Dalian facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dalian 大连市
Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city
Clockwise from top: Aerial view of Xinghai Square, Dalian Yamato Hotel, Olympia 66, view of East Harbor, Bangchuidao beach
Location of Dalian City jurisdiction in Liaoning
Dalian Location in Liaoning Show map of Liaoning Dalian Location in China Show map of China
Country	China
Province	Liaoning
Settled	1899
– Transfer of sovereignty to Japan (Treaty of Shimonoseki)	17 April 1895
– Russian occupation – Japanese occupation	3 March 1898 – 2 January 1905 1905 – 15 August 1945
– Transfer of sovereignty to China	16 April 1955
Municipal seat	Xigang District
County-level divisions	7 districts, 2 county cities, 1 county
Government
• Type	Sub-provincial city
• Body	Dalian Municipal People's Congress
Area
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	13,743 km2 (5,306 sq mi)
• Land	12,573.85 km2 (4,854.79 sq mi)
• Urban	5,766.2 km2 (2,226.3 sq mi)
• Metro	3,169.2 km2 (1,223.6 sq mi)
Elevation	29 m (95 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	7,450,785
• Density	542.151/km2 (1,404.17/sq mi)
• Urban	5,736,383
• Urban density	994.829/km2 (2,576.595/sq mi)
• Metro	5,106,719
• Metro density	1,611.359/km2 (4,173.40/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Dalianese
GDP
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	CN¥ 823.4 billion US$ 119.8 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 117,850 US$ 17,141
• Growth	6.5%
Time zone	UTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code	116000
Area code(s)	0411
ISO 3166 code	CN-LN-02
Vehicle registration	辽B
Division code	210200
HDI (2011)	0.86 – very high
Coastline	1,906 km (1,184 mi) (excluding islands)
Climate	Dwa
Symbols Flower China rose Tree Dragon juniper

Dalian
"Dalian" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese	大连
Traditional Chinese	大連
Postal	Dalny (1898–1905) Dairen (1905–1945)
Literal meaning	"Great Connection"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Dàlián Wade–Giles Ta4-lien2 IPA [tâ.li̯ɛ̌n] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Daaih-lìhn IPA [tàːi.lȉːn] Jyutping Daai6-lin4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Tāi-liân
Lüda (1950–1981)
Chinese	旅大
Postal	Luta
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Lǚdà Wade–Giles Lü3-ta4

Dalian (/dɑːˈljɛn/ DAH-lyen) is a big port city in Liaoning province, China. It is the second largest city in Liaoning and the third largest in Northeast China. Dalian is located at the southern tip of the Liaodong peninsula. This makes it the southernmost city in both Liaoning and the entire Northeast region.

As of 2020, Dalian had over 7.4 million people. More than 5.1 million of them live in the main city area. Today, Dalian is a major hub for money, shipping, and logistics in East Asia. The city has a long history of being used by different countries because of its important ports.

Dalian has been known by several names in the past. These include "Dalniy" (meaning "far away" in Russian), "Dairen" (from Japanese), and "Lüda." The area was also known as "Port Arthur" or "Ryojun," which is now the Lüshunkou district of Dalian.

Dalian is recognized as a "Beta - Global City." This means it plays an important role in the world. In 2023, Dalian was ranked among the top 40 cities globally for scientific research. It is home to several important universities, like Dalian University of Technology and Dalian Maritime University.

Understanding the City's Names

The modern city of Dalian grew from a small Chinese fishing village called Qingniwa. This name means "green/blue mud swamp."

From Dalny to Dairen

In 1898, the Russian Empire took control of the area. They built a commercial town and named it Dalny. This Russian name meant "a remote one" or "far-away." It referred to how far away the town was.

After the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Japan took over the area. They renamed the city Dairen. This name came from the Chinese name for Dalian Bay. English speakers also called the city Dairen during this time (1905–1945).

The Name Changes to Lüda and Back

In 1950, Dalian returned to Chinese control. It merged with a nearby town called Lüshun (formerly Port Arthur). The new city was named Lüda. This name was made by combining the first parts of "Lüshun" and "Dalian."

In 1981, the Chinese government changed the city's name back to Dalian. This change became official on March 5, 1981.

