Suan Cai, literally “sour vegetable”, is a traditional Chinese pickled Chinese cabbage. Jiaozi are a kind of Chinese dumplings eaten across China, especially popular in Northern China.
Jiaozi with Suan Cai fillings mixed with minced pork are the most festive food during Chinese New Year in Dongbei ( Northeast China ).
China Snow Town in Dongbei
Dongbei (Northeast China) is historically known as “Manchuria”. It now mainly encompasses China’s three northmost provinces – Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, economically and politically among the most important regions of China.
China’s Northeast is favored by travelers with the main draws being skiing, sledding and skating all winter.
China Snow Town in Dongbei
Spring Festival ( Chinese Lunar New Year ) is the time for family reunion. Dongbei people working and living in other provinces are returning home.
Fatherd and mothers in high ages at villages and the end of street alleys are eagerly waiting for their sons and daughters coming home.
China Snow Town in Dongbei
Beside expecting the bonding time, every Dongbe wanderer would be nostalgic of the fragrant smell of Suan Cai Jiaozi! Jiaozi are one of the major foods eaten during the Chinese New Year.
Jiaozi with Suan Cai and minced port fillings are most favored by Dongbei people, the common Chinese New Year’s atmopshere in Dongbei.
China Snow Town in Dongbei
On the New Year’s eve, a host would take out Suan Cai preserved in a big jar, mincing port and making dough. The family members will get together, and make dumplings, talking and laughing.
Not long, the making of Jiaozi is finished. The host would put Suan Cai Jiaozi into a boiling wok. In a few minites, delicious dumplings will be placed on the table.
Take pickled Chinese cabbage preserved in a big ceramic vat.
Jiaozi with Suan Cai fillings have a bit taste of sour, a appetizer for drinking Baijiu (Chinese spirit) and favored by Dongbei people who like drinking alcohol due to the cold weather.
Plan your Northeast China Tour (Dongbei tour)? Don’t miss having a bite of Suan Cai Jiaozi!
Pickled Chinese cabbage
Chopped pickled Chinese cabbage
Suan Cai Jiaozi fillings: pickled Chinese cabbage and minced port
Mixing chopped Suan Cai with minced pork
Making Jiaozi
Finished Jiaozi
Boiled Suan Cai Jiaozi
Eating Jiaozi (Dumplings)
Tip: Hassle-free Northeast China Escorted Tours
Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for Northeast China guided tours with English-speaking tour guides:
Plan your Dalian tour? Dalian is the second largest city in Liaoning Province, in the northeast of China and the largest port in northern China as well as a major destination for Chinese tourists.
The location of Dalian (Google Map)
Compared to some ancient capital cities in China, Dalian is a young city with only an over100-year history. Dalian’s scenic spots are in three major areas: the Downtown Area, the Binhai Road Area and the Xinghai Park Scenic Area. Visitors to the city are often impressed by its distinctly European feel.
Dalian Tourist Map
No.1: Xinghai Square 星海广场
Xinghai Square, the largest square for public use in Dalian, is located to the north of Xinghai Bay. Xinghai Square covers a total area of 45,000 square meters. Its center looks like a star, with two White Marble Cloud Pillars, and 9 giant dings.
As night falls, lamps on the stone pillars lighten the main street. The lamps, every 20 meters each, are in the shape of the navigation light. For 10 days in late July early August, Xinghai Square holds the annual International Beer Festival.
Xinhai Square ( Image Credit: dl.fang.com)
Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: the whole day Address: Xingwan (between Binhai West Road and Zhongshan Road), Shahekou District, Dalian How to get there: take Light Rail No. 23 and 202, or Buses No. 16, 406, 711 or 801, and get off at Xinghai Exhibition Center
No.2: Laohutan Ocean Park (Tiger Beach Park) 老虎滩海洋公园
Laohutan Ocean Park is situated in the central part of the southern seashore of Dalian City. With a total area of 1,180,000 square meters and a coastline of more than 4,000 meters, Laohutan Ocean Park is the biggest lido in China.
Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park is a bright place of interest in Bincheng, with an annual tourist amount of more than 200 million. Laohutan Ocean Park is a morden ocean topic park not only showing the beach town scenery, but also for entertainment, science, shopping and culture.
