Commercial development of Dalian has increased in recent years. Anyone traveling to the city is encouraged to wander around the skyscraping shopping malls and stores. You will find a sea of world-famous fashion brands.

Dalian has undergone rapid development from the mid 1990s during which time a host of foreign consumer-goods companies have entered Chinas market. Large scale shopping malls and supermarkets including MYCALL (Japan), Parkson (Malaysia), Carrefour (France), Wal Mart (U.S.) have been built. The time-honored Friendship Stores (a famous department store brand in Chinas planned economy period) have established many new shopping centers and stores throughout the city. Therefore, you will find numerous shopping choices in the city.

 What to Buy

Clothes
Dalian is known as Fashion City where the annual Dalian International Fashion festival is held. If you are lucky to travel to the city around September, you will find this festival venue a paradise to buy the most fashionable clothes from all over the world.
Also, many department stores and shopping malls in the city are good places to find what you are looking for.

Seafood
Bordering the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea that foster the growth of an array of sea life, Dalian exports much of its seafood to different countries and regions in the world. Locals consider the un-missable Eight Treasures to be: sea cucumber, abalone, scallop, prawn, mussel and oyster, etc.

Fruits
Dalian is renowned in China for its apple harvest and produces more than 100 varieties. The cherries, peaches and grapes grown here are also popular in the northern part of China.

Art works
The shell carving artworks
There is a variety of artworks sculpted out of shells. The products included hanging paintings, screens, lamps and ornaments.
Embroidery and glasses ornament product are also popular choices.

 Where to Buy

There are four shopping areas in the city: Qingniwan area, Tianjin Walking Street, Renmin Lu and Xian Lu.

Qingniwan
Like Beijings Wangfujing and Shanghais Nanjing Lu, Qingniwan area close to Dalian Railway Station is a commercial landmark of the city and a popular tourist destination. With a good location in front the railway station, a group of large shops and malls make this area the busiest shopping center in the city. Qiulin Women Shop and Dalian Shopping Center are two main choices in this area.
Location: In front of the railway station in the downtown area

Tianjin Walking Street
This was a century-old shopping street with numerous shops and stalls. In recently years, the government turned it into an extravagant European style shopping area with all sorts of well known brands housed in a great number of skyscrapers. The top-end shopping building, Friendship Shopping City, is on this street.
Location: north of Zhongshan Square and east to Shengli (Victory) Square
Getting there: You can take Tourist Bus 801 (B) and 901 from the railway station

Xian Lu
This is a popular choice for locals with many supermarkets including Carrefour, Parkson, Wal Mart and other domestic retail outlets.
Location: in the western part of the city

Recommended Shopping Places

It is impossible to list all shopping places in the city so we recommended a selection of famous shopping malls, supermarket with descriptions on what they offer.

Shengli Square Shopping Center [Downtown]
Situated in the busy shopping area, this shopping center has a collection of fashionable woman dresses, childrens commodity, sportswear and mens suits. It is a must for shopping lovers.
Address: No. 28, Shengli (Victory) Square

Qiulin Womans Shop [Downtown]
As named, in addition to fashion clothes, home appliance and commodities, this seven-story building offers a selection of womans merchandise including jewelry, cosmetics, womens clothes and bags. The fourth and fifth floor is a sauna center and a Beauty Club. The sixth is a restaurant providing special food of Dalian, Shanghai and Thailand.
Address: No. 108, Zhongshan Lu in the busy shopping area of Qingniwanqiao

Xianshi Qiulin Mansion [Downtown]
The 5th floor sells childrens commodities and stationery.

Address: No. 18, Jiefang Lu

Friendship Shopping City [Downtown]
The former Friendship Store of Chinas planned economy period, has a special place in the hearts of the people of Dalian. Nowadays, it has grown into a large six-storied shopping center (with two basement floors) with an area of over 10,000 square meters (10,764 square feet). You will find all sorts of famous fashion brands from all over the world.
Address: No. 8, Renmin Lu, Zhongshan District, at the intersection with Zhongshan Square