·About Dalian
Dalian (大连; Dàlián) is the second largest city in Liaoning Province, Dongbei (Northeast), China and the largest port in northern China as well as a major destination for Chinese tourists. Located at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, the main part of the city is on its own sub-peninsula, with the port to the north of the town centre and natural coastline dotted with beaches to the east and south.
One of the most heavily developed industrial areas of China, Dalian municipal area today consists of Dalian proper and the smaller Lüshunkou (formerly Lüshun city, known in Western and Russian historic references as Port Arthur), about forty nautical miles (74 kilometres; 46 miles) farther along the Liaodong Peninsula. Historical references note that the Russian designed city of Dalniy (Alt. Dalney), on the south side of Dalian Bay was 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Port Arthur/Lüshun (known today as Lüshunkou or literally, Lüshun Port). Dalian is located on Korea Bay north of the Yellow Sea and roughly in the middle of the Liaodong peninsula at its narrowest neck or isthmus. With a coastline of 1,906 km (1,184 mi), it governs the majority of the Liaodong Peninsula and about 260 surrounding islands and reefs. It is seated at south-south-west of the Yalu River, and its harbour entrance forms a sub-bay known as Dalian Bay.
Dalian is a popular destination among domestic tourists and foreign visitors, especially from Japan, South Korea and Russia. Its mild climate and multiple beaches as well as its importance in the modern history of China have attracted tourists. Some of the most famous beaches are Jīnshítān Golden Coast (金石滩黄金海岸) beach, Fùjiāzhuāng (付家庄) beach, Bàngchuídǎo (棒棰岛) beach, Xīnghǎi Park (星海公园) beach, Xīnghǎi Bay (星海湾) beach, and Xiàjiāhézi (夏家河子) beach. In 2007, it was one of the three cities named "China's best tourist city".
·Dalian Attractions - Things to Do
There are many scenic areas in Dalian --- Tiger Beach (Laohutan 老虎滩) Ocean Park, Bangchuidao Scenic Area（棒槌岛风景区), Jinshitan Scenic Area (Golden Pebble Beach National Resort), etc.
Tiger Beach (Laohutan 老虎滩) Ocean Park
Situated in the central part of the southern seashore of Dalian City, the Tiger Beach Ocean Park (Laohutan Ocean Park) is the biggest modern lido in China with a total area of 1,180,000 square meters (about 291 acres) and a coastline of more than 4,000 meters (about 13,123 feet). In the Park, many attractive natural sceneries and magnificent man-made sights can be seen, especially the Tigers Sculpture Square and Tiger Beach Polar Region Marine Animals World. As a modern ocean park, Tiger Beach Ocean Park is one specializing in tourism, recreation, shopping and so on and is regarded as the Dalian people's favorite park.
Bangchuidao Scenic Area棒槌岛风景区
9 kilometers (5 miles) away from the center of Dalian City, the Bangchuidao Scenic Area is located east of the Binhai Road. It consists of the Bangchuidao Lido (or beach), the Bangchuidao Islet and the Bangchuidao Hotel. This scenic area is a famous seashore resort combining marvelous views of the hills, sea, islet and beach. In between Dalian Beach and Tiger Beach lies the 500-meter-long (550 yards) Bangchui Beach, which is also called the Bangchuidao Lido. Because of the crystal clear water and great natural landscape, it’s regarded as one of the best lidos in Dalian City. The beach consists of a fine sand area and a pebble area. Visitors can walk barefoot in the former part, and search for interesting pebbles in the latter part. The Bangchuidao Lido is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the entrance of the Bangchuidao Scenic Area, and people can take an eletric cart to get there. The one-way trip costs CNY 10 per person. Upon arrival, the three Chinese characters of the scenic area’s name, written by Chairman Mao Zedong, will come into sigh.
Jinshitan Scenic Area (金石滩 Golden Pebble Beach National Resort)
Jinshitan Scenic Area, also known as the Golden Pebble Beach National Resort, is situated in the Liaodong Peninsula and facing the Huanghai River. It is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from the northeast of Dalian City. It comprises two peninsulas with a spacious beach in-between, with a land area of 62 square kilometers (15,321 acres) and a water surface of 58 square kilometers (14,322 acres). Encircled by sea all around, the beach enjoys a coastline of 30 kilometers (19 miles).
Zhongshan Square
Also called 'Nicholas Square', it was originally built in the Russian colonial period. This round square is typical of the blending of western styles of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance with a variety of old European style buildings surrounding an elegant marble circle terrace. Today, government financial institutions are housed in those old buildings and the square becomes a weekend leisure place for local people. At night it is colorfully illuminated.