Tiger Beach Ocean Park
Entrance Fee: CNY 220 (Peak); 190 (Low) Addredd: 9 Mid-Binhai Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian Opening Hours: 06:00-17:00 How to get there: take Buses No. 2, 4, 30, 403, 402 and 404 from the downtown area
No.3: Bangchuidao Scenic Area 棒棰岛
Bangchuidao Scenic Area is located in the east of the Binhai Road. about 9 kilometers away from the center of Dalian City. The area is shaped like a bangchui (an ancient club-shaped washing tool), hence its name.
Bangchuidao Scenic Area enjoys a temperate climate, thus is a perfect summer resort. Bangchuidao Scenic Area offers a diverse range of attractions both natural and manmade, including islets, scenic hills, cliffs, a beach resort, Bangchuidao Island and Bangchuidao Guesthouse.
Bangchuidao Scenic Area （Image Credit: you.ctrip.com）
Entrance Fee: CNY 20 Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 How to get there: take Bus No.712 from Youhao Square to Shan Ping Jie Station, then call a taxi (about 20 yuan).
No. 4: Sunasia Ocean World 圣亚海洋世界
Opened in 1994, Sun Asia Ocean World is the first modern amusement park of its kind in China which is located in Dalian. It has three aquariums, Ocean World, Polar World, and Coral World. Stretching over 118 meters in length, Sun Asia Ocean World will be a mind blowing experience amidst the marine creatures.
Being inside the tunnel, one would feel like an aquatic animal himself while observing different types of fish, sea turtles and sharks zooming past them. You can also go for a guided underwater tour of the aquatic environment by shelling out some extra bucks.
The 118 meter-long underwater aquarium tunnel
Entrance Fee: CNY 190 Address: No. 608-6-8, Zhongshan Road, Shahekou District, Dalian (500 meters west of Xinghai Square) Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30 (Monday to Friday); 9:00-17:00 (Saturday and Sunday) How to get there: take Buses No. 22, 23, 28, 406, 711 and 801 to the Sunasia Ocean World.
No. 5: Dalian Forest Zoo 大连森林动物园
Built in 1997 covering an area of 7.2 square kilometers, Dalian forest Zoo is an amazingly extensive animal kingdom. It is well-known for its high quality selection of species and wild raising.
There are six functional sections in the park: garden-like herbivorous animal section; tower-like lions and tigers section; crane-like chimpanzees and baboons section; the mountain-like bears section; the special Asian elephants section; and the natural protection section where pandas, smart squirrel monkeys, and fire-like flamingos reside. On top of the West Hill with sea level of 259.6 meters, you can oversee the entire forest and zoo area.
The entrance to Dalian Forest Zoo (Image Credit: tianqi.moji.com)
Entrance Fee: CNY 120 Address: 60 Yingchun Road, Xigang District, Dalian Opening Hours: 08:00-16:30 How to get there: take Buses No. 5, 541 and 702 to the Dalian Forest Zoo; or call a taxi from the train station
No. 6: Binhai Road 滨海路
Dalian Binhai Road, which, originally built in 1970s as a combat road, became a premier tourist attraction of Dalian in 1980s. The uniqueness of Binhai Road lies in the fact that it boasts of the rare blend of mountain and the sea.
Binhai Road covers an area of 35 km bordering Xing Hai Square in the west and Dong Hai Park in the east. There are totally 12 major attractions along Beihai Road.
While passing through the road, you can also enjoy the clear and fresh air coming from the sea. Binhai road has already become a paradise for nature lovers and also a must watch attraction for all the tourists visiting the Dalian.
Binghai Road ( Image Credit: power.baidu.com)
Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: the whole day How to get there: There are four entrances for Binhai Road: Xinghai Square entrance, Fujiazhuang entrance, Laohu Beach entrance and Bangchuidao entrance, you can take a taxi to any entrance you like.
No. 7: Zhongshan Square 中山广场
Zhongshan Square in Dalian, is the most famous of the many squares in Dalian, originally designed by the Russians in the 19th century.
Zhongshan Square is 213 meters in diameter. Inside the five-lane round-about, there is a green zone and the paved area where people gather together to dance in summer evenings, participate in foreign language corners, or do other things.
Zhongshan Square is especially famous because of the several classical buildings located on the square, which were built during the first half of the 20th century by the Japanese.
