Dalian Lushun - A Blend of Beauty and History

Lushun is located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. In Liaoning it is known as the “End of the Earth”. The climate is pleasant throughout all the seasons and the quality of fruits and seafood is especially outstanding. You can drink the hot spring water directly from the Lao Tieshan spring situated among centuries old Japanese Sakura Trees, and the Guandong Film and Television Centre is also a must-see for Lushun. The natural all-weather port of Lushunkou is also an important military fortress. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894 and the Japanese-Russian War of 1904 have left their marks in Lushunkou’s history books, making Lushun an open-air museum in the modern history of China and the world.

A Record of the Japanese atrocities committed during the Sino-Japanese War The Wanzhong Tomb Memorial Hall was built to commemorate the 20,000 Chinese compatriots killed by the Japanese in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. The pictures and documents are meant to remind people about the history and the national humiliation suffered by China. The Memorial Hall of Wanzhong Tomb is composed of four parts: "Lushunkou prior to the Sino-Japanese War," "The Fall of Lushunkou during the Sino-Japanese War", "China and the international communities’ shock at the Lushun Massacre" and "The Tomb of Wanshun Wanzhong". It truly reflects the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, during this period, the Japanese army’s aggression committed criminal acts and inhumane massacres throughout Lushun.

Lushun Military Port is an important base of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. It was also a world-famous military fortress during the Qing Dynasty, and was known as one of the world's five major military ports. It is now the training base for the China’s North Sea Fleet, here you can see the actual warships and soldiers trained at close range. The most beautiful Lushun Military Port Park in Lushun Binhai is located to the south of Baiyu Mountain, where the waterway becomes the narrowest at 91 m, and only one large warship can pass at a time. Neither during the Japanese-Russo war or the Sino-Japanese War was there an attack on Lushun from the sea, hence the saying "One man can hold out against ten thousand", meaning it is strategic and easy to defend from attack.

East Jiguan Mountain is the battlefield between the Sino-Japanese War and the Sino-Russian War, and all the remnants of the war such as trenches, fortresses, and tunnels have been completely preserved. It stands on the East Jiguan mountains overlooking Lushunkou. The shocking feelings will help you understand why Lushun is one of the five major military ports in the world. East Jiguan Mountain was once an important battlefield during the 1904 Japanese-Russian War, it formed part of the army's eastern defense line for Lushun, to the east of Jiguan mountain were the north fortress, the Erlong mountain fortress, and the Wangtai fortress among other places. From the observation towers it is also possible to see war remnants such as the dark road, defensive barriers, and the dark fortresses etc.

Baiyu Mountain is located in the center of Lushun City to the north bank of Lushun Port. The top of Baiyu Mountain is the best location to get a panoramic view of Lushun Port. When the weather is fine, you can see the sand mouth of “Tiger Tail”. There’s also a Naval Weapons Museum nearby which displays torpedo boats and naval guns, so if you’re a military enthusiast you won’t want to miss that. Baiyu Mountain is not very high, it’ll take 20 minutes to walk to the top. About halfway up you’ll pass through the Lushun Baitu Gardens, where you can see birds such as peacocks, brown pheasants and blue eared pheasants, as well as cockfighting displays, talking parrots and other performances.

Lushun’s Chuangguandong Film and Television Studios has strong a 1930s and 1940s agricultural feel. It is the location for many film and television dramas, and visitors can change into costumes and take pictures in the studio’s compound, Japanese-style lodges and in the slums. The Guandong Film and Television Base is located in the vicinity of Lushun. It is the location for many TV series such as "Shao Guandong" and "Mao Anying", and you will frequently see crews shooting there. Take a walk in the antique streets of the early Chinese Republic and the Japanese occupation, there is a feeling of crossing history.

Known for its cherry blossoms and magnolia woods, the Longwangtang Reservoir Park is famous throughout China. Every spring, cherry blossoms bloom, and there is an ocean of pink throughout the gardens. Among them, there are 10 Japanese 100-year-old Sakura trees and a 100-year-old magnolia tree brought over from Osaka, it’s all beautiful to see. Longwangtang Sakura Garden is located in Longwangtang Town, Lushunkou District. The best time to see cherry blossoms is towards the end of April and May, when the single-flowered cherry, yellow, white and purple magnolias and forsythia are also in full bloom. Suitable for walking and field trips, it is a good place for family recreation.

Lao Tieshan Thermal Spring is a Japanese-style hot spring built by the Japanese. The hot springs have excellent water quality and can even be drunk directly. It is known as “hot spring brandy”. Similar to Japanese hot springs, males and females bathe separately, and bathing must be done naked. It is only necessary to wear a bathing suit when going to the public baths. Lao Tieshan Hot Spring is located at the junction of Jiangjun Mountain and Huangqihai in the Laotie Mountain of Lushunkou District, Dalian. It is the only non-volcanic geothermal hot spring in Dalian. It is has 3 open-air pools which are adjacent to the sea and have excellent panoramic views. The dishes of boiled fish served here are delicious, as well as the hot spring rice which is also sweet and delicious.