Travel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dalian

Dalian has many tourist destinations and the Dalian Tourism Bureau has a wealth of information for travelers.

What are the major places of interest in Dalian?

The city center is home to Sun Yat-sen Square, People's Square, and Shengli (Victory) Square. Inside the city, most visitors go to Xinghai Square, the Ocean Park at Tiger Beach, Coastal Road, Forest Zoo, and Fujiazhuang (Village of the Fu Family) Park. Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach), Discovery Kingdom theme park, and Bingyugou Valley are located in the suburbs.

Xinghai Square

Which aquarium offers more value?

Tiger Beach has the Polar Aquarium, which is the city's only 5A scenic spot, where white whales and dolphins perform. Joy Theater near the aquarium has sea lions and walruses. Nearby, Bird Forest is known for its performances by parrots and other birds.

Shengya Aquarium is located in Xinghai Park. It has a 118-meter-long underwater channel where visitors can see shows by dolphins and divers dressed as mermaids. Dinosaur World Amusement Park, which is nearby, is a favorite among children.

Are there hotels where one can see the sea?

Dalian faces the sea on three sides, but not all hotels offer sea-view rooms. Xinghai Holiday Hotel (Dalian Bayshore Hotel), Fujiazhuang Coastal Resort, and several other hotels on the coast have such rooms. Visitors need to double check before making their reservations. During peak season, one needs to reserve at least 10 days in advance.

Xinghai Holiday Hotel (Dalian Bayshore Hotel) [Photo/VCG]

What's the best season to visit?

From late April to mid-October. Many people say Dalian is at its most beautiful in September and early October.

When can people swim in the sea?

Most visitors find the sea comfortable between July and September. During the weeklong National Holiday in early October, the water could be too cold for swimmers entering the sea for the first time.

Can people skate and ski in Dalian?

Most skating and skiing rinks begin operations in early December and are open until end-February. Besides the skating rinks inside the city, one can visit the Anpo and Minhu skiing slopes in the suburbs.

What special food can be found in Dalian?

There are many varieties of marine products in Dalian ranging from fish to shells and other culinary treats. Local people have invented many ways to prepare them, such as steaming, frying, and barbecuing. Seafood is often cooked with egg, flour, and vegetables.

Dalian Abalone [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Are there homestay arrangements available?

The local government encourages people to rent their spare rooms to tourists, which is an effective way of supplementing the busy hotels during high season. There are also apartment hotels where visitors can cook fresh seafood by themselves.

Is public transport convenient?

Yes. Bus prices in Dalian vary from 1 yuan ($0.15) to 2 yuan, 3 yuan, and 5 yuan depending on distance. One can reach most places of interest in the city within half an hour. The taxi service is also excellent. Every passenger seat has an icon of an animal with a number, so if you remember this icon, you can easily find the cab in case you forget something. The airport is about 12 kilometers from the city center. The taxi fare comes to less than 30 yuan.

What recreational facilities are available to locals at night?

Most locals gather at squares such as Xinghai to dance, chat, or watch shows. Shengli (Victory) Square has a famous underground snack street.