Emergency services in Dalian do not provide English services, but you should still know the numbers to call in case of emergency. You will frequently find friendly locals who speak some English that can help you.
Print this list for reference:
NEW LOCATION: Victory Plaza - Enter at main entrance near Pizza hut. Go down 2 escalators, and find Aromila directly ahead. Sunday, December 2nd, from 10am-11am, the Grand Opening Ceremony will be held for this fifth
location of Aromilia -Italian Gelato.
Where you can find Christmas Trees
Health Check
December Promotions
Watch for the latest issue of Focus Dalian, in locations all over Dalian! The magazine has new talent, increased circulation and a great new focus:you. The stories and information will connect you with Dalian, it's retailers and restaurants, it's sights and sounds. The team at Focus Dalian
hopes you enjoy this edition, and wish a very joyful holiday season!
Find Focus Dalian at these establishments:
Aba Shi Curry
Airport
Alice Bar
Amici Coffee
All's Well Coffee
Amy DVD
Bobo's Bar
The Box
Hu's Cafe
Noah's Bar
Olive Garden
Metro
Ramada
SPR Coffee - Wuhan Jie
Starbucks
Tina Coffee
UBC - Software Park
Viper Club
DDA
Campus Cafe
Felicity
Rexin Spa
Victoria Hotel
-and dozens more locations
Christmas - A Thoroughly English Festival
by James Hale
How did a popular Pagan festival become a Christian celebration? Following the first few days of Advent (the coming of Christ) and St. Nicholas' Day on the 6th December, there is little to interrupt the English peoples' preparations for the Winter Solstice and Christmas. England's Yule is a mixture of Pagan and Christian traditions and symbolism. For instance, the 17th December was once known as Sow Day because this was when beasts were customarily slaughtered in readiness for Christmas. Boar's head was a particular favourite with Nordic settlers, who believed that they would acquire the strength and stamina of the animal by eating it. Alternatively, the 13th December is St. Lucy's Day, and prior to the calendar change, festivities would be held in honour of this virtuous lady to celebrate both Yuletide and the Winter Solstice.
Midwinter Day (21st December) is also known as St. Thomas's Day, and this is the time when Christmas activities, such as carol singing and putting up decorations, begin in earnest. The ancient Norse festival of Yule once fell on this day, when holly, conifers and ivy were strewn about to symbolise the eternity of life. Fires were lit in honour of Thor and the Yule Log would be kept alight until the shortest day was over and the New Year had begun. Even nowadays, in parts of England, people still light candles, drink cider and eat Yule cakes during the Winter Solstice.
Christmas Trees
In many Western countries, this is also a traditional time to put up Christmas trees - a custom brought to England by German immigrants living in Manchester during the 1820s.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe was venerated by the Druids, especially when growing on oak, and would be hung over dwellings to protect the occupants and bring good fortune. In England, mistletoe is still hung over doorways, so that any woman passing beneath may be kissed, thus avoiding certain spinsterhood.
Prior to the 19th century, a Kissing Bush (usually a small uprooted holly or yew) would often be used if mistletoe was unavailable.
Christmas cards
The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-penny - half the price of an ordinary letter.
Boxing Day
In English-speaking countries, the day following Christmas Day is called 'Boxing Day'. This word comes from the custom which started in the Middle Ages around 800 years ago: churches would open their 'alms boxe' (boxes in which people had placed gifts of money) and distribute the contents to poor people in the neighbourhood on the day after Christmas. The tradition continues today - small gifts are often given to delivery workers such as postal staff and children who deliver newspapers.
2 December - Grand Opening -Aromila Italian Gelato's
5th Location, 10-11am, Victory Plaza main entrance near Pizza Hut, two levels down. Call 8276 6155 for more information.
You can find Christmas trees and decorations all over Dalian. There are
artificial trees at Metro, and at the wholesale market near the downtown
train station. Decorations can be found in on the 4th floor of the "Korean
Market" perpendicular to the downtown Light Rail (Qing gui) station, at
Carrefour, soon, anywhere Chinese traditional decorations are sold.
Support our Sponsors - they keep us going!
Olive Garden: For the month of December, DalianXpat members receive 10% discount (except wine or set menu)
Riviera Restaurant: For a limited time, DalianXpat members can receive the Gold VIP card (good for 15% discount).
MarToni Pizza: Now, find MarToni Pizza in Metro, Carrefour, Trustmart, and Quick Stores! Tel:8899-1168
Hopscotch: Wednesday night is Game Night at Hopscotch, with 20% beer discount. Play pool,
foosball, darts and enjoy the comfortable environment. Winners get a beer!
Blossom Jazz Club: Located behind the Kempinski Hotel, Blossom Jazz Club has new jazz
band. Enjoy our relaxed environment and good music. Expat Night is every Wednesday (6-9 pm), with discounted drinks.
Strollers' Restaurant: Dalian Stroller's was opened in June. This is the second one. The first
Stroller's was established in Shenyang in 2003. Moreover, it was selected as the "National best restaurant" by China Expat magazine. If you bring us your recipe and we are able to use it, we will give you 50% off, every time you order that meal for yourself, forever. The first time you order you will receive 100% off that meal. Dalian Stroller's happy hour time will be every Wednesday afternoon from 17:30 to 20:30. The exciting thing is that Draft Beer, GUINNESS, CARLSBERG and
ASHAHI and five kinds of cocktails are on sale for half price. We welcome everybody from DalianXpat to come and enjoy the happy time at Stroller's.
Tel: 8269-8293. Located at the back of the Nikko Hotel.
Happy hour starts from 6pm to 8 pm every day this month.
Carlsberg will be discounted at 20 RMB
Tequila Silver 10 RMB/shot
Open time:
Monday to Thursday: 5 pm to 2 am
Friday to Sunday: 3 pm to the early morning
DalianXpat.com is a community web site, focused on life in Dalian from the perspective of a foreigner. Our primary intention is to assist the foreign community in Dalian and our local friends.
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