Dalian, a vibrant coastal city in Northeast China, offers a unique mix of natural landscapes, historical architecture, and modern attractions. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking to unwind by the sea, this 3-day itinerary will guide you through the best of what Dalian has to offer. From stunning ocean views and ancient geological wonders to bustling city squares and tranquil beaches, get ready for an unforgettable journey through one of China’s most picturesque coastal destinations.
Day 1: Dalian Shengya Ocean World – Xinghai Square – Binhai Road – Jinsha Beach
First stop: [Dalian Shengya Ocean World] ⏱ 4-6 hours
Compared to Tiger Beach Ocean Park, Shengya Ocean World offers a wider variety of animals, lower ticket prices, and features signature animal performances and a 118-meter-long underwater tunnel. Therefore, if you had to choose between the two, Shengya would be the better option. There are five pavilions in total: Ocean World, Polar World, Coral World, Deep Sea Legends within the main pavilion area, and Dinosaur Legends at Xinghai Square, about a 20-minute walk away.
Second stop: [Xinghai Square] ⏱ 1 hour
Transportation: From Shengya Ocean World, walk east for about 20 minutes to reach Xinghai Square.
Xinghai Square was built to commemorate Hong Kong’s return to China and is a landmark of Dalian, located about 200 meters from the coastline. Visitors come here mainly for the surrounding food options, the chance to enjoy the sea view at Xinghai Bay, and events held in the square.
There are numerous northeast Chinese restaurants and seafood barbecue shops in the area. A relaxing way to spend the evening is to visit a seafood BBQ restaurant, grab some takeout, and head to Xinghai Beach to enjoy the sea, skewer some food, and drink beer. The Beer Garden near Xinghai Bay is a convenient option.
The Dalian International Beer Festival is held at Xinghai Square from late July to early August every year. Many domestic and international beer brands participate, and the evenings are especially lively. If you’re in Dalian during the beer festival, it’s a great idea to spend an evening experiencing the event.
Third stop: [Binhai Road] ⏱ 0.5 hours
Transportation: From Xinghai Square, walk about 1 kilometer to reach Binhai Road.
Binhai Road stretches along the eastern and southern coasts of Dalian, covering over 30 kilometers of scenic coastline. To the north, you’ll see lush mountains, while to the south, the deep blue sea and picturesque rocky islands create an excellent spot for walking and photography. Additionally, Binhai Road connects the mountains and sea, symbolizing the eternal bond of love, making it a popular “Lover’s Road” for locals and couples.
Fourth stop: [Jinsha Beach] ⏱ 1-2 hours
Transportation: From Binhai Road, walk along the coast for 1.8 km to reach Jinsha Beach, or take a 7-minute taxi ride.
The sand at Jinsha Beach is fine and artificially sifted for quality. As the final stop of the day, you can enjoy the sunset here, take a walk after dinner, or even relax with a drink, seafood, and BBQ while gazing at the sea. It’s a perfect way to wind down your day.
Day 2: Zhongshan Square (Russian Style Street) – Fisherman’s Wharf – Bangchui Island – Donggang
Transportation:
It’s recommended to take the Tourist Circular Route bus, which costs 20 RMB. You can get on and off multiple times within a day, and the bus passes almost all major Dalian landmarks, with its starting and ending point at Dalian Railway Station.
Route 201 is Dalian’s only remaining operational tram, which has become a symbol of the city’s history. The route runs from Xinggong Street to Hualegong Square, crossing through the city center. The fare is 1 RMB, and the operating hours are from 4:20 AM to 00:30 AM. You can take the tram early (before 8 AM) to avoid crowds and experience a historical ride.
First stop: [Zhongshan Square] ⏱ 1 hour
Zhongshan Square is the center of Dalian, where Russian and Japanese influences can be seen in the architecture and culture. The buildings here reflect Romanesque, Gothic, and other styles, and the square is now home to several bank branches, making it the city’s financial hub. The main attractions are the Russian-Japanese period buildings and streets. You can scan QR codes on old buildings to learn more about their history.
