Dalian 250109 225691694 2008-07-14T22:43:46Z Sinolonghai 1233407 /* Local Transportation */ {{Infobox Settlement <!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available--> <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |name =Dalian |official_name = |other_name = |native_name = |nickname = |settlement_type =[[Sub-provincial city]] |total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows --> |motto = |translit_lang1=[[Chinese language|Chinese]] |translit_lang1_type=[[Simplified Chinese character|Simplified]] |translit_lang1_info=大连 |translit_lang1_type1=[[Traditional Chinese chracter|Traditional]] |translit_lang1_info1=大連 |translit_lang1_type1=[[Pinyin]] |translit_lang1_info1=Dàlián <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = Dalian birdview.jpg |imagesize = 220px |image_caption = Dalian birdview |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Location of Dalian Prefecture within Liaoning (China).png |mapsize = 220px |map_caption = Dalian in [[Liaoning]] |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = [[People's Republic of China|China]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Province of China|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Liaoning]] |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |seat_type =City seat |seat =[[Xigang District]] |parts_type = |parts_style = <!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format) Default is 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= |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[China Standard Time|China Standard]] |utc_offset = +8 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = | coor_type = <!-- can be used to specify what the coordinates refer to --> |latd=39 |latm=02 |lats= |latNS=N |longd=121 |longm=46 |longs= |longEW=E <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = [[Postal code of China|Postal code]] |postal_code =116000 |area_code =[[Telephone numbers in China|411]] |blank_name =[[GDP]] |blank_info =[[Renminbi|¥]]256.8 billion (2006) |blank1_name =GDP per capita |blank1_info =¥ 45,590 (2001) |blank2_name =Coastline |blank2_info = 1,906 [[kilometre|km]] (excluding islands) |blank3_name =[[License Plate (China)|License plate prefixes]] |blank3_info =辽B |blank4_name = |blank4_info = |blank5_name = |blank5_info = |blank6_name = |blank6_info = |website = http://www.dl.gov.cn |footnotes = }} '''Dalian''' ({{zh-s|大连}}; {{zh-t|大連}}; {{zh-p|Dàlián}}; [[Japanese language|Japanese]]: Dairen; [[Russian language|Russian]]: Далянь, Dalian or Дальний, Dalny) is the governing [[sub-provincial city]] in the eastern [[Liaoning]] Province of [[Northeast China]]. Dalian is China's northernmost [[Warm water port|ice-free seaport]]. == Administration == 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. ===Past and present mayors=== The current Mayor since 2003 is [[Xia Deren]], born in 1955 in Dalian, a Ph.D. in Finance, former President of [[Dongbei University of Finance and Economics]], Vice Mayor of Dalian City and Vice Governor of Liaoning Province. The former mayor is Li Yongjin, now the People's Representative of Dalian, preceded by [[Bo Xilai]], later Governor of [[Liaoning Province]] and then the Minister of Commerce in the Central Government, and now the party chief of [[Chongqing]]. The Vice Mayors are Xing Liangzhong in charge of foreign [[trade]] and economy, Dai Yulin in charge of [[finance]] and science & technology. ===Municipal Government=== The [[Municipal Government]] is located in the main building on the north side of People's Square on Zhongshan Road, originally built as the Administrative Office of [[Kwantung Leased Territory]], and other buildings in downtown Dalian. There are the Commerce, Foreign Economy & Trade, Hygiene, Information Industry, Police, Religion, Science & Technology, Transportation and other city-level bureaus, which work closely with the corresponding agencies at the district level. [[Image:Dalian Aquarium 2005.jpg|thumb|200px|Dalian]] The city administers 6 [[District of China|districts]], 3 [[County-level city|county-level cities]], and 1 [[County of China|county]]. Ganjingzi, Zhongshan, Xigang, and Shahekou Districts make up the urban centre. Changhai County is made up entirely of islands east of the peninsula. There are 74 sub-districts and 127 town/townships (11 of which are ethnic). (see [[Political divisions of China#Levels]]) There are, in addition, 4 national leading open zones (对外开放先导区): * The Development Zone (开发区) * The Free Trade Zone (保税区) * The Hi-Tech Industrial Zone (高新技术产业园区) * The Golden Pebble Beach National Holiday Resort (金石滩国家旅游度假区) {| class="wikitable" ! [[Pinyin]] !! [[Hanzi]] !! Area <br/> (km²) !! Population |----------------------------------- | colspan=4| '''Districts''' |----------------------------------- |[[Ganjingzi District]] ||甘井子区 || 491||540 000 |- |[[Lüshunkou]]||旅顺口区 || 506||210 000 |- |[[Xigang District]] ||西岗区 || 26||330 000 |- |[[Zhongshan District, Dalian]] ||中山区 || 43||370 000 |- |[[Shahekou District]] ||沙河口区 || 49||600 000 |- |[[Dalian Development Zone]] ||开发区 ||329||300 000 |- |[[Jinzhou District]] ||金州区 ||1390||660 000 |----------------------------------- | colspan=4| '''Cities''' |----------------------------------- |[[Wafangdian]] ||瓦房店市|| 3791||1 030 000 |- |[[Pulandian]] ||普兰店市|| 2923||820 000 |- |[[Zhuanghe]] ||庄河市 || 3866||900 000 |----------------------------------- | colspan=4| '''County''' |----------------------------------- |[[Changhai]] ||长海县 || 152||90 000 |- |} ==Geography == {{ZHdot|Dalian}} One of the most heavily developed industrial areas of China, the Dalian administrative district 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 Liaotung/[[Liaodong Peninsula]]. Historical references note that the Russian designed city of Dalny (Alt. Dalney), on the south side of [[Talien Bay]] was 40 rail kilometers from Port Arthur/Lüshun (known today as Lüshunkou or literally, Lüshun Port). [[Image:Dalian.jpeg|thumb|210px|right|Dalian - Landsat photo (circa 2000)]] Dalian is located west of the [[Yellow Sea]] and east of [[Bohai Sea]] roughly in the middle of the Liaodong/Liaotung peninsula at its narrowest neck or [[isthmus]]. With a coastline of 1,906[[kilometre|km]], it governs the entire Liaodong Peninsula and about 260 surrounding islands and reefs. It is south-south-west of the [[Yalu River]], and its harbor entrance forms a sub-Bay known as [[Dalian Bay]]. ==Climate== The city's [[climate]] is a [[monsoon]]-influenced [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] Dwa), characterised by humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and harshly cold, windy, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast [[Siberian]] [[anticyclone]]. Average low temperatures in January are at around -6° [[Celsius|C]], while average high temperatures in July are at around 27°[[Celsius|C]]. {{-}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;" ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Avg high °C | style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 0 | style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 2 | style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 7 | style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 15 | style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 20 | style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 24 | style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 27 | style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 27 | style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 24 | style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 18 | style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 10 | style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 3 |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Avg low temperature °C | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -6 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -4 | style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 1 | style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 7 | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 18 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 21 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 22 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 18 | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 11 | style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | 3 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -3 |- | colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|''Source: [http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?&wealocations=wc%3aCHXX0019&setunit=C MSN Weather]'' |} ==History== ===Ancient=== In the [[Qin Dynasty|Qin]] and [[Han Dynasty|Han]] periods (221 B.C.