# Dalian travel guide (大连) Liaoning Province · Northeast, China · 12 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/liaoning/dalian ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Bangchui Island → Laohutan Ocean Park → Binhai Road → Xinghai Square - **Day 2:** Sun Asia Ocean World → Dalian Forest Zoo → Russian Street - **Day 3:** Golden Pebble Beach → Discovery Kingdom Theme Park ## The feel of the place - **Squares:** A century ago, a group of Russian engineers who were devoted to French culture arrived here carrying Parisian urban planning blueprints, and laid out a city centred on squares, with streets radiating outward in every direction. Dalian has more than 100 squares. Any small patch of land where streets radiate in four directions is called a square, so visitors can easily lose their bearings and struggle to tell north from south. The resulting square culture is just as dazzling: greenery, white pigeons, sculptures and fountains are a given, while mounted policewomen and waltz performances are rare anywhere in the country. - **By the Sea, Facing the Breeze:** Dalian has a pleasing rhythm. There are no dramatic ups and downs; instead, the city unfolds gracefully along the coastline, like a beauty standing by the sea in the breeze. Walking along clean, sunny streets, or riding in a car that isn't too crowded, you can truly feel the salty sea breeze, a constant reminder of the ocean's presence. - **Mounted Policewomen:** This is Dalian's most distinctive calling card (Hohhot in Inner Mongolia also has mounted policewomen). The women on horseback are tall, model-slim and, after intensive military and ceremonial training, look smart and spirited. Their synchronised equestrian displays on the square convey an aristocratic, heroic air, which has won them wide affection across all ages and social classes. Dalian's mounted policewomen handle ceremonial and security duties; if you visit Xinghai Square during a major festival, the busy centre may well feature their dashing performance. - **Football:** Modern football was introduced to Dalian in the early 20th century. The climate suits the sport year-round, and the city's passion for football, together with Dalian's standing in Chinese football, has earned it the richly deserved title of “Football City.” - **Dalian Pagoda Tree Blossom Viewing:** Held each year in late May. - **Dalian International Fashion Festival:** Grandly held each year in early September, when celebrities, famous models, pop singers and film stars gather. Tickets can be purchased to attend, to catch a glimpse of your favourite stars or to take part in business and trade. - **Bingyu Valley:** Bingyu Valley Ice Lantern Festival. Held in early January each year, it features large ice sculptures, a wide range of ice sports, and distinctive folk activities such as dog- and sheep-drawn sledges. - **Fireworks Welcome-Spring Festival:** Around the 15th day of the first lunar month. - **Dalian International Marathon:** Held on the last Sunday of October each year, this international event is open to everyone. Registration is available through the Dalian Marathon Organising Committee. ## The feel of the place ### Preparation & Enquiries ### Language Like other northeastern dialects, Dalian speech is quite close to Mandarin, so communication is easy and there are no real language barriers. ### Climate & Best Time to Visit Dalian is the warmest place in the Northeast. It has four clearly defined, mild seasons: summers are warm without being scorching, and winters are cold but rarely severe. August is the hottest month, averaging 24°C; January is the coldest, averaging -9 to -5°C. Thanks to the moderating influence of the sea, rain falls mostly in summer, and there is more night rain than daytime rain. The best time to visit is April to October. ### Festivals ## Getting there & around ### Getting In and Out ### By Air 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. ### By Rail 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. ### High-Speed Rail 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. ### Road 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. - address: North of Dalian Railway Station, Jianshe Street - phone: 0411-83763369 ### Sea Route 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. - tip: 1. Travelling to Dalian by ship: Besides enjoying fresh sea breezes, rolling waves and beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the deck, the biggest advantage is that most ships to Dalian are overnight roll-on/roll-off ferries. You can drive your private car directly into the ship's hold from Tianjin, Yantai, Weihai, Penglai, or even Shanghai. For example, the fare for a small car from Tianjin to Dalian is around ¥300. This makes it easy to road-trip around Dalian. 