Dalian's Social EntrepreneurSino Ocean World View

WelcomeTo the City of Hope

Dalian's Social EntrepreneurSino Ocean Technopole

The Best of DalianAt a Glance

2012 CalendarFabulous Faces of Dalian

Dalian's Social EntrepreneurLink International

Stunning Moments& Beautiful Memories

Dalian Today RecommendsBest Business

Expat ConfessionThoughts on the New Year

Dalian Social EntrepreneurDalian Gold Coast

Dalian Social EntrepreneurDalian American International School

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Contents

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Dear Friends,

2012 is finally here, and we at the Dalian Today have great hopes for another wonderful year.We hope that our readers will find that their time in Dalian, in the year 2012, is full ofendearing and enduring moments, which they will remember with a smile for years to come.January is not only a time of looking forward but also one of looking back. There are somany lessons to be learned from the past, and so many victories to be celebrated. Keepingthis in mind, we profiled some of Dalian Today's stunning moments. You, our dear readersare an integral part of our past and future successes, and we thank you whole-heartedlyfor your support and loyalty.

This issue is obviously a special one, since it is aimed at capturing the 12 faces of Dalian,an evolving city, with its best getting better daily, and at the same time presents our readerswith a brand new year, complete with all the exciting and upcoming 2012 events. Hang itup on the wall, or place it on your desk, you will have all the important dates in Dalian andthe world at a glance, day by day, week by week and month by month.

Dalian Today is all about profiling our proud city for the benefit of the expat communityand its local friends. Even though it is a young city, it has an interesting past and a strongpresent. It is also a business-friendly and international city of the future. Most importantly,it is a city of hope. Most expats are here because of their hopes and dreams of a bettertomorrow. Every expat, whatever their interaction with the city, has befitted hugely fromcoming to Dalian. When assignments end, many expats are most reluctant to leave. Whatis it about this city that moves people to love it?

There are many things that come to mind, but the best of Dalian is certainly the soul ofthe city, which is its people - both expats and locals. An amazing expat who comes to mindis Katya Lensky who did so much for the expat community. Sadly, she recently passed awayafter a short battle with cancer, but her loving legacy lives on. She was too young and toogood to die, but she will live on in our hearts and memories forever.

We also salute our Dalian shapers and social entrepreneurs who contribute greatly to Dalianby supporting the Dalian Today. They are the advertisers present in this special issue withtheir important messages. Projects like the fabulous Sino Ocean seaside villas, which includesan exciting new school with a choice of international curriculums such as IB, AP and ALevels, and the Eton Properties project in downtown Dalian, which is radically changingthe skyline of Dalian, are the foundations of hope in building Dalian's future. It is this samehope that makes us at the Dalian Today work unceasingly at bringing communities together.Our innovative ideas, as always, are geared towards making life in Dalian more beautiful,more informative, and more joyful. This Calendar issue is certainly one of them. Enjoy!

With Love and Hope,

to the City of HopeWelcome

Zhiwei YangGeneral Manager

Sino - Ocean Technopole

Dalian Today Publications

Sumi SeissingerEditor-in-Chief

General ManagerSINO OCEAN WORLD VIEW

***Haijun Liu

***

Patrick WongGeneral Manager

ETON PROPERTIES

******Managing Director

LINK INTERNATIONAL

Sumi Seissinger

***

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**************************************************************Katya Lensky********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

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05Dalian Today City Gazette January 2012 DM

Publisher *** ***Masters Publishing & Media Co., Ltd.****************

General Manager ***Minghui Liu ***

Managing Director *****Sumi Seissinger ******

Feature Editors ****Sumi Seissinger ******Michael Paul Hogan **

Regular ContributorsPhilip SageMia SeissingerJing Hao LiongWendy ZhaoHeather CarlonAndy Zhuang

Executive Copy Editor ****Michael Paul Hogan **

Typo Editing ****Mia SeissingerAsia LeeLeticia Colon

Chinese Translation & Editing****&**Wendy Zhao ***Zhaohui Guo ***Calie Sun ***Liuxin **

Studio ****Concept & VisualizationSumi Seissinger ******

Production Manager ****Danny Jun ****

Designers **Mary Ma ***Lizzie Li ***

Photography **Maciej Wolaniecki ***Sumi Seissinger ******Yu Yue **

Public Relations **Calie Sun ***Susan Hogan ***

Martketing & Sales ****Ben Huang **Calie Sun ***

Executive Office ****Wendy Zhao ***Lily Zhang **

The Dalian Today City Gazetteis published monthly and copiesare distributed free of charge inFive-star & select Four-star Hotels,Expat Frequented Bars,Restaurants & Coffee Shops,Multi-national Companies& International Schools.

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Articles contained with the Dalian Today CityGazette are under copyright to the publisher andcannot be reproduced or transmitted in any form,without first obtaining written permission.

