Dalian 2005

alian Summer Research Program 2005

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Transportation

There are several ways to get around in Dalian. Some are more expensive than others, and some are definitely more dangerous than others. Just be safe and you'll have a wonderful time testing out all the means of transportation the city has to offer.

Taxis: Taxis in Dalian are cheap and quite plentiful. Not to mention they are friendly and will want to play twenty questions with you if given the chance. In the daytime the base rate begins at 8 yuan and is 1.20 yuan for ½ km. At night the rates begin at 10.40. Don't take them for granted because once you hit cities like Beijing and Shanghai you will find that not all taxis drivers are foreign-friendly. Also be sure to run the meter if you don't know the city well. Taxi drivers in Beijing and Shanghai will definitely attempt to rip you off so be prepared.

Bus: Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation available. The two bus routes we used the most were the 901, located at the north gate, and the 406, located at the west gate. The 901 cost 2 yuan and is generally less packed, and the 406 cost 1 yuan but is definitely busier.

Trolley: A lot like the bus system in Dalian. We used this to get from Donghai Beach to the train station; I don't know if any other trolley lines exist. The cost was under Y5 to board, and the ride took about 20 minutes. It was comparatively clean and uncrowded, but the day we rode it wasn't the greatest beach-going day, so sunnier days might be a little more unreasonable.

Motorcycle Taxis: If you're the adventurous type then we'd say give it a go. You have to bargain the price in this case but it’s usually pretty reasonable. They will be waiting in huge packs with dandy little blankets and even Christmas lights at night. Two people can fit and it is frowned upon to hold onto the driver. Also they may or may not be illegal.

Bicycles: We didn't use them for getting around town but more for sight seeing around a specific area. You can get anywhere from a one person to a three person tandem bike. They range between 10-20 yuan and some of them take deposits of like 100 yuan per bike.

Train: The train was surprisingly efficient and clean, although a little crowded. It goes from the middle of the downtown area (above Zhong Shan Square) to Golden Pebble Beach. We took cabs to the beach, and it cost about Y100, and took over an hour, whereas the train was Y8 and took significantly less time to get to the downtown area.