Zhongshan Square （Image Credit: jianshu.com）
Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: the whole day Address: 552 Zhongshan Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian How to get there: There are many buses to the Zhongshan Square, including Buses No. 7, 15, 16, 19, 23, 30, 405, 409, 701, 703, 706, 707, 708, 710 and 801.
No. 8: Dalian Natural History Museum
Dalian Natural History Museum is a leading natural museum in China. It displays fossils, animals and plants from western Liaoning area and other various places in the world.
The museum is a modern European-style building located in the seaside. The exhibition hall is mainly divided into four floors, with 12 theme exhibition halls, including earth, dinosaurs, Marine life, northeast forest animals, wetlands, species diversity, and western Liaoning paleontological fossils. The museum houses nearly 200,000 specimens, featuring Marine specimens and fossils.
Dalian Natural History Museum (Image Credit: you.ctrip.com)
Entrance Fee: free Address: No. 40, Heishijiao Xicun Street, Shahekou District, Dalian (west of Xinghai Park) Opening Hours: 9:00 – 16:30 ( closed on Monday)
No. 9 Russian Style Street 俄罗斯风情街
Russian Style Street is the oldest street in Dalian. The street comprises eight renovated Russian era buildings and six new buildings were constructed according to the given “Russian façades” to match the street’s theme.
The old Russian buildings on both sides of this street were built more than 100 years ago, and they are still intact today. Walking all the way through the street, you feels like being in a European city street. Tourists who like to photograph old buildings should not miss it.
Russian Style Street (Image Credit: miniimg.eastday.com)
Address: 19 Tuanjie Street, Xigang District, Dalian Opening Hours: the whole day Entrance Fee: free
No.10 Japan- Russian Prison Site Museum 日俄监狱旧址博物馆
The former site of the Japan-Russia Prison is a historical attraction in Lushun, Dalian. The Japane-Russia Prison was originally built in 1902 by the Czarist Russia, and was expanded by the Japanese after the Russo-Japanese War.
This was the place the Japanese invaders imprisoned and mutilated Chinese patriots and international anti-war activists. Here you can see the complete and huge prison facilities, including cells, torture facilities and so on, to remind the history of humiliation, but also to remind the people not to forget the national humiliation.
The former site of the Japan-Russia Prison
Between 1942 and 1945 alone, more than 700 people were hanged and tortured to death here, so this hell on earth has become known as the “Auschwitz of the East”.
Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for Northeast China guided tours with English-speaking tour guides:
Plan your Northeast China tour? Panjin (盘锦) in Liaoning Province is a big draw featuring its magnificent red sea beaches. Panjin is relatively a new city inaugurated on on June 5, 1984. Panjin comprises 2 districts – Xinglongtai District and Shuangtaizi District ; 2 counties – Dawa County and Panshan County.
The city of Panjin is about 563km to the northeast of Beijing by road ( Google)
Dubbed as Capital of Wetland, Panjin is situated on the northern coast of Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Gulf in, about 155 km southwest of Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning Province. The Liao River (Liaohe River, one of China’s seven longest rivers empties itself at Panjin. Panjin is a booming city developed from oil industry.
The scenic area of Red Beaches is about 40km to the southwest of downtown Panjin (Google)
Panjin is famed for its harmonious combination of sea and river, birds, red beaches and red crowned cranes, and modern and primitive civilization coexistence.
Check out the top 10 attractions in Panjin and plan your own trip to this amazing place – the biggest wetland and reed marsh in the world.
1. Red Sea Beaches 红海滩
The world famous Red Sea Beaches Scenic Area is located at the estuary of Liaohe River (Liao River) within the Liaohe River delta, about 40 km southwest of Panjin’s city center. This red sea beaches scenic area is a well developed sight crowned as AAAA National Level scenic spot. Here you will see the world famous red sea beaches and the largest reed marsh in the world. It is a perfect green eco-tourism area comprising sightseeing, leisure and resort.
Red Beaches ( Image Credit: news.cn/XINHUA)
The scenic core includes Red Sea Beach Wharf, Watching Cranes on Reed Marsh, Wetland Park and Red Sea Beach Resort.
1) The Red Sea Beach Wharf is a 1000 meters long boardwalk protruding to the sea. Strolling along the boardwalk and immersing yourself into the red sea beaches.
