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Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning
province and even the unofficial capital of the northeastern China (referred to often as
"Dongbei"), is the first city people are likely to mention in northeast China as
an industrial centre as well as a transportation junction. The name of the city originates
from its geographic setting on the northern side of the Hun River, also called Shen River.
(In ancient China, "Yang" was a geographic term for the northern side of a river
or the southern side of a mountain.) Shenyang has some great examples of Soviet-style buildings, this and its large number of
factories make it seem grim and austere. It is a large sprawling city of seven million
people - but it is also marked by its colourful history: There are traces of Qing (Manchu),
Russian and Japanese rulers. The history of Shenyang can be dated back to as early as the 11th century when the
Mongolians were in power in the North of China. Then it became the capital of the Manchu
Houjin Empire in the seventeenth century when the city was known as Mukden. When
the Manchus, having defeated the Ming rulers there, moved to Beijing in 1644, and
established the Qing dynasty, Shenyang declined in importance. The city began to take on
its modern, industrial role with the arrival of the Russians in the nineteenth century.
The Japanese, the winners of the Russian-Japanese War, drove the Russians out of Shenyang
and dominated the city until 1945, exploiting the regions natural resources. The city also
became a major battle field in WWII when it was the scene of the "September 18
Incident" of 1931, which marked the beginning of the Japanese invasion. Seventeen
years later, the Communist Party won the campaign of Liaoshen against the Kuomintang
here, which was regarded as the significant turning point of the bitter national war. In
recent history Shenyang became well-known in China as an important power base for the more
radical hardline factions in Chinese politics. There are several historic sights in Shenyang: There"s China"s other "Forbidden City", the Statue of Mao
Zedong on Zhongshan Square built
during the Cultural Revolution, the East
and North Tombs of two significant
emperors. On a trip to Shenyang you should also not miss the mouthwatering Laobian dumplings and
other famous local dishes. |
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