North-East China Trip - 2012 December 20-28 大连、沈阳、吉林、长春、哈尔滨

___________________________

20-21 December 2012

Singapore->Shanghai-> Dalian大连

___________________________

We joined a local tour group for a 8-day tour to Northeastern China.

We gathered at Terminal 3 of Singapore Changi International Airport late night of 20-Dec.

We took an overnight China Eastern flight to Shanghai and transferred to a domestic flight to Dalian in the early morning of 21 Dec.

Waiting to board a flight to Dalian.

Arrived at Dalian Airport (-18 DegC).

We met up with the local tour guide and we boarded the tour bus.

They brought us to a restaurant to have breakfast and quickly boarded the bus for our first destination.

We arrived at the first destination Dalian 100-year Founding Memorial (1899-1999) 大连百年纪念城雕

The memorial was also near the port where we could see a warship.

Next off was to eat lunch at a local Chinese Dumpling Restaurant 中华饺子楼 （大连市，万岁街）

After lunch we proceeded for the North Bridge 北大桥 for photo-taking.

North Bridge is a symbol of friendship for the promotion of friendly exchanges between the cities Dalian City and Japan - Kitakyushu City , became sister cities. North Bridge and the Great Northern Pavilion to commemorate the traditional friendship of the peoples of the two cities, the establishment of a national style in Kitakyushu City Park Pavilion - "Great Northern Pavilion", in Dalian to build a road bridge - North Bridge.

     North Bridge is located between Tiger Beach scenic and bird's nest Ridge scenic Dalian scenic waterfront, is an offshore Pro mountain across the valley of the dry bridge. It is the hub throughout the entire Dalian scenic waterfront things coastal road, and Tiger Beach is also a spectacular and beautiful scenic spots in the scenic west and the nearby bird's nest Ridge area. The bridge is three span simply supported stiffening truss suspension bridge, 230 meters in length, in the span of 132 m, 12 m wide bridge roadway width of 8 meters.

     North Bridge to commence on May 1, 1984, for completion by May 1, 1987, the commander in chief is Su Zhenkui. The magnificent bridge become a scene of Dalian in the southern coastal scenic.

We checked into the King Hall Hotel 金海大酒店.

And for the rest of the evening, it was free and easy.

We walked to the nearby shopping mall for dinner and shopping.

___________________________

22-December-2012

Dalian City 大连市 (-19 DegC)

___________________________

Rise and shine! We ate breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast we set off to visit the various places of interest in Dalian City.

While travelling along the main road outside the hotel, the tour bus came to a steep down slope and the driver feared that the bus might skid as the road was covered with sleet. The tour guide asked us to alight the bus and walk down the sloping road and board the bus again at the end of the down slope.

The girls were so happy to see snow.

Our first stop was to Lushun Russo-Japanese Prison 旅顺日俄监狱旧址博物馆.

The Lushun Prison was a prison controlled by fascists where Chinese people were slaughtered when Russian and Japanese imperialists ruled Lvshun and Dalian. The prison was erected by Russian invaders in 1898. Having captured Lushun and Dalian, Japan rebuilt the prison in 1907 and expanded it from 85 to 253 cells, with a capacity of over 2,000. Covering more than 26,000 square meters, the prison is surrounded by red brick walls four meters high and 725 meters long. The invaders also occupied vast areas outside the prison where they built residences, bringing the total area to over 226,000 square meters.

An office building stands in front of the prison area, and through the central gate, to the left, right and in the middle, are prison houses. A lookout tower was built at the point where the houses converge, enabling guards to monitor the area in three directions simultaneously; Iron bars were also used to divide the floors for optimal monitoring capability. Four dark underground cells were built especially for revolutionists.

In addition to the many forms of torture committed within the prison walls, it also served as a hard-labor camp. Over 15 factories were erected there, including machine building, printing, iron-casting, woodcutting and textile-weaving factories. Prisoners were forced to produce munitions and commodities for the invaders.

The gallows--a single, two-storied building--were constructed in the southeast corner of the prison area. Incomplete statistics indicate that about 700 communists and revolutionists were hanged on the second floor between 1942 and 1945. The exact number of people murdered during the seven-year Russian rule and 40 years of the Japanese occupation is unknown.

A lone guard tower.

A prison cell.

Torture room.

The gallows.

Next stop was the 203高地风景区

The（203高地风景区）highland is 203 meters in height and was named in 1904 by Japanese army during the Russo-Japanese War. It was the focus of contention between the two parties, battlefield casualties were fairly high -- Japanese 17,000 to Russians 6, 000. Nowadays at the adjoining Cemetery of Soviet Martyrs lay some bodies of them.

The 203 highland located in three mile bridge, lvshunou, dalian city. Also known as "monkey hill", because its elevation 203 meters the name. Standing in the 203 peak most west highland can be seen in the bohai sea island's - Snake Island , southwest is the southernmost tip of the liaodong peninsula of the old iron mountain, to the southeast can overlook lvshun Portsmouth.

It was snowing moderately when we arrived at the highland. The girls took the chance to play with snow.