-220 A.D.), the Dalian region was under the jurisdiction of Liaodong county. During the 3rd century through 5th century, when China was split into [[Sixteen Kingdoms]], [[Goguryeo]] maintained control of this region. In the early [[Tang Dynasty]] (618-907), the Dalian region was under the jurisdiction of Andong Prefecture in Jili state, and in the [[Liao Dynasty]] (916-1125), it was under the jurisdiction of Dong Jing Tong Liaoyang county. Dalian was named Sanshan in the period of [[Weijin]] (220-420), San Shanpu in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Sanshan Seaport in the [[Ming Dynasty]] (1368-1644), and Qing Niwakou in the [[Qing Dynasty]] (1644-1911). ===Qing Dynasty=== In the 1880s, the Qing government constructed loading bridges and fortifications with built-in cannons, and set up mining camps on the northern coast of Dalian Gulf, and it became a small town. ===British and Japanese Occupation, and the Soviet Union Lease=== The settlement was occupied by the British in 1858, returned to the Chinese in the 1880s, and then occupied by Japan in 1895 during the [[first Sino-Japanese War]]. While Japan's intention to lease Port Arthur and its surrounding areas based on the [[Treaty of Shimonoseki]] met with the [[Triple Intervention|Tripartite Intervention]] by France, Germany and Russia, the [[Russian Empire]] in 1898 succeeded in leasing the peninsula from the Qing Dynasty, and a modern city was laid out with the name of Dalny (Дальний). Linked to the [[Trans-Siberian Railway]]'s branch line, Dalny became Russia's primary port-city in Asia. Russian government contributed more than 10 million golden rubles (equivalent to 11,5 bln today's rubles) into the city foundation and building. Dalny was the main battlefield of the Russo-Japanese War (1905). [[Image:Dairen dalny 1912.jpg|thumb|210px|right|Dairen (Dalian) in 1912]] Both Dalny (Qingniwaqiao 青泥洼桥 of Zhongshan District, Dalian) and Port Arthur ([[Lüshunkou]]) were developed and heavily fortified by the Russians in the period prior to 1904. Consequently, some historians blame the fall of Port Arthur, a world shaking event of epic proportions, during the [[siege of Port Arthur]] on [[January 2]], [[1905]] for the failure by Admiral Eugene Alexeyeff, to concentrate on the naval base and its fortifications, instead splitting precious resources shipped 5,000 miles across the single tracked [[Trans-Siberian Railway]] and [[Manchurian Railway|Manchurian railway]]s. After the [[Russo-Japanese war]] Port Arthur was conceded to Japan ([[Treaty of Portsmouth]]), who set up the [[Kwantung Leased Territory]] or Guandongzhou, which is roughly the southern half (Jinzhou District and south) of the present-day Dalian City. Since the foundation of [[Manchukuo]] in 1932, the sovereignty of the territory moved from China to [[Manchukuo]]. Japan still leased it from [[Manchukuo]]. In 1937, the modern Dalian City was enlarged and modernized by the Japanese as two cities: the northern '''Dairen''' (Dalian) and the southern Ryojun (Lushun). ===Post-World War II=== With the unconditional [[surrender of Japan]] in August 1945, Dalian, passed to the [[Soviet Union|Soviets]], who had [[Operation August Storm|liberated the city]] in advance of the end of hostilities and governed the city until 1950. During this period the Soviets and [[Chinese Communists]] cooperated in the further development of the city, its industrial infrastructure, and especially the port, which remained as the free port rented by the Soviet government. The city had been relatively undamaged during the war. In 1950, the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] presented Dalian to the Chinese Communist government without any compensation. After the departure of the Soviets, China made Dalian into a major [[shipbuilding]] center. In the 1990s the city benefited from the attention of [[Bo Xilai]] (son of the important first generation Party elder, [[Bo Yibo]]) who was both mayor of the city and provincial party official, who, among other things, banned motorcycles, created large, lush parks in the city's many traffic circles, and generally built things up very attractively. He also preserved much of Dalian's interesting and attractive [[Japanese architecture|Japanese]] and [[Russian architecture|Russian architectural]] heritage. His legacy, however, also includes the usual quota of empty buildings built with questionable loans, over-development, and corruption. He is the former [[Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China|Minister of Commerce]] of the People's Republic. ==Economy== [[Image:Friendship Square, Dalian.