Dalian (大连)

1. Introduction

Dalian City, also known as Kuncheng and Bincheng, was historically referred to together with Lushun as Lüda, and was formerly named Dalniy, Dalini, and Qingniwa. Located at the southern tip of Liaoning Province on the Liaodong Peninsula in China, it borders the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west. Dalian is one of the five cities specifically designated in the state plan, one of the 15 sub-provincial cities, and one of the 14 coastal open cities in the People's Republic of China. It is also the international shipping center, international logistics center, and regional financial center of Northeast China. Situated on the coast of the Yellow and Bohai Seas, Dalian faces the Shandong Peninsula across the sea. With mild winters and cool summers, it is renowned as the "Northern Pearl" and the "Romantic City," and serves as a crucial economic, financial, trade, port, industrial, and tourism hub in northern coastal China. In 2001, Dalian became the first city in China to be awarded the "Global 500 Roll of Honour" by the United Nations Environment Programme. In 2003, the World Bank ranked Dalian first in China for best infrastructure, seventh for lowest local protectionism, fourth for administrative efficiency and integrity, fifth for labor market vitality, first for court efficiency, and ninth for internationalization and global integration. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 1, People's Square, Xigang District.

In 2005, Dalian was selected as one of the first civilized cities by the Central Civilization Office of China. In 2007, it was jointly recognized as one of China's Best Tourist Cities alongside Hangzhou and Chengdu. In 2009, Dalian won first place in the highest category of the global "International Garden City" competition. Dalian is the host city for the Summer Davos World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions. It ranked second in China's urban comprehensive competitiveness in 2010 (including Hong Kong and Macau). In 2024, Dalian was rated as a Beta-level world city by GaWC.

2. Origin of the Name

On a map of North China published in Britain in 1898, Dalian Bay was marked as "Ta-lien-wan Hr." During the Second Opium War, Dalian was occupied by Britain in 1858 and returned in 1860. At the end of 1897, the Russian Empire forcibly sailed warships into Lushunkou, subsequently sending personnel to survey Dalian Bay and Qingniwa, and decided to build a port and establish a city in the Qingniwa area. On August 11, 1899, Russian Emperor Nicholas II issued an edict to establish a free port and renamed Qingniwa to "Dalni" (Russian: Дальний, meaning "far away"). In 1905, after the Russo-Japanese War ended and Japan took over the administration of the Kwantung Leased Territory, "Dalni" was renamed "Dalian," a transliteration of the Russian "Dalni."

3. History

3.1 Prehistoric Period

The earliest cultural site discovered in the Dalian area is located on Xiaochangshan Island in Changhai County, dating back over 6,000 years. Stone-chambered tombs, prevalent in the late Neolithic period, are widely distributed throughout Dalian.

3.2 Warring States Period to Ming and Qing Dynasties

In the late Warring States period, the present-day Dalian area belonged to the Liaodong Commandery of the Yan state. After Qin unified the six states in 221 BC, the Liaodong Commandery was established, with its seat in Xiangping (present-day Liaoyang). In the fourth year of the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Wu of Han (107 BC), Ta County was established here, marking the earliest county-level administrative unit within the Dalian area. Sites such as the Mucheng Post Station and the Yingchengzi Han Tombs in present-day Ganjingzi District, and the Muyang City site in Lüshunkou District, indicate a relatively developed economy and dense population at that time. During the Three Kingdoms and Wei-Jin periods, the area was controlled by the separatist regime of the Gongsun clan, oscillating between Wei and Wu, plagued by frequent warfare, and was later occupied by Wei. Subsequently, in 405 AD, Goguryeo began its rule over Liaodong.

During the Sui and Tang dynasties, multiple military campaigns were launched against Goguryeo. The Sui dynasty launched three expeditions against Goguryeo, and the area was finally recovered in the first year of the Zongzhang era of Tang (668 AD). At that time, the present-day urban area of Dalian was known as Qingnipo. In the first year of the Kaiyuan era of Tang (713 AD), Hongluqing Cui Xin, on imperial orders, passed through Lüshun to bestow the title of "Prince of Bohai" upon Dae Joyeong. On his return, he had two wells dug at the foot of Golden Hill in Lüshun and erected a stele to commemorate the event, known as the Tang Honglu Well (the stele was looted by Japanese forces during the Russo-Japanese War and is now kept in the Tokyo Imperial Palace). During the Liao dynasty, Fu Prefecture (later renamed Fu Prefecture, with its seat in present-day Fuzhou Town, Wafangdian City) and Su Prefecture were established in the area to settle Jurchen tribes from Fuyu City of the Bohai Kingdom and Jurchens relocated from Nansu City, respectively, marking the origins of present-day Wafangdian City and Jinzhou District. During the Jin dynasty, the two counties of Laisu and Huaihua in Su Prefecture were merged into Huacheng County, subordinate to Fu Prefecture, which was later upgraded to Jinzhou, giving rise to the name Jinzhou. In 1372, the Ming dynasty established the three prefectures of Jin, Fu, and Gai, which were abolished in 1395 in favor of a purely military guard system, where guards managed both military and civil affairs.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the present-day urban area was locally referred to as "Qingniwa." In 1622, the Later Jin army captured the two guards of Jinzhou and Fuzhou, with only Lüshunkou remaining under the control of Ming general Huang Long until its fall in 1633, after which Huang Long committed suicide. Huang Long's tomb remains at the foot of Golden Hill in present-day Lüshun. In the early Qing dynasty, the Dalian area was sparsely populated and desolate due to years of war, and it was successively subordinate to Haicheng and Gaiping counties. During the Kangxi and Yongzheng reigns, policies encouraging migration and land reclamation led to a gradual increase in population. In 1653, the Fuzhou Inspection Office was established. In 1680, the Jinzhou City Defense Janggin was established, followed by the Jinzhou City Defense Lieutenant in 1687.

3.3 Modern Era

After the First Opium War, British forces frequently harassed the coastal areas of Dalian. The British name for Lüshun Port, "Port Arthur," originated from the name of a British general who claimed to be the first to discover the area, while British nautical charts transliterated Dalian Bay as "Dalianwan."

During the Self-Strengthening Movement, Lüshun transformed from an obscure coastline to a formally developed and constructed site by the Qing government, touted as a naval base that would become the premier military port in East Asia. Extensive fortifications began construction in Dalian Bay. In a memorial related to building these fortifications, Li Hongzhang mentioned "Dalian Bay," marking the first appearance of this name in official documents. Concurrently, the deputy commander's office of Xiongyue was relocated to Jinzhou, solidifying Jinzhou's status as a key location in southern Liaoning.

On November 21, 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces captured Lüshun and carried out the "Lüshun Massacre." In 1895, following China's defeat, the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed with Japan, which included the cession of the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. Later, Wen Yiduo wrote "Song of the Seven Sons" for Lüshun and Dalian.

From 1898 to 1905, under the intervention of Russia, Germany, and France (the Triple Intervention), Japan withdrew. However, Russia, leveraging its encroachment into Northeast China, imposed conditions and subsequently leased Dalian Bay and Lüshunkou from the Qing dynasty, establishing Dalniy City. They planned to develop Dalniy into a commercial city modeled after Paris. During this period, Lüshun was initially developed only as the Port Arthur naval base (present-day Lüshunkou District).