Next off to walk around the Dalian City.

Very nice building architecture.

Local residents having haircut in the open.

___________________________

23 December 2012

Dalian大连 -> Shenyang 沈阳 (-24 DegC)

___________________________

We checked out of the Dalian hotel and spend a couple of hours on the road travelling north towards Shenyang.

It was getting colder.

A quick stopover at along the way for washroom break and purchase of some hot refreshments.

We arrived by noon time. We settled for lunch first at a roasted duck restaurant.

Then we walked carefully over (the streets were very slippery covered with sleet) to our main destination at Shenyang was the Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum

沈阳故宫博物院

The Shenyang Imperial Palace, located at No. 171, Shenyang Road, Shenhe District in Shenyang City, is the only existing royal palace in China outside of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The main structure was built in 1625 when Nurhachi was in power. It was finished in 1636 by his son Abahai (Huangtaiji). Nurhachi and Abahai were both founding emperors of the Qing Dynasty.

Covering an area of more than 60,000 square meters (about 71,760 square yards), the Shenyang Imperial Palace is one twelfth the size of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It consists of more than 300 rooms, formed around 20 courtyards.

It can be divided into three sections-the eastern section, the middle section and the western section. Each section boasts of unique characteristics.

The eastern section contains the very impressive Hall of Great Affairs (Da Zheng Dian). Here emperors ascended the throne, enacted imperial edicts, and welcomed victorious generals and soldiers. A group of pavilions, known as the Ten Kings Pavilion, stand to its east and west. They formerly served as the place where emperors and leaders from the eight banners (Ba Qi) settled national affairs. This architectural style of Shenyang Imperial Palace is unique. The style of the buildings, which displays an amalgamation of Han, Manchu and Mongolian cultures, all originated from the shape of a nomadic tent. The eastern section of the palace is representative of the whole palace.

The middle section starts from the Da Qing Gate, with Chong Zheng Dian (Jin Luan Dian), the Phoenix Tower and Qingning Palace arranged on a central axis from south to north. Chong Zheng Dian is the place where Abahai held court. It is the most important building in the Shenyang Imperial Palace. The Phoenix Tower, a three-storied building, was the highest structure in the whole city at that time. Qingning Palace was the bedchamber for Abahai and his concubines.

The western section was constructed by order of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799). Its main structure is the Wen Su Pavilion. In front of this, there are the Opera Stage and Jiayin Hall and behind it is the Yang Xi Room. The Wen Su Pavilion, which contains the Complete Collection of Four Treasures, has a black roof because black was considered to represent water which could be used to extinguish a fire to protect the priceless books contained inside.

The Shenyang Imperial Palace houses many ancient cultural relics, such as Nurhachi's sword and Abahai's broadsword. There are also many artworks displayed here, such as paintings, calligraphy, pottery, sculptures and lacquer ware.

Besides the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Shenyang Imperial Palace is the only other existing palace complex in China. Within its walls much is revealed about the early Qing Dynasty. It was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2004 as an extension of the Forbidden City and is now the most popular and renowned tourist attraction in Shenyang.

The daylight was short during winter and at 4pm, the sun was setting. We checked into a Shenyang hotel in downtown and strolled to a nearby shopping street where there was X'mas decoration.

___________________________

24 December 2012

Shenyang 沈阳 -> ChangChun 长春 (-28 DegC)

___________________________

We checked out of Shenyang hotel and travelled to Changchun.

First destination was the Jingyuetan Skiiing Field.

We started off at the lake area and got to ride on dog sleighs.

We also got to try a snow 4-wheeler.

Riding a sleigh pulled by a horse.

A bicycle ski.

And we went to ski area.

It was getting into late afternoon. The sun was setting pretty soon.

It was time for snowball flights.

We left the place to have dinner in Changchun city and checked into the hotel soon after.

___________________________

25 December 2012 Christmas Day

Day trip: ChangChun 长春 <-> Jilin 吉林 (-32 DegC)

___________________________

A morning view from the Changchun hotel room.

We drove to Jilin and our stop was at the 松花江. A this time the river banks were already frozen with ice.

Abby loved getting into the snow

Soon it was lunch time at a nearby restaurant 福膳坊滋补酒楼

Next we visited the Deer Farm。

After the tour, it was getting late. We proceeded to return back to Changchun for dinner and rested early the night.

___________________________

26 December 2012

ChangChun 长春 -> Harbin 哈尔滨 (-35 DegC)

___________________________

We checked out of the hotel early in the morning and set off towards Harbin. Our next stop in Harbin was the Sun Island 太阳岛

Sun Island Scenic Area 太阳岛风景区 is the second biggest venue of the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. It also has a zoo for Siberian Tigers. It has become Harbin's main parkland / recreation area and is used all year long.

The island is in the Songhua River and is about 3,800 hectares (14 square miles) in size. It is connected to smaller islands. It is best known as the snow sculpture display and competition area of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, but there are other highlights on the island all year around.

While taking this shot, I could only take out my glove for 10 seconds to press the camera shuttle button. Any time longer, the fingers will become painful from the frost.

