The four Pagodas are identical Buddha-stupa as high as . Only the North Pagoda and Temple is well preserved. As for the East and the South, only the pagodas are left. The West Pagoda was rebuilt in 1998.

Both Temple of Heaven and Temple of Earth also were to be found in the old city during the Qing Dynasty, smaller replicas of Beijing's counterparts. Neither exists today.

Geography and climate

{{climate chart | Shenyang | -16.1 | -4.8 | 6 | -12.2 | - .9 | 7 | - 3.8 | 6.8 | 17.9 | 4.2 | 16.5 | 39.4 | 11.2 | 23.0 | 53.8 | 17.0 | 27.2 | 92 | 20.6 | 29.1 | 165.5 | 19.3 | 28.4 | 161.8 | 12.1 | 23.6 | 74.7 | 4.2 | 15.7 | 43.3 | - 4.2 | 5.7 | 19.2 | -12.1 | -1.9 | 9.8 |float = right |clear = none |source = CMA

Districts and zones

In general, agriculture, animal husbandry, and agricultural product processing dominate northeastern Shenyang; eastern Shenyang is an auto parts hub; southern Shenyang is a high-tech industrial base; and western Shenyang is home to heavy machinery manufacturing. The city center specializes in retail and financial services.

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 , and enjoys the same administrative rank as municipality. (Administrative Committee of Shenyang)

Hunnan New District (浑南新区/渾南新區)

Launched in 1988 as the Shenyang National New and High-Tech Industrial Development Zone and elevated to a national-level zone in 1991, the Hunnan New District, in Southeast Shenyang, focuses on electronic and information technology products such as software, computers, network systems, communication equipments, and audio/visual equipment; advanced manufacturing technologies, especially for autos, medical equipments; advanced materials and biological and pharmaceutical products. The zone has hosted more than 5,700 enterprises, including 700 foreign-invested enterprises. Foreign companies such as the General Electric Co., Tyco International, and Mitsubishi Corp. operate in the zone.

Dongling District (东陵区/東陵區)

Dongling means the eastern tomb, referring to Qing Tombs dedicated to the first emperor of Qing Dynasty Nurhachi and his empress (a UNESCO site).

The district, adjacent to the Hunnan New District, is located on the east and south of Shenyang. It hosts the international airport and is rapidly becoming high-end residential areas, as suburbs of Shenyang are growing steadily. Two corridors along two major highways, one leading to the eastern tomb and Fushun, the other leading to the international airport, have luxury apartments, fine neighborhoods and sleek commercial developments being built.

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. The heavy industry started in the 1920s and was well developed before the second world war. During the first five-year plan (1951–1956) many factories were built in Tiexi district. At its peak in the 1970s, Shenyang was one of the top three industrial centers in China (the other two are Shanghai and Tianjin). 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 the Chinese government's "Revitalize Northeast China" campaign and the rapid development of software and auto manufacture industries.

Meanwhile, services sector —especially banking has been developing in Shenyang. Shenyang has a few foreign banks, such as South Korea's Hana Bank, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ of Japan. Hong Kong's Bank of East Asia Ltd., Singapore's United Overseas Bank Ltd., and HSBC Holdings. In 2006, the city hosted a total of 1,063 banks and bank branches and 144 insurance-related companies. By 2010, it aims to attract 30 foreign banks and 60 non-bank financial institutions..

Major companies

Many major industrial companies have their headquarters in Shenyang. Brilliance China Auto is a major Chinese 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. Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd. (Neusoft Medical), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neusoft Corporation (600718.SH)received "2010 Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award" from Frost & Sullivan. Shenyang Machine Tool Group is the largest machine tool manufacturer in China. Tyco International, General Motors (GM) Corp., and Michelin Shenyang Tire Corporation, Ltd., are expanding their operations in Shenyang due to a deep pool of skilled technical labor; good transportation; low land-use fees; and solid local support.

GDP and Economic Data

Statistically, the total GDP of the city of Shenyang is 383.66 Billion yuan in year 2009 (ranked 1st out of the 58 cities and counties in Liaoning province). The GDP per capita of the city of Shenyang is 78490 yuan in 2009 (ranked 3rd out of all 58 cities and counties in Liaoning province).

