Meeting Dalian: An Open City Scented with the Aroma of Acacia Blossoms

The 34th Dalian Acacia Flower Festival recently came to a close. During the event, nearly 900 guests from 124 delegations representing countries such as Argentina, France, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, and the United States gathered in Dalian to experience the romance of the city at 39°N and to explore a promising future together.

Guests from home and abroad participate in the Dalian hiking event

Photo by Wang Hua

As a key component of Dalian’s 2025 "International Open Month," the Acacia Flower Festival featured more than 60 events spanning culture, sports, tourism, commerce, and healthcare. Highlights included the International City Friendship Exchange, “Ten East Asian Cultural Capitals Meet in Dalian,” international travel agency route inspections, an Asian Children's Painting Exhibition, the International Tea Culture Conference, and the International Mountaineering Conference. These activities comprehensively showcased Dalian's international charm, urban vitality, and development potential, leaving visitors with a deep impression of the city’s hospitality.

Over the seven-day festival, Dalian welcomed approximately 4.39 million tourists, generating tourism revenue of 4.519 billion yuan. The event also drew interest from international organizations and enterprises, expanding value chains and transforming this city-wide festival into concrete development opportunities.

Marat Akhmetzhanov, Governor of the Akmola Region of Kazakhstan, remarked, “We firmly believe that the Acacia Flower Festival not only strengthens cross-cultural exchanges but also inspires new creative ideas and cooperative initiatives.”

Scene from the closing ceremony of the Dalian Acacia Flower Festival

Photo by Dalian Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

Through the symbol of the acacia flower, Dalian is showcasing its openness and global appeal. As a key gateway for China’s northern region to engage with the world, the city continues to pursue high-quality development through high-level openness. This year’s "International Open Month" featured over 100 events, further enhancing Dalian’s identity as a dynamic city with a distinctive global profile. Its openness is now a defining element of its urban character.

From extensive civic participation to diverse cultural exchange, Dalian is writing a new chapter in the integration of culture and tourism. With an open and inclusive attitude, it leaves every visitor with unforgettable memories of the city.