On the Opportunities and Challenges of the Integrated Development of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Shenyang

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China, Shenyang, a national historical and cultural city and a key former old industrial base, regards the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism (CST) as a key driver for urban transformation. Combining policy documents, industry data, and typical cases (e.g., the transformation of industrial heritage in Ironbridge Gorge, UK), this study systematically analyzes the opportunities, challenges, and breakthrough paths for the integrated development of CST in Shenyang. This research provides practical references for Shenyang to achieve high-quality integrated development of CST and offers valuable insights for the transformation of old industrial cities in Northeast China. Located in the southern part of Northeast China, Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province. Historically known as Shengjing and Fengtian, it has long been hailed as "the birthplace of one dynasty and the capital of two emperors." The city boasts a brilliant and profound historical and cultural heritage, with abundant cultural relics and unique regional cultural traits. At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Shenyang served as a crucial heavy industry base, making significant contributions to national construction. Known as the "Eastern Ruhr" and "the eldest son of the People's Republic," it was one of the key industrial cities prioritized for development by the state. During the period of supporting the Third Front Construction (a national industrial development campaign), Shenyang also supplied a large number of technical talents to the country, leaving a significant mark in the history of China's industrial development. However, with the changes of the times, Shenyang has gradually moved away from its identity as an old industrial base and entered a painful period of transformation. The global supply chain has been affected by factors such as geopolitical conflicts and adjustments in the real estate market, posing numerous challenges to Shenyang's development. Nevertheless, Shenyang has seized the opportunities of the era: through measures such as industrial upgrading, expanding domestic demand, and deepening reforms, its economic operation has shown a trend of stable progress with optimized structure in the past two years.