
Dalian is a major sub-provincial port city in Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China. It is the second largest city in Liaoning Province (after the provincial capital Shenyang) and the third most populous city in Northeast China (after Shenyang and Harbin). It is located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula and is the southernmost city in Liaoning Province and the entire Northeast region. Dalian was named China's most livable city by the China Daily in 2006. It is now a Beta-level city under the Globalization and World Cities Research Network classification. A large amount of port traffic makes Dalian a large port metropolis. Dalian is one of the top 40 science cities in the world, ranking 37th globally in the 2023 Nature Index. The city has several major universities, notably Dalian University of Technology and Dalian Maritime University, both key universities in China's Project 211, as well as the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Summer and autumn (May to October) have a pleasant climate and are the best seasons to visit.
¥400-800 ($60-120) per day
Subway, Bus, Tram, Taxi, Ride-hailing, Ship
3-4 days
Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort is located in Jinzhou District, Dalian City. It is one of the first national-level tourist resorts, boasting charming coastal scenery, unique natural landforms, and rich tourism resources. It integrates sightseeing, leisure, vacation, conferences, culture, sports, and shopping, attracting tourists from home and abroad with its unique coastal geological landscape and high-quality resort environment.

Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park is located on Dalian's southern coast, a national scenic area, and is China's largest modern seaside amusement park. The park features Asia's largest Coral Aquarium, Polar Museum, Marine Mammal Museum, Happy Theater, and more, making it a comprehensive marine theme park integrating marine animal exhibits, marine science education, tourism, and leisure entertainment.
Dalian Discovery Kingdom Theme Park is located in Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort and is a well-known comprehensive theme park in Northeast China. The park is divided into seven major themed areas: Discovery Plaza, Legendary Castle, Magic Forest, Metal Factory, Mysterious Desert, Crazy Town, and Wedding Plaza. It boasts over a hundred amusement facilities, such as "Crazy Cobra," "Water Rush," and "Space Shuttle," and also offers exciting theater performances and float parades, making it an ideal choice for family trips and thrill-seeking tourists.
Xinghai Square is located in the heart of the southern coast of Shahekou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China. It is the largest city square in the world by area, covering a total area of 110 hectares, all of which was reclaimed from the sea. Its name means 'Sea of Stars'. The square was completed and opened to the public for free on June 30, 1997, to commemorate the return of Hong Kong.

