Why do some people think Northeast China feels very "rural"?

Northeastern cities are generally older, and the commercial buildings in the core areas are still relatively low and rustic. They have improved in recent years, but overall they still look aging. This is all because the Northeast is truly a place that conforms to the characteristics of a modern industrial country in terms of both behavioral patterns and material composition. Heavy industry as the core, vast mechanized agricultural production as the basis, cities where industrial workers gather, and rich natural resources and energy, what do you think of this description? It's completely Ruhr, it's Pittsburgh~~~ So it's normal for the level of urbanization to be high. Another thing is that the Northeast feels very rural. I have to say something here. The Northeast was once a very fashionable area in China. Because there were many workers (China’s original urban population was strictly controlled), the income was much higher than that of farmers. At the same time, the Northeast was a very fashionable area in China. And because of the broadening of horizons brought by industry, Northeast China was very fashionable before the reform and opening up. Moreover, Northeast China was originally a place with relatively warm and open folk customs, and arts and sports were supported by a solid industrial economy. Therefore, Northeast China was the cradle of Chinese artists and athletes at that time.