The Dalian Locust Tree Appreciation Fair was held in 1989 and is the earliest modern tourism festival in Liaoning. In 1992, the National Tourism Administration officially designated the "Dalian Sophora Flower Appreciation Fair" as a local tourism festival.
Dalian is a city surrounded by Sophora japonica flowers and is known as the "Oriental Sophora japonica City". The existing black locust forest covers 68,700 acres, accounting for 35% of the tree species area; it is planted in rows on more than 300 roads in the urban area.
Every year in late May at the turn of spring and summer, locust trees are in full bloom. They are green, dotted with white flowers and overflowing with fragrance, making the whole Dalian picturesque. Taking advantage of this natural resource, the Dalian Municipal Government began to hold a Sophora japonica appreciation party in 1989, and gradually turned it into a grand tourism festival integrating tourism, culture and sports. The outstanding characteristics of the Sophora Sophora Appreciation Fair are, first, its strong international character. There are many participating countries and regions, such as tourists from Japan, South Korea, Russia and the Philippines. Secondly, the participation of the masses is strong. Motorcycle parades, various performances and folk art performances also attract the participation of many citizens and tourists; thirdly, it has high cultural content. Cultural activities such as square cultural activities, Sophora japonica appreciation culture and art week, Oriental Sophora monastery music and dance party, as well as calligraphy and painting art exhibitions and ceramic art exhibitions all add to the cultural content of the festival.