Donggang Music Fountain Plaza is located at No. 9 Wuwu Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian, adjacent to Dalian International Conference Center. It is an urban plaza integrating leisure, entertainment, and sightseeing. The most famous attraction here is the large-scale music fountain performance, which combines lights and music to bring a stunning audio-visual feast to visitors. The plaza is surrounded by beautiful scenery, making it a great place for citizens and tourists to stroll and relax.
Dalian Fisherman's Wharf is located on Binhai East Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian City, adjacent to Laohutan Ocean Park. This area was once part of Dalian Laohutan Fishing Port. After renovation, it has now become a distinctive commercial street and scenic area integrating leisure, entertainment, dining, and shopping. The entire area is designed with European charm, and the colorful buildings, docked fishing boats, and sea breeze create a romantic atmosphere, making it a popular photo spot and leisure destination in Dalian.
Dalian Oriental Water City, also known as Venice Water City, is located in Zhongshan District, Dalian City, and is a tourist attraction full of exotic charm. It features unique European architectural styles, winding canals, and French-covered bridges, making visitors feel as if they are in Venice, Italy. Tourists can take gondola rides, navigate through the water city, admire the scenery on both banks, and experience a romantic atmosphere. The water city also has various shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it an ideal place for leisure vacations and photo opportunities.
Dalian Jinshitan Coastal National Geological Park is located in the Jinshitan National Tourist Resort, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China. It is renowned for its unique coastal landforms and rich geological heritage. The park features numerous peculiar rock formations, such as "Dinosaur Back" and "Mystical Turtle Seeking Treasure", serving as a natural museum for studying Earth's evolution, geological structures, and paleontology. It is also a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, integrating sightseeing, popular science education, and leisure.
Dalian Botanical Garden is located in Zhongshan District, Dalian City, and is a comprehensive botanical garden integrating scientific research, popular science education, and tourism. The garden cultivates numerous rare plants from home and abroad, offering pleasant scenery throughout the four seasons, making it an excellent place for citizens to relax, stroll, and get close to nature.
Dalian Labor Park is located in the heart of Dalian, south of Qingniwaqiao CBD and at the northern foot of Lushun Mountain, just 500 meters from Dalian Railway Station. Covering an area of 1.02 million square meters, it is the largest park in the city center and the earliest large-scale urban park to be built. With over 3 million visitors annually, it is deeply loved by Dalian citizens. The park has a long history, dating back to its construction in 1898 during the Russian occupation, when it was initially named "West Park." After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan expanded it, adding facilities such as a sumo arena, golf course, equestrian club, and swimming pool, and renamed it "Tiger Park" due to the presence of tigers within. In 1926, with urban development, the park was renamed "Central Park." On the eve of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on March 3, 1949, it was renamed "Labor Park," and the "Zhongling Pagoda" within the park was also renamed "May Day Pagoda." The eastern part of the park features a lotus pond, over which the historic Qingniwa Bridge is built. The western part houses animals such as red-crowned cranes, peacocks, and sika deer. The southern part is higher in elevation and features an observation deck, offering panoramic views of Dalian city center. The park also boasts a new amusement park with China's first double-track dry land bobsled and rafting facilities.
Bangchuidao Scenic Area is located on the eastern coast of Dalian, a scenic resort primarily featuring mountains, sea, islands, and beaches. It boasts beautiful scenery, fresh air, golden sandy beaches, clear waters, and unique reefs. The island is lush with vegetation and pleasant scenery, making it an ideal place for leisure vacations, sightseeing, and photography. The scenic area includes multiple attractions such as Bangchuidao Island, a beach bathing area, and Wanghaiting Pavilion, showcasing Dalian's unique marine natural landscape.
Lüshun Museum is located in Lüshunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province. It was established in 1915, when the area was a Japanese leased territory. The museum is renowned for its collection of mummies gathered by Japanese explorer Otani Kozui during his Central Asian expeditions between 1901 and 1910. Key historical milestones include: the establishment of the Product Exhibition Hall in November 1915, its renaming to the Kwantung Government-General Manchuria-Mongolia Products Museum in April 1917, and its official designation as Lüshun Museum in December 1934. In January 1951, the Soviet government transferred the 'Lüshun Oriental Culture Museum' to the Chinese government. In December 1952, it was renamed the Lüshun Historical and Cultural Museum. After being closed during the Cultural Revolution, it reopened in May 1972. In October 1999, Lüshun Museum underwent a comprehensive renovation project, merging with parts of the botanical and zoological gardens, expanding its park area to 150,000 square meters, and carrying out comprehensive maintenance on its main building. In April 2001, the Lüshun Museum Branch was completed and opened, primarily showcasing 'Ancient Dalian Civilization' and 'Foreign Cultural Relics'. In May 2008, Lüshun Museum was rated as one of the first batch of 'National First-Class Museums' by the National Cultural Heritage Administration. In 2014, it was awarded the title of 'Liaoning Provincial Science Popularization Base' by the Liaoning Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

Xinghai Park is located on the southern coast of Dalian and is a famous local seaside park. The park was originally built in 1909 by the South Manchuria Railway Company, named "Hoshigaura" (meaning "Star Beach"), and was a comprehensive resort integrating a bathing beach, a golf course, and the Hoshigaura Yamato Hotel. It was once selected as one of the Eight Great Scenic Spots of Lushun and Dalian. In 1945, the park was renamed Xinghai Park. The park covers an area of 150,000 square meters and boasts an 800-meter-long beach, making it one of Dalian's four major beaches. Inside the park, there is a 55-meter-high bungee jumping facility introduced from New Zealand. The Xinghai Bay Bridge can be seen from the seaside. Additionally, there is a coastal walkway leading to Xinghai Square. To the east of the park is Sun Asia Ocean World. The park is free to enter, and its opening hours are from 7:30 to 17:30 (extended during summer).

