Now winter is here, let's make a list about things to do and prepare for in Dalian's bitter winters. Here's a start:

• Buy thermals. They're available at most supermarkets in a variety of thicknesses: really thick (grandparent/army style), thick (but can fit under loose fitting trousers, wool), medium (decent cotton), thin (low quality/weak bind).
• Make soups: Boil vegetables. Leave them to cool. Mix them in a food processor. Heat. Nice belly warmer.
• Buy an oven (200-300 kuai) and start roasting things.
• Don't fall over on the ice. Seriously, not only why does the Dalian government not de-ice the streets, but why do they actually allow polished/gloss tiles in streets and entrances of shopping centers/apartment blocks. Easy to clean but a deadly health hazard.
• Enjoy the heating. I hear it comes on around the 15th of November. If you rent or are provided dormitories it's law to provide residents with a 24 hour minimum temperature of 16 degrees, 18 degrees if they're a foreigner (bizarre special case).

Go!

Hello All,

I am planning a trip to the States and am wondering if there is rental mobile phone service in Dalian(airport?) or in the States(plan to visit is Chicago and Los Angeles) that I can use it over there. Could you please tell me if you have any idea?

Thank you.

About 60m2 studio to let, floor 9, Huston mansion, which behand Nikko Hotal, 10 mins foot from zhongshan square & CBD area. Kitchen, bathroom, balcony and full furniture. 1900 per month not including Electricity, gas, water & internet. For details please contact 158 4081 7300 Jake.

New apart for rent: 2 bedrooms+2 bathrooms +2 balconies unit in CBD,close to
 Dalian Foreign Language University ( Da Wai ),
 Zhong Shan District ( Sheng Li Road & Jie Fang Road ),
 2 mins walk to Labour Park

Green Mountain view!
Unblock and windy unit.
Fully furnished –
2 bedrooms ( 1 master room and 1 common room ) with king-sized bed and wardrobe;
1 study room;
2 bathrooms ( 1 connected with the master room );
2 balconies ( 1 connected with the master room )
1 living room and
1 kitchen

Available date: now!

Price RMB 3350/month

Mail: yuanshanhong@yahoo.cn
Phone: Sunny +86 130 411 95951 ( for English /Mandarin service ) or Mr. Li @ +86 13911 767372 ( for Mandarin ) for more details.

Hi,

Apartment on Xi'An lu, in FuJiaXinTianDi (wal mart building) available from Sept 1.

The apartment is a duplex on the 18th floor.

The apartment is furnished:
- sofa
- bookshelf
- closet
- glass table + 4 chairs
- fridge
- washing machine
- oven
- air cond
- bed

The location is for 1 year and should be paid in 2 times (1st time half and after 6 months the 2nd half) + 1 month caution.

The price include the heating and the lift.

Internet/electricity and water are charged to the tenant.

Contact: please contact me through this website if you are interested

Price: 28000RMB/year

First, really get the impression it bonds English language and Chinese language information and that some time is put into writing something intelligent. Amazing photos too.

Then, down to business: I expect to arrive in Dalian around September, starting a JV with a local company. We already have a presence in China. But not in Dalian and I'd really like to get a group of buddies. I'm 35 and single, but sorry girls, not looking for a relationship as soon as I arrive. Nothing crazy, just a quite beer once or twice a week. Anywhere or any events to suggest?

Cheers, Nick

On Google Earth I don't know where to look for XiGang District.  I know where the Dalian Train Station is and it is my entry point to Google Earth, but I don't know where XiGang District is from there.  Please help, and thank you.

Tuhaka

Some interesting news... the US track and field team will be training in Dalian prior to the olympics.

That they chose Dalian is probably not a suprise and I'd expect more teams to be here or nearby.  Close to Beijing with probably the best summer weather and air, Dalian or Yantai/Qingtao are likely to be the choices of many teams. The article is here.