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Friendship Square]] in Dalian]] ===Agriculture and Aquaculture=== 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. Aquaculture is well developed in Dalian, exporting seaweed, scallops, sea urchins and others to Japan, Korea and other countries. ===Heavy, Light and Distribution Industries=== Even before and during the Sino-Japanese War, the shipbuilding and locomotives industries were a thriving industry, such as the companies which later became Dalian Shipbuilding Co. and Dalian Locomotive & Roll Stock Works (DLoco). After the War, Dalian became an important center of the heavy and light industries, including companies such as Dalian Heavy Industry Co., Dalian Chemical Group, and Wafangdian Bearing Co.; and of the distribution industry, including such as Dashang Group. Overseas retailing giants, such as Wal-Mart from U.S.A., Carrefour from France and Metro from Germany have recently opened stores in Dalian. Mycal, the Japanese retailing chain store, was bought out by its Chinese partner, Dashang Group, and is operated as Mykal. Dalian Port is emerging as a very important port for international trade. A new harbor for oil tankers, at the terminus of an oil [[Pipeline transport|pipeline]] from the [[Daqing oilfields]], was completed in 1976. Dalian is the largest [[petroleum]] port in China, and also the 3rd largest port overall. Accordingly, Dalian is a major center for [[oil refineries]], diesel engineering, and chemical production. Also completed recently is a newer port on Dagushan Peninsula on the northern suburbs, specializing in import/export of mining and oil products. Together with its Dalian Railroad Station, [[Dalian International Airport]] and two major express roads ro Shenyang-Changchun-Harbin in the north and to Dandong to the east, Dalian has become an important distribution center. ===Dalian Development Zone=== Dalian has been given many benefits by the Chinese government, including the title of "open-city" (1984), which allows it to receive considerable [[foreign investment]] (see [[Special Economic Zone]]). The Development Zone was established in Jinzhou District, to which many Japanese manufacturing companies, such as [[Canon (company)|Canon]], [[Mitsubishi Electric]], Nidec, [[Sanyo Electric]] and [[Toshiba]], followed by Korean, American and European companies (such as [[Pfizer]]). In March 2007, Intel announced plans to build a semiconductor fabrication facility (commonly known as a fab) in the Development Zone, Dalian. It is Intel's first fab to be built at an entirely new site in over 15 years. The fab at Dalian will make the chip sets that support Intel's microprocessors and is expected to begin operation in the first half of 2010. (Source: The Wall Street Journal; March 26, 2007; Page B6) === Financial Industry === There are the Dalian branches of China's five major banks: [[Bank of China]], [[Industrial & Commercial Bank of China]], [[China Construction Bank]], [[Bank of Communications]], and [[Agricultural Bank of China]]. Dalian Commercial Bank is now called Dalian Bank, which among other things handles processing of the Dalian Mingzhu IC Card for [[public transportation]]. Foreign banks, such as [[Citibank]], [[HSBC]], [[Bank of East Asia]], [[Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi]] and [[Mizuho Corporate Bank]] also have branch offices. [[Dalian Commodity Exchange]] is the only one of its kind in China, expanding the futures market beyond [[soybeans]]. A "Financial Street" around the new Commodity Exchange building is now being planned. === IT Industry === Since the 1990s Dalian City has emphasized the development of the IT industry, especially in [[Dalian Hi-Tech Zone]] and [[Dalian Software Park]] in the western suburbs near [[Dalian University of Technology]]. There, there are not only Chinese IT companies, such as DHC, Hisoft and [[Neusoft Group]], but also American, European and Japanese IT companies, such as [[Accenture]], [[Dell]], [[Genpact]] (a [[General Electric]] company), [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]], [[IBM]], [[SAP AG]], [[Alpine]], [[CSK|CSK Holding]], [[Matsushita Electric|Panasonic]], [[NEC]], [[Sony]] and [[Fidelity]]. Dalian has recently become the world's important center of IT Outsourcing ([[ITO]]) and Business Process Outsourcing ([[BPO]]), after [[Bangalore]] of India, as aptly written in "[[The World Is Flat]]" by [[Thomas Friedman]] (2007). In another way, Dalian is the forerunner of China's "Re-Development of the Old Industry Bases in Northeast" National Project, which began in 2002. ===Viewing Dalian's Modern Industries=== The Dalian Modern Museum in Xinghai Square is a good place to quickly view Dalian's present-day industries, with displays of the products and services of the major companies. Also good are the city-wide festivals: China International Software & Information Service Fair (June), Dalian International Beer Festival (July-August) and Dalian International Auto Show (August) and Dalian International Fashion Week (September). == Tourism == Dalian is a very popular destination