Dalian Travel Guide

Dalian is a major city in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning. It is especially popular with Chinese visitors, boasts the largest port in northern China, and has a good nightlife.

Worth It?: Yes, for the bustling town and beaches.
What to Do: check out the many districts, relax in a park, laze on a beach, shop.
Best Time to Go: summer or fall (from June to October), avoiding the July/August school holidays.
How Long?: At least a couple of days in Dalian.
Trivia: Dalian is a Russian colonial city founded in 1898.

Dalian is a beautiful city by day and night, with its positioning at the southern tip of Liaodong Peninsula adding to its appeal. The port lies in the north while numerous beaches are in the south and east of downtown Dalian.

The city is split four ways: Zhongshan Square, the main CBD and host to many old Japanese buildings; Xigang District, with its many old Russian buildings along Russian Street; Renmin Square (Xigang District), the political heart; and Shahekou District boasting the largest square in Asia, Xinghai Square. Most of Dalian's tourist attractions are here.

The good thing is that Dalian is not big into industry and there are great swathes of parks and many beaches nearby. It is kept spotlessly clean and looks more akin to a fancy Japanese metropolis. This has a lot to do with Dalian's past, being a former colonial outpost of both Russia and Japan. As a consequence, there is a mixture of architectural styles.

There are many beaches to check out on the south and east of the Liaodong Peninsula, with Xinghai Beach being the main one. It gets pretty crowded in the summer but has the best facilities. Fujiazhuang and Bangchuidao beaches are also popular; the latter is more exclusive and expensive.

Travel to Dalian - Getting There

Dalian International Airport is the only sensible way in as Dalian is quite far from anywhere. Direct flights are available from Beijing (1 hour, 15 minutes), Shanghai (4 hours, 25 minutes) and Changchun, as well as from Tokyo (7 hours, 25 minutes), Hong Kong, and Pyongyang. Long distance trains serve from Beijing and express trains from Shenyang, the Liaoning provincial capital. You can also get to Dalian by ferry from Incheon in South Korea. Beijing is a day's drive away by expressway.

Dalian Things to Do

Dalian Attractions

Xinghai Square

boasting the largest square in Asia in Shahekou District, it has lots of green areas and fountains and is beautifully lit at night.

Dalian beaches

the main attraction for many; there are numerous beaches here, with Xinghai, Fujiazhuang, and Bangchuidao beaches being the most visited.

Russian Street

best seen by day, Russian Street is a district of monumental buildings and squares.

Laodong Garden

located just outside town, this huge park features a semi-demanding footpath and offers panoramic views over Dalian.

Side trips from Dalian

Dalian cherry blossoms: if you are here in late April, be sure to see Long Wangtang village for its 3,000-plus cherry trees in bloom.
Binhai Road: a pretty coastal road running along the south edge of the peninsula with a similar look to the French Riviera.

Events

Dalian International Beer Festival: a fun time to be in Dalian, with much drinking and merriment during two weeks in July.