Once a steel powerhouse, Anshan in Liaoning province is reinventing itself as China's burgeoning "Pet Capital". The city, once defined by its roaring furnaces, has shifted toward a softer but equally vibrant economy driven by pet breeding and trade.

Local breeders, many with roots in the steel industry, have blended traditional resilience with modern e-commerce and live-streaming to create a nationwide market.

In 2024, the city recorded 1.5 million pet transactions, with plans to reach 2 million this year, according to Han Wei, deputy director of Anshan's bureau of agriculture and rural affairs.

Supported by local government initiatives, Anshan aims to become a national model for urban transformation. As one of the largest pet breeding hubs in China, it is positioning itself as a distribution center for Northeast Asia, proving that a city can evolve gracefully while staying true to its soul.