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. ### City Transport 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. ### Few Bicycles Dalian's roads are very hilly, which makes it the city with the fewest bicycles in China. ### Sightseeing Bus 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. ### Tram 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. - **Airport Switchboard** — - **Information Desk** — - **International Ticket Office** — - **Domestic Ticket Office** — - **Complaints** — - **Dalian North Railway Station** — (Between Nanguanling Road and Huabei Road, near Minyue Plaza) - **Dalian Port Passenger Terminal** — (No. 1 Gangwan Street, Zhongshan District, 0411-82636061/82625612) ## Eat & drink 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. - **Jinshi Liyumen** — A fishing-village food street with a seafood wholesale market and about ten fishermen's restaurants. Chunni's braised fish is considered the best, to the point that diners even come from Shenyang just for it. (Jinshi Port) - **Barbecue Street** — The iron-plate grilled squid here is famous nationwide. The barbecue restaurants usually stay open until late at night, making this a great place to gather with friends. (Tianjin Street) - **Wanbao Seafood Boat** — Dalian's top-tier seafood restaurant, with top-notch decor, flavour and service. Its prices are equally 'top-tier', so it suits those who want the very best dining experience. Recommended dishes: sea urchin, salt-baked jumbo prawns, flying crab and abalone. (No. 108 Jiefang Road, Zhongshan District, 0411-39912888/82358888) - **Dadi Spring Pancake Shop** — The spring pancakes are wafer-thin yet pleasantly chewy, with a Northeastern flavour. Business is very brisk, and impressive queues are a common sight. Prices are fair. Recommended dishes: spring pancakes, Dadi smoked pork and Beijing-style shredded pork in sweet bean sauce. (No. 105 Dongbei Road, 0411-66666611) ## Nightlife 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 ## Shopping 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. ## Where to stay 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. - **Dalian Hotel** — One of China's oldest hotels. It is a classic Baroque building with a strong European architectural character, and its inner courtyard features distinctive ancient Roman palace elements. (No. 4 Zhongshan Square, Zhongshan District, 0411-82633111) ## Things to see - **★** (★★★): Admission ¥220 in peak season; ¥190 in off-season; Opening hours 8：30—16：30; Time needed 4–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/-dalian - **Bangchui Island** (★★★★): Admission ¥20; Opening hours 8：30—16：00; Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/bangchui-island - **Golden Pebble Beach** (★★★★): Admission Combo ticket ¥160 (Golden Pebble Wax Museum + Earth Light + Geopark + Jinshiyuan Park); Opening hours Open all day (year-round); Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/golden-pebble-beach - **Discovery Kingdom Theme Park** (★★★★): Admission Standard all-day ticket ¥260; Opening hours 09:30-20:30 (11.1-11.3; varies by season, subject to announcements); Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/discovery-kingdom-theme-park - **Xinghai Square** (★★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours Open all day (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xinghai-square - **Sun Asia Ocean World** (★★★): Admission Four-venue ticket ¥240; Opening hours 9：30—16：30; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/sun-asia-ocean-world - **Ten-Mile Golden Coast** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 9：00—18：00; Time needed 3-5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/ten-mile-golden-coast - **Dalian Forest Zoo** (★★★★): Admission ¥120 (peak season); ¥100 (off-season); Opening hours 09:00-16:00 (winter, 11.1-4.30 of the following year); 08:30-16:00 (summer, 5.1-10.31); Time needed 4–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dalian-forest-zoo ## Day trips & beyond - **Lüshunkou (Port Arthur)** (★★★★): Admission From ¥30; Opening hours 08:00-17:00 (winter, 11.1-3.31 of the following year); 07:30-17:30 (spring/autumn); 07:00-19:00 (July-August); Time needed 4–8 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lushunkou-port-arthur - **Lüshun Museum** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 09:00-16:30 (year-round; closed on Mondays, subject to actual conditions); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lushun-museum - **Baiyushan Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 08:00-16:30 (winter, 11.1-3.31 of the following year); 07:30-17:30 (spring/autumn); 07:00-19:00 (July-August); Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/baiyushan-scenic-area - **Bingyu Gorge** (★★★★): Admission ¥120; Opening hours 07:00-17:00 (year-round); Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/bingyu-gorge --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2274–2297. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.