Initiatives and Special Zones

Shenyang Finance and Trade Development Zone

Shenyang Finance and Trade Development Zone was founded ln 1992. It is the only finance and trade development zone except Lujiazui in Shanghai and is the nucleus zone of Shenyang central Business Zone. It covers an area of 1.12 million m², among which there is more than 600,000 m² constructable. The total investment planned is more than 20 billion YUAN and more than 60 high-stories international and multifunctional symbol buildings are planned to be built. So far, the zone has transferred more than 400,000 m² ground, introduced over 40 big projects and actually made use of over 200 million USD foreign investment. It has become the sample zone of international finance and modern service trade and the regional finance, trade and Info center of Northeast China.

Shenyang Economic & Technological Development Zone

Shenyang High-tech Industrial Development Zone

Demographics

: Xita (西塔)]] 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.

An ethnically and culturally diverse city, 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, Korean, Hui, Xibe, Mongolian, Zhuang, Miao, Tujia, Dong, Daur, Bai, Uyghur, Tibetan, Yi, Taiwanese Aboriginal People, She, Bouyei , Yao , Akha, Kazakh, Dai, Li, Shui, Nakhi, Jingpo, Kyrgyz, Tu, Mulao, Qiang, Maonan, Gelao, Russian, Evenks, Tatars, Oroqen, Nanai and Lhoba. Most of these groups are not native to the Shenyang area; some, like the Manchus and the Xibe, are.

Not only is Shenyang a multiply ethinic city, it is also a place where many foreigners, especially from Japan and Korea live. Shenyang has numerous temples, mosques, churches and other religious sites.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Shenyang is served by air, rail, a one-line subway system, and an extensive network of streets and expressways, with bus service throughout the city.

Shenyang is the railway hub of Northeast China. Eight railways connect Shenyang with Beijing, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin and Fushun. The city is also served by the Qinshen Passenger Railway, a high-speed railway connecting Shenyang and Qinhuangdao. In early 2007 a high-speed train decreased travel time between Beijing and Shenyang to around 4 hours. In August 2007 construction work started on the Harbin-Dalian high-speed passenger railway–which is expected to be completed in 2013–connecting Shenyang with other major cities in Northeast China, Harbin, Changchun and Dalian. Shenyang has two major railway stations: Shenyang North Railway Station and Shenyang Railway Station. The Shenyang North Railway Station was built in 1990, replacing the old north railway station, which was built in 1927 and still stands today. The north railway station is used mostly for express and high-speed train service. henyang Railway Station (also known locally as the "Shenyang South Railway Station", though the real "Shenyang South Railway Station" is at Sujiatun) has a history more than 100 years, built by Russian in 1899 and expanded later by Japanese. Today, it is focused on regular service.

leads to Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and further points.]] Shenyang is connected by several major expressways. The Jingshen 8 lane Expressway goes to the city of Beijing, some away. The Shen-Da Expressway connecting Shenyang and Dalian is the first expressway 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 expressways to Fushun, Changchun and Xinmin. There are many long-distance and express bus routes to Beijing and other cities in the northeast.

International Airport

The city is served by the Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (沈阳桃仙国际机场, airport code SHE), located in Dongling district. 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.

Direct flights to Shenyang from Beijing, Changsha, Changzhou, Chaoyang, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Hong Kong, Jinan, Jining, Kunming, Lanzhou, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qiqihar, Sanya, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Ürümqi, Weifang, Weihai, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xian, Xuzhou, Yanji, Yantai, Zahuang, Zhengzhou, and Zhuhai. Direct flight also reaches special parts of China: Hong Kong and Taipei.

Direct international flights reaches Seoul and Cheongju in South Korea, Pyongyang in North Korea, Irkutsk and Khabarovsk in Russia, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo in Japan, Frankfurt, Sydney, Los Angeles, Singapore, and other cities.

City

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. The Outer Ring is an expressway, the first express beltway in China. A "big outer ring" is under construction, which is also an express beltway with a total length of around . Inside the city 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 trolley bus routes, one of the biggest trolley bus networks in China. The entire network was demolished in 1999 after a series of electrocution accidents.

Shenyang has been planning subway system since 1940. In November 18, 2005, the construction of the first Shenyang Metro subway line finally started. The first (east-west) line was opened September 27, 2010. Construction is difficult due to the rocky ground on which Shenyang is built. The second (north-south) line started in November 18, 2006.