among Chinese 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 make it an especially nice place to visit. Some of the most famous beaches are [[Tiger beach]], [[Xinghai beach]], [[Jinshitan beach]] and [[Fujiazhuang beach]]. It is one of the three Best Tourism Cities (2006), along with [[Hangzhou]] and [[Chengdu]], recognized by the [[National Tourism Administration]]. === Four Inner-City Districts === * Zhongshan Square and Friendship Square * Lao Hu Tan and Fujiazhuang Beach :Lao Hu Tan is a good place to see natural scenery. There is Seabed World, Bird Woods and the recently completed Polar Region Zoo, where a dolphin show is a big attraction. * Xinghai Square, Xingghai Park and Heishijiao * [[Xinghai Square]] was built at the centinary 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. === Jinzhou District and Development Zone (in the northern suburbs) === * Daheishan Mountain * Jinshitan Sightseeing Area :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 (Discovery Kingdom) and a game forest. It is a good place for someone who wants silence and peace and it is excellent for swimming too. === Lüshunkou District (in the western suburbs) === * Lüshun Museum * Lüshun Railroad Station *203 Highland and Shuishiying Meeting Place :The fiercest battle site and the signing site of the cease fire 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 Zhuanhe City ==Transportation== ===Local Transportation=== Dalian is one of the few cities in China where there are not many [[bicycle]]s, because the area is full of slopes, and where there are few [[motorcycle]]s, because their sale is prohibited. The number of cars on Dalian streets has increased dramatically in recent years, but traffic conditions are still maintained well. The city has a comprehensive [[bus]] system and an efficient [[Dalian Metro|light rail mass transit]] system, usually called Qinggui ({{linktext|轻|轨}}), which connects Dalian Development Zone and Jinshitan with downtown Dalian. ===Domestic and international=== Dalian has a modern and recently (2006) expanded international airport, [[Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport]], with direct flights to the most major cities in China, and to the selected cities in [[Japan]], [[South Korea]] and [[Germany]]. The city's location means that train trips to most Chinese cities outside China's northeastern region require changing trains in [[Shanghai]] or [[Beijing]]. Most of the direct city to city express trains are overnight trips. In August 2007 construction started on a [[Harbin]]-Dalian high speed passenger railway, which is expected to be completed in 2013, connecting Harbin, Dalian, [[Changchun]], and [[Shenyang]].<ref> {{cite news | last= | first= | url= http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/6247071.html | title= Work begins on Harbin-Dalian passenger-only rail line | publisher= [[People's Daily]] Online | date= 2007-08-24 | accessdate= }} </ref> In addition to local and express bus service to Beijing and other areas in the northeast, Dalian is connected by passenger ship service to neighbouring coastal cities, such as [[Tianjin]] and [[Yantai]], as well as [[Incheon]], [[South Korea]]. ==Life and Culture== [[Image:Zhongshan Square, Dalian.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Zhongshan Square]] in Dalian]] Dalian was rated No 1 of the most livable city in China in 2006 according to [[China Daily]].<ref> {{cite news | last= Jing | first= Fu | url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-01/03/content_508828.htm | title= Beijing drops out of top 10 'best city' list | publisher= [[China Daily]] | date= 2006-01-03 | accessdate= }} </ref> Dalian is widely regarded as the most beautiful city of China. ===Dalian Dialect=== Standard [[Mandarin]] is usually spoken in Dalian because it is a city where people from various locations have come. Among the Dalianites, however, the [[Dalian Dialect]] is used, which, the linguists have recently started to argue, belongs to the [[Jiao Liao Mandarin]] subgroup spoken from [[Shandong Province]] to [[Liaoning Province]]. Among the [[Dalian Dialect]]'s features are a few [[loanword]]s from [[Japanese language|Japanese]] and [[Russian language|Russian]], reflecting its history of foreign occupation <ref>[http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/logos/china/dalianhua.html 大連方言について] (in Japanese)</ref>, which is a very rare case in the Chinese language. ===Sports=== :Sports play a big role in the local culture. The city's mayor, a young princeling (member of the ruling cadres) encouraged a top league soccer team with