Dalian. China

Situated on the Liaodong Peninsula and on the shores of the Yellow Sea, Dalian is one of the most relaxed cities in the northeast, if not the whole of China. Tree-lined avenues with reasonable traffic and relatively unpolluted air, an abundance of early-20th-century architecture and a breathtaking coastline with swimming beaches are just a few of its attractive charms. With a decent restaurant and bar scene and serious shopping to boot, the ‘Hong Kong of the North’ is worth a visit or longer stay.