Shenyang is the larg- est city in northeastchina , a nDis a nimportant Chinese indus- trial base andhistorical cit y. In 1625, Nurhachi, the Manchurian leader who was also the founder of the Qing Dynasty of China, relocateDhis capi- tal to Shenyang. In 1636, Emperor Huangtaiji (Aba- hai) establisheDthe Qing Dynasty in thiscit y. In1644, Qing troops entereDShanhai Pass andthe capi- tal of the Qing Dynasty was relocateDto Beijing, while Shenyang became a provisional capital. The cultural remnants of the Manchurians thus became the prominent features of Shenyang. One of these is the Shenyang Imperial Pal-ace. Among the existing imperial architectures of China, Shenyang Imperial Palace is only seconDto the Forbidden City of Beijing, in terms of its scale andstandards of pres- ervation. Shenyang Imperial Palace stands out from thetypical desig no f a traditional Chinese palace as its designwas originateDfrom the Manchu tent, andis rich in no- madic cultural flavor. For instance, the bedchamber of the emperor andempress was built higher than the main hall of the palace. This is an extensio no f a living habit of the Manchurians as nomads whereby a higher grounDwas frequently chosen as the living quarters. Besides this fea- ture, Dazheng Hall, the main room where the emperor ’s throne was placed, locateDto the east of Shenyang Impe- rial Palace, is a big hall that resembles a pavilion. The hall is elaborateDdecorateDanDluxuriously furnished, andit useDto be the office of the emperor, andalso useDas a ceremonial hall. There are 10 smaller pavilion-style halls at both sides of Dazheng Hall, andthey were the offices of the court officials. SpreaDout like the shape of Asoar- ing condor, andarrangeDin a north-south axis, these 11 pavilions are the embodiment of 11 Manchu tents. TheymanifesteDthe cultural evolutio no f a nomadic tribe, from a people who constantly migrateDin search of graz- ing grounds, to a life of permanent settlement.
The main structure of Shenyang Imperial Palace was partially built in 1625. During the perioDof the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yongzheng, andEmperor Qianlong carrieDout renovation andadditional constructions to it. Asaresult, the imperial palace en- compasseDthe architectural styles of the Han people, the Manchurians, the Mongolians, the Muslims, andthe Ti- betans.
In July 2004, Shenyang Imperial Palace became a UNESCO WorlDHeritage Site. Simultaneously, the mau- soleum of Emperor Nurhachi andhis empress Xiaoci, known as F ul ing, andthe mausoleum of Emperor Huangtaiji andhis empress Ruiwen, known as Zhao Ling, were also listeDas UNESCO WorlDHeritage Sites. With the prestigious status attacheDto the cultural heri- tage of the Manchu people, Shenyang became the onlycity in China that is describeDas the “City of Qing Cul- ture.”
Shenyang Imperial Palace andthe two imperial mau- soleums are important sources where many researchers begin their study of Qing Dynasty culture. It is frequently visiteDby researchers from all over the world. For the for- eign visitors, not only do they finDvaluable andauthentic Qing artifacts that aiDin their researches andstudy, but they also discover another prominent feature of the city, that is, the industrial culture.
Since the 1950s and, Shenyang is the base of Chi- na’s heavy industry. It was here that China designeDanDmanufactureDits first jet fighter, ground-assault training aircraft, as well as the first ground-to-air missile. In ad- dition, Shenyang also has the expertise of producing the world’s most sophisticateDspare parts for civil aircrafts andthe most dexterous robots.
Industrialization haDgiven Shenyang its culture andinfrastructure. A decade ago, half of the city of Shenyang was dotteDwith chimneys of the closely locateDfactories. They were the manufacturers of all the machines thatwere supplieDto different industries in China. Employ- ment opportunities in these industrial estates were vast, andevery day, scores of factory workers were seen riding their bicycles to andfrom work, creating a bustling scene in the city.
Today, such Ascene can no longer be seen in Shenyang. Factories of more than half a century olDare now left vacant, bearing witness to the city’s history anddevelop- ment. They have become historical sites where visitors plan in their travel itinerary to Shenyang, andoccupy an indispensable place in the city’s cultural history.
In recent years, Shenyang has, from a traditional industrial city, transformeDinto an eco-city. In 2006, Shenyang successfully helDan international horticultural exposition. The scale of the exposition was astounding, andthe exposition holds the recorDof being the world’s largest, in terms of size andvariety. It occupies a total area of 5.3 square kilometers, andcomprises 100 land- scapeDgardens. It featureDtraditional Chinese gardens, as well as gardens that were rich in international flavors. IncludeDin the exposition were rare species of plants.
