Dalian

The world's largest public square at 1.1km². A sweeping plaza on the Yellow Sea coast featuring the spectacular Arc de Triomphe replica, 100-Year Footprint sculpture garden marking the city's founding, and a broad beach promenade. Magnificent at sunset.

A 30km² national scenic resort featuring unique geological formations (Cambrian rock strata), a pristine pebble beach, Haichang Polar Aquarium, Discovery Kingdom theme park, and international golf courses. The area is famous for its colourful pebbles worn smooth by millennia of waves.

A beautifully preserved pedestrian street lined with Russian-era buildings from the late 1890s. Shops selling Russian nesting dolls, amber jewellery, vodka and traditional crafts. The adjacent Zhongshan Square features 10 radial boulevards converging at a circular roundabout — still the heart of colonial Dalian.

Historically significant naval port — site of the 1894 Sino-Japanese War and 1904 Russo-Japanese War battles. Visit the Lüshun Prison Museum (Russian-built, expanded by Japan), the Russian-Japanese War Battlefield, Baiyu Mountain fortifications, and the eerie 203 Metre Hill where the decisive siege took place.

One of China's best marine theme parks on a dramatic rocky cape (Tiger Beach). Features a large coral aquarium, polar ocean world, bird paradise with flamingos and pelicans, and a spectacular cable car over the sea. The coastal cliff scenery alone is worth the visit.

A scenic coastal island/peninsula named after its club-shaped rock formation. Once a state guesthouse for Chinese leaders, the area features pristine beaches, elegant gardens, and dramatic sea cliffs. Accessible via boat or land, it is one of the most photographed spots in Dalian.

A world-class open-range zoo set in 700 hectares of forested hillside. Animals roam in naturalistic habitats including lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, and giant pandas. A cable car offers spectacular aerial views over the zoo and Bohai Sea coastline. The safari zone allows vehicle-based close encounters.

One of China's finest natural history museums, featuring outstanding dinosaur fossil collections (many excavated from Liaoning Province), marine life dioramas, mineral specimens, and exhibits on Northeast China's unique ecology. The museum building itself sits dramatically on a coastal hillside.

Iconic 5-star hotel in the heart of the CBD adjacent to Renmin Square. Renowned for impeccable service, stunning harbour views, multiple award-winning restaurants, and a full-service spa. A Dalian institution for business travellers and VIPs since 1997.

European-managed 5-star property in Zhongshan District with panoramic sea views. Features a rooftop pool, German-style beer hall, international restaurants, and the largest convention facilities in Dalian. Favoured by European business delegations.

Centrally located 5-star in Xigang District. The 41-storey tower features 300 elegantly appointed rooms, a sky-high bar with panoramic city views, outdoor heated pool, and direct connections to the Dalian World Expo Center. Excellent weekend rates available.

Premier business and leisure hotel in Dalian's Zhongshan Square area. Walking distance to Russian Street and the port. Known for its Cantonese restaurant, executive lounge, and elegant rooms with colonial square views. Member of Marriott Bonvoy.

Beachfront resort at the Golden Pebble Beach National Resort area. Offers direct beach access, water sports, a golf course next door, and family-friendly facilities. Ideal base for exploring the scenic eastern coast. Popular with domestic holiday-makers in summer.

Dalian has a growing boutique hotel and guesthouse scene especially in the Laohutan and Xinghai Beach areas. Platforms like Airbnb, Tujia, and Meituan offer sea-view apartments from ¥150/night. Youth hostels near Renmin Square provide clean dorms from ¥60/night.

The largest wet seafood market in Dalian — an essential foodie experience. Rows of vendors selling live crab, sea urchin, abalone, and fish caught daily. Choose your seafood and nearby restaurants will cook it for a small fee. Best visited early morning when boats unload.

A vibrant strip of seafood restaurants along Xinghai Bay, many with outdoor terraces overlooking the sea. Famous for hairy crab (autumn), giant scallops grilled on the half shell, and spicy Sichuan seafood hotpot. Lively in the evenings with evening food stalls.

Northeast (dongbei) cuisine is hearty and rustic — featuring large portions of braised pork (hongshao rou), pickled cabbage hotpot (suancai huo guo), corn and millet dishes, and thick hand-made noodles. Look for restaurants specialising in 小鸡炖蘑菇 (chicken and mushroom stew) a dongbei classic.

Dalian has a sophisticated bar scene centred on Qingniwa District and Laohutan area. The Kempinski Hotel's German Beer Hall is a city institution. Craft beer bars have proliferated near the university district. The coastal boardwalks are lined with casual bars ideal for watching the sun set over the sea.

Dalian has a thriving café culture, partly influenced by its Japanese and Russian heritage. The area around Renmin Road and the university district is packed with independent specialty coffee shops. Traditional Chinese tea houses serving Dragon Well (Longjing) and oolong are found throughout the city.

Don't leave Dalian without trying: Sea urchin rice (海胆饭) · Dalian hairy crab (大连毛蟹) · Grilled scallops (烤扇贝) · Sea cucumber (海参) · Bohai prawn dumplings (虾饺) · Cold noodles (冷面) · Abalone porridge (鲍鱼粥).