In 1905, the Battle of Lüshun erupted. Japanese forces suffered heavy casualties in their assault, but the Russian-held fortress ultimately fell due to naval inferiority, leading to defeat in the Russo-Japanese War after exhausting their ammunition and supplies. According to the Treaty of Portsmouth, Russia withdrew from the Liaodong Peninsula, and Japan occupied Dalniy and Lüshun, renaming Dalniy to Dairen (Dalian) and establishing the Kwantung Leased Territory (Japanese: 関東州庁) south of the Shi River. Russian construction was limited primarily to areas north of Victory Bridge in Dalian, while more streets and buildings in Dalian were constructed after the Japanese occupation, based on Russian plans and subsequent Japanese planning.

During the Japanese occupation, the economy grew significantly. Dalian's urban population peaked at over 700,000, including nearly 500,000 Chinese and over 200,000 Japanese mainlanders and Koreans. Urban construction finally gained momentum during this period, forming the basic urban layout and industrial foundation of modern Dalian. Street divisions and architectural styles bore distinct colonial characteristics; many Western classical, eclectic, and Japanese-style buildings seen throughout Dalian's streets today were constructed during this time. The area east of Friendship Square was designated for Europeans, while the Chinese district was restricted to the Xiaogangzi area.

3.4 Post-World War II and Modern Era

On August 10, 1945, the Soviet Union formally declared war on Japan. The Soviet Red Army attacked Manchukuo, entering and occupying Northeast China, including Dalian. On August 24 (some sources say August 22), Soviet forces captured Dalian. After World War II, based on the Yalta Agreement and the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, Soviet forces continued to station troops in the southern part of present-day Dalian, including the main urban area, and established a naval base in Lüshunkou, utilizing the existing Lüshun naval port. The Soviet-occupied area was effectively jointly administered by the Chinese Communist Party and Soviet forces for ten years.

In October 1945, the Northeast Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party appointed Han Guang as the Secretary of the Dalian Municipal Committee of the CCP. On November 8, the Dalian Municipal Government was established, followed by the Lüshun Municipal Government on November 25. In December, to prevent the Nationalist government from taking over Dalian, Dalian County was established from the suburbs of Dalian City. In June 1947, the Nationalist government announced the "New Provincial District Plan for the Northeast," establishing the directly-administered municipality of Dalian, but it never exercised actual jurisdiction.

In April 1949, the Lüda Administrative Region was established. In April 1950, Dalian County was merged into Dalian City. On October 5, the Lüda Administrative Region was changed to the Lüda Municipality, administered by the Northeast Greater Administrative Region. In 1951, Lüshun City and Dalian City were placed under the newly established Lüda City. This was the first case in mainland China of a city administering other cities, similar to the relationship between present-day prefecture-level cities and county-level cities.

On June 19, 1954, Lüda City was changed from a centrally-administered municipality to a city under the jurisdiction of Liaoning Province. In 1955, Soviet forces finally withdrew from Dalian, returning sovereignty over military garrisons and defense in Dalian and Lüshun to the People's Republic of China. In 1960, Lüshun City was designated as Lüshunkou District, still under Lüda City.

In February 1981, Lüda City was renamed Dalian City. In 1984, the State Council approved Dalian as a coastal open city. In July 1984, Dalian was designated by the State Council as a city specifically designated in the state plan, enjoying provincial-level economic management authority.

In May 1994, Dalian City was upgraded from an ordinary prefecture-level city to a sub-provincial prefecture-level city, with its administrative area unchanged.

On July 16, 2010, an oil pipeline explosion occurred at Dalian New Port involving an oil tanker.

In September 2011, Dalian successfully hosted the World Economic Forum.

4. Geography

4.1 Location

Dalian City is situated on the eastern coast of the Eurasian continent, at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula in China. It lies between 120°58' to 123°31' east longitude and 38°43' to 40°10' north latitude. It borders the Yellow Sea to the east, the Bohai Sea to the west, faces the Shandong Peninsula across the sea to the south, and is backed by the Liaohe Plain to the north. It serves as the maritime gateway to North and East China and is an important port, trade, industrial, and tourist city.

4.2 Topography

Dalian is built against mountains and beside the sea, with the city itself constructed on hillsides. The city's total area is 12,574 square kilometers, of which the old urban area covers 2,415 square kilometers. The region belongs to a coastal low mountain and hilly area, and the entire city can be divided into four basic types: mountains, hills, coastal terraces, and islands. The area features many mountains and hills, with few plains and lowlands. The overall terrain is high in the north and low in the south, wide in the north and narrow in the south. The land slopes from the central axis towards the Yellow Sea in the southeast and the Bohai Sea in the northwest, with a long and gentle slope facing the Yellow Sea. The Qian Mountain Range, an extension of the Changbai Mountain system, runs through this region. Most of the area consists of mountains and low, gentle hills formed by prolonged erosion. Plains and lowlands are only sporadically distributed at river estuaries and some mountain valleys. Karst topography is widespread, with well-developed karst and marine erosion landforms.

Dalian has a total coastline (including islands) of 1,906 kilometers, of which the mainland coastline is 1,288 kilometers. This includes the Yellow Sea coastline from Nanjian Township, Zhuanghe City in the east to Laotie Mountain in Lushun in the west, and the Bohai Sea coastline from Laotie Mountain in Lushun in the south to the estuary of the Fudu River in Liaodong Bay in the north. The island coastline is 618 kilometers long. There are over 700 islands and reefs in the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea, including more than 230 islands and islets with an area exceeding 100 square meters, scattered across the sea surrounding Dalian. Changhai County is composed of nearly 400 islands and reefs, including 8 large islands over 10 square kilometers. Major islands include Greater and Lesser Changshan Island, Guanglu Island, and Zhangzi Island in the Changshan Islands, as well as islands close to the mainland like Changxing Island, Xizhong Island, and Fengming Island. Changxing Island in Wafangdian City covers an area of 252 square kilometers, making it the largest island in Dalian, the largest island north of the Yangtze River in China, and the fifth largest island in the country.

4.3 Hydrology

The Dalian region primarily consists of two major water systems: the Yellow Sea basin and the Bohai Sea basin. Major rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea include the Biliu River, Yingna River, Zhuang River, Zanzi River, Dasha River, Dengsha River, Qingshui River, and Malan River. Major rivers flowing into the Bohai Sea include the Fuzhou River, Liguan Village River, and Sanshilipu River. Among these, the largest river is the Biliu River, which serves as a source for inter-basin water diversion for the urban area. Additionally, there are over 200 smaller streams. The total freshwater resources in the Dalian region amount to 3.786 billion cubic meters annually, comprising 3.42 billion cubic meters of surface water resources and 884 million cubic meters of groundwater resources, with an overlap of 580 million cubic meters between the two.

Dalian has a vast sea area and a long coastline, with a total sea surface area of over 30,000 square kilometers. It boasts numerous bays and islands, with more than 30 bays of various sizes covering a total area exceeding 100,000 hectares. Major bays include Dalian Bay, Dayao Bay, Pulandian Bay, Jinzhou Bay, and Fuzhou Bay. Many of these bays feature deep waters, wide harbors, no siltation or freezing, and calm conditions. Both Lushun and Dalian are deep-water, ice-free ports.

4.4 Surrounding Major Cities or Regions

Within a radius of approximately 45 kilometers, to the southwest is Laotie Mountain in Lushunkou District, and to the northeast is Jinshitan in Jinzhou District. Within a radius of approximately 360 kilometers, Pyongyang lies to the east, Qingdao to the south, Tianjin to the west, and Shenyang to the north. Within a radius of approximately 1,630 kilometers, Tokyo lies to the east, Taichung to the south, Lanzhou to the west, and Mohe to the north.

