Dalian, People’s Republic of China - Oct 14, 2011

Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of the Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and the south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China’s northernmost warm water port. The city has a significant history of being used by foreign powers as a port. Today it serves as a regional financial base and an important international shipping center and logistics hub in Northeast Asia. It is known as the most relaxed and livable city in the northeast making Dalian the most pleasant in all of China. The tree lined hilly streets filled with 20th century architecture, an impressive coastline and booming local economy gives Dalian the label of the “Hong Kong of the North”.

On our own today (meaning no planned tours) we headed to main area of town by way of the ship’s shuttle service. We strolled down through the pedestrian only Russia Street (restored as a tourist attraction, Russian architects of the period were attempting to emulate Parisian style). Okay is my best way to describe it. We then headed to the out off the tourist beaten track to the central market on the edge of the city, I will let the pictures speak for this incredible market, soup to nuts, to pig snouts to, I hate to say it, yes dog (sorry Zydnea) - and no I just cannot bring myself to publish the great and disgusting picture that Jan took, the vendor was not happy that Jan did take the picture.

 Anyone care for a pig snout?

Ah, yes a Chinese toilet - a squat toilet.

 We then took a chance and headed for one of the highest buildings buildings in the city, The Intercontinental Hotel, with another couple we met from the ship we walked in as if we were guests and headed for the top, some shots from the top.

Back to the shuttle and the ship for our early departure today.

Tip or Comment of the day. China, first impression is clean, rebuilding, crazy traffic, seemed to be watched from a distance, in a curious way with the people going out of their way to help you, from the security guards at the banks to the vendors in the market (except for the dog guy) to the many assigned people helping the cruise ship passengers at the shuttle stop. The guides here were so happy to be able to practice speaking english. I think we will see a theme here from a comment made a few postings ago about education and the will and desire to learn. I say clean but only in the physical streets and sidewalks, smog encased the city later in the day, a thick heavy sun blocking fog, I understand they are making huge efforts to improve this but I can see that they have a long way to go. This is one port out of five so I will provide a better overall insight at the conclusion of China.

Tomorrow, overnight in Beijing, looking forward to this major site in our itinerary.