Dalian Qingniwa Commercial Street is located in Zhongshan District, Dalian City. It is a comprehensive commercial area integrating shopping, dining, and entertainment. It gathers numerous large department stores, fashion boutiques, specialty restaurants, and leisure and entertainment venues, making it a popular destination for local residents and tourists to experience Dalian's urban life. The commercial street has convenient transportation and is an important window to experience Dalian's prosperity and vitality.
The Dongjiguan Mountain Scenic Area - Russo-Japanese War Exhibition Hall is located within the Dongjiguan Mountain Scenic Area, Longtou Street, Lushunkou District, Dalian City. It is an important place to learn about the history of the Russo-Japanese War. Through rich historical materials, pictures, and artifacts, it shows visitors the brutal scenes of the Russo-Japanese War and its profound impact on China. The scenic area also includes historical sites such as the Dongjiguan Mountain North Fortress, making it a tourist attraction that integrates historical education and cultural tourism.
Dalian Forest Zoo is located in Xigang District, Dalian City. It is a modern zoo that integrates forest, animals, and natural landscapes. The zoo is divided into captive breeding areas and free-range areas, boasting numerous rare wild animals, making it an ideal place for leisure sightseeing and family trips.
The Lüshun Wan Zhong Tomb Memorial Museum was built to commemorate Chinese compatriots who died in the Lüshun Massacre during the First Sino-Japanese War. The memorial museum is located in Lüshunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, and is a national key cultural relic protection unit. Through rich historical materials and cultural relics, the memorial museum exposes the inhumane massacre crimes committed by Japanese invaders in Lüshun, aiming to educate future generations to never forget national humiliation and cherish peace.
Dalian Bingyu Provincial Tourist Resort is located in the northern part of Xiandong Town, Zhuanghe City, Dalian City, Liaoning Province. It is a provincial tourist resort integrating mountains, water, forests, springs, and caves. Known as the "Little Guilin of the North", it is famous for its unique peaks, beautiful waters, secluded valleys, strange rocks, ancient trees, and ice caves. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.
The Lüshun Russian-Japanese Prison Site Museum, located in Lüshunkou District, Dalian City, China, is a prison established by Tsarist Russia and Japanese imperialism in Lüshun during the Russo-Japanese War, serving as a historical witness to imperialist aggression against China. The prison covers an area of 26,000 square meters, with a building area of 8,890 square meters, and is an old-style prison constructed of brick and stone. The museum houses a large collection of cultural relics and historical materials. Through its exhibition on the Russian-Japanese Prison, it exposes the brutal rule of imperialism and its oppression of the Chinese people. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit and a national patriotic education demonstration base.
Dalian Jinshitan Golden Coast is located within the Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort, renowned for its golden sandy beaches, clear waters, and beautiful natural scenery. It is an ideal destination for leisure vacations, beach bathing, and various water activities, attracting a large number of tourists every year.
The Dalian Golden Pebble Beach Museum of Life Mysteries is a popular science museum centered around biological plastination technology, showcasing various biological specimens including human bodies and animals. Through unique exhibition methods, it reveals the mysteries of life and holds significant educational value for popular science.
Dalian Modern Museum is located in Shahekou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province. It is a comprehensive modern museum integrating collection, research, exhibition, and education. The museum primarily showcases Dalian's modern and contemporary history, culture, and urban development, presenting Dalian's century-long transformation from its opening as a port city to a modern metropolis through rich cultural relics, pictures, and multimedia materials.
The Dalian Centennial Commemorative City Sculpture is located at the southern end of Xinghai Square. It is a large urban sculpture built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Dalian's establishment as a city. With its unique artistic form and profound symbolism, it showcases Dalian's century-long urban development, making it one of Xinghai Square's iconic landmarks and an important cultural landscape of Dalian. The sculpture is composed of 100 footprints and an open book, symbolizing the footsteps left by the people of Dalian throughout a century of history and their aspirations for the future.

Zhongshan Square is an urban square located in Zhongshan District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China, named after Dr. Sun Yat-sen. It was originally designed and built by Tsarist Russia in the 19th century. Subsequently, during the Japanese rule in the first half of the 20th century, multiple classical buildings were constructed around the square. After Japan's withdrawal in 1945, the square was finally renamed Zhongshan Square to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen. In 1995, Zhongshan Square installed 36 sets of audio systems, becoming China's first "Music Square." The square has a diameter of 213 meters and features a five-lane roundabout internally. In the summer evenings, citizens often dance, hold foreign language corner activities, or engage in other recreational activities in the green belts and paved areas. Underground passages beneath the square lead inward, connecting Zhongshan Road and Renmin Road respectively. Ten roads radiate clockwise from the square, forming an important transportation hub and commercial center in downtown Dalian.
Baiyushan Scenic Area is located in Lushunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, and is one of Dalian's famous tourist attractions. The Baiyushan Pagoda on the mountaintop is its iconic building, where visitors can climb the pagoda to overlook the entire Lushun Military Port and learn about its rich historical and cultural heritage. The scenic area integrates natural scenery, historical sites, and red tourism, making it an ideal destination for sightseeing and leisure.
Snake Island-Laotieshan National Nature Reserve is located in Lushunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province. It is a national nature reserve primarily dedicated to protecting the Snake Island pit viper, migratory birds, and their habitats. The reserve is not open to the public.
The Dalian Natural History Museum is a comprehensive natural history museum that integrates the collection, research, and exhibition of geological, paleontological, zoological, and botanical specimens. It houses nearly 200,000 specimens, including many precious fossil specimens and large marine biological specimens, making it an excellent place to learn about the natural history of Dalian and even the Northeast region. The museum building itself is also very distinctive, featuring a typical Tsarist Russian architectural style, located by the sea with beautiful scenery.
Hengshan Temple is located in Lushunkou District, Dalian City, and is a scenic spot that integrates temple culture and natural scenery. The temple environment is serene, making it an excellent place for worship, leisure, and sightseeing.