Exploring Dalian's Past

Dalian has a rich and complex history, with different groups controlling the area over time.

Early History of the Region

During the ancient Qin dynasty and Han dynasty (221 BC – AD 220), the Dalian region was part of China. Later, the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo controlled it. Over the centuries, it was known by names like Sanshan and Qingniwakou.

Qing Dynasty Developments

In the 1880s, the Qing government built defenses and bridges in the area. A small fishing town called Qingniwa grew into what is now the center of Dalian.

Foreign Influence and Control

The British briefly controlled Qingniwa in 1858 during the Second Opium War. They returned it to China in 1860. The area known as Port Arthur got its English name from a British naval officer.

In 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan took control of the area. After the war, China gave up the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. However, Russia, France, and Germany soon forced Japan to return the peninsula to China.

Russian and Japanese Control

In 1898, the Russian Empire leased the peninsula from China. Russia was interested in the area because it had ports that did not freeze in winter. The Russians built a modern port city called Dalniy. This city was connected to the Trans-Siberian Railway and became Russia's main port in Asia.

During the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), the Liaodong Peninsula became a major battleground. After a long fight, Japan took control of Port Arthur in 1905. The Treaty of Portsmouth officially gave Port Arthur to Japan. Japan then created the Kwantung Leased Territory. They invested a lot in the region, making it a key trading port between Manchuria and Japan.

Dalian After World War II

After Japan surrendered in 1945, Dairen came under Soviet control. The Soviets and Chinese worked together to develop the city and its port. In 1950, the Soviet Union gave the city to the Chinese government. Dalian and Lüshun merged to form Lüda.

Soviet troops left the city in 1955. After that, China made Lüda a major center for building ships. In 1981, the city was renamed Dalian again. In 1984, the Chinese government made Dalian a Special Economic Zone. This helped the city attract foreign businesses and grow quickly.

Dalian from 1990 to Today

In the 1990s, Dalian saw a lot of growth. Leaders like Bo Xilai helped develop the city. He focused on making the city beautiful with parks and preserving its unique Japanese and Russian buildings.

Since 2007, Dalian has hosted the "Summer Davos" meeting, a big event organized by the World Economic Forum. In 2014, the Dalian Jinpu New Area was created. This is a special development zone. In 2016, a large monument in Xinghai Square was removed. This was replaced with a musical fountain, which is now the biggest in Northeast China.

Geography and Climate

Dalian is a major industrial area in China. It includes the main city of Dalian and the smaller Lüshunkou area. Lüshunkou was once known as Port Arthur.

Location and Coastline

Dalian is located on the Korea Bay, north of the Yellow Sea. It sits in the middle of the Liaodong peninsula, where the land is narrowest. The city has a long coastline of about 1,906 kilometers. It also includes about 260 islands and reefs.

Dalian's Weather

Dalian has a climate with warm, wet summers and cold, dry, windy winters. The summers are influenced by the East Asian monsoon. The winters are affected by cold air from Siberia.

The average temperature in January is about -3.3°C. In August, it rises to about 24.8°C. The city gets about 580 millimeters of rain each year. Most of this rain falls during the summer months. Because it is a coastal city, the daily temperature changes are not very big. Dalian gets a lot of sunshine, about 2,625 hours per year.

City Management

Dalian is the second largest city in Liaoning province. It is governed by the Dalian Municipal People's Government.

City Districts and Areas

Dalian is divided into different areas for management. These include 7 districts, 2 county-level cities, and 1 county. The main city area includes Zhongshan, Xigang, Shahekou, and Ganjingzi Districts. Changhai County is made up of islands.

