CHINADALIANSitting on an isthmus near the

southern end of the Liaodung Peninusla in northern China, Dalian is the administrative authority for the

entire peninsula, including the historic Lüshun Port, also known as Port Arthur. Dalian is the largest port in its Liaodung Province and the third largest in China. As a critical juncture for Chinese relations in North Asia, the port has been an important stage in conflicts and trade with China’s neighbors for several centuries. Occupied by the British, Japanese, and Russians at varying times from the 1850s until after World War II, today Dalian retains much of that international influence, yet it has become a city with a distinctive personality all its own.

In 1984, Dalian joined a growing legion of Chinese cities as a Special Economic Zone, allowing for greater foreign investment. Since then, Dalian has gained the nickname as China’s Silicon Valley for its success in the outsourcing information technology industry. Cementing its role as the new world center for IT development is a new computer chip factory built by Intel. Even the city’s mayor, Xia Deren, is famous for being the IT “techie” who has propelled the city to international software fame. In September 2007 the World Economic Forum’s inaugural “Annual Meeting of the New Champions” took place in Dalian, bringing together representatives from over 90 countries.

Over the past decade, Dalian has blossomed into a destination for businessmen and tourists alike. The city’s skyline of massive skyscrapers provides only a glimpse of today’s Dalian. According to a Beijing-based poll, the city was voted as China’s “most livable” in 2006. The city also hosts the annual Dalian International Fashion Festival, a summit of Asia’s finest designers. The Dalian Shide Super League is the most successful soccer team in China, making Dalian a region known for its technological, athletic, and fashionable talents.

HISTORYFor the first century of its existence in the late 1800s, Dalian was a battlefield for foreign occupiers who sought control of the strategic isthmus on the Liaodong Peninsula. During the two Opium Wars in the 1840s and 50s, British forces attacked the Dalian area, then known as Qing Niwakou. Realizing its strategic importance as a port for trade and defense, the Qing court invested cannons and infrastructure in the area in the 1880s. Following the first Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the Japanese occupied Dalian and the port known as Port Arthur, supposedly named for one of British Queen Victoria’s sons (the port was known as Lüshun to the Chinese). Shortly thereafter, France, Germany, and Russia joined forces to protest the treaty arrangements between China and Japan. They feared that Japanese control of Port Arthur would threaten their activity in China at the time. While they succeeded in winning back the peninsula for the Chinese government, this did little to squelch foreign desires for the strategic port.

With visions of Dalian as an outpost for an extended Russian trade and military presence, the Russians negotiated a treaty in which they would lease the Liaodong Peninsula. This was a crucial concession for the Russians to aid in the transportation of goods to Siberia and inner Russia. Investment in the port area resulted in the construction of what the Russians called Dalny. Following the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese gained control in 1905 and developed Dalian into a bustling port town. After the Japanese loss in the Second World War, Dalian was the first foreign-controlled city to be returned to the Chinese. Envisioning it as a prospect for prosperous international trade, the Chinese government designated it as a Special Economic Zone in 1984. Dalian’s past as a colonial outpost was a preview of the foreign presence that accompanied

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1 Renmin Square, or People’s Square, was originally named for Joseph Stalin, it was built by the Russians

in 1899. The area surrounding Renmin Square is the home of Dalian’s city government.

2 The name of Zhongshan Square belies its form, as it is actually a circle, not a square. It is named for

Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of modern China.

3 Xinghai Square is the largest plaza in Asia, nearly double the size of Tiananmen Square. Nearby are

several museums of interest, including the Dalian Modern Museum. Translated as the “Star and Sea Square,” it was completed in 1997 in honor of the July 1, 1997 Hong Kong handover to China.

4 The Russians occupied Dalian for a short time, but their architectural

presence is still felt along the Russian Cultural Street in the Xigang District. Restored colonial buildings, European restaurants, and Russian souvenir shops line the long street.

5 One would wonder if the Dalian Modern Museum reflects historic trends in the city or if it is a herald of

future plans. Located by Xinghai Square, the museum has several exhibits of regional accomplishments in urban development.

its new role as an international stage for trade and industry.

