Visiting China...

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

I've got to go to Dalian(sp) in China as my Korean visa expires in a couple of weeks (6th oct) and I have to leave the country before it can be extended.
Has anyone been to Dalian or know anything about it? Any general advice on China, reccomendations for nice food etc?

I am quite looking forward to it, it will be my first time travelling alone even if it is going to be pretty quick and China interests me, especially as the novelty of Korea begins to fade (Not to say that I don't love it here!).

Ta for any advice in advance. :)

(Oh yes, I am taking the ferry from Seoul/Itawon to China in case anyone else has done the trip)

[Sunray]

Well, I've been using this site as a country travel guide.

www.travelindependent.info

Having been to 5 of the countries it mentions, I think its spot on with its summaries and related websites.

[RenegadeDog]

I live in china! Unfortunately though I don't know much about Dalian or the NE generally, haven't visited that way yet, other than a couple of days in Beijing.

If you are planning to go further south, let me know...

I do have a friend who lives in Dalian, I could get some info from him if you like!

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

I live in china! Unfortunately though I don't know much about Dalian or the NE generally, haven't visited that way yet, other than a couple of days in Beijing.

If you are planning to go further south, let me know...

I do have a friend who lives in Dalian, I could get some info from him if you like!

I would love some info off your mate, that would be wicked. :D I may go a bit further south, I have no idea yet since I haven't even started planning this trip yet really. Look forward to hearing about the place though. :)

[Dandred]

(Oh yes, I am taking the ferry from Seoul/Itawon to China in case anyone else has done the trip)

Ferry from Itawon? :eek: Don't you mean Incheon? ;)

Where are you staying in Korea? I'm near Incheon, close to Bucheon on line 1!

never been to China so can't help you there sorry!

[maomao]

I've been to Dalian but I'm not sure what you need to know. I'm personally not that keen on the place for a couple of reasons but you may well enjoy it.

Lot's of Chinese people will tell you that it's the most beautiful city in the North East. However, this tends to translate as meaning it's one of the most built up and modern cities. There's a very modern city centre with big glass skyscrapers and modern hotels.

North Eastern food is generally the most pallatable to westerners in China. Rice isn't the traditional staple in the North East and it';s extremely cold in the winter so lots of steamed buns and meaty stews. However, Dalian, being on the coast naturally has a lot of seafood restaurants which specialise in sea anemones, prawn and shellfish. Most of these are eaten raw. A very popular dish (which doesn't actually originate in Dalian) is 'drunken prawns' which is basically a bowl of live prawns soaked in Chinese baijiu. The more humane eaters pull the heads off the prawn before eating but it's considered better to put it in your mouth still wriggling.

The coast is extremely beautiful and there's a very nice park there.

Not sure what else you need to know. I'll check this thread later and see if you have any more specific questions.

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

Ferry from Itawon? :eek: Don't you mean Incheon? ;)

Where are you staying in Korea? I'm near Incheon, close to Bucheon on line 1!

never been to China so can't help you there sorry!

Ok, ok, yes I mean Incheon, too much Soju!!!! :D
I'm in the Chungcheongam-do province pretty much between Boryeong(Dacheon beach area) and Daejeon in a little(ish) place called Hongseong.
I was up in Seoul last w/e, not too into it, am enjoying the lack of westerners here in Hongseong but did enjoy a night of clubbing and drinking! ;)

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

I've been to Dalian but I'm not sure what you need to know. I'm personally not that keen on the place for a couple of reasons but you may well enjoy it.

Lot's of Chinese people will tell you that it's the most beautiful city in the North East. However, this tends to translate as meaning it's one of the most built up and modern cities. There's a very modern city centre with big glass skyscrapers and modern hotels.

North Eastern food is generally the most pallatable to westerners in China. Rice isn't the traditional staple in the North East and it';s extremely cold in the winter so lots of steamed buns and meaty stews. However, Dalian, being on the coast naturally has a lot of seafood restaurants which specialise in sea anemones, prawn and shellfish. Most of these are eaten raw. A very popular dish (which doesn't actually originate in Dalian) is 'drunken prawns' which is basically a bowl of live prawns soaked in Chinese baijiu. The more humane eaters pull the heads off the prawn before eating but it's considered better to put it in your mouth still wriggling.

The coast is extremely beautiful and there's a very nice park there.

Not sure what else you need to know. I'll check this thread later and see if you have any more specific questions.

I'm interested in the cheapest places to stay, and maybe the safest as I'll be a lone woman, not sure how much of a problem that presents as it all seems cool here in Korea.
I'm also wondering what I can do, what things I can see while I'm kicking around in Dalian, are there things I definately shouldn't miss while I'm there? Are there places where I can find a few westerners? Not a huge deal as I'm happier absourbing the actual culture but you never know what'll occur and I don't speak any Chinese(Still learning Korean!).
:)

[RenegadeDog]

Interesting retrospective b ump. This was before I moved up to Dalian :)