Map
1 2 3 Ganjingzi Lüshunkou Jinzhou Pulandian Changhai County Wafangdian (city) Zhuanghe (city) 1.Zhongshan 2.Xigang 3.Shahekou
Name	Chinese	Standard Mandarin	Jiaoliao Mandarin	Population (est. 2015)	Area (km2)	Density (/km2)
City proper
Zhongshan District	中山区	Zhōngshān Qū	Zhong2 san4 Qu4	360,722	40.1	8,996
Xigang District	西岗区	Xīgǎng Qū	Xi4 gang4 Qu4	293,316	23.94	12,252
Shahekou District	沙河口区	Shāhékǒu Qū	Sa4 he2 kou3 Qu4	648,719	34.71	18,690
Ganjingzi District	甘井子区	Gānjǐngzi Qū	Gan4 jinge3 Qu4	843,342	451.52	1,868
Suburban
Lüshunkou District	旅顺口区	Lǚshùnkǒu Qū	Lü3 sun4 kou3 Qu4	221,356	512.15	432
Jinzhou District	金州区	Jīnzhōu Qū	Jin4 zhou0 Qu4	681,543	1,352.54	504
Pulandian District	普兰店区	Pǔlándiàn Qū	Pulan4 dian4 Qu4	915,595	2,769.9	331
Satellite cities
Wafangdian	瓦房店市	Wǎfángdiàn Shì	Wa4 fang4 dian4 Si4	997,830	3,576.4	279
Zhuanghe	庄河市	Zhuānghé Shì	Zuang4 he0 Si4	901,182	3,655.7	247
Rural
Changhai County	长海县	Chánghǎi Xiàn	Chang2 hai0 Xian4	72,033	156.89	459

Dalian's Economy

Dalian's economy has been growing very fast since 1992. In 2014, the city's economy grew by 5.8%. Dalian is ranked among the top cities in China for its overall economic strength. The city's main industries include making machines, chemicals, and electronics.

From Farming to Factories

Dalian was originally a place for farming and fishing. Many farmers and fishers from Shandong province moved here a long time ago.

Major Industries and Trade

Even before World War II, Dalian was important for shipbuilding and making trains. Companies like Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company and Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Works started here. After the war, Dalian became a big center for heavy and light industries.

Dalian Port is a very important port for international trade. It connects with over 300 ports in 160 countries. There are more than 100 shipping routes for containers. Dalian is the 6th largest port in China. It is also one of the busiest ports in the world for cargo. This makes Dalian a major center for oil refining and chemical production.

A newer port, Dayaowan Port, was finished in 1993. It specializes in importing and exporting mining and oil products. With its railway stations, airport, and express roads, Dalian is a key distribution center.

Special Industrial Areas

The Chinese government has given Dalian many benefits. It was named an "open-city" in 1984. This means it can get a lot of money from foreign companies. Many Japanese companies, like Canon and Toshiba, have set up factories here. Companies from South Korea, America, and Europe are also present.

In 2007, Intel announced plans to build a computer chip factory in Dalian. This factory started working in 2010. Dalian also has car factories for brands like Chery and BYD Automobile.

Other special zones in the city include the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Dalian Hi-Tech Industrial Zone.

Finance and Technology

Dalian is a financial hub for Northeast China. All of China's five biggest banks have branches here. The Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) is the only futures exchange in Northeast China. It trades many different products, like corn, soybeans, and iron ore. In 2019, DCE was the 11th largest exchange in the world by trading volume.

Since the 1990s, Dalian has focused on growing its technology industry. The Dalian Hi-Tech Zone and Dalian Software Park are home to over 4,700 businesses. These include big Chinese tech companies and international companies like IBM, Dell, and Intel.

Fun Things to Do in Dalian

Dalian is a popular place for tourists, especially from Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Its mild weather and many beaches attract visitors. It is also important in China's modern history. In 2007, Dalian was named one of "China's best tourist cities."

Main City Attractions

• Zhongshan Square: This square was designed by Russians in the 1800s. It is famous for its beautiful old buildings built by the Japanese.
• Laohutan Ocean Park: This park has a Polar Region Marine Animals World and a Coral Aquarium. You can see amazing shows with white whales and dolphins.

• Xinghai Square: Located at Xinghai Bay, this square was built in 1998. It is one of the largest city squares in the world.
• Dalian Natural History Museum: Learn about nature and history here.
• Sunasia Ocean World: Another great place to see marine life.
• Dalian Forest Zoo: A large zoo with many animals.
• Bangchuidao Scenic Area: A beautiful park with beaches, villas, and a golf course. It has been a guesthouse for important leaders.

• Dalian Sightseeing Tower: Enjoy great views of the city from here.
• Donggang Music Fountain: A fun show with water and music.
• Fujiazhuang Beach: A popular beach for relaxing.