Health Care Systems

Shenyang has 731 medical and healthcare centers, 63,000 healthcare staff and 3.02 healthcare worker per 1,000 people. There are 34033 hospital beds and 45680 various kinds of medical and technical personnel, among whom there are 17346 licensed doctors, 1909 assistant licensed doctors, and 16887 certified nurses. The average expected life-span of the people in Shenyang is 73.8.

Shenyang is home to China Medical University Hospital, 202 Hospital, China Medical University 2nd and 3rd Hospital, Liaoning Tumor Hospital, Shenyang No.7 People's Hospital, Shenyang Orthopaedics Hospital, Shenyang Army General Hospital, and various other hospitals and clinics.

CMU is one of the top 10 medical universities in China and listed with IMED. Its diplomas are accredited worldwide.

Medical Insurance systems

The Medical insurance systems is under reformation. The current system is greatly outdated.

Child-care and Elder-care

The total number of day-care centers for elderly people is 414. These centers, including entertainment and health sectors, can offer services for almost 19,000 elderly people a day.

Environment

Shenyang has many parks. Self-organizing groups advocating sustainable travel such as local rail revival, walking and cycling, reduction in energy demand and waste generally, protection of wildlife, cleaning the river and lakes, and the development of environmental technologies in the city, are increasingly popular.

Military

Shenyang holds the headquarters of the Shenyang Military Region and the Air Force of Shenyang Military Region. Shenyang is also famous for its defense industries.

Life and culture

Shenyang dialect

People native to Shenyang speak the Shenyang Dialect, a variant of Northeastern Mandarin. The Shenyang Dialect is very similar to the other Northeastern Dialects and it is also very close to the Standard Mandarin dialect but has some very distinctive words that the standard Mandarin doesn't have. Some people prefer to think of it as a strong accent rather than a different dialect. Shenyang dialect is used heavily by several famous skit actors such as Zhao Benshan in their performance, and has become a stereotype for northeast natives.

Art

Two northeast folk dances, Er Ren Zhuan and Yang Ge, are very popular in Shenyang. Dawutai Theatre is famous for its Er Ren Zhuan and Chinese skit performances by Zhao Benshan and his students.

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 Zimei, Na Ying and the pianist Lang Lang.

Museums

Liaoning Provincial Museum, the largest museum in north-eastern China. The museum hold many relics from Manchuria's past, including a selection of inscriptions in Chinese and Khitan.

Shenyang Steam Locomotive Museum, with 16 steam engines from America, Japan, Russia, Belgium, Poland, Germany, Czechoslovakia and China.

The 9.18 Incident Museum, a museum in memory of Mukden Incident. The museum has a shape of an opened calendar, and is located on the site where the Japanese troops destroyed the South Manchuria Railway, the prelude to the invasion of Manchuria.

The Xinle Relic, located on the location where the Xinle civilisation was first discovered, containing a reconstructed Xinle settlement and housing artefacts discovered there.

Sports

Shenyang is famous for its football tradition. The local football 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 Centre Stadium was a venue for the football preliminary of 2008 Summer Olympics.

Shenyang Sport University is a famous professional sports university in China. The university is the training base for winter sports in China and has many Olympic champions.

Religion

Taiqing Palace, a Taoist temple established in 1663

Ci'en Temple, a Buddhist temple, first built during Tang dynasty

Royal Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple built in 1636 for Qing royal family

Sheli Pagoda, a 33m high Buddhist pagoda erected in 1044 during Liao dynasty

Cuisine

Traditional meals in the region are sauerkraut, stewed chicken and mushroom, and meat pie. Korean food (such as rice-cake and cold noodle) is a part of Shenyangers' diet due to that many ethnic Koreans live here. Also as the area was traditionally occupied by Manchu, the cuisine in Shenyang was fundamentally influenced by Manchu food.

