Name: Dalian (大连; Dàlián (/da-lee-en/))
Meaning: "great connection"
Previous names: Qingniwaqiao, Dalny (Russian), Dairen (だいれん Japanese)
Features
- Named one of China's top three cities for tourism in 2007
- Beaches that have been popular with Russian, Japanese and Korean tourists
- One of China's top ten busiest ports
- Information technology and microelectronics manufacturing industry leader
Main Attractions
- Laohutan, Tiger Beach, Xinghai Beach, Jinshitan (GoldenPebble) Beach, Fujiazhuang Beach, Shengya Ocean World
- Most famous food: stir-fried shrimp and other seafood
- Most popular souvenirs and local products: clothes, seafood, Russian goods
History
The city began as a Russian town and port, and then it was part of Japan's mainland colony from 1905 until 1945.
- 1858 The British Empire occupied the area.
- 1898 The Russians built a town there to support their railroad and port.
- 1905 The Empire of Japan conquered the area.
- 1945 The USSR took control of the area.
- 1985 Dalian was designated as a Special Economic Zone.
Geography
- Significance of city: thriving industrial and tourist city. It has one of China's largest ports, is a financial center for the northeast, and is a high technology and information technology center. Because of its beaches and resorts, warmer climate and proximity to Russia, Japan and Korea, it is a favorite tourist destination for citizens of those countries.
- Nearby cities: Shenyang (345 km/215 mi), Dandong (320 km/200 mi)
- Municipality terrain: the city sits on a peninsula between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea.
- Average altitude: 29 meters (95 feet)
Location Information
- Municipality location: 38.92N, 121.61E, in northeastern China
- Municipality population: 6,200,000
- Municipality land area: 12,574 sq km (4,855 sq mi)
- Urban area: 7,678 sq km (2,964 sq mi)
- Urban population: 3,578,000
- Urban population density: 466/sq km (1,207/sq mi)
- City center: Zhangshan Square (38.92N, 121.64E) in Zhongshan District.
Climate
- Average high temperature in July: 27.3 °C (81.1 °F)
- Average low temperature in January: -6.8 °C (19.8 °F)
- Continental, monsoon-influenced humid climate, annual precipitation: 602 mm (23.7 in)
Though the climate is humid, it is also paradoxically arid. There is comparably little rainfall, and there is lots of sunshine.
Economy
- Average annual income (2009): 71,833 RMB (10,400 USD)
- Development: rapidly developing industrial city. The official statistics show that the city's GDP has had double digit growth rates every year from 1992 to 2009.
- Industry: 40.5% tertiary industry (services, finance), 52.4% secondary industry (heavy industry, shipbuilding, petrochemicals, electronics, software), 7.1% primary industry (agriculture, aquaculture)
- CBD: 38.92N, 121.64E in Zhongshan District.
- Shopping Streets: Tianjin Walking Street
Transportation
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
- 1 regular train station
- 1 bullet train to Harbin may operate in 2012 or 2013