2) Watching Cranes on Marsh is a good place to experience and touch the nature. You have the chance to go closely to see the rare red crowned cranes and more rare birds. The wetland park is nicknamed “Crescent Park” because in the park there is an ancient water course resembling a crescent. You will boat around the maize of the reed marsh and experience the tranquility of the primeval nature.
3) Red Sea Beach Resort is a group of traditional style buildings with one main building and 7 single villas. The resort is a cluster of catering, accommodation, meeting and more.
Entrance fee: RMB 80 ( including Red Sea Beach Wharf, Watching Cranes on Marsh and Crescent Wetland Park Excluding transport and boating Add: Zhaoquanhe Township, Dawa County, Panjin 大洼县赵圈河乡 Enquiry: 0427 – 6881651 Transport: 0427 – 6920789 How to get there Take the bus from Panjin and get off at Red Sea Beach Tourist Reception Center and change for a golf car going to the scenic area.
2. Dingxiang Eco-Tourism Resort 鼎翔生态旅游度假区
Dingxiang Eco-Tourism Resort is located Xinshengjie, Xinglongtai District, about 25 km to the west of Panjin city center. It is a AAAA National Scenic Spot. Its core scenic area is 4.8 square km, a comprehensive eco-tourist resort featuring sightseeing, leisure, meeting and resort. The resort is mainly composed of the following three zones:
1) Taiping River Landscape: Taiping River passes through the scenic area for over 5 km and Taiping River area is dense with trees, old trees, reputed as the Tree Museum. You may stroll around the forested area or boat on the river.
2) Crab Beach at Reed Marsh The Crab beach is located at the delta of Liaphe River and Raoyanghe River. A 2000-meter long boardwalk path protruding into the sea of reed. Walking the wooden path, listening to the tidal waves and singing birds make you feel relaxed with a a sense of exhilaration. The reed waves go with the wind and the tidal waves. Catching crabs, fishing crabs and eating crabs are the highlight on your trip to the crab beach.
3) Bird Paradise The Bird Paradise is a fertile and forested land circled by water on its three sides. Over 200 species of birds live here. Many rare birds also live in the bird enclave.
Entrance Fee: RMB 180 ( a all-in-one ticket ). Add: Xinsheng Jie, Xinglong District, Panjin兴隆台新生街 How to get there Take Bus 6 from Panjin Railway Station and get off at Dingxing Group Tel: 0427 – 5630055
Shuangtaizi Nature Reserve is located at the estuary of Shuangtaizi and other several rivers, about 38km southwest of Panjin ‘s city center. Shuangtaizi Nature Reserve is aimed at protecting the rare and extinct waterflows living at the marsh area off the coast.
The reserve has an area of 0.12 million hectares with 118km coastline. It is mainly composed of the fertile wetland suitable for numerous creatures. Over 191 species of birds migrant here, including red crowned cranes, white crowned cranes, white and black storks.
Shuangtaizi Estuary Waterfowl Nature Reserve
4. Liaohe River Estuary Reed Sea Wetland Landscape 辽河口苇海湿地景区
The reed sea wetland is located at the estuary of Liaohe River within Dongguo Township of Panshan County, Panjin. The wetland scenic area is being built into an international wetland resort.
This massive reed sea marsh scenic area is mainly divided into two zones – Reed Sea Zone and Red Sea Beach. There are now wooden paths, parking lots, wharfs, fishing platforms built to entertain people.
Entrance Fee: RMB 30 Add: at the estuary of Liaohe River within Dongguo Township of Panshan County, Panjin How to get there Take bus from Oild Field General Station and get off at Xihualin (欢喜岭). Tel: 0427 – 8290800
5. Geligang Tourist Zone 蛤蜊岗旅游区
“Geligang” in Chinese literally means ” clam tidal flats” which produce a large quantity of clams, bullacta exarata, conch and other seashell creatures,hence the name of Geligang.
Geligang Tourist Zone is located on the Bohai Gulf southwest of Erjiegou Township, Dawa County,45km south of Panjin’s city center. The tourist zone is composed of over 20 mud flats naturally connected.
Come to experience the amazing scene of tidal flats – Waves rising, the sea and wave ebbing, the flats; playing with the clams.
