I just got back from a short trip to Dalian, China. My purpose was simple: meet up with some childhood friends from Montreal and have a little reunion, eat some tasty food, do a bit of shopping, and just get a feel for the place. This was my first visit to China and I asked my friend who is living there about getting a hold of some bikes to cruise around the city on. Her email response prior to my departure gave the impression that she had never considered riding a bike in Dalian. I was informed that a Dalian winter is much colder than a Montreal winter, which is much colder than a Toronto winter, which made me consider canceling my trip. I was envisioning -50°C at noon. She also told me that while there are some traffic signals, they are more like guidelines, but not so strictly followed, and that I would understand when I got there. So, I hopped on a plane for a few hours and ended up in a totally different world.
Thankfully I hit Dalian during a heatwave, though I was secretly kind of wishing to have to try out the amazing inch thick long underwear that I saw for sale in the markets. The thing about the traffic that my friend had warned me about became clear very quickly, and I learned to stick close behind the locals when crossing the street. While I did see a number of pedal powdered vehicles, they were mostly tricycles, and they were mostly stationary. The good thing about this is that they were usually loaded up with delicious fresh fruits and veggies. Bicycle culture in Dalian does seem to be shadowed by car culture or perhaps all the cyclist were chilling at home celebrating Chinese new year. I still had a great time sticking to the side streets, the markets and underground malls. I definitely want to explore more of China, but maybe I’ll save the biking for the countryside.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Josh Underhay // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Hi, I’m a Canadian (from Prince Edward Island) who’s been living in Dalian for a year and a half, and I bike to work and regularly cycle around Dalian.
There is a small but thriving bike culture in Dalian. In the city itself (i.e. not Kaifaqu, the development zone), I know of at least 3 bike shops with both mountain and road models. They sell carbon frame bikes, bikes of American, Canadian, Chinese origin, imported accessories (lights, gloves, shifters, etc.), and whatever you need.
On one occasion, a guy at the bike shop told me that they have a small group of riders who meet and go on group rides, so I went with about 10 other Chinese guys on a 50k run down to Luxun (Port Arthur, near Dalian) and back. It was pretty cool. Most of the guys were pretty fit and one fellow had a carbon frame 40 000 RMB (about 6000$CDN) racer. Probably half rode mountain, the other half rode road. The age range was huge – one guy was probably 70, and one guy might have been 18. It was a lovely ride through smaller village areas, hills, and lakes on the fringes of the city.
My favourite ride is probably Binhai Lu, or Coast Road, that goes around the coast of the city proper – surprisingly, it feels like you’re completely out of the city with mountains, trees, wind, and water all around you.
Even cycling in traffic is pretty fun – you just have to get used to it. In a year and a half, I have yet to have a collision. Sure the city is hilly, but that only makes the cycling better for your health. The amount of cars only makes me feel more motivated to take one car off the road by getting around on two wheels.
It’s there, but I’d say most local people are barely aware of it, and visiting foreigners have to be looking hard to find it.
2 Jess // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Hi Josh, thanks for your comment and all the info on biking around Dalian. You are a brave PEI-er; Dalian’s streets are crazy. Next time I am in town though, I will know who to get in touch with.
3 bussie // Apr 2, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Hi Josh, I am organizing a cycling along the coastal road on 10th April in Dalian, but most of people who join this trip use nomal bike, for me I probably will use a mini folding bike, if you are interested please visit this website for more infos: http://www.weliveindalian.com/events/main.rails?eid=200003758
cheers.
4 fab01 // Apr 11, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hi, I also have been in Dalian for approx a year and a half and bike whenever I can..usually with a few freinds along Bin Hei Lu/ Xinhai/ Tiger Beach..whereever we feel like for the day..and yes there are some great places to find both off and on road…but cars..especially taxis can be a problem…you especially have to be careful on “special ” wedding days when there are a few drunk drivers on the road..( not just from the obvious dangers but also pucking out the windows)….
Best thing I bought here was a airzone…( bike airhorn) cost me 180 RMB but is well worth it…even the taxis panick when you give them a blast!
5 Ou Wanting // May 11, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Hi Josh, Bussie, and Fab,
I’m in the market for a new bike and wondering where
in Dalian to buy. I’m hoping for a touring bike, but may end up buying a road bike with touring tires.
The only shop I know of is near Xinghai Park – could you let me know about the others?
I’d also be more than happy to find a used road/touring bike, but I haven’t seen any used bike markets.
I’d be grateful for any info!!
Thanks so much!
.Ou
6 klaus horne // May 14, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Hi Josh, Bussie, and Fab
I am working on a offshore project ongoing in Dalian, so I will regulary come there. So if you can fill me in on the adresses of the MTB shops I would be glad. Pls drop me a note. Thanks and enjoy your rides.
Klaus
7 Jess // May 14, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Wow! I didn’t imagine that I would start such a nice discussion about biking in Dalian. Where were you all hiding while I was there? Have fun and be careful everyone.
8 Trent Crull // May 31, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Yo guys, Im an Big Mtn. biker and I’m about to go out and buy up another bike for my collection I’ve only found one bike shop here in Kefachu. Im in my early 20′s and ride almost everyday at home. I just want to get a group of guys out to ride da hei shan or the mnt. behind my place. If you guys road bike though Im considering trading styles for the two months Im here for. Let me know asap. I’d love to meet any other bikers maybe have a brew and chat. my cell # is 159-428 7 3513 (btw these numbers were kinda written down poorly so email if you dont get me box!!!)
and my email is tjc8234@truman.edu
seriously I need to ride soon!
9 Izaac Spencer // Jun 25, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Biking around Dalian is great! It’s not for everyone since the traffic is crazy and most drivers choose not to follow simple traffic rules, but it is a great way to see the city. We’ve found all sorts of new neighborhoods, restaurants, and a lot of the countryside by bike. There are some great little bike groups that ride a couple times a week. It is much safer to bike in a group around this city.
10 DJ // Jul 5, 2010 at 3:45 am
Does anyone on this site know of groups that ride anywhere around Ningbo, Zhejiang?
11 bussie // Sep 15, 2010 at 1:11 am
anyone who want know more about cycling in dalian please send me email at china.chunyi at yahoo.com, or cell 15942619084!
12 bussie // Sep 15, 2010 at 1:12 am
btw, I am a licensed tour guide for 3 years , and been doing cycling every week for 2 years, any questions about bike are very welcome !
13 Mike // Oct 7, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I+live+in+Dalian+and+would+love+to+buy+a+bike.++Any+kind+of+bicycle+with+a+fram+large+enough+for+a+guy+nearly+6\\\’+tall…++I+heard+mention+here+of+a+bike+shop+near+to+Xinghai+Park+and+another+one+near+\\\”Kefachu\\\”…+I\\\’d+kind+of+need+an+exact+address+including+cross+street+to+find+anything+around+here.++If+you+give+someone+an+address+no+one+including+taxi+drivers+know+where+it+is+unless+you+have+a+cross+street+or+major+landmark+nearby…
14 chunyi // Oct 8, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Try Decathlon sports shop, behind the IKEA, if you find ikea then you can find decathlon, which has many good quality and price bikes.
15 chunyi // Oct 13, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I also need a real good mountain bike here, maybe second hand also ok for me!
16 Bee Smart Cycle Tours // Dec 1, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Bee Smart Cycle Tours are the best way to see Dalian in the Summer Months
A Western way to travel and done with a Chinese Style
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