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Dalian Today Publications****************HQ: Beverly Garden, 45 Fushun Street,DDA, Dalian - 116600, Liaoning Pr., China***************45* *****Tel: +86-411-8753-3896Mobile: +86-138-4282-5571 +86-138-8961-9205E-mail: daliantoday@linkintchina.com.cnWebsite: www.daliantodaycitybooks.com

PS:***********************

Find ten of the most beautiful beaches in Dalian's1906 km of coastline. The most famous beachesare the Fujiazhuang Beach, and the Gold Coastin Golden Pebble Beach National Resort. Thewater is crystal clear, and apart from swimming,one can also enjoy all forms of marine sports suchas diving, windsurfing and jet-skiing.

01 Beaches

**1906***********************

03 SquaresDalian boasts of 70 squares, which form the focalpoints of the city. The very first square was builtby the Russians in 1899, based on their dreamof building an oriental Paris. This square wasknown by many names, but today it is calledZhongshan Square, which along with other squareslike Youhao, Xinghai and Renmin Square are thebest addresses in the city.

**1899**************************************

06 FestivalsWitness Nature bloom at the Acacia,Rhododendron and the Cherry Blossom Festivals.Get lost in the gaiety and fun of the DalianInternational Beach and Spring Festival FireworksCarnivals. Gaze at the beautiful Dalianese andInternational models at the International FashionFestival. Enjoy more than 220 brands ofInternational Beer in a local Octoberfest in Bavariantents and dance to the tunes of German music,while enjoying local cuisine.

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07 AmusementDalian's very own version of Disney Land is thesplendid Discovery Land. With its exciting and up-to-date thrills and entertainment, it is China'sleading amusement park. For those who loveanimals, there is the Polar Acquarium with a winterwonderland of Polar Bears, Peguins, Belugas,Dolphins and Seals. The Sun Asia Ocean Park,with an outstanding undersea Acquarium. Anothermust-see attraction is the Forest Zoo featuresanimals like the Panda, Tigers, Giraffes and Zebrasout in the open,

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The Best of DalianAt a Glance

Whatever your reason for touching down in thebeautiful city of Dalian, it is impossible not to beimpressed by its rapid development and embracinginternationalism. Here, you will find all kinds ofpeople; from friendly locals, to the happy-go-luckyexpats, corporate climbers, and tourists fromeverywhere enjoying the versatily of Dalian.

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02 GolfFrom the latest addition of The Red Flag Valleygolf courses, to the tested and tried Dalian GolfClub, a Scottish style course located near thebeautiful Xiajiahe Beach, there are ampleopportunities for the golf lover. Other coursesinclude the Jinhaian Golf Club, The Jinshi GolfClub, and the Jinwan Golf Club.

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04 ShoppingJoin the Dalianese in their favorite past-time'shopping!' From up-market shopping malls likeMykal, Parkland, Times Square, Friendship storefor every brand name under the sun, to the pocketfriendly Chinese style bazaars like the Victory,Erqi, and the Hanguo Cheng (Korean Market) onecan shop away to your heart's content. Souvenirshopping can also be a thrill on Russian Streetor the Shuangxing Wholesale Market.

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05 SeafoodBeing a coastal city, Dalian boasts of some of thebest sea food in the world. Its fresh bounty of anamazing variety of seafood is featured daily inmany of Dalian's gourmet seafood restaurants.Traditional dishes to try are Fried Shrimp(Hongshao Quanxia), Steamed Abalone(Qingzheng Denglong Paoyu) Sauteed Seabream(Qingzheng Jiajiyu) and Boiled Scallops (WucaiXuehua Shanbei)

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08 NatureTo see Nature at its most magnificent, there is themajestic Binhai (Coastal) Road of Dalian thatspans 32 km wedged between the rugged cliffsand beautiful beaches. The road is also overflowingin various attractions and scenic points, startingfrom Haizhiyun Square in the east and ending atHeishijiao in the west. It weaves in and out of themost dazzling settings of sand, sea and mountains.Hike or drive to get the full effect of its beauty.

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& Beautiful Memories

DT Annual Prom Night

Wine Fountain at the City Bash of the Year

Book signing for Ms.Aihua Cao,ViceMayor of Dalian MunicipalPeople's Government

Celebrating Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Dalian Today ChristmasGala 2011

Dalian Today Summer Davos 2011 Gala

Moon Cake Festival

German Wine Queen with Dalian Dignitaries

So Many Reasons to Love Dalian

Photography Exhibiton at the DDA Library

Stunning Moments

Stunning Momentsand Beautiful MemoriesThe best part of living in Dalian is theopportunity to contribute to the Daliancommunity. Journalism is about makinga difference and Dalian Today is a citymagazine that has been conceived to dojust that. We at Dalian Today are thrilledto play a pivotal role in bringingcommunities together. In spite of thetime, money and effort it takes toorganize, co-ordinate and host events,

Dalian Today is at the forefront of Dalianevents that make Dalian a fun and socialcity.

