The squares of Dalian
Dalian is renowned for its emerald lawns and for its blooming flowers.The best way to see these splenders in all their delights is to visit one of Dalian\'\'s squares.The urban area of Dalian has approx.70 squares -- that forms the striking feature of its town planning, which outshines any other major city in China.
The numerous squares can be compared to inlaid pearls, or, resemble musical notes written in one\'\'s imagination.The comeline of the Sea Melody Square, the manline of Xinghai Square, the elegance of Zhongshan Square and the meaningfulne of the Renmin Square, all present a galaxy of pleasure to one\'\'s eyes, intoxicate one\'\'s heart and crystallize into a dulcet memory.As the city\'\'s drawing room, the citizens flock to these squares to relax, to communicate, and to exercise.Similar to an cosmopolitan European city, many of these squares are frequented by doves and have beautiful fountains, some even have Greek sculptures and Parisian lamps in them.Zhongshan Square (中山广场）
Built up in 1899 by Ruians, this\'\'s the oldest square in Dalian.Its name evolved from the \"Nicholas Square\" under Tsarist Ruian conceion, to \"Big Plaza\" within the Japanese colonization, and then \"Zhongshan\" (the formal name of Mr.Sun Yat-sen) after the Liberation (1945).About 100 years ago, a group of Ruian architects fascinated with France culture came to Dalian with the construction blueprint of Paris.They dreamed about rebuilding an oriental Paris here, hence the architectural style of the city was formed--to take squares as the center and radiate outwards, with Zhongshan Square being the focal point.
The square is also the first musical square in China.In 1995, 36 sets of audio systems were equipped around it.At every dawn and dusk, people crowd here to play Chinese che, kick shuttlecocks, dance, do Taijiquan or see an outdoor movie, watch an entertainment show or enjoy concerts companied by the flowing music in the air.Renmin Square （人民广场）
The square, formerly known as Stalin Square, was built for commemorating the Red Army of the Soviet Union\'\'s liberation over northeastern China.In 1999, the cenotaph in the center was moved to Lushun Soviet Army Martyr Cemetery, where memorial facilities for the Army are concentrated.Instead of the cenotaph a white marble waterfall cloister was built, and the musical fountain in front of it ranks the largest of its kind in the city. Every morning under the backdrop of the fountain mist one can view cheerful dancing of the natives.Women troopers who appear in fixed period are another highlight.North of the Square is located the City Hall.Youhao Square （友好广场）
In Chinese, \"youhao\" means \"friendship\".The square was built in the Tsarist Ruia colonial period, and changed its name to \"West Plaza\" under Japanese reign.Later for the sake of commemorating the friendship between PRC and the Soviet Union, the name of \"Youhao\" was initiated, and after renovation, in 1996 a giant \"crystal ball\" was set up.The ball is said to stand for the image of the city as the \"China\'\'s Northern Pearl\", and the five colors of the \"hands\" upholding it represent the five different ethnic colors from the five continents.
Xinghai Square（星海广场）
Xinhai Square was erected in 1997 to commemorate the reversion of Hong Kong.It sits at the center of the Xinghai busine district, and maybe is roughly as big as two Tian?ˉanmen Squares in Beijing.
The design of the square combines Chinese tradition and modern concepts: A tall, straight and pure-white marble ornamental column stands at the pivot of the square, ranking the largest acro the country.The column is 19.97 meters high, with a 1.997 diameter, indicating that it was built in the year HK returned to the motherland.The base of the column has 8 carved dragons, and the arch is carved with another huge dragon, implying that Chinese are descendants of the dragon. To the north of the square lies Xinghai Convention & Exhibition Center and to its south is the sea.Nearby the sea is located the city centennial sculpture.The sculpture is just like an opened book, and on it is written the history of the city, showing that the locals are confident to open a new historic page and march into the new era.
The square has become a major stage for city galas like the Fashion Festival and the Spring Festival Fireworks &.Firecrackers Gathering.On the other side, if you know the history that only several years ago, the site of the square was covered by a large-scale stinking dump and at that time the land-value of it was under RMB1000, while at present the value has risen to over RMB10,000 -- what will you think of the city\'\'s creativity?
Victory Plaza （胜利广场）
Someone said that Dalian is the \"drawing room of the Northeast China\", and to apply it in this way we can say Victory Plaza is the drawing room of Dalian.Located in front of the central railway station, the Plaza is a point where any visitor to the city has to pa.Just like what they had drummed up in the ads, the Plaza is a comprehensive shopping mall that sets multi-functions like dining, recreation and shopping under one roof.On a Romanesque square in the north of the Plaza many art shows and commercial promotions are held.
Olympic （奥林匹克广场）
In 1932, Liu Changchun, a Dalian local resident, competed in the 10th Olympic Games held in Los Angeles.Liu was the first Chinese to take part in the Games.Decades have paed, the spirit of sport loving is inherited and now Dalian is known as a \"Soccer City\" and the \"Home of Track & Field\".In September 1999, Mr.Samaranch, Chairman of the Int\'\'l Olympic Committee of the day, attended the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the Square.To the south of the square stands the city\'\'s central stadium where its soccer team calls home.
Haizhiyun Square（海之韵广场）
Haizhiyun means sea melody in English.The square is located at the eastern entrance of Binhai (Seaside) Rd.It faces the vast sea to the north, and is backed by a barrier-like mountain to the south; to its east is Laojiangou Bathing Beach, and to the southwest is the newly-built Huale Street.Built in June 1996, it has won the grand award for sightseeing planning in the National Art Design Competition.There is a main sculpture and 26 super-realistic sculptures that are divided into 9 groups on the square.The fact that such amounts of super-realistic sculptures are set on one square is rare not only in China but also throughout the world.
Navy Square（海军广场）
The square was set up in Sept.2000.It\'\'s the third square named after navy following the ones in the U.K.and the U.S.A
