10th February, 2001
Dalian, China, During Chinese New Year Festival. City Streets Free Of Litter. Muffled Children Stand By Crystal Clear Sea Water
February, 1999
Dalian had no restrictions on firecrackers and it was my first experience of hearing them frequently throughout the days and nights, at Spring Festival Time. On New Year's Eve, we had been in Beijing, where firecrackers were forbidden, because of the pollution they cause and most of those which we heard, were way out in the surrounding countryside, except for the occasional firecracker lit when the Beijing policemen were looking away. Dalian city, in the early mornings, had a pall of smoke over it from the previous nights' celebrations, but this was soon blown out to the sea, then the sun would shine in a cloudless sky, except that someone had forgotten to stoke the fire, because the days were bitterly cold !
 From our room on the top floor of the Gloria Plaza Hotel, we looked down on the City Square, always free of litter and dominated by a multifaceted glass globe, its panels reflecting an abstract view of its surroundings. Whenever we were returning in a taxi after visiting one of the many bays or parks in Dalian, we knew we were near our hotel as soon as we saw the Globe at the end of a long approach road to the square. It was certainly a spectacular landmark. When we flew from Beijing the approach to Dalian was over the sea, and on the outskirts of the city, near the quays, there were many tall smoking chimneys, but the air in the city centre was free from pollution, and almost sparkling.
 The sea water at Tiger Park and Golden Pebble Bay had the same sparkling quality and was crystal clear. Had it been Summer Time, the conditions would have been ideal to go for a swim, but the bitterly cold air was no deterrent to a group of Chinese cold water swimmers, who were at one end of the beach. When they came out of the water, their bodies were quiet red with cold. To one of them I made an exaggerated shiver and indicated that he must be crazy, but he just laughed and it was obvious that he had enjoyed his swim. Before the group left, they lit a few strings of firecrackers to celebrate the day, so for a while that part of the beach had a coating of red debris.
If you are interested in other Dalian topics, such as...
Dalian Beach Sparkles In Sunlight...
Models Of Tigers On Rocky Headland...
Cable Car Station On Bank Of Tiger Beach...
Chinese New Year Celebrations In Dalian...
Dalian Taxis Collide On Coastal Road...
...then just click them !
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