International parties that celebrateinternational people and festivals, startingfrom the Christmas Red Star Party, theIndian Diwali & Holi Celebrations, theDavos VIP Cultural Night, the CookingDemonstrations, the Ladies Lunches,the monthly Family Get-togethers, theMovie Nights, the Business Networking

Lunches, Photography Exhibitions, tothe German and French Wine TastingDinners, and International MusicConcerts, to mention but a few, are allpart of Dalian Today International Club'ssocial and business networking platforms.

If you would like to join us, please writeto caliesun@linkintchina.com andrequest to be added to our mailing lists.

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*************************************VIP*************************************************************************************

******************caliesun@linkintchina.com***********************************

First Open Air Rooftop Concert

Dalian Today Red Star GalaYao Jiakai congratulatesSumi on the splendid Dalian Today

First Year Anniversary and 5th of July CelebrationsSo Many Reasons to Love Dalian Party

DALIAN TODAY RECOMMENDS

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English & German:Link International LLCBeverly Garden, No.45 Fushun st.,Development Zone, Dalian, LiaoningProvince, 116600, China

Chinese & Japanese:***********************45***********+86-138-4282-5571 +86-411-8753-3896***caliesun@linkintchina.com.cn

Telephone & E-mail :+86-138-4282-5571+86-411-8753-3896caliesun@linkintchina.com.cn

I confess that we at a paradox in time. At atime when we seem to defy the very laws ofnature, by building the tallest buildings, thewidest roads and the longest tunnels, we arealso defying our humaneness by our shorttempers, narrow minds, and haste to blame.

Therefore, here is a puzzle - to look ahead orlook behind, that is the question. Whether itis nobler in the mind to forget the past andplunge blindly into the future, without abackward glance, or shift through pastmoments, that might be learning curves andguidelines to the present or the future. A wiseman once said, to forget history is to repeatit! Learning from the past is one thing, but todwell on it is another.

New beginnings are vital, especially to expatswho have the added burden of coping withfeelings of homesickness and missing all thatis familiar. New beginnings do not necessarilyhave to be the beginning of a new year, butit is a good place to start. Most people havethe experience of breaking their New Yearresolutions before they even begin.Unfortunately, most times we set our goalstoo high. How many have said, "I will run theGreat Wall Marathon," before they have eventried running up the Black Mountain. Startwith the Black Mountain and the Great Wallwill follow.

My New Year resolution this year is simple;it is to pursue my dreams, how ever small orinconsequent, and ignore the people who tryto put obstacles in my way. My dreams arehumble and realistic. I want to exercise everyday and continue to be healthy. I want to fillmy life with positive thoughts and positive

people. I want to laugh everyday. I want topursue excellence and I want to continue towrite and publish. I want to be a role modelfor my daughter and a loving wife. I want tobanish discord and hate in my life, by fillingmy world with love. My strategy is to keepthings simple, and do everything to make mylife and others more meaningful and happy.

The Year of the Dragon is not to be takenlightly. It is going to be 365 days that you canfill with victories. Imagine, a brand new book,waiting for your personal epic to be writtenon its empty pages. What an exciting thought!At the stroke of the midnight between 1011and 1012, you have been given a clean slate,with all the mistakes and problems of the pasterased. You are at the starting post of a newyear and you have to ensure that you are onthe right track. This golden opportunity cannotbe wasted, you have to make everyday countand make everyday a new beginning. It is nevertoo late to start fresh, to mend those brokenbridges, heal open wounds, and steer awayfrom bad habits and addictions.

You are Odysseus on the voyage of life, writingyour own Odyssey - safely steering your familythrough the churning and sometimes troubledwaters of expat life, out-witting enemies andovercoming limitations, with your sights firmlyset on your ultimate goal. The very fact thatyou are an expat, on the opposite end of theworld, daring to go where many fear to tread,makes you a leader. You have courage, toleranceand faith, the three pillars of new beginnings.

So, make 2012 your year, a year that will surelybelong to the dragon-hearted. In short, "HappyNew Year!"

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40 DM Dalian Today City Gazette January 2012

LAST WORDExpat Confession

T h r o u g h t h e E y e s o f a F o r e i g n e rThoughts on the New Year

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Sumi Seissinger is a well-known businessexecutive in Dalian, heading a wholly foreignowned enterprise, Link International. As ajournalist, and a successful published writer,she edits Dalian Today as a part time hobby.You can follow her adventures and the lighterside of life in Dalian in her regular column,"Through the Eyes of a Foreigner."

FYI:************** 87533896