In a region famed for its apple and cherry orchards lies the coastal city of Dalian. The city is one of China’s most heavily developed industrial areas and serves as an important international shipping center and logistics hub to North Asia. Being an isthmus on the Liaoniang peninsular, Dalian is skirted on three sides by the sea. While beaches are largely inaccessible or non-existent due to the build out of port facilities and docksides, sand has been trucked in to provide a handful of beach areas. Unfortunately, a recent spate of oil and petrochemical spills has compromised the water quality considerably, making coastal swimming unadvisable. The city’s considerable traffic congestion is enough to discourage any foreigner from owning a car. Fortunately, the public transport is highly efficient, if a little overcrowded. The streetcars that run through the avenues of city central are quick, efficient and great fun to ride. If you prefer to eschew the streetcars and buses in favor of a taxi, you’re in luck – they are abundant and cheap. While undulating terrain makes cycling around this city a challenge, electric bikes provide a readily available, silent and comfortable alternative. Outside of office hours, Dalian offers plenty to see and do. The nearby temples are quite lovely and the surrounding mountains provide decent hiking (Forest Zoo, in particular). The city is punctuated with parks, open air markets and underground markets, and squares that often play host to impromptu fashion parades and ballroom dancing. An increasing number of bars and clubs provide locals and the growing expat community refuge from the bitterly cold temperatures and icy winds that drive residents indoors for most of the autumn, winter and spring. As Dalian’s importance grows, so too does its cultural calendar. The city is noted for hosting the Dalian International Fashion Festival (Dalian is renowned for its beautiful women - a high percentage of Chinese models originate from this city); the festival to greet New Year; and the International Locust Watching Festival, among others.