foreign aid and a lot of city cash to increase the city's image in the country and bring local fame. They have been caught out several times though and the heyday of the Super Team has passed. The city's soccer team has dominated the sport in China and Asia by winning 7 titles out of the past 9 years of Chinese professional soccer league. The city is also a powerhouse producing numerous track and field champions. :The Dalian's [[soccer]] club is [[Dalian Shide]] (大连实德), one of fifteen teams in the [[Chinese Super League]]. Prior to 2000, they were known as [[Dalian Wanda]] (大连万达). Dalian Shide achieved success as: :*Premium A Champions 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 :*Asian Club Championship Runners-Up 1997 :*Asian Cup Winners' Cup Runners-Up 2001 :*Chinese Super Cup Winners 1997, 2001, 2003 :*China FA Cup Winners 2001 ===City-Wide Festivals=== :Xinghai Square, the Xinghai Conference Center, the Dalian World Expo Center and the hotels on Renmin Rd. are the places where Dalian's major annual events are held: Fireworks Displays (Chinese New Year, May 1 and October 1), Dalian International Walking Festival (May), Dalian Locust Flower Festival (May), Dalian International Marathon (June), China International Software & Information Service Fair (June), Dalian International Beer Festival (July-August), Dalian International Auto Show (August) and Dalian International Fashion Week (September). :Every September Dalian hosts the [[Dalian International Fashion Festival]] (大连国际服装节). This festival is a chance for many major foreign companies to showcase their new products and sign up buyers. Before the festival, the city holds an opening ceremony attended by government officials as well as famous stars of the entertainment world. ===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]]. ===Food and Restaurants=== :The local cuisine heavily depends on variety of fresh [[seafood]] and fruits, both of which are abundant in the area. ===Inter-Governmental and People-to-People Communication=== Japan maintains a [[Consulate General]] office and a [[JETRO]] office in Dalian, reflecting a relatively large Japanese population. Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry has about 700 corporate members. Those Japanese who had lived in Dalian before the War have organized the Dalian Society. There are such voluntary groups as the Lilac Society (for women) and the Dalian Mountaineering Association. ===Religion=== Five religions ([[Taoism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]] and [[Islam]]) are "officially approved" by the Chinese government. Taoist temples are not found in downtown Dalian, but in Lushunkou District (Longwang Temple), and in Jinzhou District (Jinlong Temple in Daweijia, Xiangshui Temple at the foot of Dahei Mountain, and Zhenwu Temple in Liangjiadian). Buddhist temples are in downtown Dalian (Songshan Temple on Tangshan Street), on the northern side of Anzi Mountain (Anshan Temple), at Daheishi (Thousand-Hand Buddha & 500 Luohan Statues), in Lushunkou District (Hengshan Temple at Longwangtan), and in Jinzhou District 'Guanyinge-Shengshui Temple on Dahei Mountain). Dalian Islamic Mosque is on Beijing Street. Dalian Catholic Church (built in [[1926]]) is in downtown Dalian, west of Dalian Railway Station. Protestant churches are near Zhongshan Square (Yuguanjie Church, built in [[1928]] next to the British Consulate General's office, by the Anglican Churches of Britain and Japan jointly), on Zhangjiang Street (Cheng-en Church, a former a Danish Lutheran church, which now also houses the Dalian branch of China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee), on Xi-an Road (Christian Church for the Korean Minority), east of the airport (the newly built Harvest Church, which can seat 4000 people), in Jinzhou (the newly built Jinzhou Church) and Lushunkou District (Lushun Church, a former Danish Lutheran church). There are many other underground Christian fellowships ("house churches"). ===Local Celebrities=== [[Toshirō Mifune]], 三船 敏郎 Mifune Toshirō (1 April 1920 – 24 December 1997) was a famous Japanese actor who appeared in almost 170 feature films. He was born in Qingdao, China, to Japanese parents, and grew up in the Chinese city of Dalian<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001536/bio IMDb] Biography</ref> with his parents and two siblings. [[Dong Jie]],董洁 (Born April 19th, 1980) is a popular actress from Dalian, [[Liaoning]], [[China]]. In 2000 she played the female role of Wu Ying in a [[Zhang Yimou]] 张艺谋 art-house film. Her movie, [[Happy Times]] 幸福時光, was also extensively filmed in and around the city of Dalian.