Not All of China Develops, Old Russian and Japanese Houses of Lv Shun Solarguy Photo Journal

There is this really cool, old school neighbouhood that attracts artists from Dalian about 2 hours drive away. They come set up their stuff and paint the houses and views. The houses are pretty cool, as everything in the province ins being modernized this place remains as it was from the occupation of Japan and Russia. People still live the house and garden in the yards much more humble than the Japanese who lived there a century ago.

You can really tell the quality is strong and durable. With little to no upkeep they still stand and appear to have decades more left in them. They are coal heated as that's the cheapest way to heat your home. Most cities up here have government provided hot water heating. Possibly the idea many nukes from several countries are pointed at it for it's strategic value. Or maybe a remembrance to the 25,000 civilians living that all but a handful were killed.

Would it be unheard they kept simply because they like the architecture. Depending who is in charge China has a history of destroying bad memories or at least covering them up. Dalian used to have as many but nearly all were demolished and rebuilt in Mao era style housing. Only a few of the Japanese mansions remain and some of the larger Russian buildings became banks and hotels downtown.

It's really a neat place to wander around and feel like you're not in China for a moment. Feed some stray cats, check out peoples vegetable gardens, the locals didn't seem to impressed with this white guy sticking his nose in their business. People here aren't used to seeing westerners here. Even if they came to Lv Shun this area isn't on the tourist map.

This huge monster set a trap to catch me but I saw it just in time. Spiders, I'd prefer a wolf or a tiger.

If you find you way to China and stumble upon Lv Shun to take a stroll in the lesser traveled places that's where the good spots are.

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