Fun Outside the City Center

• Dahei Mountain: A great place for hiking and enjoying nature.
• Jinshitan National Holiday Resort: This resort has a long beach called Golden Coast. You can visit a Waxworks Museum, a Geological Museum, and the Discoveryland Theme Park.
• Discoveryland Theme Park: This theme park was built in 2006. It was designed by the same people who helped design Disney theme parks.

Lüshunkou District Attractions

• Lüshun Museum: Learn about the history of the area.
• Japanese and Russian Prison Site Museum in Lüshun: This prison was built in 1902. It tells the story of people held there during wartime.
• Lüshun Snake Museum: See many different kinds of snakes.
• Hengshan Temple and Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Park: Hengshan Temple is an old temple that was rebuilt in 2003. The park is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms.

Hot Springs and Skiing

Dalian has several hot spring hotels where you can relax. Skiing is also popular here. There are ski resorts like Linhai Ski Resort and Anbo Ski Resort.

Environment and Nature

Dalian cares about protecting its environment. The city has been working to restore and protect its natural areas.

Protecting Nature

In 2021, Dalian made a plan to protect its marine environment. This included helping the endangered black-faced spoonbill bird. Nests were built for these birds on nearby islands. Dalian also works to protect spotted seal populations. The National Spotted Seal Nature Reserve in Lioadong Bay is a breeding ground for these seals and other sea creatures.

Environmental Challenges

In 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme praised Dalian for its environmental efforts. The air quality in Dalian is generally good. However, there are concerns about how fast the city is growing.

In July 2010, there was a large oil spill in Dalian. This happened when two oil pipelines exploded. It was one of the biggest oil spills in China's history. This event affected marine life and the city's fishing industry.

In August 2011, a factory in Jinzhou District had a problem during a typhoon. This led to protests from local residents. The factory was later ordered to move. There are also concerns about increasing traffic in Dalian. More cars can affect air quality.

Getting Around Dalian

Dalian has a good public transport system. Cycling is not as common because of the city's hilly roads. Motorcycles are not allowed in the downtown area.

Local Transport

The city has a wide network of buses and a modern metro system. The Dalian Metro has several lines, with more being built. Dalian also has one of the oldest tram systems in China. You can use a special Mingzhu IC Card to pay for most public transport.

Travel to Other Cities

Dalian has an international airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport. It has flights to major cities in China, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. In 2014, it was the 20th busiest airport in China.

With the high-speed rail system, you can travel from Dalian to Shenyang in 1.5 hours. Trips to Changchun take 2.5 hours, and to Harbin about 3.5 hours. The city has two main railway stations: Dalian railway station and Dalian North railway station.

You can also travel from Dalian by passenger ship to nearby coastal cities. These include Tianjin, Yantai, and Incheon, South Korea.

Dalian's Culture

In 2006, Dalian was named the most livable city in China.

Dalian Dialect

The Dalian dialect is a special way of speaking Chinese. It is part of the Jiaoliao Mandarin group. Many people in Dalian came from Shandong Province a long time ago. The Dalian dialect has a few words borrowed from Japanese and Russian. This shows the city's history of foreign influence.

Delicious Dalian Food

Dalian food is a type of Shandong cuisine. It is famous for its unique seafood dishes. You can find many kinds of seafood here, like fish, prawns, crabs, scallops, and sea urchins.

One popular local dish is Colorful Snowflake Scallops. Another is Salted Fish with Corn Cake. This dish comes from old fishermen who would eat fried salted fish with corn cakes. Dalian-style Grilled Squid is also a local favorite. It is made by frying squid on an iron plate and adding special sauce.

Menzi is a traditional local snack. It is made from potato starch that is fried until crispy. Then, garlic, sesame, and sauces are added.

Theaters and Shows

Dalian has several well-known theaters. The Dalian People's Culture Club is mainly for music. The Hongji Grand Stage is for Beijing Opera.

Sports in Dalian

Sports are very important in Dalian. The city's former football club, Dalian Shide, won many titles. It was one of the most successful football clubs in Chinese history. Dalian has produced many top Chinese football players. Because of this, Dalian is known as China's "Football City." There is even a giant football statue in Labor Park.

