"pearl in north China" a Dalian Travel Page by elva199

Tall new buildings reach toward the sky, while modern double-decker buses, trams and quaint old-fashioned tourist buses run through clean, attractive streets. Birds sing in green parks, bringing Mother Nature to the heart of the city.

Founded on the site of a small fishing village exactly 100 years ago. Dalian has developed into one of the most famous and dynamic cities in Asia. By any standards, it is a great place to live and work. This is because the government and people of Dalian, applying the principle of "Not seeking the biggest, but seeking the best", wanted not just a busy city, but also a beautiful city, with plenty of parks and open spaces. The biggest transformation has taken place in the past few years. Indeed, Dalian's urban construction has entered its prime time.

For the relaxation and entertainment of locals and visitors alike, the municipal government has built and expanded many parks and public squares, including the People's Square, Zhongshan Music Circle, Friendship Circle, Xinghai Square, the Charm of the Sea Square, the Huayue Square, and the Olympic Square.

The stylish business compound on People's Road, the financial center at Zhongshan Circle, the shopping district by Qingniwa Bridge and the convention and exhibition center on the Xinghai Square have been acclaimed by people from both home and abroad.

Location: located between 3843' - 4010' north latitude and 12058' - 123 east longitude, and in the southernmost point of Liaodong Peninsula; with the Yellow Sea to its east and the Bohai Sea to its west

Neighboring Areas: Jilin and Hebei provinces; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Physical Features: situated in the south part of Liaodong Hilly Region surrounded by sea on three sides; one of the three largest hilly regions in China; the terrain sloping down from northeast to southwest

Population: 5.4 million
Urban Population: 2.59 million
Area: 12,578 sq km

Nationalities: Han

History: In early Tang dynasty, called "Lion Mouth" for its inaccessibility; in 1371, settled by troops sent by Zhu Yuanzhang - the emperor of Ming dynasty at Port of Lushun from Shandong; renamed "Qingni Wa" since Ming and Qing dynasties

Climatic Features: located in the warm temperate zone of the North Hemisphere with a warm temperate continental monsoon climate ; no extreme coldness in winter or utterly hot in summer; 4 four distinc seasons

Average Temperature: 8.4C - 10.5C with the highest of 35C and the lowest of - 24C
Rainfall: annual precipitation of 600 mm to 790 mm

Products: grain, flax, corn, ripe, broomcorn, soybean, cotton, peanut, tobacco leaf
Specialties: haw, apple, yellow peach, grape and cherry, prawns, abalones, and sea cucumbers