Restaurants

Lao Bian Dumpling, a traditional dumpling restaurant established by Mr. Bian Fu in 1829

Ma's Steamed Dumpling, a Hui Muslim restaurant established by the Ma family as early as 1767

Notable people

Zhang Zuolin, A Chinese/Manchurian Warlord

Zhang Xueliang, A Chinese/Manchurian Warlord

Gong Li, A Chinese actress

Na Ying, Chinese singer

Mao Ning, Chinese singer

Lang Lang, Chinese pianist

Pang Long, Chinese singer

Li Chunbo, Chinese singer

Ai Jing, Chinese singer

Jing Boran, Chinese singer

Zimei, Chinese artist and Guzheng player

Seiji Ozawa, A Japanese conductor

Ma Lin, A table-Tennis Player

本多RuRu, A singer active in Japan

Wang Yongzhi, an aerospace engineer and academician

Jin Xing, 金星, a dancer and actor

Liu Dongsheng, 刘东生, a geological and environmental engineer

Bai Xiqing, 白希清, a pathologist

Guo Songling, 郭松龄, a Chinese/Manchurian general working with Zhang Xueliang

Chang Hsin-kang, (simplified Chinese: 张信刚; traditional Chinese: 張信剛) a professor, the President of City University of Hong Kong.

Tourism

Attractions

Mukden Palace: the former imperial palace of the early Qing Dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dongling: the tomb of the first Qing emperor, Nurhaci. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beiling Park and Zhaoling: the tomb of the second Qing emperor, Huang Taiji. 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. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

World Horticulture Exposition garden: hosted the International Horticultural Exposition in 2006.

Qipan Mountain, Qipanshan: a recreation resort in the east of Shenyang.

Liaoning Provincial Museum： It displays a variety of artifacts that include some of the earliest forms of writing known to man.

Shenyang Botanical Garden, a peaceful garden giving priority to botanical research. The garden locates at Dongling District of Shenyang, and covers an area of 211 ha. There are altogether over 1700 kinds of plants, especially from the northeast (Manchuria) region. There are also several large-scale flower exhibitions every year: tulip in May; peony and fleur-de-lis in June, Lily in July, Dahlia in August, and Chrysanthemum in September.

Shenyang Meteorite Mountain Park, located in the southeast of Shenyang in Dongling district. The biggest meteorite lies on the Huashitai Mountain of Lixiang County of Dongling District, and it is 160 m long, 54 m wide, 42 high and about 2 million tones in weight. It is the oldest meteorite in the world which was formed 4.5 billion years ago and fallen into the Earth 1.9 billion years ago.

Xiaonan Cathedral of Shenyang: the construction of the cathedral started in 1875 and finished in 1878

Shopping areas

Shenyang has many shopping areas that provide people necessities, luxuries and entertainments. One of the shopping districts is Middle Street which is like the Fifth Avenue in New York City. Middle Street features many western-style stores and restaurants, including Wal-mart, Pizza Hut (which is a fancy restaurant in Shenyang), Louis Vuitton flagship store, Häagen-Dazs retail store, etc. The largest shopping mall in Shenyang is also located on Middle Street, selling products from all around the world.

Taiyuan Street()is another shopping area which is similar to Middle Street. Taiyuan Street also features many restaurants and theaters for people to enjoy. Many spend their holidays shopping on these two streets.

There is also a very large underground shopping center, offering lots of items, especially fashion jewelries, accessories and clothing.

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 items.

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

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

Research and Education

Shenyang has one of the highest concentrations of educational institutes in China. Roughly 30 colleges and universities and numerous research and training institutions are located in Shenyang.

Research

Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Shenyang Institute Of Automation ,Chinese Academy Of Sciences

High schools

Liaoning Province Shiyan High School,always concerned as the best senior high school in Shenyang.

Shenyang No.2 Senior High School

Northeast Yucai School, a school founded by and is still well-connected with Japanese. It consists of various departments, such as Nursing Garden,Elementary School, Junior High School, and Senior High School.

Shenyang 43 Highschool

Colleges and universities

Northeastern University (东北大学/東北大學)

China Medical University (中国医科大学/中國醫科大學)

Shenyang Agricultural University (沈阳农业大学/沈阳农业大学)

Shenyang Pharmaceutical University (沈阳药科大学/瀋陽藥科大學)

Shenyang Aerospace University (沈阳航空航天大学/瀋陽航空航天大學)

Shenyang Jianzhu (Architectural) University (沈阳建筑大学/瀋陽建築大學)

Shenyang Institute of Chemical Technology (沈阳化工大学/瀋陽化工學院)

Shenyang Normal University (沈阳师范大学/瀋陽師範大學)

Liaoning University (辽宁大学/遼寧大學)

Shenyang Ligong University (沈阳理工大学/瀋陽理工大學)

Shenyang University (沈阳大学/瀋陽大學)

Shenyang University of Technology (沈阳工业大学/瀋陽工業大學)

Shenyang Sport University (沈阳体育学院/瀋陽體育學院)

Shenyang Institute of Engineering (沈阳工程学院/瀋陽工程學院)

Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (辽宁中医药大学/遼寧中醫藥大學)

Defunct universities

FengYong University (): the first private university in China that follows western setups funded by Mr Feng Yong. It contains the departments of Engineering, Law and Education.

