Liu Risheng: Dalian's Century-Old Trams

The history of Dalian's trams began in 1909. Dalian is the only city in China that currently operates both traditional trams and modern trams, and it is also the only city on the Chinese mainland where the tram history has never been interrupted.

The Dalian tram was first sketched by Russians in 1903, and from 1905 to 1909, the Japanese built China's earliest tram line in Dalian.

Currently, Dalian has two tram lines: Line 201 and Line 202. Line 202 has been replaced with modern trams, while Line 201 still retains 16 trams built by the Japanese between 1935 and 1938. In 2007, the Dalian municipal government renovated these trams to keep them in operation.

The old-style trams have exteriors that imitate trains from the last century, and the interior decoration resembles a banquet hall from that era. Golden copper handrails and many historical photos of trams hang from the ceiling, turning the entire carriage into a small museum of trams.

This tram is like a magical old object, carrying us through history. Looking out the window at the modern urban crowds passing by, there is a feeling of time dislocation inside the carriage.

Riding the old-style tram through autumn.

It runs regardless of harsh weather, ensuring safe operation while providing convenient travel for citizens.

Riding the tram line, you can experience the charm of Dalian along the way.

The retro carriage is a living fossil of China's public transportation. The tram looks simple and rustic, with distinctive wooden interior decorations, slowly traveling through Dalian's city center.

The old tram is of European-style wooden construction, about 10 meters long, with several Western-style ceiling lights. There are facing seats on both sides of the aisle. The driver operates it manually, producing a crisp, pleasant clanging sound.

The tram across the way looks over.

Wearing a mask for routine travel.

See which one is faster.

We have arrived at the terminal station, Haizhiyun Park.

Meeting you at the corner.

The switchman and driver are the same person; women hold up half the sky.

Around winter.

Modern trams are reliable, comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. Their technical characteristics are basically the same as light rail. Many places are now renovating or adding new modern tram lines. As an emerging advanced mode of public transportation, modern trams have completed the transition from tradition to modernity.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, under the leadership of the Dalian Transportation Company, Dalian's trams underwent large-scale restoration and development. The 1950s and 1960s were the peak period for Dalian's trams, with up to 11 lines, a total length of 48.9 kilometers, and more than 140 vehicles. Dalian's trams became the main means of transportation for citizens at that time.

In May 1997, the Dalian Tram Factory successfully developed a prototype of the DL-8000 urban tram. In May 2001, the new brand "Dalianren" DL6W series tram was born in Dalian. In September 2015, the Dalian Public Transport Passenger Group Tram Branch carried out technical upgrades on the DL3000 trams.

As of September 2020, Dalian has two tram lines: Dalian Bus Line 201 and Dalian Bus Line 202, both managed by the Tram Branch of Dalian Public Transport Passenger Group Co., Ltd.

Over history, Dalian's trams have seen several models. Among them, the DL3000 and DL6W are still in service. One DL7000 unit remains, used as an anti-slip sand spreader in winter. Other models have all retired from service.

Every city has its own transportation imprint. Dalian's trams are the city's shining business card.

For Dalian locals, trams are just an ordinary means of transport, but they hold great appeal for visitors from afar.

For Dalian people, the tram is not merely a mode of transportation but a carrier of the city's multiculturalism and development history.

Jinmen Net author: Liu Risheng