Introduction to Dalian International Acacia Flower Festival

The Dalian International Acacia Flower Festival is a national-level tourism festival created by Dalian using its city flower, the Acacia flower, as a medium. Founded in 1989, it has been held for 34 consecutive sessions and has been awarded the title of "China's Most Internationally Influential Tourism Festival". Every May, when Acacia flowers fragrance the entire city, this grand event integrating culture, tourism, and economy and trade attracts global attention.

I. Overview of the Event

The 34th Acacia Flower Festival was held from May 17 to 23, 2025. For the first time, the main venue was located at Donggang Music Fountain Square, integrating fountain performances and colorful building light shows to create an immersive audio-visual feast. Sub-venues were set up simultaneously in all districts, counties, and cities across the city, forming a "city-wide Acacia flower appreciation" pattern. With the concept of "Acacia Flowers Forge Friendship, Culture and Tourism Promote Development", the event launched over 60 activities in 8 major sections, including opening and closing ceremonies, international cultural exchanges, and business cooperation, covering diverse contents such as art performances, economic and trade negotiations, intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, and public interactions.

II. Highlights of International Exchanges

This session set a historical record, attracting nearly 900 guests from 123 groups across 18 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Russia, France, and the United States, making it the most international session since its inception. During the event:

- Cultural Feast: International art performances, such as the Saxophone Quartet from the University of Évora (Portugal), Dehua Crane Dance Taiko (Japan), Gimhae Flower Dance (South Korea), and Russian model fashion shows, took turns to delight the audience. A "International Cultural Exchange Theme Day" was held every night, where artists from China-Japan, China-South Korea, and China-Russia performed on the same stage.

- Economic and Trade Cooperation: A matchmaking and investment promotion conference for new supplies in culture, sports, tourism, and commerce was held, leading to the signing and implementation of 5 cultural and tourism projects by enterprises including China Railway Materials Group and Dalian Sanchuan Construction. Travel merchants from Japan, South Korea, Russia, and other countries were invited for on-site inspections, facilitating cooperation intentions between institutions like Incheon Marine and Aviation Bureau and Russian Diplomat Study Travel Agency with Dalian.

- City Dialogue: The event "10 Cities of East Asian Cultural Capitals Meet in Dalian" gathered 10 cultural capital cities from China, Japan, and South Korea, deepening regional cooperation through cultural and tourism promotion and industrial docking.

III. Featured Activities and Experiences

1. Acacia Flower-Themed Immersive Experience

The main venue featured a 400-meter "Acacia Flower Welcome Path", connecting areas for dynamic light-and-shadow interactions, creative art exhibitions, and displays of 130 types of Acacia flower derivatives (e.g., Acacia flower honey, essential oil, and cultural and creative accessories). Six five-star hotels jointly launched a "Acacia Flower Feast", integrating Acacia flower elements into signature dishes like Liaoning cuisine and Japanese food to create a culinary delight.

2. Festival Atmosphere with Public Participation

- Public Activities: Over 30 activities, including elderly art week performances, hiking for flower appreciation, and the "Most Beautiful Acacia Flower Spot" selection, covered all age groups. Nearly 2,000 volunteers from 19 universities provided full-time services.

- Innovative Formats: Acacia flower appreciation campsites, traditional culture experience zones, and the "Children's Paintings of World Dreams" international children's painting interaction were launched to attract family visitors.

3. City-Wide Flower Appreciation Map

Dalian released a guide to "15 Excellent Acacia Flower Spots", including Labor Park, Yingbin Road-Bangchui Island, Jinlong Temple Forest Park, and Sanhuan Ranch. These spots range from urban parks to suburban hidden gems, catering to diverse needs.

IV. Development History and Influence

From an initial public flower appreciation event, the festival has evolved into an international exchange platform. Over 30 years, it has attracted more than 10 million visitors in total. During the 2025 event, Dalian received 4.3907 million tourists, with a comprehensive tourism income of 4.519 billion yuan, up 31.43% and 35.02% year-on-year respectively. As a core activity of the "Dalian International Opening Month", it not only boosts cultural and tourism consumption but also deepens sister-city relations with Japan, South Korea, Russia, and other countries through "flower diplomacy", promoting practical cooperation in healthcare, education, economy, and trade.

Today, the Dalian International Acacia Flower Festival has become a cultural calling card of the city. The annual May appointment with Acacia flowers is not only a showcase of natural beauty but also a testament to the city's spirit of openness and inclusiveness.