City Tour Diary 71 - Dalian

Dates: February 15–17, 2025 Just after the Spring Festival, I wanted to go to Dalian. I don't know why, maybe it's because I miss the cold of Northeast China, but I'm also a little afraid of it, so I chose the mildest place.1 I noticed that the Furama Hotel Dalian, where I was checking in, was actually built in 1988. It was only 3pm, so I looked for the nearest seaside area, Donggang.2 Donggang is a large area, and we went to the Musical Fountain Square, where there were many seagulls. It was also the first time I learned that they love to eat sausages.3 I also encountered a new species called a grebe. I had never seen these two words before, let alone known how to pronounce them. Later, I looked it up and found out it's pronounced "bìtì".4 At 4:30pm, dusk began to set in, painting the sky red. We also saw the yacht marina. But I don't know what the three tents (one large, two small) were for. I only remember that high-level pun: I've grown up so much, but I've never been to Dalian.5 At sunset, the Dalian International Conference Center and the surrounding area were still charming. No wonder it's rated as one of the top ten scenic spots in Dalian.6 Dalian is a city of squares. There are so many squares, to what extent? When you're in one, you can definitely see another, such as Youhao Square. It was something I couldn't avoid seeing when I was visiting Zhongshan Square.7 Personally, I think Zhongshan Square is the most worthwhile place to visit in Dalian. It was built in 1899 in a circular radial shape. The central circular platform has a diameter of 213m, and ten exits extend into ten streets. During the Russian rule, it was called Nikolayevskaya Square. After the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese renamed it Da Guangchang (Grand Plaza). The Yamato Hotel, completed in 1914, is now the Dalian Hotel. In October 1945, the Dalian Municipal Government was established here.8 It could also be called Bank Square, both a hundred years ago and now. The Yokohama Specie Bank, built in 1909, is currently used by the Bank of China.9 Hidden in Labour Park is the city's oldest cultural relic, the Praying Bell, cast over 600 years ago. In addition, there are football and the twelve zodiac animals.10 Many people may not know that this is a city where it's quite easy to see wild sika deer. Perhaps in the near future, it will become like Nara in Japan.11 Then, passing through Renmin Square, I admired the Dalian Municipal Public Security Bureau, built in 1936. Perhaps it's the earliest public security bureau in New China, established in 1945.12 In the afternoon, I went to the famous Bangchui Island via the Hai Zhi Yun Park.13 Sunshine doesn't equal warmth. At Fisherman's Wharf, the sea breeze blew my brother's handsome face until he looked a bit like Jack Ma.14 The Xinghai Bay Bridge is worth seeing from any angle.15 But if you want to go to Lvshun South Road, it's best to cross the Shengli Bridge around 8am. That was its earliest name. Six years later, this street was called "Russia Town", a name it kept for forty years. Now, it's called Russian Style Street.16 At the end of this 470m-long street is the former site of the Dalniy City Hall, also the "origin" of this city. In February 1905, the Japanese changed "Dalniy" to "Dalian".17 "Dalniy" is the name given to this city by the Russians, meaning "distant". The name Dalian has been used ever since, and Chinese people can come and go as they please.18