4.5 Ecological Environment

In 2008, the number of days with good or excellent ambient air quality in the urban area was 353, achieving an excellent/good rate of 96.4%. This included 108 days rated as excellent, an increase of 26 days compared to the previous year. There were only 13 days of polluted air, a decrease of 14 days year-on-year. This was the year with the best air quality in eight years and also the year with the most days of excellent air quality. The frequency of acid rain in the urban area decreased; the compliance rate of drinking water source quality reached 100%; except for Dalian Bay and the southern coastal areas, the overall water quality of nearshore sea areas was good; and the acoustic environment remained good.

In 2008, the green space rate in Dalian's built-up urban area was 42.55%, and the green coverage rate was 44.00%. The forest coverage rate was 41.5%, and the per capita green space area in the city was 11.6 square meters.

4.6 Climate

4.6.1 Overview

Dalian's urban area is located in the warm temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with maritime influences. This region lies in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, receiving relatively high solar radiation throughout the year. The atmospheric circulation is dominated by westerlies and subtropical systems. Combined with the geographical influence of being backed by mountains on one side and surrounded by sea on three sides, the climate features of this region are: distinct four seasons, mild temperatures, humid air, concentrated precipitation, pronounced monsoons, and relatively strong winds.

The annual average temperature ranges from 8°C to 11°C, decreasing from south to north, making it the warmest region in Northeast China. August is the hottest month, and January is the coldest. Annual precipitation ranges from 550 to 1000 millimeters, increasing from southwest to northeast. The precipitation center is located in the northern mountainous area of Zhuanghe City. Precipitation is unevenly distributed throughout the seasons, with 60-70% concentrated in summer. The total annual sunshine duration is 2500 to 2800 hours.

This region lies within the scope of the East Asian monsoon. Southerly winds prevail during the summer half-year, and northerly winds prevail during the winter half-year. The annual average wind speed is 3-6 meters per second, making it one of the windier regions in Northeast China.

4.6.2 Characteristics of the Four Seasons

Spring: Dry with little rain, rapid warming. In Dalian's spring, warm air becomes active while cold air gradually weakens, leading to a rapid rise in temperature. From late March to early April, precipitation changes from snow to rain. The average seasonal precipitation is 75-115 mm, accounting for about 10-20% of the annual total. Due to low precipitation and high evaporation, droughts are likely, often accompanied by dusty weather. Summer: Humid and rainy, with high temperatures. The average summer temperature in most parts of Dalian is above 19°C, with August being the hottest month. This period features many overcast and rainy days, with concentrated precipitation. Seasonal precipitation is 350-550 mm, accounting for 60-70% of the annual total, making local flooding likely. Some years may experience summer drought. From mid-July to late August, the area is affected by tropical cyclones on average 1-2 times, with the impact varying based on the cyclone's path and intensity. Autumn: Sharp decrease in clouds and rain, cool climate. In Dalian's autumn, cold air activity begins to strengthen while warm air weakens, leading to a sharp decrease in clouds and rain and a drop in temperature. It fits the descriptions of "clear and crisp autumn weather" and "each autumn rain brings more coolness." Winter: Scarce rain and snow, dry, cold, and windy. Dalian's winter is long controlled by cold air masses from the northeast, resulting in dry air and low temperatures. January is the coldest month. Winter precipitation is scarce, with seasonal precipitation of 19-29 mm, accounting for about 5% of the annual total. Snowfall exceeding 10 mm is rare.Meteorological Data of Dalian (1981–2010) | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Record high °C (°F) | 10.2 (50.4) | 14.2 (57.6) | 20.1 (68.2) | 28.5 (83.3) | 33.8 (92.8) | 35.6 (96.1) | 36.6 (97.9) | 34.4 (93.9) | 33.4 (92.1) | 28.2 (82.8) | 21.7 (71.1) | 14.4 (57.9) | 36.6 (97.9) | | Average high °C (°F) | -0.2 (31.6) | 2.2 (36.0) | 7.6 (45.7) | 15.0 (59.0) | 20.6 (69.1) | 24.6 (76.3) | 26.9 (80.4) | 27.5 (81.5) | 24.2 (75.6) | 17.9 (64.2) | 9.7 (49.5) | 3.0 (37.4) | 14.9 (58.9) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -3.6 (25.5) | -1.4 (29.5) | 3.7 (38.7) | 10.6 (51.1) | 16.4 (61.5) | 20.7 (69.3) | 23.7 (74.7) | 24.4 (75.9) | 20.8 (69.4) | 14.2 (57.6) | 6.1 (43.0) | -0.5 (31.1) | 11.3 (52.3) | | Average low °C (°F) | -6.4 (20.5) | -4.2 (24.4) | 0.7 (33.3) | 7.0 (44.6) | 12.7 (54.9) | 17.6 (63.7) | 21.3 (70.3) | 21.9 (71.4) | 17.9 (64.2) | 11.1 (52.0) | 2.9 (37.2) | -3.4 (25.9) | 8.3 (46.9) | | Record low °C (°F) | -21.1 (-6.0) | -17.1 (1.2) | -15.3 (4.5) | -4.2 (24.4) | 3.7 (38.7) | 10.5 (50.9) | 14.2 (57.6) | 14.5 (58.1) | 6.4 (43.5) | -1.9 (28.6) | -12.8 (9.0) | -19.0 (-2.2) | -21.1 (-6.0) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 8.0 (0.31) | 6.7 (0.26) | 13.5 (0.53) | 29.1 (1.15) | 49.8 (1.96) | 78.6 (3.02) | 127.6 (5.02) | 147.1 (5.79) | 60.4 (2.38) | 33.5 (1.32) | 19.1 (0.75) | 8.4 (0.33) | 579.8 (22.82) | | Average precipitation days | 3.3 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 7.0 | 9.3 | 11.8 | 9.2 | 6.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 3.4 | 72.5 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 57 | 57 | 55 | 56 | 62 | 73 | 84 | 81 | 70 | 63 | 61 | 58 | 65 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours (≥0.1mm) | 198.0 | 200.2 | 238.8 | 256.9 | 277.6 | 254.7 | 220.7 | 240.8 | 251.5 | 234.6 | 182.1 | 183.9 | 2,739.8 | | Percentage of possible sunshine | 66 | 66 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 57 | 49 | 57 | 68 | 68 | 60 | 63 | 62 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Dalian City currently administers 7 municipal districts, 1 county, and oversees 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Zhongshan District, Xigang District, Shahekou District, Ganjingzi District, Lvshunkou District, Jinzhou District, Pulandian District
• County: Changhai County
• County-level Cities: Wafangdian City, Zhuanghe City

Pilot Development Zones

• National-level Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone
• National-level Dalian Free Trade Zone
• National-level Dalian High-tech Industrial Development Zone
• Dalian Changxing Island Port Industrial Zone
• Dalian Huayuankou Economic Zone
• Jinzhou New District, established on April 29, 2010. Its administrative committee shares offices with the Jinzhou District Government, operating as "one team with two signboards," simultaneously representing the Administrative Committee of the Development Zone, the Administrative Committee of Jinshitan, and the Jinzhou District Government. On May 27 of the same year, the Puwan New District was also established.
• Dalian Jinpu New District, approved for establishment by the State Council on June 23, 2014.

| Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | of which: Ethnic Townships | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 210200 | Dalian City | Dalian Shi | 13,632.78 | 7,450,785 | Xigang District | 116000 | 102 | 33 | 14 | 4 | | 210202 | Zhongshan District | Zhongshan Qu | 49.33 | 388,564 | Qingniwaqiao Subdistrict | 116000 | 6 | | | | | 210203 | Xigang District | Xigang Qu | 26.53 | 305,317 | Renmin Square Subdistrict | 116000 | 5 | | | | | 210204 | Shahekou District | Shahekou Qu | 38.15 | 670,310 | Xinghaiwan Subdistrict | 116000 | 7 | | | | | 210211 | Ganjingzi District | Ganjingzi Qu | 505.11 | 1,798,458 | Xinzhai Subdistrict | 116000 | 15 | | | | | 210212 | Lvshunkou District | Lvshunkou Qu | 508.26 | 398,579 | Shuishiying Subdistrict | 116000 | 10 | | | | | 210213 | Jinzhou District | Jinzhou Qu | 1,928.20 | 1,545,491 | Maqiaozi Subdistrict | 116100 | 25 | | | | | 210214 | Pulandian District | Pulandian Qu | 2,677.32 | 629,664 | Taiping Subdistrict | 116200 | 18 | | | | | 210224 | Changhai County | Changhai Xian | 142.05 | 66,824 | Dachangshandao Town | 116500 | | 5 | | | | 210281 | Wafangdian City | Wafangdian Shi | 3,644.22 | 905,082 | Wenlan Subdistrict | 116300 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 2 | | 210283 | Zhuanghe City | Zhuanghe Shi | 4,113.62 | 742,496 | Chengguan Subdistrict | 116400 | 5 | 15 | 6 | 2 |

6. Economy

Apart from the service industry, Dalian's main industries include machinery manufacturing, automobiles, petrochemicals, finance, software and hardware R&D, electronics, information services, and oil refining. Seventeen enterprises in the city are the largest of their kind in China in the fields of shipbuilding, internal combustion engines, refined oil, and bearings. Meanwhile, Dalian is also becoming an important IT and software center in China, with finance and other service industries being significant sectors. Dalian is one of China's 14 coastal open cities and has become one of the most open cities in the country, with 137 Fortune Global 500 companies having established a presence there. Dalian is also a shipping hub and international logistics center.

In the 2021 ranking of urban comprehensive economic competitiveness in the China City Competitiveness Report No.19 released by the National Academy of Economic Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Dalian ranked 61st among cities in Greater China (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) and second in Northeast China.

6.1 Agriculture and Fisheries

Dalian is rich in natural resources and is an important production area for fruits and rice in China. Its output of apples and peaches ranks high nationally, earning it the reputation as the "Land of Apples." Facing the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, Dalian boasts abundant fishery resources and a well-developed fishing industry, making it a significant aquatic product base in China. Premium seafood such as abalone, prawns, sea cucumbers, scallops, and crabs are exported overseas. The production of Japanese scallops, sea urchins, spiny sea cucumbers, and wakame accounts for over 90% of China's total output.

6.2 Industry

The Dalian region is one of the earliest industrialized areas in Northeast Asia and even across Asia. Modern urban construction began as early as the beginning of the 20th century. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Dalian became a leader in the industrialization of the northeastern provinces.

Behind the prosperous industry, issues such as environmental pollution and production safety caused by chemical enterprises have gradually emerged. For example, the PX project of Dalian Fujia Dahua sparked dissatisfaction among Dalian citizens, leading to street protests (see: Dalian PX Incident).

6.3 Finance

Currently, Dalian is the financial center and foreign exchange settlement center of Northeast China. Its foreign exchange transaction volume, total settlement amount, and total international payments all account for over two-thirds of Liaoning Province's totals.

6.4 Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone

The Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone is the first national-level economic and technological development zone approved for construction by the Chinese government and currently has the largest developed area among such zones in China. Since its establishment in October 1984, 50 square kilometers have been developed, hosting over 1,500 foreign-invested enterprises. Dalian's high-tech industries have developed rapidly, benefiting significantly from government policies, including being among the first batch of open cities in 1984, which allowed for the attraction of substantial foreign investment. Located in the southern part of Jinzhou District, the Dalian Development Zone has attracted many large Japanese enterprises such as Canon, Mitsubishi, Nidec, Sanyo, and Toshiba. Subsequently, companies from South Korea, the United States, and Europe have also invested there (including Intel's $2.5 billion investment in a 300mm wafer fab, the Volkswagen FAW Engine Co., Ltd. joint venture between German Volkswagen and FAW, German Deutz Diesel Engine Co., Ltd., German ThyssenKrupp Galvanized Steel Sheet Co., Ltd., and American BorgWarner Automotive Transmission Co., Ltd.).

6.5 Dalian Free Trade Zone

The Dalian Free Trade Zone was approved for establishment by the Chinese government in May 1992, with a developed area of 1.98 square kilometers. By the end of 2004, the zone housed over 3,000 enterprises of various types. In April 2000, with State Council approval, the Liaoning Dalian Export Processing Zone was established, making it one of the 15 pilot export processing zones approved domestically.

Starting April 29, 2010, Jinzhou District, the Development Zone, the Free Trade Zone, the urban parts of Pulandian City, and the two towns of Paotai and Fuzhouwan in Wafangdian City were merged to form the Jinzhou New District.

6.6 Software Development and Information Service Outsourcing

Located in the western suburbs of Dalian, the Dalian High-Tech Zone and Dalian Software Park have vigorously developed software development and information service outsourcing by introducing a large number of Japanese, European, and American enterprises. The Dalian High-Tech Industrial Park was approved for construction by the Chinese government in March 1991 and currently has a developed area of 8.2 square kilometers. High-tech industries have become an important pillar industry for Dalian. As China's first and currently only "Demonstration City for Internationalization of the Software Industry," Dalian has been designated as a national software export base and semiconductor lighting industrialization base. The Dalian Municipal Government has hosted the China International Software and Information Service Fair for ten consecutive years.

7. Transportation

7.1 Railway

Dalian is the southernmost point of the railway network in Northeast China. Railway construction began during the period of Tsarist Russian occupation in the late 19th century, and the current railway layout was established during the Japanese occupation. The present urban areas of Pulandian and Wafangdian cities developed due to the railway. Existing railways include the Shenyang-Dalian Railway built by Russia and Japan, the Jinzhou-Chengzhou Railway built by Japan, the local railway in Zhuanghe City built in the 1980s which connects to the Jinzhou-Chengzhou Railway, and the Yantai-Dalian Railway Ferry.

Dalian Railway Station Dalian Station is the terminal station of the Shenyang-Dalian Line. Located in the historic downtown commercial district of Qingniwa Bridge, it is a first-class station under the jurisdiction of the Shenyang Railway Bureau. The main building faces due south. The station was built in 1937, designed by the then South Manchuria Railway designer, Sotaro Ota, sharing the same design style as Tokyo's Ueno Station. In 2002, an elevated station building was added through expansion, along with a North Exit and North Square. The station now has two levels: the lower level houses the north and south ticket halls, while the upper level is the elevated waiting hall. It has north and south exits. Outside the South Exit is the South Square (also known as the Front Square) and the Victory Square, invested and built by Taiwanese businessmen in the 1990s. Outside the North Exit is the North Square (also known as the Triumph Square). To the west of the North Square were the Construction Street Long-Distance Bus Station (relocated to the area around Dalian North Station) and the starting station of Dalian Light Rail Line 3, which goes to the Dalian Development Zone, Jinshitan, and Jinzhou.

Dalian North Station The Harbin-Dalian Passenger Dedicated Line (Harbin-Dalian High-Speed Railway) officially commenced construction on August 23, 2007, and began passenger operations on December 1, 2012. The total estimated project investment was 92.3 billion RMB, with an average cost exceeding 100 million RMB per kilometer. The Harbin-Dalian High-Speed Railway is a double-track electrified railway, with infrastructure built for speeds of 350 km/h. It currently operates high-speed EMU trains year-round with a maximum speed exceeding 300 km/h, significantly reducing travel time between Dalian and major cities in Northeast China.

