Official Language:
Mandarin Chinese
|
Currency:
Chinese Yuan
|
Population:
Approximately over 5,9 million call Beijing home.
|
Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Dalian: Located in the warm temperate zone of the North Hemisphere with a warm temperate continental monsoon climate; no extreme coldness in winter or utterly hot in summer; 4 four distinc seasons a verage Temperature 46-50°F/8-10°C with the highest of 95°F/35°C and the lowest of 75°F/24°C in summer.
|
|
|
|
Dalian is a major port of northeastern China and a trading gateway for all of northern China. Declared a Coastal Open City in 1984, it is home to major shipyards, oil refineries, diesel engineering plants, and factories for textile and chemical products. The city is located on the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, jutting out into the Bohai Sea in the northeast, between China and North Korea. It is 4 hours by train south of Shenyang. It has a population of about 1.5 million, with a total of 5 million in the larger metropolitan area.
The Dalian area – comprising Dalian and the nearby port/naval base of Lushun (formerly called Port Arthur) farther south, and hence sometimes called Luda – has an ancient history as a shipping port, but only became prominent in the late 19th century when the Qing dynasty established a naval base there. A new harbor for oil tankers, at the terminus of an oil pipeline from the Daqing oil fields, was completed in 1976. Dalian was declared a Coastal Open City in 1984, with incentives for foreign investment, and is now the third largest port in China.
In the summer, Dalian transforms into a resort town, with Chinese families from the inland making the trek out to the beaches on the outskirts of the city. The twenty mile stretch of beach here is among the finest in all of China. Dalian is also home to an annual International Fashion Festival, along with a Spring Festival to ring in the Chinese New Year. Cruise ships dock at the Port of Dalian, at the southern end of the Liaodong Peninsula. There is access to the rest of Dalian from the port. Trains are major link Dalian to Beijing and Shenyang on a regular basis. In Dalian itself, taxis are the best way to get around. Be sure to ask for the meter to be used to avoid being overcharged by avaricious taxi drivers.
|
|
Attractions |
 |
 |
Dalian's visitor information center is run by the China International Travel Service (1 Changtong Jie, tel. 0411/368-7956). This is a good place to start if you've never visited the city before. The CITS provides maps, brochures, and suggested itineraries for your stay in Dalian.
Bangchuidao:
Scenic Area - 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of downtown Dalian, Bangchuidao Scenic Area consists of Bangchuidao Island and Bangchuidao Guesthouse. The islet is situated 600 meters (about 2000 feet) away from the smooth seashore. Since the ginseng shaped island looks like a Bangchui - a wooden baton used by ancient Chinese as a washing tool, it was named Bangchuidao by the local people. Covering only 0.3 square kilometers, the tiny islet features steep cliffs, craggy stones, blossoming flowers and singing birds. Its lido and sunrise win the small islet a fine fam
Bangchuidao Guesthouse is the state guest house of Dalian. Built in 1960, the luxurious hotel covers 87 hectares and has a building space of 42137 square meters. Now the hotel has been outfitted with standard golf course, bowling alley, tennis court, swimming pool and other modern recreational facilities, which ensures visitors a happy stay in the beautiful scene.
Jinshitan :
Scenic area Jinshitan (Golden Stone Beach) Scenic Area is a national scenic park, which lies at the south tip of Liaodong Peninsula and borders Yellow Sea, 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the downtown and adjacent to Dalian economic and technological development zone. The park, having a number of natural wonders, covers 62 square kilometers (24 square miles) land space and 58 square kilometers (22 square miles) maritime space.
Lushun (Port Arthur):
Lushun also known as Port Arthur, lies 47 kilometers (29 miles) southwest to the center of Dalian. It is not only a beautiful coastal city but also a museum of Chinese modern history, recording vicissitudes and misfortune of the garden like city. The Lushun Museum has a long history among Chinese museums. It was built by the Japanese in 1917. The museum displays massive artifacts, including 6 mummies (which still have hairs attached to it) was stolen from Xinjiang by the Japanese.
Baiyushan Hill (White Jade Hill):
Towering 130 (426 feet) meters high beside the bay, is the symbol of Lushun. During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Chinese soldiers had once fought Japanese invaders on this Hill. Canons built during the War are still found there. Later in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905, the Japanese and the Russians were found battling each other on Chinese territory. The Hill was then the artillery position of the Russians. Later the Japanese forced Chinese laborers to build a tower to hold ashes of those who perished in the war. The ugly structure is still kept there as an evidence of Japanese invasion into China.
Zhongshan Guangchang:
Dalian's main meeting place right in the center of town. If it looks familiar to you, don't be surprised. Many scenes from the award-winning film The Last Emperor were filmed here. Evenings are a particularly good time to be in the plaza, as many locals come to enjoy ballroom dancing.
The Dalian Dong Wu Yuan:
One of the more expansive zoos in China. The setting is much more natural here than at most American zoos. The Siberian tigers are particularly beautiful. Staying with the animal motif, the Ocean World Aquarium (Huanght Jie, tel. 0411/468-5136) is home to hundreds of fish. A plexiglass tunnel runs through the aquarium, allowing you to feel like you're in the school yourself! (60 Ying Chun Lu, tel. 0411/248-0694)
Dalian's Golden:
Pebble Beach is one of Mother Nature's better creations. Between the mind-calming union of sparkling white sand with gently lapping waves and a background of lush green hills it is easy to comprehend why locals flock to this beach. Besides swimming and sunbathing, the surrounding area also offers plenty of fishing perches and boating opportunities. In addition, hiking around, you will discover numerous fascinating rock formations. A nearby promenade features fast-food stores and array of trinket and beach shops, which add to the area's appeal. Dalian Golden Pebble Golf Course (Dalan Jin Shitan State Tourist and Vacation Zone, tel. 0411/463-4505) has two full eighteen hole golf courses. Along the Yellow Sea, the Jinshitan Summer Resort combines lush scenery with modern amenities for a relaxing visit, any day of the year. Dalian Beach fills up during the summer months, with families from all over Liaoning Province coming to enjoy twenty miles of prime coastline. Jin Shi Tan, or Golden Stone Beach, is a nice spot for a photo-op. The beach is certainly not as pleasant the rest of the year, with cold winds blowing through and kicking up sand.
Tiger Beach:
It is one massive vortex of fun. Built in 1990, this amusement area caters to both kids and adults by offering a diverse scope of options including shopping and swimming. But it's the animal exhibits that really elevate it into "Must See" status. China's largest birdcage (18,000 square meters) and largest tiger sculpture reside here. It also harbors an aquarium that features an entertaining dolphin show.
Nightlife:
Dalian's nightlife is surprisingly vibrant. The Caesar Imperial Night Club (1 Qilin St. E., tel. 0411/280-6015) and Casablanca (35 Renmin Lu, tel. 0411/264-6598) are usually full every night. JJ's (4 55th St., tel. 0411/270-5518) caters to a younger crowd.
Shopping:
There isn't much to the shopping scene in Dalian, outside of the usual trinkets and souvenirs. Wanlu Liping Shop (54 Zhongshan Jie, tel. 0411/263-5240) is a good place to find gifts for everyone on your list. The Dalian Relics Store (34 Huang Road, tel. 0411/362-5094) offers fine antiques. You may be able to find something a little more unique at the Arts and Crafts Store, Dalian Shell Sculpture Plant (65 Bulao St., tel. 0411/363-1149). If you just need to visit a regular shopping mall, Dalian Friendship Shopping Center (6-8 Renmin Lu) should do the trick.
|
|
More Information |
|
|
|
Useful Links About Dalian :
Dalian Travel Information
|
|
