Romance is etched into the very soul of Dalian
When Dalian is mentioned, many people immediately think of its clean and tidy city streets, beautiful mountain and sea scenery, and delicious seafood. Indeed, Dalian has long been a shining pearl of Liaoning and even the entire northeastern region. With its unique geographical advantages and the hardworking, honest people of Dalian, the city has earned numerous honorary titles, including National Hygienic City, National Forest City, National Garden City, and National Civilized City. Another label that cannot be overlooked for Dalian is romance—a romance that blooms with distinctive brilliance on this black soil of the Northeast.
Many call Dalian the City of Romance, but where exactly does its romance lie? In my view, there are several aspects. First is the climate. Typically, we describe climates with words like mild, pleasant, or dry, but what is a romantic climate like? As a coastal city, Dalian has a temperate monsoon climate, moderated by the sea. In summer, Dalian lacks the oppressive heat of southern regions or the scorching temperatures of northern inland areas; the temperature is always comfortable. Even when the northeast is frozen solid, Dalian often experiences light drizzles, where the misty rain exudes a poetic, romantic charm.
Second is Dalian’s urban construction and its century-old trams. Dalian’s terrain is not flat but hilly, surrounded by the sea on three sides with many reefs and shoals. Although it doesn’t have the soft, fine sandy beaches of Hainan, the city nestled among mountains, sea, and hills has a dreamlike quality. The century-old trams run along avenues lined with ginkgo and sycamore trees, as if traversing a hundred years of history.
Third is the romance of Dalian’s cuisine. Fish, shrimp, crabs, and snails are ordinary seafood, but on the dining tables of Dalian people, they always bring visual beauty and a delight to the taste buds. The cooking and plating processes are filled with the chef’s romantic sentiment toward Dalian cuisine. Finally, there is the romance in the bones of Dalian’s people. Strolling along the Binhai Road or at various seaside bathing areas, we see people embracing the sea and basking in the sun on the beaches, as well as citizens playing the saxophone, completely immersed. Music not only floats along the coast but also dwells in the hearts of Dalian’s residents. In the Phonograph Museum of Dalian’s Lüshunkou District, the phonographs and records that have captured a century of time and melody are regarded by the museum curator as if they are living beings, radiating vibrant brilliance.
In the process of promoting cultural and tourism development, Dalian’s tourism professionals have also gone all out to showcase the romantic atmosphere this romantic city can offer to visitors. Currently, Dalian is constructing many cultural and tourism projects, including culturally themed blocks, ocean-themed museums, boutique guesthouses, and high-quality hotels. I believe that in the future, the transformation of Dalian’s cultural tourism industry will be even more successful, the products more complete, and the business formats more diversified. I look forward to returning to Dalian for even richer experiences.
Whether it’s historical neighborhoods, cultural venues, seaside parks, viewing corridors, or ocean worlds, Dalian welcomes visitors from all directions with its utmost sincerity, allowing everyone who comes to fully experience the romance etched into its very bones.
