Introduction
Dalian is renowned for its honor as a "City Garden", while in the city there is a place called "Back Garden of Dalian"--the Golden Pebble Beach National Tourist Resort.
The Resort was approved by China State Government in 1992, and in 2001, it was ranked as a 4A national tourist attraction. It can also be called a 4 "S" resort -- a resort with elements of "Sea", "Shine", "Sand" and "Stone". For the last unfamiliar element, one would be surprised at the figure and color of exotic rocks here along the seaside--according to geological experts, it is a typical glacial epoch sea karst physiognomy.
The Resort covers a land area of 62 km2, maritime space 58 km2, and is 58 km away from downtown Dalian.
The former mayor of Dalian Mr. Bo Xilai compares the resort as an "Oriental Hawaii". A Disney-style amusement land is under construction in centre of it and is scheduled to open in 2005.
Attractions
Golden Pebble Golf Club
The club is composed of two links and each has 18 holes. The first links was designed by the leading American designer Mr. Peter Thompson. In 1999, U.S. and Hong Kong golf digests ranked it as the 6th of the world's top golf courses. At the 7th hole, when one tees off, the ball flies over an arm of the sea to the next hole. It is so challenging that many call it the "Devil Path".
Golden Rock Park
In 1996, when hardhats were digging groundsill for a hotel at the site, groups of golden rocks were found, hence the work stopped, and after 5 years of meticulous digging, a marvelous rock park appeared before the eyes of the public.
Experts said that the rock had taken shape some 600 million years ago. Figures of those rocks are craggy and rugged, some look like dogs and some resemble eagles, so the Park is also called "a concretionary zoo".
Walking in the park, grown-ups can take a glimpse into the past while children will enjoy the unusual formations.
Ticket: RMB10
●Opening Hours: 8am-5.30pm
Waxwork Museum
Right in centre of the Resort is located a white European style building -- it is the Dalian Waxwork Museum. Such world celebrities as the Michael "Air" Jordan, Hollywood's Leading Lady Julia Robert, action star Jakie Chan, former America president Bill Clinton, the computer tycoon Bill Gates all have their waxen images there. Famous scenes of some worldwide masterpieces such as Jane Eyre, Romeo and Juliet, and the well-known commercial blockbuster Titanic can also be found in it. A total of 100 figures make it the largest waxwork museum in China.
●Admission ticket: RMB30
●Tel: 790 5952 / 790 2006
China Martial Art Hall
The 4-floor archaized building, a little like the Tian'anmen in Beijing, is rarely seen in Dalian, a city distinguished itself by modern architecture. In fact, it is the largest martial art hall across the world.
One may see a weapon exhibition, watch a traditional Wushu show here or learn some basic defense skills, experience the charm of the traditional Chinese physical art.
●Tel: 790 4980 ●Opening Hours. 8.30-4.30pm
Mao Zedong Badge Exhibition Hall
The hall was open on Dec. 26th, 2001 to mark the 108th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth. From early 1945 to late the Mao's birth centennial in 1993, the huge quantity of various kinds and a grand scope of badges for the giant both in China and world history was unprecedented. It was even called "the 9th world miracle". The hall showcases a collection of 800,000 badges.
--They were all collected by Mr. Chen De, a local collector. One may immerse himself in the past "Red Age" when visiting the hall.
Add: 2F of Art Stone Hall.
●Ticket: RMB5
●Hours: 8am-4.30pm
●Tel: 790 2913
Model Art School
The school is the first professional model school in China. Since its establishment in 1993, 22 national or world model champions have come out of it. Now it has become a shining name card for Dalian, a city known as the "fashion city".
Visiting Tourists may watch physical exercises of the students or view model shows in a vogue building--it's the so-called "beautiful tour".
●Tel: 790 4993
●http://www.dalianmodel.com
International Hunting Club
Located in the west peninsula of the Resort, the club covers an area of 2 million km2. It consists of a moving shooting range, a small-caliber shooting range, a paintball games range, a close gameland and so on. The design of the club is full of rural style.
●Tel: 790 1818
●Opening Hours: 8am-5pm
Highlights
Dolphin Tour
In maritime space of the Golden Pebble Beach exist feral dolphins. Around 300-400 dolphins live in a fixed area 500 meters southeastern of the Golden Pebble Golf Court. The dolphin, in China is under the 2nd-grade State protection, has been rarely seen elsewhere in resent years, yet thanks to the high water quality around the resort, the lovely fairy appears. Usually on sunny days dolphins do not appear, while in somber days they jump out of the water surface to take a breath, and most of the time they emerge in twos and threes.
Taking a yacht under a dinosaur-shaped rock and going for a spin, the whole tour takes about 20 minutes. Even if dolphins are not found, viewing the rugged coastal rock will leave you a memorable picture and let you know why the Golden Pebble Beach Resort is also called "a Rock Forest on the Sea".
●Note: Due to high and low tides, there are only certain times when you can observe all of these rock formations in their entirety.
●Consult with: 790 3581
Coast Going-through
The Golden Pebble Beach Resort has an interesting array of geologic features. Many of these formations can be traced back 600-900 million years. The noted rimous rock known as Turtle- deck-like Rock dates back to the Sinian period, and along the east coast of the resort typical glacial sea Karst physiognomy extends for about 5 km. Other well-known formations include: "Contemplating Beethoven", "Dinosaur Gulping the Sea", and "Rose Garden".
●Consult with: 790 2034
Tourist Information
Tourist Hotline: 790 0241 790 2034 for English.
Transportation: A light rail route (first of its kind in China) from downtown Dalian to the Resort has been opened. The start station is set provisionally at Xianglujiao (in 2003 it will be extended to the Dalian Railway Station). It costs RMB6, and besides it one may take a shuttle bus behind the railway station (RMB8). Taking a Taxi to it from an urban area usually costs RMB120.
