What is left of Dalians colonial past?
For decades it seemed as if Dalian was frozen in time. Historical reference photos around town show little change from the Japanese surrender in 1945 to the mid-1980s. However, within a short span of time after that, Dalian has rejuvenated its look by leaps and bounds. New high rise office buildings and shopping centers go up, old Japanese and European homes come down. Every year brings more renovation, reconstruction, and demolition to the city. As a result, many of the vintage areas have been erased and replaced. Yet many of the chief historical landmarks remain and are protected. But it is becoming harder to find old neighborhoods where visitors can stroll, as if they were walking back in time to the colonial era. Even though these locations are rundown and generally thought to be an eyesore, they are becoming extinct on a daily basis. This should not discourage travelers from visiting Dalian, but should make them mindful that this city (like any other caught in China’s economic boo