Dalian Russian Style Street is China's first street with a Russian style, preserving some buildings from the early 20th century Russian colonial period. Both sides of the street feature pointed, tower-style attics, or domed, luxurious Russian architecture, full of exotic charm. It is a distinctive street that integrates tourism, sightseeing, shopping, and leisure.
Lotus Mountain Observation Deck is a famous tourist attraction in Dalian, located within the Xishan Fitness Park of Forest Zoo at No. 60 Yingchun Road. Visitors can overlook the magnificent cityscape of Dalian from here.
The Dalian Shell Museum is located at No. 2, Zone D, Xinghai Square, Dalian. It is a museum dedicated to shells. It collects rare shells from all over the world, showcasing their types, forms, distribution, and relationship with human culture. The museum has a rating of 4.6.
Dalian Art Museum is located in Xigang District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, and is a professional venue for displaying art works.

Nanshan Style Street is a distinctive commercial street in Zhongshan District, Dalian, often referred to as the 'Japanese Style Street'. It gathers numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes with Japanese architectural styles, making it a great place to experience exotic charm, taste special delicacies, and enjoy leisure shopping.

Dalian Gangdong Fifth Street is a coastal street located in Zhongshan District, Dalian City. With its unique industrial charm and captivating sea views, it has become a popular internet-famous check-in spot favored by tourists in recent years. It is an excellent location for shooting sunsets, harbors, industrial buildings, and romantic couple photos, attracting numerous photography enthusiasts and young people.

Fujiazhuang Beach is located within Fujiazhuang Park at No. 50 Binhai Road, Xigang District, Dalian City, and is one of Dalian's renowned beaches. Its gentle sandy shores and clear waters make it an ideal spot for summer relaxation, vacations, swimming, and recreation. The beach boasts a beautiful surrounding environment and comprehensive facilities, making it perfect for family outings.

Dalian World Expo Center is a modern, large-scale convention and exhibition center located in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Situated on the famous Xinghai Square, it is a multi-functional complex integrating exhibitions, conferences, business, dining, entertainment, and more. It has hosted numerous large-scale domestic and international exhibitions, conferences, and cultural events and is an important platform for promoting the development of Dalian's convention and exhibition economy.

The Dalian Urban Planning Exhibition Center is an important window for Dalian to showcase its urban development history, planning and construction achievements, and future development blueprint. Through various forms such as multimedia, models, and graphics, it comprehensively and vividly presents Dalian's urban transformation, regional planning, infrastructure, ecological environment, and cultural history. It serves as an important platform for citizens to understand the city and participate in planning, and also a significant calling card for promoting Dalian's urban image to the outside world.

Naval Port Night Theme Park (also known as Lushun Naval Port Park) is located in Lushunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province. It is a park themed around naval port scenery and military culture. Inside the park, visitors can enjoy the magnificent views of Lushun Naval Port and experience a rich historical atmosphere and military culture.

Dalian Catholic Church, located at No. 31 Xi'an Street, Dalian City, is a church that integrates religion, history, and architectural art. It is not only an important place of worship for local Catholics but also a significant historical and cultural site in Dalian City. The church's architectural style is unique, blending various elements to showcase the artistic charm of East-meets-West. Its interior decoration is solemn and dignified, with stained glass, exquisite murals, and other features of high artistic value. The Catholic Church is open daily from 07:00 to 17:00, attracting numerous believers and tourists.

The Dalian Lushun Submarine Museum is located in Lushunkou District, Dalian City, and is a military museum with a submarine theme. Visitors can learn about the structure, history, and military significance of submarines up close.

