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1. Brief Introduction
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China. It is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's northernmost warm water port, at the tip of the Liaodong Peninsula. Dalian is the province's second largest city and has sub-provincial administrative status; only the provincial capital (Shenyang) is larger. The Shandong Peninsula lies southwest across the Bohai Sea; Korea lies across the Yellow Sea to the east.
Today, as a financial, shipping and logistics center for Northeast Asia with a population of 6.690432 million, Dalian has a significant history of being used by foreign powers for its ports. In 2015, Dalian ranks 51st in the Global Financial Centers Index published by the Z/Yen Group and Qatar Financial Centre Authority, the other Chinese cities on the list being Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing. In 2012, Dalian ranked 82nd in the Global City Competitiveness Index, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (The Economist Group). In 2006, Dalian was named China's most livable city by China Daily.
2. Economy
In 2014, the city's GDP registered a 5.8% increase, reaching CNY 765.56 billion, while per capita GDP hit CNY 109,939. According to a nationwide appraisal by the National Bureau of Statistics, Dalian ranks eighth among Chinese cities in terms of overall strength. The city’s main industries include machine manufacturing, petrochemicals and oil refining, and electronics.
Dalian was originally an agriculture and aquaculture-based area, which, after the opening of the ferry between Yantai and Lvshun during the early 20th century, began to be populated by the farmers and fishers of Shandong, across the Yellow Sea during the Chuang Guandong era.
3. Education
There were 23 general institutions of higher education (and another 7 privately run colleges), 108 secondary vocational schools, 80 ordinary middle high schools, 1,049 schools for nine-year compulsory education and 1,432 kindergartens in Dalian. The students on campus of all levels (including kindergartens) totaled 1108 thousand. Besides, Dalian has several International schools.
There are the following schools of higher education and research centers:
Dalian Medical University (Founded in 1947)
Dalian University of Technology (Project 985, Project 211)
Dalian Maritime University (Project 211)
Dongbei University of Finance and Economics
Dalian Jiaotong University (Founded in 1956)
Dalian Nationalities University (Founded in 1997)
Dalian Naval Academy of the PLA Navy
Dalian Ocean University (Founded in 1952)
Dalian Polytechnic University
Dalian University of Foreign Languages
Dalian University
Liaoning Normal University
Dalian Neusoft University of Information
Dalian Institute of Science and Technology
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 and Continuous Education) and Dalian Medical University (except its Hospital) were moved to Lvshunkou District, just east of Baiyin Mountain Tunnel. Missouri State University Branch Campus Dalian is a dual management private school with a western director.
4. Climate
Dalian has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate, characterized 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. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from −3.9 °C (25.0 °F) in January to 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) in August. Annual precipitation averages 602 millimeters (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). The monthly percent of possible sunshine ranges from 49% in July to 68% in September and October, with 2,740 hours of bright sunshine annually. The annual mean temperature is 10.90 °C (51.6 °F).
5. Transportation
Not many people ride bicycles in Dalian because of the hilly roads. Dalian is also one of the many cities in China where there are few motorcycles, because motorcycle riding on most roads is banned by law. The city has a comprehensive bus system and an efficient metro system. As of June 2015, the Dalian Metro consists of the underground Line 2, and the overground Line R2 and Line 3. New lines and expansion of the metro system are under way. Dalian Tram system is the second oldest in China. Most of the public transportation in the city can be accessed using the Mingzhu IC Card.
Domestic and International
Dalian has a recently expanded international airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, with direct flights to the most major cities in China, and to some cities in Japan, South Korea and Russia. In 2014, the airport was the 20th busiest airport in China with 13,551,223 passengers. The airport is the hub of Dalian Airlines. The city's location means that train trips to most Chinese cities outside China's northeastern region require changing trains in Beijing or Shanghai. With the high-speed rail system, trips from Dalian to Shenyang can be completed in 1.5 hours, to Changchun 2.5 hours and to Harbin 3.5 hours. The city has two railway stations, namely Dalian Railway Station and Dalian North Railway Station, that latter being part of the Harbin-Dalian High-Speed Railway.
In addition to local and express bus service to Beijing and other areas in the northeast, Dalian is connected by passenger ship service to neighboring coastal cities, including Tianjin, Yantai, Weihai, Penglai and Dongying, as well as Incheon in South Korea.
6. Tourism
Xinghai Square is the largest city square in the world. 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 Jinshitan Golden Coast beach, Fujiazhuang beach, Bangchuidao beach, Xinghai Park beach, Xinghai Bay beach, and Xiajiahezi beach. In 2007, it was one of the three cities named "China's best tourist city", along with Hangzhou and Chengdu, recognized by the National Tourism Administration and the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
There are various hot spring hotels in Dalian. Notable ones include Laotieshan Hot Spring Hotel in Lvshun, Tang Dynasty Hot Spring Resort in Jinshitan, Minghu Hot Spring Hotel in Wafangdian City, Chengyuan Hot Spring Villa in Ganjingzi District, and Tianmu Hot Spring Hotel in Lvshun. Skiing has become increasingly popular in Dalian in recent years. Famous ski resorts are Linhai Ski Resort in Ganjingzi District, Anbo Ski Resort in Pulandian City, Minghu Ski Resort & Minghu International Skiing Holiday Village in Wafangdian City, and Dalian Happy Snow World in Ganjingzi District near the airport.
Population: 6.69 million
Temperature: average 10.90 °C (51.6 °F)
