brief introduction to Dalian.

Asia » China » Liaoning
December 27th 2012

Published: December 27th 2012

this information comes from wikipedia. For those unfimiliar I normally post a brief history of the place i went to before posting whaat I did and what I saw during the time i was there. So enjoy.

Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It is surrounded by the waters of the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Across the Bohai Sea to the south lies the Shandong peninsula. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's northernmost warm water port. The second largest city in Liaoning province, next only to the capital (Shenyang), the city has a significant history of being used by foreign powers for its ports (Dalian's port and Lüshun's port). Today it serves as a regional financial base and an important international shipping centre and logistics hub in Northeast Asia. Dalian is the second largest city of Liaoning province, after Shenyang, the provincial capital. Dalian City is governed by the Mayor and its Dalian Municipal People's Government

to say that Dalian has a long and troublesome history is an understatement. I believe that Dalian changed hands at least 3 times during its history. First started out in Chinese hands then went to the Russians and the Japanese back to the Russians before being returned to Chinas control in the mid 1950's the British had control of the city for a time. All this information can be found on wikipedia.

One of the most heavily developed industrial areas of China, Dalian City 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 farther along the Liaodong Peninsula. Historical references note that the Russian designed city of Dalny (Alt. Dalney), on the south side of Dalian Bay was 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Port Arthur/Lüshun (known today as Lüshunkou or literally, Lüshun Port).

Dalian is located west of the Yellow Sea and east of Bohai Sea roughly in the middle of the Liaodong peninsula at its narrowest neck or isthmus. With a coastline of 1,906 kilometres (1,184 mi), it governs the entire 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.

Climate

Dalian has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen Dwa), characterised by humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and cold, windy, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone. Except for winter, the city experiences a one-month seasonal lag due to its position on the Liaodong Peninsula. Average temperatures range from −3.9 °C (25.0 °F) in January to 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) in August. Annual precipitation averages 602 millimetres (23.7 in) but is heavily concentrated in the summer months and can vary greatly from year to year. Due to the coastal location, the mean diurnal temperature variation annually is small, at 6.75 °C (12.2 °F). Sunshine is generous year-round, with an annual total of 2740 hours. The annual mean temperature is 10.9 °C (51.6 °F).

The population of Dalian at the end of 2008 totaled 6.13 million. The total registered population on household was 5,833,700, with a net increase of 51,800 over the previous year, of which, non-farming population was 3,478,300, accounting for 59.6 percent; farming population 2,355,400, accounting for 40.4 percent.

Dalian was originally an agriculture and aquaculture-based area, which, after the opening of the ferry between Yantai and Lüshun during the early 20th century, began to be populated by the farmers and fishermen of Shandong, across the Yellow Sea. Corn, vegetables, fruit such as apples, cherries and pears are Dalian's typical agricultural products.

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 Tiger beach, Xinghai beach, Jinshitan beach and Fujiazhuang beach. It was named as one of the three Best Tourism Cities in 2007, along with Hangzhou and Chengdu, recognized by the National Tourism Administration.

Four inner-city districts

• ZhongShan District: Zhongshan Square (Dalian) (including the Modern Buildings on Zhongshan Square in Dalian) and Friendship Square It is also the economics center. Zhongshan Park

• Laohutan, Fujiazhuang Beach and Discovery Land

<dl><dd>Laohutan is noted for its natural scenery. There is the Underwater World, the Bird Park and the recently completed Polar Region Zoo. The dolphin show is a major attraction for the Polar Region Zoo.</dd><dd>Discovery land is a theme park which contains six different major scenic spots.</dd></dl>

• Shahekou District: Xinghai Square, Xingghai Park and Heishijiao. Xinghai Square was built at the centennial of the City of Dalian (1998) and is slated to be East Asia's largest square. Xinghai beach is in side Xinghai Park. It is about 800m long and is an excellent place for swimming.

• Victory Square, an underground shopping mall which is 4 floors underground.

Jinzhou District and Development Zone (in the northern suburbs)

• Dahei Mountain

• Jinshitan Sightseeing Area

<dl><dd>Jinshitan beach, the Golden Pebble Beach is a tourist attraction with splendid coves and rock formations. There is also a golf course (Jinshitan International Golf Course), cross country motorcycling, a theme park (Dalian Discoveryland) and a game forest.</dd></dl>

Lüshunkou District (in the western suburbs)

• Lüshun Museum

• Lüshun Railroad Station

• 203 Hill and Shuishiying Meeting Place

The fiercest battle site and the signing site of the ceasefire treaty, of the Battle of Lüshun during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05).

Three Northern Cities of Greater Dalian

• Anbo Hotspring and Ski Course, in Pulandian City

• Zhangxing Island International Golf Course, in Wafangdian City

• Binyugou Scenic Area and Buyun Mountain Hotspring, in Zhuanghe City

Zoo and museums

Dalian is the home of three zoological parks: Dalian Forest Zoo, Sun Asia Ocean World, and Polar World. The Forest Zoo has a free-range animal section as well as a more traditional zoo. Shengya Ocean World includes an underwater conveyor through a transparent tunnel. Polar World is the only park devoted to polar animals in China. Dalian is also home to a number of public squares, including Xinghai Square.and it also famous for beer festivals.