Dalian Sun Valley Scenic Area - A Century of Lushun's Military Port

Lushun was built around its port. After the Beiyang Fleet established a military port base at Lushun, the Sun Valley area on the north bank of the port became the first Lushun city. After the Japanese and Russians occupied Lushun, the city expanded and took on a strong foreign flavor. Many buildings were built in a grand imperial style, with exquisite details. Although these buildings were once symbols of imperialist oppression, they are now a great place to learn about history.

The first impression of Sun Valley is that it was once a glorious place. The wide tree-lined avenues, neat gardens, and grand buildings all speak to Lushun's former status. But the next impression is that the glory days are long gone. The streets are empty, and the buildings are abandoned. Today's Lushun is a shadow of its former self, which is a shame.

The core of the Sun Valley Scenic Area is the Lushun Museum, which was once the Manchurian-Mongolian Products Exhibition Hall during the Japanese occupation. The building is exquisite and would not look out of place on the Bund in Shanghai. It also houses many treasures worth seeing. The Sino-Soviet Friendship Monument is also a beautiful sculpture worth seeing.

Sun Valley is also home to several national heritage sites, such as the former site of the Japanese Kanto State Office, the former site of the Lushun Industrial School, and the former site of the China-Russia Daosheng Bank. Unfortunately, these sites are not well protected. Perhaps due to a lack of funds, some buildings are starting to fall into disrepair, and most are closed to the public. You can only look at the dilapidated exteriors from afar and lament the passage of time. Hopefully, Dalian will develop this historic area in the future.

Post by VoyagingDreamer | Jan 30, 2025