Dalian
About Dalian
Dalian is China's northernmost ice-free port, where Russian onion domes, Japanese villas and glass skyscrapers share the same skyline. Once a quiet fishing village, it became a Russian naval base in 1898, then a Japanese trading hub in 1905; today it is the 'Pearl of the Bohai Sea,' famous for forested hills, long beaches and a yacht-filled bay. Culturally, Dalian blends Shandong fisher-folk traditions with coastal openness: morning tai-chi on Xinghai Square, afternoon craft-beer in an old warehouse, midnight seafood barbecue on Ghost Street. Local food is seafood-first and umami-rich: fresh sea urchin, dry-fried razor clams, sweet-savory 'red-roasted' sea cucumber, and street staples like fried 'men zi' (potato-starch cubes) dipped in garlic sauce.
星海广场 | Xinghai Square
Asia's largest city square—two Tian'anmens wide—framed by sea, lighthouse and skyscrapers.
滨海路 | Binhai Road Scenic Drive
30 km of cliff-hugging coastal highway for hiking, cycling and Instagram sunsets.
东方威尼斯水城 | Dalian Venice Water Town
4 km of canals flanked by 200 European-style castles; hop on a gondola.
东港音乐喷泉广场 | Donggang Music Fountain
China's 2nd-largest seafront fountain, synced with light shows against the International Conference Center.
星海公园 | Xinghai Park
Sandy city beach with bungee jump, aquarium and 'Star Rock' landmark.
黑石礁地质公园 | Black Stone Reef Geopark
1-billion-year-old black basalt formations revealed at low tide.
西郊国家森林公园 | Western Suburb Forest Park
70 km² of pine-covered hills, streams and fruit-picking—Dalian's 'green lung.'
渔人码头 | Fisherman's Wharf
Colorful European-style houses on a working fishing port; open-air cafés and seafood grills.
中山广场 | Zhongshan Square
19-century Russian circle of Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings; nightly light show.
劳动公园 | Labor Park
Central hillside park with rotating flower festivals, cable car and giant soccer-ball architecture.
南山旅游风情街 | Nanshan Japanese-European Street
120 preserved villas turned cafés, bookshops and izakayas; perfect for slow strolls.
燕窝岭婚庆公园 | Yanziyan Wedding Park
Clifftop gardens with love-themed sculptures and panoramic sea views.
海之韵公园 | Sea Melody Park
7.6 km cliffside trail featuring the famous '18-bend' and gravity-defying 'Strange Slope.'
人民广场 | People's Square
Downtown plaza with daily flag-raising and photogenic female mounted police.
旅顺口日俄监狱旧址 | Lushun Russo-Japanese Prison Museum
Harrowing 1902-1945 prison cells documenting colonial history.
孟哥焖子 | Brother Meng's Menzi
¥7 bowl of crispy potato-starch cubes drenched in garlicky soy & chicken broth—daily 4 p.m. sell-out.
68-86大连老菜馆 | 68-86 Dalian Old Canteen
No-frills 'fly restaurant' packed with locals for giant prawns and pine-nut sweet-corn.
群英楼 | Qunyinglou
120-year-old flagship serving retro '溜肝尖' (flash-fried liver) and squirrel-shaped sweet-sour fish.
船歌鱼墨鱼水饺 | Chuan Ge Fish Dumplings
Jet-black squid-ink wrappers stuffed with fresh cuttlefish—Dalian's edible postcard.
飞蝶鱼鸽海鲜大咖 | Flying Fish & Pigeon Seafood Pot
2-meter platter of crab, clams, prawns and flounder—arrives carried by two waiters.
2路小丸子 | Route-2 Takoyaki
Street cart famous for octopus balls drizzled with bonito flakes and seaweed.
黑石礁小吃街 | Heishijiao Snack Street
Night market of grilled squid, scallop skewers and sea-urchin steamed eggs.
海味当家 | Hai Wei Dang Jia
Locals queue for sea-urchin tofu and salt-grilled razor clams; open till 2 a.m.
日丰园饺子馆 | Ri Feng Yuan Dumpling House
Hand-rolled wrappers, signature sea-cucumber & pork filling.
天天渔港 | Tian Tian Fisherman's Port
No-menu seafood hall—point at live tanks, pay by weight, eat at plastic tables.
老姬焖子 | Lao Ji Menzi
Third-generation family stall; add spicy crab roe on top.
姐妹麻辣烫 | Sisters Spicy Hot Pot
Street cart DIY skewers simmered in seafood-bone broth, splash of shrimp-paste sauce.
焖子夹肉烧饼 | Menzi Burger
Crispy potato cube slab stuffed inside a sesame flatbread—portable carb bomb.
海菜包子 | Seaweed Bun Stall
Soft steamed buns filled with fresh kelp and glass-noodles; breakfast staple.
大连老酸奶 | Dalian Vintage Yogurt
Jar-cultured yogurt served with condensed milk and roasted soybean powder.
High value, low price local experiences
滨海路徒步 | Binhai Road Hike
30 km cliff trail with free ocean views; start at Tiger Beach, end at Fujiazhuang.
星海广场夜光风筝 | Night Kite Flying at Xinghai
Rent LED kites for ¥20 and send them above the sea breeze.
海鲜市场砍价买 | Seafood Market Haggle
Pick live crabs and clams at Dalian Fishing Port, pay ¥10 for on-the-spot steaming.
百年有轨电车 | 1909 Tram Ride
Wooden-seat heritage tram rattles through downtown for ¥2.
手工贝壳画 | Seashell Mosaic Workshop
60-min class to glue Dalian shells into seagull souvenirs; ¥30.
旅顺口炮台VR | Lushun Battery VR Battle
Step into 1894 Sino-Japanese war via VR goggles; ¥40.
冬泳体验 | Winter Polar Dip
Join the annual Dalian International Winter Swimming Festival (Jan-Feb).
传统剪纸 | Paper-Cutting in Courtyard
90-min bilingual session in a 100-year-old courtyard; take home a seagull silhouette.
定制干海参 | Custom Dried Sea-Cucumber Packing
Choose size, vacuum-seal and ship worldwide—costs one-third of overseas price.