Dalian and Qingdao have been the two biggest cities in Shandong Province, China for many years. They both have their own unique characteristics and features that make them stand out from each other.

One of the main differences between Dalian and Qingdao is their top level teams. Both cities have some of the best football clubs in China, but they have different approaches to developing these teams.

In Dalian, the city has invested heavily in its football infrastructure, including building new stadiums and training facilities. This investment has paid off as Dalian FC, one of the most successful football clubs in China, has produced several national team players. However, this approach has also led to a lack of youth development, which has resulted in a shortage of talent at the grassroots level.

On the other hand, Qingdao's approach to football development has been more focused on grassroots development. The city has established numerous youth academies, providing young talents with the necessary training and support to develop into professional players. This approach has resulted in a strong youth system, which has produced several talented players who have gone on to play for major European clubs.

Another difference between Dalian and Qingdao is their top-level teams' playing style. While Dalian FC plays a high-tempo, attacking style of football, Qingdao FC prefers a more defensive approach. This difference in playing style can be seen in the way they organize their squads, with Dalian FC often having a larger squad than Qingdao FC.

Overall, Dalian and Qingdao have different approaches to football development, with Dalian investing heavily in its football infrastructure while Qingdao focusing on grassroots development. However, both cities have produced some of the best football players in China, and it will be interesting to see how they continue to develop their teams in the future.