Qingniwaqiao


Qingniwaqiao is the downtown area of Dalian, Liaoning, China, located front of the Dalian Railway Station. The area shares its name with a broader subdistrict in Zhongshan District, the Qingniwaqiao Subdistrict.

History

Qingniwaqiao was originally a small fishing village in the 19th century whose name means the "bridge over the blue mud swamp". It was near Qingniwaqiao where the Russians chose to build their commercial town, leasing the naval port of Lushun and its surrounding area in 1898, which they called Dalny; this area later became the core of the city of Dalian.

Geography

Qingniwaqiao is a rectangular area, demarked on the northern side by Changjiang Road, on the southern side by Wuhui Road, on the eastern side by Jiefang Road and on the western side by Youhao Street. In its center runs from east to west Zhongshan Road which is the main street of Dalian.
Dalian's central business district, extends from the east side of Qinagniwaqiao, along Zhongshan and Renmin Roads, via Friendship Square and Zhongshan Square, towards the Port of Dalian. It sometimes includes Hope Square and Dalian Mori Building on Qingniwaqiao's west side, along Zhongshan Road.

Economy

Qingniwaqiao is Dalian's commercial center. Dashang Group, the largest retailer in Northeast China has its flagship store in Qingniwaqiao. Suning Appliance, GOME Electrical Appliances, Jiuguang Department Store, and the Pacific Department Store all have locations at the site.

Victory Plaza

Invested by a Taiwanese company, there is a 3-storey underground shopping area under Victory Plaza, sandwiched between Changjiang and Zhongshan Roads. It is one of Dalian-ites' favorite pastimes to do shopping or play bowling here, especially in winter. The plaza features, ranches of all major Chinese banks, including the Bank of Dalian headquarters, alongside hotels including Swissôtel, Ramada Hotel Zhongshan Hotel, Bohai Hotel, and Kempinski Hotel.

Transportation

Qingniwaqiao is also the public transportation hub of Dalian City, with a metro, bus system, trolley bus and tramway, along with access to the Dalian railway station.