Russian Style Street (Dalian · Tuanjie Street)

38 Russian-style buildings (remnants of the 1900s Dalny municipal-hall district), Russian goods shops; the starting point of Dalian's modern opening (1899, city founded by Tsarist Russia). In 1899 Russia planned and founded the city here, naming it 'Dalny' (meaning 'far away'); the Tuanjie Street area was built first as the municipal-hall district, and 38 Russian-style buildings survive to this day — the historical starting point of Dalian's leap from fishing village to modern city. The facades with Russian domes and arched windows have been restored and opened up in a cluster, while the nesting dolls, chocolate and binoculars in the Russian goods shops keep the street's exotic commercial flavor. The street is short — half an hour suffices — and its strength is blending into the old town around Dalian Railway Station and Shengli Bridge; the combo of 'viewing old Russian buildings + eating Russian-style Western food' is full of nostalgia. Free entry; as the starting point of Dalian's modern history, a convenient first-day stop on your itinerary.

Getting there: on foot from Dalian Railway Station / bus