May 27, 2002
This is the quite anonymous entrance to a five story underground shopping center. I got lost several times down there, mostly due to the lack of windows along the surrounding walls...it was just a large labyrinth of tiny shops.
Dalian is one of the four cities in China with street cars.
They say you can use ginger for virtually anything....this is a ginger fountain.
A ship symbolizing the importance of Dalian in ancient trading
At the airport, be sure to follow the rules.
Next stop: Xi'an!
I was somewhat unhappy to find my checked luggage soaked in fish oil...apparently a large (stinky!) fish can had exploded in some nearby bag. Anyway, some tux dry cleaning and a suitcase washing session in the bathtub took care of most of the smell.
Dinner, conviniently at the airport.
On our way to hotel Shangri-La Golden Flower in East Xi'an, we watched the late night street life...traffic messier than ever, people living on or near the street, people sitting ON the street, or hanging out along the street to fix their car or bicycle...tractors and trailers....lots of activity (but too dark for photos).
Proceed to Day 8