Dalian North Station is located in the northern part of Dalian city, a newly built passenger station for the Harbin-Dalian Passenger Dedicated Line and the Dandong-Dalian Intercity Railway. It is 13.1 km from the existing Dalian Station and 2.8 km in a straight line from the existing Nanguanling Station. Dalian North Station is designed with a scale of 10 platforms and 20 tracks. The station building area is 68,500 square meters, the platform area is 63,000 square meters, and the canopy area is 73,000 square meters. It is a sub-project of the Harbin-Dalian Railway Passenger Dedicated Line project. The total estimated investment for the station building project is over 1.5 billion RMB. It is projected to handle approximately 43.6 million passenger trips by 2030, with a maximum gathering capacity of 75 million. The supporting projects for Dalian North Station's South and North Squares and transportation include: viaducts, underpasses for railway traffic, vehicle lanes and parking lots, pedestrian walkways and square paving, an underpass beneath North Huabei Road, square greening, sewage and rainwater systems, lighting, supporting heating pipelines, and the relocation of the Quanshui River. Dalian North Station is now connected to the Dalian Metro, forming a new urban transportation hub and alleviating congestion around Dalian Station.

7.2 Port

Dalian Port, built in 1898 during the late Qing Dynasty, is a world-renowned natural ice-free harbor. It is also one of the major hubs for north-south water and land transportation in China and a key port in Northeast Asia, playing a significant role in international trade and domestic goods exchange. Dalian Port currently has 47 specialized loading and unloading operation areas, with a total of 48 berths capable of handling vessels over 10,000 tons, and a maximum water depth of -25 meters. It features the nation's largest 450,000-ton crude oil terminal, a 300,000-ton ore terminal (upgraded to 400,000-ton capacity after dredging completion in December 2011, alongside another 150,000-ton transshipment terminal), the nation's largest automobile terminal, grain terminal, passenger terminal, and one of the nation's largest container terminals. On August 27, 2011, the No. 15 container berth and yard project in the second phase of Dalian Port's Dayao Bay was completed and ready for operation. This berth has a shoreline length of 466.03 meters and a water depth of 17.8 meters, setting a record for water depth among similar domestic terminals, allowing it to accommodate the world's largest container ships—ultra-large container ships of 14,074 TEU. The yard area for Berth 15 covers 310,000 square meters, making it the largest single-berth yard built in China. On November 26, 2011, a 270,000 cubic meter, 150,000-ton LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal was officially put into operation. The Yantai-Dalian train ferry officially began operations in 2008.

In 2011, the comprehensive support ship 88 and the aircraft carrier Varyag were docked at Dalian Port.

Dalian Port's water area covers 346 square kilometers, with a land area of 10 square kilometers. It has 40 warehouses covering over 300,000 square meters and 1.8 million square meters of cargo yards. The nation's largest new 300,000-ton crude oil terminal (capable of berthing 450,000-ton super crude oil tankers in all weather conditions) began trial operations in January 2010. Projects such as the final berth (Berth 16) of the container terminal's second phase, the third phase (Berths 17 and 18 completed, Berths 19-22 under construction), the Dayao Bay North Shore Container Terminal, the North Breakwater (completed), North Channel expansion (completed), Dalian Bay Port Area expansion, Changxing Island Port Area, Taiping Bay Port Area, Lizifang Port Area, Lushun New Port, Lushun Shuangdao Bay Port Area, and Zhuanghe Port are under construction.

Since its opening, after several expansions and renovations, its vessel handling capacity has significantly increased, transforming it into a large-scale, modern comprehensive port. Currently, Dalian Port has established business relations with ports in over 160 countries and regions worldwide. Its port throughput has grown rapidly, from over 32 million tons in 1980 to 370 million tons in 2012. In 2012, Dalian Port Group's cargo throughput reached 303 million tons, an increase of 36 million tons or 13% year-on-year, achieving an annual increment of 30 million tons for three consecutive years. This actively contributed to Dalian Port ranking 6th in domestic port throughput. Container throughput reached 8.01 million TEU, an increase of 1.659 million TEU or 26% year-on-year, with growth rate ranking first in the nation, and its domestic ranking for container throughput rose to 7th place. Dalian Port is also one of the main ports for maritime passenger transport, handling the passenger traffic on the "Golden Waterway" between the Shandong Peninsula and the Liaodong Peninsula.

According to the "Reply on Approving the Opening of Changxing Island Port in Dalian, Liaoning" issued by the State Council on July 30, 2011, the Dalian Municipal Government officially announced on September 10, 2011, that Dalian Changxing Island Port was approved for opening to the outside world. This approval covers a total of 68 berths in Changxing Island Port, including 13 already constructed berths in the public port area and STX port area, and 55 berths planned for construction during the "12th Five-Year Plan" period. It also simultaneously approved the establishment of corresponding agencies such as Customs, Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Maritime Safety Administration, and Border Inspection Station. Currently, the establishment of a comprehensive bonded zone in the Changxing Island Port Industrial Area is about to receive national approval. Relevant national departments, provincial, and municipal authorities are promoting the work of establishing a free trade zone on Changxing Island. Changxing Island has already become a highland for opening up in Northeast China.

7.3 Aviation

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport is Dalian's international airport. The site selection originally stemmed from the Zhoushuizi Airfield built by Japan. The airport construction began in October 1972, originally as a military airfield. It is a national first-class civil international airport located in the western part of Dalian's Ganjingzi District (northwest corner of the urban area), covering an area of 284.46 hectares. The airport operates 98 domestic routes and 46 international routes. In 2010, Dalian Airport achieved an annual passenger throughput of 10.7 million, becoming the first airport in Northeast China and the 16th nationwide to reach the "ten-million passenger" level. In 2012, Dalian Airport completed an annual passenger throughput of 13.33 million, an 11% increase year-on-year, setting a historical record. Its passenger throughput, cargo and mail throughput, and flight movements have ranked first among airports in Northeast China for 15 consecutive years.

On September 6, 2011, the core project of the third-phase expansion of Dalian International Airport—the new international terminal—was completed. This project officially started in September 2009 with a total investment of 2.2 billion RMB. The third-phase expansion of Dalian Airport included the construction of a new 70,000-square-meter terminal building, a 340,000-square-meter apron, and the renovation of taxiways and other auxiliary facilities. After the completion of the new terminal, the total area of Dalian International Airport's terminal buildings reached 136,000 square meters, adding 40 check-in counters, 14 security check channels, and 8 boarding bridges (bringing the total to 18 boarding bridges). The plaza in front of the terminal covers a total area of 235,000 square meters, with a parking lot of 140,000 square meters providing 2,600 parking spaces, basically meeting the usage needs during the transition period before relocation to the new airport planned for 2020. It is reported that the new terminal is 555.5 meters long; after connection, the total length of the new and old terminals is nearly one kilometer.

Dalian Airport is projected to achieve a target of 16-18 million passengers in the near future (2009-2010). Dalian City plans to build a new airport in Jinzhou Bay by 2015. The first phase of the new airport plans to construct two 3,600-meter-long runways and a 200,000-square-meter terminal building, meeting development goals around 2020.

Besides Zhoushuizi Airport, there is also Changhai Airport in Changhai County, Dalian, with 1-2 daily flights to and from Zhoushuizi Airport.

