Location: Dalian
Top Things to do in Dalian
10 Things to Do in Dalian That You Shouldn't Miss
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning Province, China. It is the southernmost city of the Liaodong Peninsula. Dalian is the province's second largest city and has sub-provincial administrative status. The Shandong Peninsula lies southwest across the Bohai Strait and Korea lies across the Yellow Sea to the east.
Restaurants in Dalian
1. Ji Di Guan - Pole Aquarium.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By cyberMythius - Tianjin Region, China
This place u great. Not very far from city center with some very nice attractions. It can get overcrowded, but we're in China right? But the tickets upfront on taobao and you can just scan the QR and go in, no queues (&you'll save some money). Don't skip the birds part, it's worth it. And walk there - it's few minutes walk, cable car is only trap for money.
2. Dalian Forest Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
Reviewed By GottaGoPlaces - Greer, South Carolina
Wasn't expecting such a large zoo, but the $20 entrance fee allows you to view an incredible assortment of animals. Our highlight was the elephant show - a must see
3. Binhai Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By Jedai79 - Singapore
We have driven along and taken buses/taxis along a few coastal routes, viz., from San Francisco back LA (US) (2000), from Marbella to Almuñéca (Spain) (2004), the entire stretch of Amalfi Coast(Italy) (2014), from Split to Dubrovnik (Croatia) (2016), nearer home at our neighbouring country, Penang in Malaysia, Gurney Drive (a few times with the last in 2014). Dalian's Coastal Route was one of the best planned and pavement/pedestrian walkway was one of the best paved to allow pedestrians to enjoy the breathtaking views while exercising/walking the entire stretch of road. When one walks towards the Shell museum, one can get a pretty shot of the Castle Hotel Dalian, gorgeous hotel that is worth every cent of your money (please see our review).
Practically EVERYTHING in Dalian was new, clean, modern and well-maintained. In the past 15 years that we have travelled to China, we feel, apart from Xiamen, Dalian is one of the two cleanest cities, if not the cleanest. Most Chinese cities have pockets of modernity but you hardly find a Chinese city that is so consistently new, clean & well-managed. On 17 May when we walked along Fengyu Tan Street 风雨坛街 in Shenyang沈阳, we had to watch every step we took because there were potholes all over. The construction sites were near Doubletree hotel and Wuai Wholesale Centre (please read our review), not Fengyu Tan Street, so that street should have been in a better condition. Ironically, Shenyang is the "capital" of Liaoning Province (沈阳是辽宁省省会）whereas Dalian which also belongs to Liaoning Province is just a small coastal city and yet the latter is MORE beautiful and cleaner than the "capital" city.
It's such a pity that we can't drive in China despite the fact that there is no language barrier (we haven't asked officially but we have been told that Singapore Driving Licence and International Driving Licence are all not accepted in China, yet we read the TA reviewers on Binhai Road "drove" Hmmm.... did they hire a driver to drive them around or they physically drove? ). If we can drive, we can rent a car in Dalian and drive along Binhai Coastal Road (滨海路）. There are some small parking bays at selected vantage points. Yes, the view off Amalfi Coast still beats Dalian Coastal route hands down even though Dalian's view is already picturesque, however, for a pedestrian, it is safer to walk along Dalian's Binhai Coastal Road than Amalfi because the latter has no pavements.
Will we recommend Binhai Coastal Road?
Go for it, without hesitation!
Our cab driver drove along this stretch of road on 19 May (first 3 photos, provided TA publishes all the photos) & we walked along it on 20 May. On 19 May, it was rather quiet but on 20 May which was a Saturday, the coastal route were packed with the locals, some were organised company outings like staff from Omron and some were school outings. They carried huge flags for easy identification so that members of the individual groups will be able to stay as closely together as possible.
4. Dalian People Square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By Flabby F - Singapore, Singapore
Square is huge - panoramic picture is amazing. Beautifully kept lawns and lined with beautiful flowers along the way. Across the road there is a Fountain and at night the lights are turned on. Many ladies gather to dance in the evenings making for a very interesting sight.
5. Xinghai Square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 707 reviews
Reviewed By Meg P
I think this is one of the better places to visit in Dalian. It has very nice views of the water, a cool bridge, and some nice international restaurants. There is also a small midway for kids or the kids at heart. I don't recommend the bumper cars, since our experience was tainted by a middle-aged local man who made it his Mission to ram only the foreigners as hard as he could in his little bumper car.
6. Labor Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By sy3717 - Subang Jaya, Malaysia
A park that can inspires you to motivate and feel energetic. I, my sisters and brother in-law loved this park so much. We walked around and took a lot of photos under the hot sun but without complaint. The environment and scenery are pleasant to the eyes. However, the public toilets were not well maintained.
7. Laohutan Scenic Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 518 reviews
This 295 acre park is actually a collection of four attractions: Tiger Park, Singing Birds Woods, Tiger Square and an Aquarium.
Reviewed By alohatripper - Honolulu, Hawaii
Jan 30
It was so cold that I took photos from inside the bus. I wanted to get closer to see the details of this remarkable sculpture but wasn't worth braving the freezing cold (10F). There is plenty of parking in front. Vendors surround the bus and those who choose to view the sculpture on foot.
Aside from this monument, I can't remember anything significant about Tiger Beach.
8. Sun Asia Ocean World And Polar World
Overall Ratings
4 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By Seadog40 - Cheshire, United Kingdom
Sun Asia is a large locally spread out complex just off the shore line at Dalian. The areas comprise of maritime zoo, old world things, reptiles, coral exhibtion, shows, etc.
Whilst it is quite good in places other parts I felt it was crual the the animals in their tiny enclousers, (polar bear in particular).
The biggest problem we had was the shear number of people (it was a national Holiday) and so very, very long waiting times and then once in you are spewt along by the mass of people.
Prices at entrance are much higher than you pay via agents.
9. Dalian Zhongshan Square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 301 reviews
Reviewed By Jedai79 - Singapore
We spent more time in People's Square(人民广场） than Zhongshan Square （中山广场）.
We had dinner at Kunming Food Street 昆明食街 which was near Zhongshan Square. There were a number of seafood eateries there. Dalian is famous for its seafood.
How to get there? I believe there is a metro station near Zhongshan Square vicinity. Due to time constraint, we only travelled by cabs in Dalian. Each trip was about ¥25-35 thereabout. However, we had to take the Black Car (illegal "cab" driver, I think. Locals call them 黑车hei cher) from Bangchui Dao to Zhongshan Square area and it was at ¥50 after bargaining.
10. Xinghai Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 190 reviews
