Kaifaqu to Dalianwan (return)

Kaifaqu Outer Harbour

Bike lane along a broad waterfront promenade. Caution: stay in the marked bicycle lane in order to avoid hard-to-see, potentially dangerous drops in the eastern direction.

Waterfront promenade

Looking across Kaifaqu Harbour to wind turbines on the hills south of Dalianwan. The track located a connecting car-free mountain bike route crossing the harbour (October, 2022) and explores those distant hills.

Forest Park and waterfront promenade.

Along seafront promenade within the marked bicycle lane with ramps. Caution, outside the bicycle lane there are a few drops which are hard to see going West. Photos also taken here on returning route in the forest and garden park above the promenade.

Sea swimmers (October)

Fishing is very popular along this shoreline. Sea swimmers were having a scheduled meeting on the day.

Kaifaqu inner harbour

Kaifaqu waterfront panorama

Panoramic view of Kaifaqu waterfront development. Track moves from seaside promenade up to margin of adjacent road (4 or 5 step lift).

Road to Dalianwan

Up short stairway to margin of main road.

Connecting track between Kaifaqu and Dalianwan

Along unpaved track on south side of the highway.

Import lumber yard

October, 2022: the yard is overflowing with imported 2" x 4" lumber from Canadian forest company 'Canfour'. The track here parallels the main highway (see photo).

Main Street into Dalianwan

Road leads directly south to the fishing port area of Dalianwan. There is a curious Notice posted in English at the entrance to the fish docks (photo)

Dalianwan Fishing Docks

The local fishing fleet is based here. There are potential security controls if closely accessing the docks. Lots of activity repairing nets and gear.

Small shop and outdoor market street

Some weather-beaten wall art appears to be very old. Many fruit and vegetable vendors, small shops, traditional village lifestyle.

Security Gate

No public access here; the access road to the hilltop is a bit further east.

Road to hilltop and views

碧海观 (Blue Sea View). This sign and the security-gated infrastructure at the hilltop is leftover from a bygone era. A power plant and wind turbines are located nearby. The lower part of the access road was in use for repairing fishing nets and gear. Dalianwan was a landing port for occupation armies and later this coast was favoured by senior Mao-era cadres as a holiday retreat. The hill and seaside here must have a fascinating history. At present several generations of civic infrastructure are visible, apparently abandoned and in disrepair, and best seen by climbing the nearby hill.

Forecourt, short trail access to hilltop.

Abandoned civic infrastructure beyond security gate. This can be seen by climbing to the hilltop about 150 meters west of the paved area. The trail is not well marked and there are burs and brambles, but the top elevation at a communication tower is not difficult to reach, and the panoramic views are worth it. Photo shows bicycle at start of the trail.

Hilltop views

At the base of the hilltop communication tower. Panoramic views of Dalianwan Harbour to the north and the modern city of Dalian to the west. A small overgrown graveyard occupies part of the hillside.

Correction point for route towards East

The route from west to east is different because of a one way street. This track leads to a merge ramp with the main highway. A better connection could surely be found with inquiry. However the "canfour" lumber yard is here visible , 30 m to the South of the highway, and bikes can be lifted from the merge lane back onto the minor road to avoid entering the highway. Alternatively, the highway route has a narrow shoulder and it's a short distance to the turnoff to the Kaifaqu waterfront.