Da Hei Shan "Big Black Mnt." - Dalian - TravBuddy

To get here if you don't speak a little Chinese might be a little difficult but just ask around. If you are a novice hiker or an expert you will enjoy the views, scenery and trails either way. To get to the base of the mnt. one must go to the far right of the college and walk up a road that goes past Mongolian style housing (round tents usually plastic)up an asphalt road till you reach a place to buy incense to burn in a temple. Just ask people where the temple is!
Make your way up the steps that go for about 3 or so Km or half a mile and just by pass the temple (tourist trap) and make your way up some dirt paths. This is the fun part! I'm not completely sure but, I'm pretty sure from now on you are trespassing. Aside from the extremely steep terrain at some points the hike is pretty easy and safe! During the climb one will get to see the temple that you bypassed on the way thats about the best part of that building. In fact they wouldn't let any foreigners in the temple anyway even after you payed your 10 yuan. Keep climbing the Ascent takes around 2-4 hours depending on what your pace is. On the way up their is a trail that is near where we stopped at the end that goes steeply up but only for around 20-30ft. and you can walk on the summit of the 2nd highest peak! These are where most my photos were taken I stood on a little rock cliff that jutted out which prolly wasn't the best idea.We went about 80% of the way to the top because our trail ended up turning into pretty much a sheer cliff face and the strong winds that are blown in from the sea do not give most sain hikers any reason to continue past this point although some seem to have continued the path became very thick after one had surpassed the cliff we stopped at.
The scenic view from here is probably the best in Dalian. On a clear day one can see downtown and the sea while behind you is the rural farmland the only thing that seems to separate these to styles of life is the "Big Black Mnt." While at the peak of the mnt. one will most likely experience some of the freshest air during your stay in China. The Cliffs, Trails and vegetation are very soothing and gives one a feel of finding their true center and true reasons for staying in the city of Dalian. The trail supposedly goes on for another 2 hours from here to the left of the mountain or the part closest to the sea, but we never found the trail that keep going after a huge rocky summit that we stopped at.
The decent of Da Hei Shan will most likely unfortunately be the most memorable part if you take the wrong path like we did. My group ended up going down some very steep grades in the land scape. The decent includes lots of loose dirt and falling rocks if your not careful. i do not suggest going down a steep train if it has rained or been very dry either as the soil will be very loose. If you end up in a different place than you started just keep walking and most the paths will lead back to home or where you started. Make sure that you steer clear of the shooting range that we by chance happened on! although they do have water to purchase.

Things to bring:

Small snacks -dried fruits/ fruits
Bread, At least a liter of water!

Camera (many Kodak moments)

Also pants are nice to have especially the zip short one's also a jacket because the weather here changes more than a schizo (especially during spring and the fall).