Dalian’s development in the 1990s was largely indebted to the leadership of Mayor Bo Xilai (1993-2001), who implemented several regulations to fashion Dalian into a premier port and tourist destination. Dalian’s urban makeover of the 1990s received wide praise within China and beyond.

Dalian is not just interested in its aesthetics. Today Dalian has been called the Silicon Valley of China, as well as the IT outsourcing capital of Japan, according to U.S. economist Thomas Friedman. In 2006, the port of Dalian became China’s third Free Trade Port Area, following Shanghai and Tianjin. Dalian may be called one of China’s model cities ands a beacon of innovation for China’s future.

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When you have had enough of urban life, trek to the Golden Stone Beach, only 15 minutes away from the Dalian train station. The beach is only part of the fun escape; visit the nearby amusement park and museum. If you prefer an aquarium amusement park, be sure to spend time at Tiger Beach Ocean Park or Sun Asia Ocean World. Both amusement parks feature aquariums and polar animal exhibits. Sun Asia is home to exhibits like an underwater UFO and a Traveler Submarine; it is also touted as the world’s first scenic ocean theme park.

Shore ExcursionsTo make the most of your visit to Dalian and surrounding areas, we suggest you take one of the organized Shore Excursions. For Information concerning tour content and pricing, consult azamaracruises.com or contact the on-board Shore Excursion Desk. When going ashore, be advised to take with you only necessary items and secure valuables onboard.

Local CustomsBargaining: As a general rule, bargaining is only done in the open markets and privately owned arts and crafts shops. Learn a few Chinese words to help your bargaining stakes or bring a paper and pen to write down prices as you barter.

Tipping: Tipping is not always expected in China, but a little extra for good service is appreciated.

Local Cuisine and Drink Specialties Seafood reigns in Dalian. Dishes include abalone, prawns, oysters, crabs, jellyfish, and shark’s fin. Sea cucumber is a delicacy in Dalian, and it is often prepared as part of a dish or dried for its medicinal properties. Barbequed octopus and squid on a stick, introduced by the Koreans, are popular street snacks in Dalian.

Colonial buildings are not the only legacy of foreign occupation in China. Breweries are popular in Dalian, supplying the city with several sources of locally made beer. Dalian even hosts an annual International Beer Festival in July, touted as the third largest in the world.

ShoppingDalian lives up to its nickname as a “Fashion City” with its diverse array of boutiques and shopping malls. Qingniwa Jie, a conglomerate of stores and restaurants, and the Dixia Shangchang, an underground mall, provide ample opportunities for the ambitious shopper. Tianjin Walking District is a revitalized shopping area with European architecture and world-famous brands. Friendship Shopping City is the former Friendship Store, which today houses a six-story mall of stores.

Local CurrencyChinese currency is called Renminbi (meaning ‘People’s Currency’) and is abbreviated to RMB. The standard unit is Yuan (referred to as Kuai in everyday speech). Foreign credit cards can be used at post office ATMs, convenience stores and some major banks.

Post Office and Telephone FacilitiesThe Dalian Railway Station Post Office is located No.261, Changjianlu, Zhongshan District

Dial the following access numbers to use a personal calling card:

AT&T: 108.11MCI: 108.12 or 108712

TransportationDalian’s old tram system still works along three routes, though you may choose to take the three designated tourist buses (Bus 801, 801 (B) and K901), which

DALIANBEYOND

This information has been compiled for the convenience of our guests and is intended solely for that purpose. While we work to ensure that the information contained herein is correct,

we cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may have taken place since printing.

Copyright RCCL 2009. All rights reserved.

take cruise ship guests to most major tourist destinations. Taxis are also widely available in downtown Dalian.

Tourist InformationVisit the Dalian Tourism Bureau at 1 Renmin Square for Dalian city brochures.

Useful Words and Phrases

Mandarin Chinese is spoken in Dalian, but English is also very popular. Of course, a few phrases in Chinese will be helpful.

Hello/Goodbye. - Ni hao/Zai jian. Thank you. - Xie xie. How much is it? - Duo shao qian?Too expensive! - Tai gui le!I don’t understand. - Wo bu dong.

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