Dalian Local Customs

Chinese like to play, at least many of them. And you can see it everywhere. Sometimes its not so easy to take photos (like the people in Wuhan while they play Mah Jong). You also can see many people playing Chinese Chess. But normaly they dont play in this way as at the Xinghai Square.

The Dalian International Fashion Festival has made the city well known throughout the world.The national young designers' contest, the fashion show featuring Chinese and foreign models, and the large-scale cultural square party have all proved a great commercial success, promoting Dalian to the world and letting friends from overseas feel the warmth of the local people.

The tap water cannot be consumed. I do not know if it is safe after it is being boiled. By the way, I had water from the tap after boiling for a month and nothing happen to me.

It is normal to have a mineral water dispenser in the house. When I went visiting friends, they have mineral water dispenser. The apartment that I stayed in have water dispenser too.

If you are going to stay there for some time, you can just find out the number to order the big bottles of water. You have two choices: mineral water, or distilled water. Mineral water is more expensive and expire faster.

This is the biggest culture shock for most expats, locals spit on the street all the time. This includes the best dressed women. Not all people do this but enough to gross you out, it did improve during the SARS situation so hope it continues.
Small children are seen urinating in public, in tree wells or against buildings and it seems acceptable

Generally in the north of China, the main food (zhu3 shi2) is the dumpling. The other dishes are usually served and the main food will be served last after you have finish the vegetables or meat, etc.

There are several types of dumplings.
Steamed buns (man2 tou2) without filling is one of them. I love steamed buns. There are many types, shapes of steam buns as well, and my favourites among them is the "hua1 juan3" (literally translated as flower swirl).
Another type of dumpling is the "jiao3 zi". These are thin, flat pieces of flour wrapped with meat or vegetable fillings, and then steamed, pan fried or deep fried. There will be some vinegar or soy sauce to dip in. It is a bit too much meat for my liking. These are certainly worth a try and very interesting with the different types of fillings.

Opening Ceremony for Dalian International Fest is a large evening performance at the city square. Except the large evening performance, the ceremony also invite the pop stars and singers from Hongkong, Taiwan, Japan, Korean, and other countries.
I once took part in the Opening Ceremony as a public actress. Ricky Martin came that year and I saw his live performance.

Every lunar May 5th is the Dragon Boat Festival. It is traditonal chinese fest to commemorate an patriotic poet 'Qu Yuan' of Chu dynasty.

People eat 'Zong Zi' in this fest. Normally it is made of sticky rice and Chinese date. But now there're also many other kinds of stuffing, such as meat , sticky yellow rice or other nuts.

The 14-year-old Dalian International Fashion Festival has made the city well known throughout the world. This splendid fair is unique for its wide involvement of local people, its strong flavor of opening to the outside world, and its fruitful economic returns. The international garment fair, the national young designers' contest, the fashion show featuring Chinese and foreign models, and the large-scale cultural square party have all proved a great commercial success, promoting Dalian to the world and letting friends from overseas feel the warmth of the local people.