<ref>[http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117798136.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 Variety Magazine] 18 May 2001</ref> ==Education== There are the following schools of higher education and research centers: ===Colleges and Universities=== *[[Dalian Fisheries University]] 大连水产学院 *[[Dalian Jiaotong University]] 大连交通大学 *[[Dalian Maritime University]] 大连海事大学 *[[Dalian Medical University]] 大连医科大学 *Dalian Polytechnic University 大连工业大学 *Dalian University 大连大学 *[[Dalian University of Foreign Languages]] 大连外国语学院 *[[Dalian University of Technology]] 大连理工大学 *[[Dongbei University of Finance and Economics]] 东北财经大学 *[[Liaoning Normal University]] 辽宁师范大学 *Neusoft Institute of Information 东北大学东软信息学院 Some universities are undergoing relocations from the metropolitan area to the suburban districts. In 2007, Dalian University of Foreign Languages (except for its Schools of Chinese Studies 汉学院 and Continuous Education 培训部) and Dalian Medical University (except its Hospital) were moved to [[Lüshunkou]] District, just east of Baiyin Mountain Tunnel (白银山). [[Missouri State University Branch Campus Dalian]] is a dual management private school with a western director. ===Research Centers=== *Dalian Institute of Chemistry & Physics ({{linktext|大|连|化|学|物|理|研|究|所}} AKA 化物所) [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] (中国科学院) ==Sister cities of Dalian== The following are sister cities of Dalian: *{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Szczecin]], [[Poland]] *{{flagicon|UK}} [[Glasgow]], [[United Kingdom]] *{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kitakyushu|Kitakyūshū]], [[Japan]] *{{flagicon|France}} [[Le Havre]], [[France]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Vancouver]], [[Canada]] *{{flagicon|Macedonia}} [[Ohrid]], [[Republic of Macedonia]] *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]], [[Germany]] *{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Incheon]], [[South Korea]] *{{flagicon|US}} [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]] *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Rostock]], [[Germany]] *{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Maizuru, Kyoto|Maizuru]], [[Japan]] *{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Vladivostok]], [[Russia]] *[[Image:Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg|22x20px]] [[Pointe-Noire]], [[Republic of Congo]] *{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Adelaide]], [[Australia]] *{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Bahia Blanca]], [[Argentina]] ==Environmental protection== Dalian frequently ranks Grade 2 for air pollution according to [[State Environmental Protection Administration|SEPA]].<ref>[http://www.zhb.gov.cn/english/air-list.php3 Air Quality Daily Report for 84 Major Cities In China].</ref> ==Plastination center== The German [[anatomy|anatomist]] [[Gunther von Hagens]] runs a [[plastination]] center in Dalian. == References == <references/> == Further reading == * Song Li. ''Everyday Dalian: Life In Modern Manchuria'' (Photography Book), Foreword by Phil Borges. 1st edition. DigitalKu. February 08, 2008. ISBN 0-9763168-5-4, ISBN-13: 978-0-9763168-5-5. * Kuramoto, Kazuko. ''Manchurian Legacy: Memoirs of a Japanese Colonist'', 1st edition. Michigan State University Press. October 1, 1999. ISBN 0870135104, ISBN-13: 978-0870135101. * Matz, Leigh. ''Blue Sky Red Tears'', 1st edition. DigitalKu. November 30, 2004. ISBN 0976316811, ISBN-13: 978-0976316817. * McKnight, Tom, (ed.). ''Geographica: The Complete Illustrated Atlas of the World'', 3rd revision. New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2001. ISBN 0-7607-5974-X, ISBN-13: 9780760727140. * Theiss, Frank. ''The Voyage of Forgotten Men'', 1st Ed. Indianapolis & New York: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1937. == External links == {{commonscat|Dalian}} *[http://www.dl.gov.cn Dalian Government website] *{{wikitravel}} {{Liaoning}} {{SEZ}} {{Major cities of Greater China}} [[Category:Dalian]] [[Category:Port cities and towns in China]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:Cities in Liaoning]] [[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of Liaoning]] [[ar:داليان]] [[da:Dalian]] [[de:Dalian]] [[es:Dalian]] [[eo:Dalian]] [[eu:Dalian]] [[fa:دالیان]] [[fr:Dalian]] [[gl:Dalian - 大连]] [[ko:다롄]] [[id:Dalian]] [[it:Dalian]] [[lt:Dalianas]] [[nl:Dalian]] [[ja:大連市]] [[no:Dalian]] [[pl:Dalian]] [[pt:Dalian]] [[ro:Dalian]] [[ru:Далянь]] [[fi:Dalian]] [[sv:Dalian]] [[th:ต้าเหลียน]] [[vi:Đại Liên]] [[uk:Далянь]] [[zh:大连市]]