7.4 ExpresswaysG15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway Liaoning Section, also known as the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway, spans 375 km. Construction began in June 1984, making it one of China’s earliest expressways. It opened on September 1, 1990, and was designated as part of the Tongjiang–Sanya Expressway in April 1993. The route passes through cities such as Anshan, Yingkou, and Liaoyang. The section under Dalian’s jurisdiction is 138.545 km long, featuring eight lanes in both directions with a design speed of 120 km/h. Later, the Shenyang–Haikou section of the Tongjiang–Sanya Expressway was reclassified as G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway.

G11 Hegang–Dalian Expressway Dandong–Dalian Section, also known as the Dandong–Dalian Expressway, runs from Dandong to Zhuanghe to Dalian, with a total length of 186.860 km. It officially opened on September 28, 2005, and is currently operational, reducing travel time between Dalian and Dandong by over four hours. The entire route features four lanes in both directions.

S29 Dayaowan Port Expressway, Dalian Bay Port Expressway, Changxing Island Port Expressway, and others have been completed and opened to traffic.

7.5 National Highways

• National Highways 201, 202, and 228 pass through the area.

7.6 Urban Transportation

7.6.1 Major Urban Roads and Bridges

Zhongshan Road is the primary thoroughfare in downtown Dalian. Starting from Zhongshan Square, it generally runs northeast–southwest, turns due south near Taishan, shifts southwest at Xinghai Square, and then runs roughly parallel to the coastline. West of Heishijiao to Hekou, it is called Huangpu Road and connects to Lüshun South Road. Originally built in 1899 during the Russian occupation and named Moscow Street (now the section from Friendship Square to Gangwan Bridge), it was expanded during the Japanese occupation and completed in 1914, extending from Zhongshan Square to Liberation Square. Trams began operating on the road in 1928. After Japan’s surrender in 1946, it was renamed Zhongshan Road, and its alignment was later adjusted. The section west of People’s Square was changed from east–west to northeast–southwest, extending to the Malan River, while the segment from Liberation Square to today’s Olympic Square is no longer part of Zhongshan Road. In 1974, Tram Line 1 on Zhongshan Road was dismantled and replaced by Bus Line 15. In 1985, Zhongshan Road was extended to Xinghai Third Station, and in 1996 to Heishijiao. It now extends to Xiaoping Island.

Northeast Expressway, abbreviated as Dongkuai Road, is the first urban expressway in downtown Dalian, connecting the city center with the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway toll station. It consists of the Northeast Road Bridge (from Baiyun New Village to Broadcasting Center), Xianglujiao Interchange (from Broadcasting Center to Haida Square), and ground-level expressway (from Haida Square to North China Road).

Donglian Road is Dalian’s first true elevated road, officially described as “currently the largest-scale bridge in a city center in China.” Spanning 14.2 km, it is part of the planned “five vertical and five horizontal” expressway network in downtown Dalian. The downtown entrance is at the northern end of Lianhe Road, with the outbound terminus south of the intersection of East China Road and Gannan Road. The inbound entrance is east of the intersection of East China Road and North China Road. Inbound lanes feature three on-ramps: Gannan Road (south of the East China Road–Gannan Road intersection), Songjiang Road (Jinsanjiao, south of the East China Road–Songjiang Road intersection), and Shugang Road (leading to the Lianhe Road exit), as well as two off-ramps at Chunliu (north of Chunliu Tunnel) and Xi’an Road, and the main road exit at Lianhe Road. Outbound lanes have an on-ramp at Chunliu (north of Chunliu Tunnel) and an off-ramp at Songjiang Road (Jinsanjiao, south of the East China Road–Songjiang Road intersection). Due to this design, the elevated road is generally considered effective for long-distance travel but less so for short trips. The project set several records in Dalian’s urban construction history: steel usage exceeded 80,000 tons, concrete pouring exceeded 300,000 cubic meters, and total investment reached 1.9 billion RMB. Over 50 professional construction and supervision teams participated, with more than 10,000 workers involved. It was the first time large-tonnage steel box girders were pushed (dragged) across railways and the first time such large-scale steel box girders were hoisted in the confined space of the city center. An interchange bridge on Zhonghua East Road connects with Zhonghua Road.

Xinghai Bay Cross-Sea Bridge opened in 2015. It is China’s first ground-anchored suspension bridge with anchors built at sea and the country’s first double-deck steel truss suspension bridge for road use.

7.6.2 Urban Public Transportation

7.6.2.1 Buses

Dalian’s public transportation began with the first tram line, which opened on September 25, 1909, followed by the first bus route in 1927. After a century of development, the system now includes conventional buses, minibuses, trams, trolleybuses, light rail, rapid transit, and BRT. Public transportation accounts for 45% of urban travel, with 24 standard buses per 10,000 people. In recent years, the Dalian government has promoted new energy vehicles, with buses serving as a model. A large number of pure electric buses, hybrid buses, and LNG (natural gas) buses have been introduced to promote green travel. Today, nearly 80% of buses on Dalian’s streets are new energy vehicles, and this proportion is increasing annually.

7.6.2.2 Urban Rail Transit

Modern urban rail transit in Dalian began in 2000, with the first rapid transit line, Metro Line 3 (formerly Rapid Transit Line 3), opening in 2002. On July 25, 2009, construction began on Dalian Metro Lines 1 and 2. On May 1, 2014, Dalian Metro Line 12 (formerly the extension of Tram Line 202 / R2 Line) began operation. By 2015, the first phases of Dalian Metro Lines 1 and 2 had opened for trial operation. Starting June 7, 2017, Dalian Metro used five languages for station announcements: Mandarin Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, and Russian (this practice was discontinued in 2024). On December 28, 2021, Dalian Metro Line 13 opened. On March 17, 2023, Dalian Metro Line 5 opened, though Labor Park Station was temporarily closed due to construction delays. The entire Line 5 opened on April 6, 2023. Due to the completion of Suoyuwan Professional Football Stadium, which serves as the home ground for several Dalian teams, Suoyuwan South Station is temporarily closed on match days to manage large passenger flows.

7.6.3 Taxis

In Dalian, the taxi starting fare is 10 RMB (within 3 km), with an additional 2.00 RMB per kilometer beyond 3 km. From 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM the next day, both the base fare and per-kilometer fare increase by 30%.

Dalian taxis come in various models, mostly Santana, Jetta, and Chery, and are operated by many companies. In the past, taxis were poorly regarded by residents due to frequent issues such as refusal of service, ride-sharing, and overcharging. In recent years, competition from ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Didi, as well as the Dalian Metro, has led to a decline in the taxi industry, though service quality has improved significantly.

Since May 1, 2014, Dalian has implemented a new taxi fare standard. Under the new rules, when taxi speed drops below 12 km/h, a low-speed waiting fee applies: the first 3 minutes are free, after which 0.30 RMB is charged per minute. During peak hours (6:30–8:30 AM and 4:30–6:30 PM), the fee is 0.50 RMB per minute. When speed exceeds 12 km/h, the waiting fee stops. For empty return trips, an additional 50% of the per-kilometer fare is charged for distances over 20 km. A fuel price linkage mechanism is also in place: with 93# gasoline at 8.00 RMB/liter as the threshold for fuel surcharges, and a three-month observation period. During each observation period, the fuel surcharge remains unchanged. When 93# gasoline exceeds 8.00 RMB/liter, a 1 RMB surcharge is added per trip. When it falls below 8.00 RMB/liter, the surcharge is canceled. If the price increases by less than 0.50 RMB/liter above the threshold, the 1 RMB surcharge remains unchanged. If the increase exceeds 0.50 RMB/liter, the surcharge becomes 2 RMB per trip, and so on.