International relations

Consulates in Shenyang

Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States have consulates in Shenyang's Heping District; North Korea has a consulate in Huanggu District. France recently announced it will open a consulate general's office in Shenyang.

Twin towns — Sister cities

Shenyang is twinned with: Sapporo, Japan (1980) Kawasaki, Japan (1981) Turin, Italy (1985) Chicago, United States (1985) Irkutsk, Russia (1992) Quezon City, Philippines (1993) Ramat Gan, Israel (1993) Monterrey, Mexico (1993) Seongnam, South Korea (1998) Yaoundé, Cameroon (1998) Katowice, Poland (2007) Hamamatsu, Japan (2010) Thessaloniki, Greece Gumi, South Korea Leverkusen, Germany Düsseldorf, Germany

See also

List of cities in the People's Republic of China by population

Unit 100

References

External links

Shenyang Government website

Online Community of Shenyang

Category:Provincial capitals in China Category:Capitals of former nations Category:Cities in Liaoning Category:Prefecture-level divisions of Liaoning

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
Name	Suidakra
Landscape	Yes
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Düsseldorf, Germany
Genre	Melodic death metalFolk metalCeltic metal
Years active	1994–present
Label	Last EpisodeCentury Media Armageddon Music
Url	www.suidakra.com
Current members	Arkadius AntonikMarcus RiewaldtLars WehnerSebastian Hintz

Suidakra is a melodic death metal band from Germany with Celtic folk influences. During their fourteen-year career, they have performed over 200 live shows for several European and Russian tours,. They went on to finance the next album on their own, and later signed a new recording deal with Armageddon Music. Command to Charge was released in 2005.

Their eighth studio release, titled Caledonia was released on 2006-11-17. The Scottish themed album included some fairly prominent use of highland bagpipes, contributed by Axel Römer, who also appeared on some of the larger live performances.

From 5–12 August 2007 some old tracks were re-recorded for a Best Of compilation titled 13 Years of Celtic Wartunes. Others tracks were remastered. This was released on the 25th April 2008. together with a live DVD containing registrations of the Wacken 2007 performance as well as the acoustic show at the Kielowatt Festival in 2006. Release dates for other regions were 2008-04-28 (Europe) and 2008-06-10 (USA).

Shortly after their performance on Ultima Ratio 3 in November 2007 the band announced that Marcel Schoenen had left the band for the second time, to concentrate on his job. Consequently a new live guitar player was recruited in the form of Tim Siebrecht, ex-member of the disbanded formation Sleeping Gods.

The band returned to Gernhart recording studios in November 2008 to record their ninth studio album Crógacht. The album featured greater Celtic influences, taking its name from the Gaelic word for bravery.

In May of 2009, Suidakra announced a Chinese tour, as well as informing fans that tour guitarist and backup vocalist, Sebastian Hintz, was promoted to full member.

On October 6, 2010, SuidAkrA announced that after a short tour and some festival appearances they would enter the studio to begin recording what will be their tenth studio album, Book of Dowth.

Line-up

Current members

Arkadius Antonik - guitars, vocals

Marcus Riewaldt - bass

Lars Wehner - drums

Jussi - live guitar

Past members

Stefan Möller - drums

Daniela Voigt - keyboards, vocals

Christoph Zacharowski - bass

Nils Bross - bass

Germano Sanna - guitar

Marcel Schoenen - guitar, vocals

Discography

Albums

Lupine Essence (1997)

Auld Lang Syne (1998)

Lays From Afar (1999)

The Arcanum (2000)

Emprise to Avalon (2002)

Signs for the Fallen (2003)

Command to Charge (2005)

Caledonia (2006)

Crógacht (2009)

Book of Dowth (TBA)

Demos

Dawn (1995)

Compilations

13 Years of Celtic Wartunes (2008)

References

External links

Category:German melodic death metal musical groups Category:German folk metal musical groups Category:Celtic metal musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 1994 Category:Musical quartets