When “A Walk Across Dalian” was published in January 2010, it was understood that city of Dalian would continue to change. Never was there an expectation that when SongLi went to visit the ocean it would no longer be there. But that is what happened just six months later in July 2010.

Buildings are torn down and new ones take their place (see the Shell Museum). A massive body of water? It should remain where it always was. Unless that area of sea is reclaimed as land.

While the book was in production, a vast part of the Northern coast was being renovated and this was noted. The plan was to turn former warehouse and shipping space into commercial and residential areas. It was a smart move to make better use of Dalian’s land and coastal view.

The early stages of development for this location involved a great deal of landfill to extend the coastline. But it had been restricted to the former warehouse area. Apparently the expansion was more vast than imagined, as the entire Donghai Park was erased. Satellite maps from April 2009 confirm that the landfill stopped short of the Park, and it remained untouched.

Donghai Park and the Haizhiyun Square (Rhythm of the Sea) sculpture was the original spot where SongLi ended the Coast-to-Coast Trek in March 2008. The location nearly doubled the distance SongLi had to walk, so it could end in a public access area along the coast.

Now that spot is at least a kilometer inland (see the Location Map).

Not only is the ocean gone but the mountains too. They have been stripped down and used as the new land foundation. The construction effort will continue for years yet. This situation is being noted for travelers who wish to follow SongLi’s adventure or just spend a day at the beach.

The beach is no longer there.

An iconic landmark of Xinghai Square since 2000, the Dalian Shell Museum was torn down in January 2010. It is scheduled to be rebuilt in a similar yet larger version of its European castle architecture. The location will then re-open as a hotel, projected in two years.

A Google Earth satellite map of the demolition zone has been created for public viewing. Images of the pre-demolition condition in May 2009 are presented as a comparison for the demolition state in January 2010.

Xinghai Square Shell Museum

The original Russian settlers of Dalian were Orthodox Christians. They established their cemetery at the furthest boundaries of the city in 1989. In later years a chapel was built and expanded on the grounds. Buried at the location are the early citizens of the colonial community. During the Russian occupation after the war, this site was used for Soviet soldiers, in addition to another forgotten cemetery North of downtown. Lushun hosts the oldest known historical Russian cemetery and it is designated as the only one in the region, which is not completely true. Any foreign cemetery on Chinese soil is rare. However, SongLi discovered two other century-old cemetery locations that have been preserved yet forgotten by the public. SongLi also has been able to guide foreign families to visit the final resting place of loved ones buried at these locations during the 1920s and 30s. This service is extended to anyone looking to rediscover the grave of a family member. Otherwise, in the interest of privacy and preservation, these sites will not be disclosed for any non-family visit requests.