It was very cold and we needed to get into the restaurant, not to eat, but to get warm up by the heater within.

Next, we went to the Harbin Polarland 哈尔滨极地馆

We went off for dinner and came back to the Ice Snow World 冰雪大世界

We ended the tour and went back to the Harbin hotel for the night.

___________________________

27 December 2012

Harbin 哈尔滨 (-35 DegC)

___________________________

Rise and shine! It was very cold this morning and we shall stay one more night in Harbin.

We took a morning city tour of Harbin.

Morning peak hour traffic.

St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral 圣·索菲亚教堂 dating to 1907, now housing a local history museum.

Buildings with Russian architecture designs

Building ice sculptures in-progress along the streets

We came to a wharf 九站码头 at the 松花江

九站公园

This was where we watch the Harbin winter swimming event 哈尔滨冬泳

Every year, Harbin winter swimming performance, show and game on the Songhua River add bustling with noise and excitement to  Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. In winter, the temperature is usually lower than 20 degrees below zero in Harbin. The winter swimming is a very popular outdoor physical activity showing off the strong physique and iron of Harbin local people. Prefessional swimming pools are digged on the surface of frozen Songhua River 200 meters upwards the west of Harbin Songhuajiang Road Bridge.

Sponsored by the Winter Swimming Association of Harbin Municipality, all kinds of Harbin winter swimming shows and tournament games attractions many winter swimming lovers from all over China, as well as from nearly 30 countries. During the Harbin Ice Festival, the tourists can delightfully enjoy a list of highlights from comical diving shows to professional swimming competitions.

Next we visited the Siberia Tiger Park 东北虎林园

Siberian Tiger Park covers an area of more than a million square meters (more than 250 acres) in an area just to the north of Sun Island Park across a branch of the Songhua River. It was set up as a place to breed and house Siberian tigers. The Siberian tiger is the largest of the big cats. The breeding program has been very successful, and there are now about 800 Siberian tigers (about 100 can be viewed) there along with other large cats like lions and pumas. This is amazing, since in it is estimated that there are only about 500 Siberian tigers left in the wild. Almost all of these wild ones are in Russia, and maybe 12 are in China. It is China's 2nd largest Siberian tiger park. The site includes a museum, breeding areas, and pens for the other large cats. It is amazing to see a group of striped golden tigers walk and run together. Visitors to the park can view a few score Siberian tigers that are on exhibit up close through fences, see other large cats such as Bengal tigers, lions, pumas and several other kinds, ride in vans or small buses into a field where they run and may chase the vehicle or hop on it, and help to feed the animals.

Our last destination of the trip was to Harbin Stalin Park 哈尔滨市斯大林公园

Stalin Park is one of the most famous scenic spots in Harbin City. Built in 1953, it now stands as an evidence of the friendship between China and Soviet Union at that time.

Covering an area of 105,000 square meters, and extending 1,750 meters along the southern bank of Songhua River, the park has Railway Bridge to the east and Jiuzhan Park to the west, and faces the famous Sun Island on the other side of the river. It is characterized by Russian style flower beds and sixteen groups of art sculptures and is abundantly vegetated with trees and colorful flowers, making Stalin Park a famous summer resort at home and abroad. The place is very popular with local people on weekends.

Stalin Park is also a good place for entertainment, sport or cultural and social activities. Gymnasium, youth palace, swimming pool and river clubs were built there to cater to different people. In summer, you can see thousands upon thousands of people swim in the Songhua River or lie on the river beach, saturate in sunshine. In winter, the park is designated as one of the venues of the yearly Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. The locals and tourists enjoy all kinds of ice and snow activities there, while the artists from all over the world would spend some days to finish their great ice or snow sculptures.

Harbin People Flood Control Success Memorial Tower 哈尔滨市人民防洪胜利纪念塔

In memory of the defeating the flood attacking Harbin in 1957, the Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower was completed in 1958. The tower consists of stereoscopic tower body and the auxiliary ambulatory. The tower is 22. 5 meters high and the tower footing is built by laying bricks or stones. It means it is fastness and cannot be destroyed.

On the front of the tower footing, there is a geyser. It has the meaning of the terrifying waves were submitted by the brave and wisdom Harbin people and led the local people to the happy life. The under-floor represents the altitude of 119.72 meters, symbolizing the highest water level swallowing Harbin in 1932. The upward floor shows the altitude of 120.30 meters, symbolizing the highest water level when Harbin people defeated the flood in 1957.

The army building the embankment, making a vow, carrying the soil, and fighting against the floor to the celebrating the victory is carved on the middle of the tower body. It tells the heroic spirit of the Harbin people. The Romanesque ambulatory is 7 meters high, consisting of 20 pillars. There is circular engraver carving workers, peasants and soldiers, and intellectuals on top of the tower.

We concluded our trip of the day and had Russian dinner.

___________________________

28 December 2012

Harbin 哈尔滨 -> Shanghai -> Singapore

___________________________

We checked out of the Harbin hotel in the wee hours to catch a flight to Shanghai.

There, we stopped over a few hours before taking our flight back to Singapore.

Thus concluded our tour.