Heishijiao Park is located in Shahekou District, Dalian City, adjacent to Dalian Ocean University. It is a coastal park that combines natural scenery with leisure and entertainment. The park is famous for its unique black reef landform, where visitors can enjoy sea views, stroll along the beach, and experience the charm of nature. It is an ideal place for citizens and tourists to get close to the ocean and relax.
Dalian Victory Square is located in Zhongshan District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China. It is a large urban square and an important commercial and transportation hub in the city. The square is famous for its unique underground commercial street and shopping center, gathering numerous shops and dining facilities, making it a popular spot for citizens to relax, shop, and meet friends. Victory Square boasts an excellent geographical location and convenient transportation, making it an ideal place to experience Dalian's urban vitality and modern commercial atmosphere.

Scallion Oil Whelk is a dish primarily made with whelk, cooked with scallion oil. The whelk meat is fresh, tender, and succulent. After simple steaming or blanching, it is drizzled with scallion oil made from fragrant scallion segments fried in hot oil and seasonings. This fully brings out the inherent sweetness of the whelk, complemented by a rich scallion aroma. This dish is usually loved for its light and fresh flavor.

Sea Jelly is a common snack, especially popular in coastal cities. It is usually made from seaweed extract, with a chewy and smooth texture, and a light flavor. It is often served with various seasonings such as minced garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, etc., and has the effect of clearing heat and relieving summer heat.

Mackerel dumplings are a traditional specialty food from China's coastal regions, especially Qingdao, Shandong. They are made primarily with fresh mackerel meat, usually mixed with a small amount of pork, chives, or ginger and scallions, to form a filling, which is then wrapped in thin dough wrappers. Its characteristics are delicious taste, tender and smooth fish meat, and rich, juicy flavor.

Steamed Scallops is a popular Chinese home-style dish, made with fresh scallops as the main ingredient, steamed with vermicelli, minced garlic, light soy sauce, and other seasonings. This dish preserves the natural sweetness of the scallops, while incorporating the aroma of minced garlic and the springy texture of vermicelli, characterized by its authentic, light, and delicious flavor.

Grilled squid is a common street food and dish, prepared by grilling squid. The body (mantle), arms, tentacles, and ink of the squid are all edible, and it is usually cut into rings or grilled whole. Grilled squid is very popular in Asian countries, especially China, Thailand, and Japan, and is often sold at food stalls.

Seafood Geda Soup is a traditional home-style soup, primarily made with dough drops, paired with a variety of fresh seafood (such as shrimp, clams, squid, etc.) and vegetables. It is characterized by its delicious broth, chewy dough drops, and rich nutrition, making it a common delicacy in northern coastal regions.

Sea urchins are a class of echinoderms that live on the seabed, known for their edible gonads (sea urchin roe), and are considered a delicacy worldwide. Their spherical bodies are covered with movable spines, and the sea urchin roe inside has a unique texture.

Steamed mantis shrimp, also known as steamed 'pipi xia', is a common seafood dish in China's northern coastal regions, especially in Shandong, Liaoning, and Tianjin. It uses fresh mantis shrimp as the main ingredient and is prepared by simple steaming, which maximizes the retention of the mantis shrimp's natural sweetness and tender, springy texture. This dish is deeply loved by diners for its simple preparation and delicious taste, making it a popular choice on dining tables in late spring and early summer.

Stir-fried spoon worm is a home-style dish primarily made with spoon worm and chives. The spoon worm has a crisp and tender texture, paired with the fresh aroma of chives, resulting in a refreshing taste and delicious flavor.

Shrimp dumplings are a traditional Cantonese dim sum dish, made with shrimp as the main filling and a steamed wrapper made from wheat flour. After cooking, the dumpling skin becomes translucent, hence they are sometimes also called crystal shrimp dumplings.

Dalian Menzi is a specialty snack from the Dalian region, primarily made from jelly (liangfen) produced from sweet potato starch. It is characterized by its golden and glossy appearance, spicy and delicious taste, and a long-lasting aftertaste.

Salted Fish and Cornbread is a traditional delicacy from Dalian, Liaoning. The origin of this dish is closely related to the lives of local fishermen. When fishermen went out to sea, they would bring salted fish, which was easy to preserve, and pair it with cornmeal pancakes as their staple food. Over time, this dish with distinctive local characteristics was formed. The savory aroma of salted fish perfectly combines with the rustic fragrance of corn pancakes, offering a unique taste and rich flavor.

Seafood congee is a type of congee made primarily with rice, simmered with various fresh seafood. It has a delicious taste and is rich in nutrients, making it a common traditional delicacy in coastal regions.