7.6.4 Shared Bicycles

With the rapid development of China’s shared bicycle industry, various shared bicycles have been deployed in Dalian. In April 2017, Mobike, the world’s largest smart shared bicycle platform, announced its trial operation in Lüshunkou District, Dalian. On April 11, Mobike signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Lüshunkou District People’s Government, officially launching operations in the district before expanding to the High-Tech Zone and Pulandian District. In September 2017, Mobike entered the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone. In June 2017, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, OFO shared bicycles deployed a large number of vehicles in Dalian’s Donggang, marking OFO’s official entry into Dalian. Operations later expanded to the High-Tech Zone and Longwangtang in Lüshunkou District.Due to the hilly terrain of Dalian's main urban area, which features numerous mountain roads with steep slopes, cycling is both challenging and hazardous. Additionally, with the city's well-developed public transportation system, including buses and subways, few residents opt for bicycles as a mode of travel. As a result, shared bicycles are quite rare in the urban core, with most originating from areas like Lushun and the High-Tech Zone. In September 2017, Orange Wind Bikes launched operations in Dalian, deploying vehicles in districts such as Ganjingzi, Shahekou, and the High-Tech Zone. These were primarily concentrated in areas suitable for cycling, such as near Hongqi Middle Road subway station, Paoyazi Dalian University of Technology, Malanzi, and the university town in the High-Tech Zone. The Dalian government has long placed great emphasis on the city's appearance and order. With the rise of shared bicycles, issues such as haphazard parking obstructing vehicle lanes, blind paths, and pedestrian walkways have frequently occurred in the city's five districts. Traffic police have occasionally cleared illegally parked shared bikes and required companies to commit to not deploying bicycles in these districts without prior approval. Currently, due to various reasons, shared bicycles have completely disappeared within Dalian's urban area. Only suburban regions like Lushun and Pulandian retain some shared electric bikes or bicycles.

8. Education

Dalian boasts well-developed scientific, educational, cultural, and sports sectors. By the end of 2017, Dalian was home to 30 regular institutions of higher education, 7 adult higher education institutions, 78 secondary vocational schools, 77 regular senior high schools, 732 nine-year compulsory education schools, and 1,299 kindergartens. The total enrollment across all levels and types of schools (including kindergartens) reached 1.131 million students. Dalian University of Technology is a Project 211 and Project 985 institution, while Dalian Maritime University is a Project 211 institution. The city hosts over 200 scientific research and development organizations, which annually supply a significant number of high-level talents and scientific and technological achievements to society.

• Basic Education: By the end of 2017, the enrollment rates were 97.9% for three-year preschool education, 99.8% for primary school, 99.9% for junior high school, and 98.7% for senior high school education. The number of students in compulsory education was 445,000, including 105,000 children of migrant workers. There were 90,000 students enrolled in regular senior high schools.
• Secondary Vocational Education: By the end of 2017, the total enrollment in secondary vocational schools was 68,000 students, including 22,000 in regular specialized secondary schools, 25,000 in vocational secondary schools (vocational high schools) and adult specialized secondary schools, and 21,000 in technical schools. That year, 23,000 students graduated from various secondary vocational schools. There were 22 secondary vocational schools with an enrollment exceeding 1,000 students.
• Regular Higher Education: The total enrollment in regular higher education institutions (including higher vocational colleges) in Dalian was 290,000 students for undergraduate and associate degree programs, of which 27,000 were in municipal institutions. Additionally, there were 41,000 doctoral and master's students in Dalian's regular higher education institutions and research institutes. In terms of graduates, regular higher education institutions produced 719 doctoral graduates, 11,824 master's graduates, 56,000 bachelor's graduates, and 15,000 associate degree graduates.

9. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's registered population was 6.087 million, an increase of 51,000 from the end of the previous year. Throughout the year, there were 31,000 registered births, with a birth rate of 5.15‰; there were 50,000 deaths, with a death rate of 8.27‰; the natural growth rate was -3.12‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 7,450,785. Compared with the 6,690,432 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total increase over the ten years was 760,353 people, a growth of 11.36%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.08%. Among them, the male population was 3,710,161, accounting for 49.8% of the total population; the female population was 3,740,624, accounting for 50.2% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 99.19. The population aged 0-14 was 867,942, accounting for 11.65% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 4,741,653, accounting for 63.64% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,841,190, accounting for 24.71% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 1,257,193, accounting for 16.87% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 6,135,727, accounting for 82.35% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,315,058, accounting for 17.65% of the total population.

At the end of 2020, the registered population was 6.016 million, a net increase of 29,000 from the end of the previous year. Throughout the year, there were 41,000 births, with a birth rate of 6.80‰; there were 59,000 deaths, with a death rate of 9.76‰; the natural growth rate was -2.96‰.

In 2020, Dalian had a population of 1.841 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 24.7% of the city's total population. The average life expectancy in Dalian reached 81.33 years; the Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.808.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

Dalian has a minority population of 385,000, accounting for 6.52% of the city's total population. According to data from Dalian's Fifth Population Census, the city currently has 40 ethnic groups, with the Han ethnic group being the largest, followed by the Manchu ethnic group. The smallest populations include the Lahu, Blang, Pumi, Uzbek, and Jing ethnic groups, each with a population of 1 person.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic population was 6,955,255, accounting for 93.35%; the total minority ethnic population was 495,530, accounting for 6.65%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic population increased by 656,006 people, a growth of 10.41%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.8 percentage points; the total minority ethnic population increased by 104,347 people, a growth of 26.67%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.8 percentage points. Among them, the Manchu population increased by 58,893 people, a growth of 19.66%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.33 percentage points; the Mongolian population increased by 20,803 people, a growth of 67.88%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.23 percentage points; the Korean population increased by 3,137 people, a growth of 13.48%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.01 percentage points; the Hui population increased by 2,653 people, a growth of 17.08%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.01 percentage points; the Xibe population increased by 1,429 people, a growth of 10.08%, with its proportion of the total population remaining unchanged.

9.2 Temporary Residence System

According to the temporary residence system regulations, citizens of the People's Republic of China without a Dalian household registration who reside in the city for short-term or long-term periods must apply for a permit system indicating temporary residence status; the related document is called a Temporary Residence Permit. Non-local individuals without a Temporary Residence Permit may face penalties or repatriation.

Dalian City implemented a Residence Permit system (i.e., the "Interim Measures for Dalian Residence Permits") starting December 25, 2009, to strengthen the management of the floating population and enhance the protection of their lawful rights, interests, and benefits.

As of now (2023), the Temporary Residence Permit system has been abolished and updated to the Residence Permit system. Since April 26, 2019, individuals residing within the administrative region of Dalian City do not need to apply for a residence permit for cross-district/county movement within the city; individuals without a Dalian household registration who reside within the administrative region of Dalian City need to apply for a residence permit, and the document has been unified in form with Liaoning Province as the Liaoning Province Residence Permit.

10. Religious Sites

In 2014, the city had a total of 189 registered religious sites (50 Buddhist, 21 Taoist, 10 Islamic, 101 Protestant, and 7 Catholic), with 248 clergy members.