The city has several large stadiums, including the Dalian Sports Centre Stadium. Other popular sports in Dalian include swimming, skiing, golf, and cycling. The government organizes many sports events each year, like marathons and tennis tournaments.

In 2018, the Dalian Wanda Group decided to invest in the Dalian football club again. They plan to build better football facilities and improve youth training.

City Festivals and Events

Many big events in Dalian are held at Xinghai Square and the Dalian World Expo Center.

Every year, from January to February, the Bingyugou Ice Lantern Festival takes place. It features beautiful ice and snow sculptures. You can also try ice-skating and ice hockey.

From late April to May, the Lüshun International Cherry Blossom Festival is held. It is said that Japanese soldiers planted the first cherry trees here. Today, it is one of the largest cherry blossom parks in China.

Each May, the Dalian International Walking Festival happens. People walk different routes to promote health and peace. Dalian is the only city in China recognized by the IML Walking Association.

The Dalian International Beer Festival is held every year from July to August. It is a very popular event, similar to Oktoberfest in Germany.

The Dalian International Fashion Festival is held in September. It brings together top fashion designers and models from around the world.

Important People from Dalian

Many famous people come from Dalian. These include:

• Liu Changchun: A sprinter who was the first athlete to represent China in the Olympic Games.
• Sun Jihai: A well-known football player.
• Yu Nan: A famous actress.
• Sun Nan: A popular singer.
• Toshiko Fujita: A Japanese voice actress.

Learning and Education

Dalian has many schools and universities. There are 23 public universities and 7 private colleges. There are also many high schools and schools for younger students.

Colleges and Universities

Some of the important universities in Dalian include:

• Dalian University of Technology
• Dalian Maritime University
• Dongbei University of Finance and Economics
• Dalian Medical University
• Dalian University of Foreign Languages

Research Centers

• Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics: A major research center for science.

High Schools

Some notable high schools are:

• Dalian No. 1 High School
• Dalian No. 24 High School
• Dalian Yuming Senior High School

International Schools

Dalian also has international schools for students from other countries. These include:

• Japanese School of Dalian
• Dalian Korean International School
• Dalian American International School
• Dalian Maple Leaf International School

Dalian's Global Connections

Dalian is connected with many cities around the world. These are called "sister cities."

Images for kids

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  Dalian and nearby areas, satellite image from August 3, 2010

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  Zhongshan Square, then Ōhiroba (大広場), around 1940

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  Dalian Hotel, formerly Yamato Hotel, built in 1914

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  Dalian (labeled as TA-LIEN (DAIREN) 大連) in 1956

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  A retired China Railways SY train, built in 1959, on display in Dalian

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  Wang Jianlin, Chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group, at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions of World Economic Forum, Dalian 2009

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  The Varyag being refitted in Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company in 2011. It later became China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.

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  Street view on Renmin Road, Dalian

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  Xinghai CBD is home to the headquarters of Dalian Commodity Exchange

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  Donggang (Chinese: 东港; literally "East Harbour") CBD has the Dalian International Conference Center

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  Created by adding land to the sea, Xinghai Square is one of the largest city squares in the world

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  Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park

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  Dalian Sightseeing Tower, once called Dalian Radio & TV Tower

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  Dalian Modern Museum

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  Hengshan Temple in Lüshunkou District

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  China Martial Arts Hall, at Jinshitan National Holiday Resort

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  Beach side sunset

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  Seaside at Xieziwan (蟹子湾) Park

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  Seascape at Heishijiao (黑石礁) Geological Park

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  Dalian's historic tramway is still used in some parts of the city.

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  Inside Dalian North railway station

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  Dalian Peking Opera House

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  Salted Fish with Corn Cake

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  Boiled crabs in Dalian

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  Dalian International Beer Festival in 2019

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  Binhai Road is the main route for Dalian International Walking Festival. The views of mountains and the sea make it a popular place for exercise.

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  Lianhuashan (lit. "lotus flower mountain") Temple, Dalian

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  Liu Changchun statue at Olympic Square, Dalian

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  Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

See also

In Spanish: Dalian para niños