Add: Bohai Gulf southwest of Erjiegou Township, Dawa County,45km south of Panjin’s city center. How to get there Take Bus 30 from Panjin city center and get off at the final stop. Tel: 18942772177, 18942772178
6. Yuanyangou Tourism Resort 鸳鸯沟旅游度假区
Yuanyangou Tourism Resort is a AAA National Tourist Attraction and located at the estuary of Shuangtaizi River of Sandaogou, Dongguo Township, Panshan County, Panjin. The scenic area has an area of over 50 square km.
The scenic area is scattered with boundless reed beaches, marshes, lakes and red sea beaches, a mecca for red crowned cranes, black mouth gullies, harbor seals and other rare protested animals.
The scenic area is mainly composed of two attractions – Red Sea Coastline and Hongjindu Red Sea Beach. You can see the red sea beaches along the 1000 meters boardwalk path at Red Sea Coastline. At Hongjindu,you have the opportunity to see the best preserved natural sea beaches in the world.
Add: Sandaogou Fisher Harbor, Panshan County, Panjin. Entrance fees: RMB 20 ( Red Sea Coastline) and RMB 20 ( Hongjindu) Enquiry：0427-2877712
7. Lakeside Park in Panjin City 盘锦湖滨公园
Panjin Lakeside Park is located on the west of Shuangtaizi District, Panjin. The park occupies an area of 167 hectares with its construction 1.69 hectares and water surface 67 hectares.
The park makes use of the traditional gardening – rockeries, pavilions, lawns, trees, and streams. It is a good place to relax and enjoy the scenic view. The park features 4 functional areas – Entertainment, Senior Activity, Zoo and Management.
Entrance Fee: Free Add: Shengli Street, Shuangtaizi District, Panjin 双台子区胜利街 Best Time to visit: May – October Opening Hour: 8:00 – 18:00 Tel: 0427 – 2828410 How to get there Take bus 6,11 and 12
8. Dongsheng Gardening Base 东晟园艺基地
The gardening base is located in Desheng Village of Dahuangxiang, Panshan District, Panjin. The base features the two words – Green and Leisure.
“Green” here means the green vegetation and the fresh vegetables. “Leisure” means that you can come here to relax yourself by fruit or vegetable picking and angling in the base.
Entrance fee: RMB 10 Best Time to visit: June – October Opening Hours: 07:00 – 18:00 Tel: 0427-2810077 How to get there Take the special shuttle bus fromPanjin Passenger Bus Station and get off at Dahuang ( 大荒).
9. Xinanyuan Holiday Resort 鑫安源度假村
Xinanyuan Resort is located at Houyao Village, Shuangtaizi District, only 6 km north of Panjin’s city center. The resort boasts the largest man made lotus flower lake. In addition, you can do various activities like fishing, boating, eating in a tranquil area.
Every year Xinayuan Holiday Resort will hold the Lotus Flower Festival, a unique lotus flower festival in the northern China.
Entrance Fees: RMB 20 Add: Houyao Village, Shuangtaizi District, only 6 km north of Panjin’s city center Tel: 0427-3589808 15842798080 How to get there Take the bus going Gaosheng (高升) from Panjin Railway Station and get off Chenjiaxiang (陈家乡)@
10. Liaohe Stele Forest 辽河碑林
Liaohe Stele Forest is located on the west end of Lakeside Park in Shuangtaizi District, Panjin. The stele forest park takes an area of 50,000 square meters, the largest stele forest of this kind in China. It collects over 2000 steles ranging from porcelain signs in Mesolithic period to modern era.
Liaohe Stele Forest is the only successive stele forest in China. It is reputed as “China’s First Stele Forest”. The stele forest is composed of three zones – Stele Exhibition, Sightseeing and Service.
Entrance Fee: RMB 40 Open Hours: 8:00- 17:30 ( summer); 8:00-16:30 (winter) AddL 283 Shenglijie, Shuangtaizi District, Panjin Tel: 0427 – 3870560 How to get there Take bus 1, 2 and 7 and get off at Experimental Primary School 实验小学下车
Panjin Travel Tips 1. Best Travel Time: May- October 2. How to get to Panjin from Beijing 1) Self-drive: 560 km, 7 hours, drive along Jingha Expressway and Danxi Expressway 2) By High Speed Trains Daily 4-5 highspeed trains from Beijing to Panjin ( 4 and half hours )
Tip: Hassle-free Northeast China Escorted Tours
Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for Northeast China guided tours with English-speaking tour guides:
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