Taoist temples are relatively uncommon within the urban area of Dalian but are more numerous in the suburbs, such as the Jinlong Temple in the northern part of Jinzhou District, the Xiangshui Temple at the northwestern foot of Dahei Mountain, and the Zhenwu Temple in Liangjiadian. In contrast, Dalian has many Buddhist temples. Within the city proper, there is the Songshan Temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty and preserved to this day. Others include the Hengshan Temple and Zhenquan Temple along the Lushun Middle Road, the Anshan Temple at the northern foot of Anzi Mountain, the Chaoyang Temple at the foot of Dahei Mountain, the Higashi Honganji Temple (now the site of the Dalian Peking Opera Troupe) and Nishi Honganji Temple built during the leased territory period, and the Wofo Temple located in Gezhenbao, Ganjingzi District.

The only Catholic church in the urban area of Dalian is the Xi'an Street Catholic Church. Protestant churches include the Beijing Street Chapel, the Yuguang Street Chapel, and the Xinggong Street Chapel, which has a significant congregation of Korean ethnic believers. Currently, there are no open Orthodox churches, although they existed during the Lushun-Dalian leased territory period. These included the St. Michael the Archangel Church (built in 1912, destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, located in present-day Zhongshan District), the St. Alexander Nevsky Church (built in 1947, closed after the founding of the People's Republic of China as clergy gradually returned to the Soviet Union), the Lushun Sanliqiao Prayer House (located in the Russian cemetery, built in the late Qing Dynasty), and the Kazan Mother of God Church in Xiajiahezi (built in 1935, later used as a PLA sanatorium). The latter two still exist today.

There is an Islamic mosque on Beijing Street in Xigang District.

11. Culture

The folk culture of the Dalian area is primarily based on Southern Liaoning culture. Due to historical reasons, it has also been influenced by Japanese and Russian cultures in aspects such as architecture, cuisine, and some daily expressions.

11.1 Cuisine

Dalian is abundant in fruits and seafood. The main fruits include apples, peaches, pears, grapes, and cherries, while seafood such as abalone and prawns enjoys a reputation throughout China and even Asia. Sea cucumber, in particular, is highly esteemed and known as "Liaodong Sea Cucumber." Consequently, fruits and seafood play a dominant role in Dalian's local culinary culture.

Dalian cuisine has developed from a Shandong cuisine base, incorporating characteristics of other culinary traditions and combining them with local ingredients. The dishes are typically vibrant in color with a savory and umami flavor profile.

Notable local specialty foods include:

• Gezi: A food made from crushed corn, used to prepare porridge.
• Menzi: Made from starch, it is steamed with water into a cake-like form, then pan-fried until the exterior is crispy and golden. It is served with a sauce made from mashed garlic, sesame paste, and soy sauce. This is a beloved local snack. With improvements in local living standards, its preparation has been refined by incorporating various seafood into the sauce, elevating this snack to high-end restaurants under the name "Sanxian Menzi" (Three Delicacies Menzi).
• Salted Fish with Cornbread: "Cornbread" refers to cornmeal pancakes, and "salted fish" refers to fresh sea fish salted and sun-dried, then pan-fried in oil until crispy on the outside and tender inside. The combination of salted fish with cornbread creates a unique flavor.
• Griddle-Grilled Squid: First, heat a griddle, add an appropriate amount of vegetable oil, then place fresh squid on it. Season with prepared salt, chili powder, ginger powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, and other condiments, brushing an appropriate amount onto the grilled squid for a delicious taste.

11.2 Dialect

From the mid to late 20th century, over 80% of the urban population in Dalian traced their ancestry to Shandong, having migrated via sea routes during the late Qing Dynasty to the Japanese occupation period. The local dialect belongs to the Jiaoliao Mandarin group.

11.3 Newspapers and Periodicals

Dalian currently has four newspapers: Dalian Daily, Dalian Evening News, Peninsula Morning Post, and Old Friends Times. Among these, Dalian Daily is the official newspaper, while the other three are metropolitan newspapers. Peninsula Morning Post was founded by the Liaoning Newspaper Group. Modern Women's Newspaper is also based in Dalian. Dalian University of Foreign Languages publicly publishes the magazines English Knowledge and Japanese Knowledge.

During the Japanese occupation period, Dalian had magazines for primary and secondary school students, such as Xinyang, and the Dalian Women's Commercial School magazine Nencao, which primarily promoted the ideology of "Japan-Manchukuo friendship."

11.4 Television

There are currently six Dalian TV channels, along with mobile digital TV channels.

11.5 Major Events

Local events include the Lantern Festival Fireworks Gala, the Dalian International Fashion Festival, and the Locust Blossom Appreciation Festival. International events include the Dalian International Marathon, Dalian International Walking Festival, Beer Festival, and Wine and Food Festival.

11.6 Major Conferences

Existing conferences include the Garment and Textile Expo and the Software Fair.

Additionally, the Summer Davos Forum (also known as the World Economic Forum's "Annual Meeting of the New Champions") was first held in Dalian in 2007. By 2019, Dalian had hosted the "Annual Meeting of the New Champions" seven times (with the other six sessions held in Tianjin).

11.7 Songs

11.7.1 Chinese

• "Dalian Love" (Lyrics: Yang Daoli, Music: Liu Huan) – Created in 1994 as the theme song for the opening ceremony of the 6th Dalian International Fashion Festival.
• "Dalian, My Eternal Love" (Lyrics: Zhang Yuzhu, Music: Gu Jianfen, Performers: Fan Linlin, Cui Jinghao) – Composed by Gu Jianfen in the late 1990s, it gained popularity through heartfelt performances by Fan Linlin and Cui Jinghao. The song received widespread recognition, particularly among young people, and won the artistic award at the "New Century National City Song Competition" in 2000.

11.7.2 Japanese

• "Dalian Bojō" (Translation: Sentimental Feelings for Dalian) (Lyrics/Music: Yumi Matsutoya) – Originally provided to Midori Hagio in 1977. Yumi Matsutoya later performed it herself in 1980, and Calin covered it in 1995.
• "Nagareru Kumo wo Oikakete" (Translation: Chasing the Flowing Clouds) (Lyrics/Music: Keisuke Kuwata, Performer: Southern All Stars) – Set in the streets of Dalian. The lyrics mention "Renlian Street" (a road name in Dalian). The song's theme revolves around Japanese orphans left behind in China.
• Enka "Dalian no Machi kara" (Translation: From the Streets of Dalian) (Lyrics/Music: Daisaburo Nakayama, Performer: Daisaku Ogata) – Released in 1989. Covered by Sanae Jonouchi in 2002 and Koji Handa in 2006.
• "Akashia no Dalian" (Translation: Dalian Under the Acacia Trees) (Poetry: Rei Nakanishi, Music: Masaaki Hirao) – Performed by Rumiko Koyanagi.
• "Nii Raira" (Translation: —You Came—) (Lyrics/Music: Cozy, Performer: Cozy) – From the 2002 mini-album Mekamakashii, themed around Dalian.
• "Akashia no Kaori" (Translation: The Scent of Acacia) (Lyrics: Tsuyoshi..A, Music: Shingo.A & Tsuyoshi.O, Arrangement: Tsuyoshi.O) – A work related to Dalian on YouTube.

11.7.3 English

• "We Love You, Dalian!" (Lyrics/Music: Mira Maximova, Arrangement: Nobuhito Noda, Performers: Mira, Roza) – A collaborative work recorded by the sisters Roza and Mira at the Dalian People's Cultural Club in partnership with Lj.

11.8 Novels

• "Petrov Incident" by Tetsuya Ayukawa (1949)
• "Akashia no Dalian" (Acacia's Dalian) by Takayuki Kiyooka (1965)

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Xigang District

Ganjingzi District

Han Chinese population accounts for 93.48%; ethnic minorities account for 6.52%

Sophora japonica

Rose