Dalliance in Dalian

Dalian is a city on the southern coast of China's Liaoning Province. It played a significant role in the Russo-Japanese War around the turn of the 20th century, particularly the area just west of the city in an area called Port Arthur (Lushun or Lvshun on the maps) - and played a role in the subsequent Sino-Japanese War and World War II. The historic significance of the area is good reason to go if you're a history buff, but I went because, as a sailor (yes, even though I've been out of the Navy for many years, I am - and always will be - a sailor), I miss the sea. I wanted my ocean fix and there are no oceans in Harbin where I currently live.

If you're in China already, there are high-speed trains to Dalian from a number of cities, including Harbin (where I live). The high-speed trains pull into Dalian North Railway Station. From there, you can take the subway to different parts of the city depending on where your hotel is and, from the subway stop, take a taxi to your hotel (if it isn't walking distance from the stop). I took the Line 1 subway to Xinghai Square station and then took a taxi to my hotel on Binhai Road.

My hotel, according to the name anyway, was apparently a former coal miners sanatorium. It wasn't far from one of the beaches. Too bad there wasn't any kind of display showing the hotel's past history as a sanatorium - that would have been interesting.

Speaking of Binhai Road, the sign near my hotel said 3.4 km to Xinghai Square (a must-see place in Dalian), but it didn't say up over a mountain along winding sidewalks. Being someone who enjoys walking, I decided to walk it. Nice scenery (so, bring your camera); maybe detour, as I did, down to a beach or to Xinghai Bay Bridge. I also walked past the zoo. Part of the trek is designated a bodybuilding walk (if you're a fitness buff). Getting to Xinghai Square was worth the walk. And if you're the romantic type, part of Binhai Road is great for a romantic stroll with your significant other. I think that 3.4 km must have been measured as a straight line because it sure seemed a lot longer than that!

Xinghai Square is the place to be in Dalian! Besides views of Xinghai Bay and the Xinghai Bay Bridge, there's an amusement park, a couple of museums, as well as restaurants. You can also take a boat tour into the bay. Xinghai Square seems to be quite popular with the locals as well.

In the other direction from my hotel, there's a road going up over another mountain to another area called Laohutan that is popular with the locals. It has an ocean park and an old Japanese destroyer, and is just a nice place to walk around, take pictures, and have a relaxing time. There are a few hotels in the area as well. No, I didn't walk the road to get there as it was a good 7 km up over a steeper mountain with a really winding road that reminds me of West Virginia.

Whenever you go to a coastal city in China, particularly Dalian or Qingdao, having the seafood is a must! There are lots of seafood restaurants in Dalian - a few of them were just a short walk from my hotel on Binhai Road.

If you're a shopaholic, there are walking streets like Victory Plaza and a number of shopping malls. Victory Plaza, in addition to the above-ground shopping, has three floors of underground shopping, as well as an underground food court.

If you want an idea of the numerous things to do and see in Dalian, go to its page on Trip Advisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297452-Activities-Dalian_Liaoning.html). Whether you want to see the sea, go to the beach, visit the zoo, explore the urban environment, immerse yourself in history, enjoy the seafood, T

go shopping, or whatever else you find to do, a dalliance in Dalian is for you.