One evening, I found myself strolling through the famous Russian-style street not my first stop, but certainly one that left a lasting impression. Beneath the soft glow of lanterns and the crisp night air, I had a moment of quiet reflection: I should have come here years ago. The street was alive with charm the scent of pastries, the echoes of laughter, and shops adorned with sweets and souvenirs. I bought chocolates and gifts, but what truly enriched my night was an impromptu conversation with a group of elderly locals. Their silver hair may have marked their age, but their laughter revealed young hearts. A spirited Chinese boy stepped in as our interpreter a perfect example of how kindness often speaks louder than language.
Dalian’s uniqueness lies in its soul. It is where East meets West not in conflict, but in perfect rhythm. As I wandered through the city, I couldn’t help but marvel at its colorful murals and artistic expressions fruits painted with joy, inspiring words etched on street walls. Dalian wears its culture on its sleeve, and it wears it proudly.
I was especially touched when I saw children pouring out of a recreational center, giggling beside their mothers. Their carefree joy tugged at my heartstrings. For a fleeting moment, I saw myself as a child again, my mother’s hand in mine, her smile just as warm. That scene was not just touching; it was a beautiful déjà vu that reminded me how some emotions are universal, no matter where you are in the world.
As the Head of the Investigation Cell at a leading Pakistani news channel and a frequent expert on national television, I have long believed that journalism is more than chasing headlines, it’s about uncovering the heartbeat of humanity. Dalian gave me just that. It was not just a city to visit, but a story to absorb. I came here with curiosity; I leave with insight. When you travel with an open heart and a thinking mind, every city becomes a classroom and Dalian taught me more than I expected.
Dalian is a modern marvel, but it hasn’t thrown the baby out with the bathwater. While it boasts skyscrapers, organized transport, and high-end commercial districts, it still holds on to the threads of tradition, family, and cultural identity. It’s not every day you find a city that keeps its feet on the ground while reaching for the stars.
It was a rainy night in Dalian,soft, rhythmic showers gently touched the streets, adding a poetic calm to the city's vibrant charm. I learned that the people of Dalian consider rain a symbol of fortune, and in that moment, I felt truly fortunate. Standing beneath a glowing street lamp, with the city shimmering in the drizzle, I made a video call to my three year old daughter Syeda Fatima Rohina Zainbi. She is not just my daughter; she is my love, my life, and my anchor. Despite her young age, she carries the grace and understanding of someone far beyond her years. As I turned the camera to show her the illuminated streets, the colors, and the joyful faces of Dalian, her laughter lit up my world. She asked questions, smiled at strangers, and soaked in the beauty of a city she had never stepped foot in yet it felt like she was right beside me. That moment turned into something magical: a father sharing a distant wonderland with his little girl, across time zones and borders. Dalian gave me a memory that I will cherish forever because I experienced it through the eyes of my daughter, my heart.
This journey is part of a broader international media tour organized by the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission (GNFCC) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The initiative brings together journalists from different corners of the world not just to see, but to understand. Through this experience, I realized that diplomacy isn’t just made in boardrooms; it’s made on park benches, across dinner tables, and in shared laughter.
Yes, Dalian is truly a city of romance, not just the romance of love, but of life. And I was fortunate enough to witness it with my own eyes and feel it in my heart.
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