Russian Style Street was the first street planned by the Russian Empire in Dalian. Most of the buildings along the street were newly constructed around 2000, though some are original or have been rebuilt to match their original design. There are many Russian restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops along the street, where you can find Russian nesting dolls and other items typical of Russian culture.
Second stop: [Fisherman’s Wharf] ⏱ 1-2 hours
Transportation: To see both the city and sea views, take the Tourist Circular Route bus from Dalian Railway Station. The route passes through the city and Binhai Road. For a quicker trip, you can take bus 712 or bus 2 near Zhongshan Square.
Fisherman’s Wharf features a beach, a pier full of fishing boats, and European-style architectural streets. A relaxing option is to choose one of the many cafes or restaurants along the street, find a spot with a sea view, and enjoy a meal while chatting. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the sunset at the Wharf. If you’re into postcards and artsy shops, visit the Cat’s Sky City Concept Bookstore (猫的天空之城概念书店), which resembles a European-style little shop.
Third stop: [Bangchui Island Scenic Area] ⏱ 1-2 hours
Transportation: Take the Tourist Circular Route bus directly from Fisherman’s Wharf to reach Bangchui Island.
The Bangchui Island Scenic Area mainly consists of a beach, Bangchui Island, and a hotel villa area.
- Beach: From the entrance, it’s a 20-minute walk along a tree-lined path to the beach. Bangchui Island’s beach has the clearest water and the cleanest sand in Dalian. From here, you can enjoy a distant view of Bangchui Island.
- Bangchui Island: A small island located over 400 meters from the shoreline, it is named after its resemblance to a laundry stick (bangchui). You can take a speedboat from the beach pier to get a closer look at the island.
- Hotel and Villa Area: [Bangchui Island State Guesthouse] has hosted many national leaders and foreign dignitaries. The villas along the tree-lined path are mostly built in Japanese and European styles.
Fourth stop: [Donggang] ⏱ 1-2 hours
Transportation: Take the Tourist Circular Route bus to [Donggang Yacht Pier Station].
Donggang has gradually become a popular spot for visitors, thanks to its newly built architecture, facilities, and seaside location.
- Venetian Water City is a replica of Venice, Italy, built in 2014. There’s no admission fee. You can choose to ride a gondola through the 4 km artificial canals, with tickets costing 60 RMB per person.
- 777Loft is a Western-style café where you can sip coffee while enjoying the sea view. Its white shipping container design and American highway-themed signage have made it a trendy photo spot.
- Mirror Water Pool is located at the yacht pier. The pool reflects the sky, creating stunning photos during sunrise and sunset. It’s also a popular spot for wedding photography, though it may get crowded during holidays.
Day 3: Binhai National Geopark – Shili Golden Coast
First stop: [Binhai National Geopark] ⏱ 1 hour
Transportation: Take Metro Line 3 from Dalian city center to Jinshitan, and then it’s recommended to take a 10-minute taxi to the entrance of the Geopark.
Binhai National Geopark is a natural geological park formed by rock deposits from 600 to 900 million years ago, along with many ancient fossils. It features rare karst stone forests and caves on the beach. The park is divided into three main areas: Dinosaur Garden, Nanshiu Garden, and Aotan Garden. Highlights include the “Beethoven Head” stone, “Dinosaur Exploring the Sea” stone, Turtle Shell Rock, and a small exhibition of unusual stones in the Geological Museum.
Second stop: [Shili Golden Coast] ⏱ 2 hours
Transportation: It takes about 1.5 hours by bus, but taking a taxi is a quicker option (around 10 minutes).
Shili Golden Coast is the largest seawater bathing beach in Northeast China, stretching for ten miles. The sand here is fine and golden, and the water quality is excellent. After a day of sightseeing, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sea. From July to September, you can swim in the sea and also try activities like jet skiing and windsurfing.
