Dalian travel guide

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport is just over 10 km from the city centre. Airport shuttle buses depart from the Civil Aviation Building. A taxi takes just over ten minutes, and buses 532 and 710 run directly into the city; the fare is ¥1.

Liaoning's railway network is well developed and connects with the rail networks of Northeast and North China. Besides 30 ordinary passenger trains departing daily from Dalian, there are fully air-conditioned high-speed tourist trains on dedicated routes from Dalian to Shenyang, Beijing, Shanghai, Changchun and Harbin.

Dalian North Railway Station is the starting point of the Harbin–Dalian high-speed line. By high-speed rail, the journey from Dalian to Harbin is shortened by about six hours.

The Shenyang–Dalian Expressway runs the length of the Liaodong Peninsula, linking the five major cities of Shenyang, Liaoyang, Anshan, Yingkou and Dalian. The Yellow Sea Avenue Expressway (Dalian–Dandong) has been extended to Zhuanghe. The Northeast Border Corridor (National Highway 201 to Hegang) and the Longitudinal Corridor (National Highway 202 to Heihe) both start in Dalian.

Dalian Jianshe Street Bus Station

Express coaches run continuously from Dalian to cities along the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway and the Yellow Sea Avenue. There are more than 30 daily departures to Shenyang, so you can simply turn up and go.

Compared with flying or taking the train to Dalian, arriving by sea is the most suitable option.

Dalian has an extensive network of passenger ferry routes. There are daily sailings to Yantai, Weihai, Penglai, Tianjin Xingang and the Changhai County islands. In addition, high-speed tourist ferries run between Dalian and Yantai and Changhai County, and regular passenger ferries connect Dalian with Incheon in South Korea.

2. Arrive early for boarding: Passenger terminals are large, so it is advisable to reach the waiting hall at least 30 minutes before departure.

3. Book tickets early: Train and flight tickets during the May Day holiday are very hard to get, so it is best to book your return ticket in advance. Ferry tickets are generally easier to obtain.

Getting around Dalian is very convenient. The city is not very large, and there are more than 100 bus routes. A dedicated sightseeing bus loops the city, and there are two light rail lines, one of which goes directly to the popular destination of Jinshitan. Dalian currently has Metro Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 12 and 13. Line 12 is a fast rail link to Lüshun.

Dalian's roads are very hilly, which makes it the city with the fewest bicycles in China.

Fare: ¥20 per person. The bus operates from late April to late October. It must be boarded at Dalian Railway Station, and with a same-day ticket you can get on and off at any stop along the route as many times as you like. On this bus you can see most of the seaside road in daytime, and the night route offers sweeping views of Dalian's night scenery. There are two routes: daytime and night.

Daytime route: People's Square → Convention Center → Dalian Shell Museum → South Gate of Forest Zoo → Fujiazhuang → Xiao Fujiazhuang → Yanwoling Wedding Park → Beida Bridge → Birdland → Laohutan Ocean Park → Fisherman's Wharf → Shicao → Front of Bangchui Island → Bangchui Island → Journalists' Grove → Harbour Square → Zhongshan Square.

Night route: Dalian Railway Station → Qingniwa Bridge → Hope Square → People's Square → Olympic Square → Malan River Bridge → Peace Square → Convention Center → Xinghai Square → Dalian Evening News Office.

Dalian still has two tram bus lines, Nos. 201 and 202. Waiting times are 10–20 minutes. The trams have a charming, old-fashioned look and move slowly through the central urban area, letting visitors soak up the city's character along the way.

Dalian cuisine belongs to the Shandong school and centres on seafood. Dalian restaurants mainly serve famous seafood dishes, most of them featuring local coastal specialties such as sea cucumber, scallops, abalone, prawns and Japanese amberjack. The cooking methods and flavours differ from those in Guangdong. However, small yellow croaker and lover fish are species not found in Guangdong, so they are worth a try.

Braised whole large prawns are a specialty, and abalone, sea cucumber and other seafood are of exceptional quality, so you can buy them and cook them yourself. Dalian's fast-food scene is also well developed, with several chains such as Tiantianle and Yahui in the city. Their set meals are very inexpensive, making them a good choice for lunch. Sea urchin is eaten raw. It is covered in spines and round, looking like a hedgehog. Once you cut the shell open, you get a delicious and nutritious treat. There is also a large sea snail that is eaten alive, which you may only find in Dalian, so give it a try. Lüshun holds an annual seafood festival, where you can eat at Yanchang Seafood Street, Huangnichuan Seafood Street, Xiaolongwangtang Seafood Street, and the major hotels and restaurants in the district.

Dalian offers accommodation of international metropolitan standard. Hotel quality and management rank among the best in China, and world-renowned hotels such as Shangri-La, Furama and Hilton all have branches in Dalian.

There are many ordinary restaurants, hotels, inns and guesthouses. Outside the low season, prices generally range from ¥40 to ¥150. Farmhouses and fishing households in the surrounding villages and towns are cheaper still. After a day of foraging on the tidal flats, you can enjoy a fisherman's-style meal and sleep on a communal kang bed for around ¥15 per person per day.

When shopping in Dalian, focus on seafood, handicrafts and clothing and accessories with a distinctive Dalian flavour.

Tianjin Street, Qingniwa, Renmin Road and Xi'an Road are the four major commercial centres in Dalian's urban area.

Fossil enthusiasts can buy trilobite fossils from fishwives on the way from Jinshi Golf Club to Guilieshi Rock. The fossil patterns are clear, and they were dug out of seaside rocks, so they are the genuine article. Small pieces cost just ¥10, while larger or uniquely shaped ones cost ¥30–100. If you have the chance, try searching the rocks yourself, as you may well find something worthwhile.

Dalian's main streets are lined with many beautiful street lamps. On Zhongshan Road, there is a Huaihua (Sophora flower) lamp every 20 metres. It is said that when lit, they resemble blooming Sophora flowers. Each Sophora lamp is made up of 108 lights, so don't forget to admire them on a night tour.

Internet cafés are found on almost every street and alley, but few are called 'wangba'. Most have a pleasant name instead: 'wangyuan' (网苑, 'internet garden').

In recent years, Dalian's bars, pubs and clubs have been increasing, but overall the city's nightlife is not especially rich, and there are no particularly 'must-visit' bars or nightclubs. A few upscale venues are worth trying, but be prepared for high spending.

Around the squares, such as Friendship Square, there are many small bars and cafés open until late at night, and similar places can also be found near Dalian University of Foreign Studies. The 21st Century Internet Café is a local internet bar open 24 hours. It also serves good fast food, beer and cocktails, and has a lively atmosphere.

Dalian street scenes