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Dalian Demolition

Last modified on 2009-10-23 00:19:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Homes in the Nanshan Street neighborhood had ranged in age from 80 to 100 years old. These colonial dwellings survived wars, a civil war, and social upheaval. In recent years they had remained immune to the frenzied modernization drive in China. However, by November 2008 this landmark and signature feature of Dalian’s past became another lost memory.

Nearly 20 acres of land, covering 80377m² is being erased and reformatted. Neither the demolition process nor the reconstruction efforts will be finished any time soon. Based on previous examples around the city, the site will not be habitable for perhaps four years. The stages of transition will be staggered, with many square blocks flattened for construction while gutted house shells remain standing in other sections.

Images of the pre-demolition condition (August and September 2008) are presented as a comparison for the initial demolition progress in January 2009.

Nanshan Road Demolition Map

The Great Wall of Dalian

Last modified on 2009-01-18 23:46:38 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

One of the most well known but best kept historical secrets in Dalian is the Great Wall of Koguryŏ (Korea). Built in 631 AD when most of Manchuria and sections of Southern Russia were part of the Goguryeo Kingdom, these remains have been both celebrated and shrouded because of the historical interpretation of cultural ownership. The Jinzhou District of Dalian was once an ancient walled city with a history stretching back for centuries as the Tang and Sui Dynasties fought to expand their empire. Dalian was the last fortress along a defensive wall that stretched North for hundreds of kilometers. While the Bisa (Beisha) castle itself has been lost in time, portions of this Great Wall remain along the highest peaks of Dahei Mountain.

Note: Liaoning Province has two cities spelled Jinzhou in English. However, the Hanzi (Chinese characters) are not the same.

Jinzhou 锦州 is an ancient city in Western Liaoning.
Jinzhou 金州 is a historic district of Dalian city.

Jinzhou (Dalian) Historical Timeline

Running With The Flame

Last modified on 2009-01-18 23:47:15 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

On September 4th, 2008 the city of Dalian hosted the Parlympic torch relay. One of only a handful of “ancient” and “modern” cities in China to hold this honor, the route followed the original design of the Olympic torch relay. That had been planned to run along the Binhai coastal road was but later relocated.

This digital map features all 70 relay points, and the official Paralympic relay route path. It also shows the parallel course ran by SongLi as he followed the trek. It was an uphill run for nearly 3 km in the late summer heat, and he was able to document over half the run up-close and personal. Flame icons on the map with a yellow border indicate a snapshot SongLi took of that relay point during the course.

Paralympic Torch Relay Route Map for Dalian

VIRTUAL DALIAN

Last modified on 2009-11-05 06:58:17 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Walk around the streets or ride the vintage electric trolleys, while exploring this virtual world as an avatar – your digital self. Journey back in history to Russian or Japanese areas, or visit the modern locations that have transformed this vital seaport into a center for technology development.

Full scale construction of the city is currently underway, with extensive time spent on ensuring accurate and historic architectural details. Until completed, visitors are welcome to enter the finished locations, which function as 3D museums. Virtual travel guides, maps, brochures, and other digital gifts are also offered free to the public.

Just as Dalian is a historic venue in Real Life, Virtual Dalian is becoming an equally famous landmark in the Metaverse. The Virtual Dalian project was created exclusively by SongLi. The 3D experience provides another way to introduce the city to the world, for people unable to visit in person. Login to Second Life from your computer and enter a simulation of Dalian, all from the comfort of home.

Happy Times (2000) Directed by Zhang Yimou

Last modified on 2009-12-16 12:03:37 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

When Zhang Yimou directed the 2000 art-house film Happy Times, based on the novel Shifu Yue Lai Yue Youmo by Mo Yan, the city of Dalian was used extensively for exterior locations.

The downtown area of Dalian, and the Special Economic Zone (Kaifa Qu) in the Northern district of Metro Dalian were the two primary areas featured in the film. The movie does not make a point to show these areas clearly, but they are easily to recognize even with the numerous developments since it was filmed.

The actress Dong Jie, who stars as the blind girl that the story centers on, was also born and raised in Dalian.

This link at discoverdalian.com provides a google map reference with a frame capture from the movie.