Dalian travel guide for foreign visitors

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From the airport or station to the city

Where you land, the ways into the city centre, how long each takes and what it costs.

From Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)

大连周水子国际机场

MetroTime25–35 minCost¥3–4
Metro Line 2 stops at the airport (station “机场”) and runs straight to Qingniwaqiao and Zhongshan Square in the centre. The airport is only about 10 km from downtown.
TaxiTime20–40 minCost¥30–60
Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals, or DiDi. Allow more time in rush hour.

From Dalian North Station (high-speed rail)

大连北站

MetroTime30–40 minCost¥4
Most high-speed trains (from Beijing, Shenyang, Harbin) arrive here, about 12 km north of the centre. Metro Line 2 runs from here via the airport to Zhongshan Square; Line 1 goes to Xinghai Square.
TaxiTime25–40 minCost¥35–55
Taxi rank and DiDi pick-up point at the station.

From Dalian Station (city centre)

大连站

MetroTime5–15 minCost¥2–3
The old central station, a short walk from Russian Street and Zhongshan Square. Metro Line 3 (to Jinshitan) starts here; Line 2 is at nearby Qingniwaqiao.

Getting around

Metro Lines 1, 2 and 3 cover the centre, Xinghai Square, the airport and the high-speed station; Line 3 runs out to Jinshitan (about 50 minutes) and Line 12 to Lüshun (change at Hekou on Line 1; about 1 hour from the centre). The coastal Binhai Road and Tiger Beach are best by bus, taxi or DiDi; Lüshun’s sights are spread out, so take taxis between them or hire a car for the day. Visa-free transit: the whole of Liaoning province is in the 240-hour stay area, and Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport and Dalian Port (passenger) are eligible ports (NIA, 20 Aug 2026). Lüshunkou has been open to foreign visitors since 2010, apart from a few military zones: carry your passport and don’t photograph naval facilities.

Book these before you fly

These sights need a reservation with your passport. Walk-ups are usually turned away.

Lüshun Prison Museum (Russo-Japanese Prison)Reserve a free time slot on the museum’s official WeChat account (旅顺日俄监狱旧址博物馆). If you can’t book with a passport online, bring your passport to the ticket office at the main gate and ask.

Top sights

Crowds strolling on Xinghai Square by the sea

星海广场Xinghai SquareA vast seafront square built in 1997, with a 19.97 m marble column, a giant open-book sculpture marking Dalian’s centenary and views of Xinghai Bay Bridge.1–2 hours

Beidaqiao suspension bridge on Dalian’s Binhai Road

滨海路Binhai Road coastal drive and boardwalkA winding road along the cliffs of Dalian’s south coast, linking beaches, lookouts and the Beidaqiao suspension bridge, with a 21 km wooden boardwalk beside it.Half a day

Polar aquarium dome at Tiger Beach Ocean Park below green hills

老虎滩海洋公园Tiger Beach Ocean Park (Laohutan)A big seaside marine park on Binhai Road with a polar aquarium, coral hall, bird garden, sea-mammal shows and a cable car over the bay.Booking recommendedHalf a day

Zhongshan Square’s round plaza and historic buildings seen from above

中山广场Zhongshan Square and its historic buildingsA round square laid out in the Russian era and ringed by grand banks and offices built under Japanese rule (1908–1936), including the former Yamato Hotel.45 minutes

Red-brick buildings of the former Lüshun Prison

旅顺日俄监狱旧址博物馆Lüshun Prison Museum (Russo-Japanese Prison)A brick prison begun by Russia in 1902 and expanded by Japan, where Korean independence activist An Jung-geun was held and executed; cells, workshops and the gallows remain.Booking required1.5–2 hours

Russian-era building with green roofs on Dalian’s Russian Street

俄罗斯风情街Russian StreetA short street of restored Russian-era buildings from around 1900, north of Shengli Bridge, where Dalian (then Dalny) began; now souvenir shops and cafés.45 minutes 旅顺博物馆Lüshun MuseumA museum in a 1917 Japanese-era building, with bronzes, Buddhist art, a Xinjiang mummy collection and Silk Road finds from the Ōtani expeditions.Booking recommended2 hours 白玉山景区Baiyushan (Baiyu Hill) and towerA hill above Lüshun with a tower Japan built in 1909 after the Russo-Japanese War, a naval museum and the best view over Lüshun’s natural harbour.1.5 hours 东鸡冠山北堡垒East Jiguan Mountain North FortA concrete Russian fort of Port Arthur, battered in the 1904 siege by the Japanese army; tunnels, shell holes and a Russo-Japanese War exhibition hall remain.1–1.5 hours 旅顺苏军烈士陵园Lüshun Soviet Martyrs Cemetery (Port Arthur Russian Cemetery)China’s largest foreign cemetery, founded in 1898: Russian soldiers of the 1904 siege lie in the western part, and Soviet servicemen and families from 1945–1955 in the east.45 minutes 老铁山黄渤海分界线Laotieshan Cape (Yellow Sea–Bohai Sea dividing line)The southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, with an 1893 lighthouse and a viewpoint where the two seas sometimes show different colours.1.5 hours plus travel 棒棰岛景区Bangchuidao scenic areaA quiet bay at the east end of Binhai Road with a clean beach, wooded hills and a small island shaped like a ginseng root, 600 m offshore.1.5–2 hours 大连森林动物园Dalian Forest ZooA large hillside zoo above Binhai Road with giant pandas, Siberian tigers and a free-roaming safari section, linked by a sightseeing train.3–4 hours 金石滩Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach)A coastal resort 50 km northeast of the city with a national geopark of strange, colourful rock formations, a long free beach and the Discoveryland theme park.Full day 星海湾跨海大桥Xinghai Bay BridgeA 6 km double-deck suspension bridge across Xinghai Bay, opened in 2015; it’s for cars only, so enjoy it from the shore, especially when it’s lit up at night.30 minutes 东港（音乐喷泉）Donggang waterfront and music fountainDalian’s redeveloped old port district, with a seafront promenade, the convention centre, European-style waterfront blocks and an evening music fountain.1–1.5 hours 南山风情街Nanshan historic villa quarter (Japanese-era houses)About 700 m of tree-lined lanes with over 120 villas built for Japanese residents in the early 20th century, in a mix of Western and Japanese styles; now cafés and boutiques.1 hour

Map

What to eat here

海鲜Bohai seafoodSea urchin, scallops, clams, prawns, sea cucumber and abalone from cold northern waters; pick them live at a market or seafood restaurant and have them steamed or stir-fried.

焖子Fried bean-starch jelly (menzi)Cubes of starch jelly pan-fried until crisp outside, then dressed with sesame paste, garlic water and soy; Dalian’s favourite street snack.

海胆水饺Sea urchin dumplingsBoiled dumplings with a rich, briny sea urchin filling; also try mackerel or prawn fillings.

咸鱼饼子Salted fish with corn cakesA fishermen’s classic: fried salted fish eaten with corn cakes baked on the side of the wok.

铁板鱿鱼Griddled squidWhole squid pressed on a hot iron plate with chilli, cumin and sweet sauce; sold at street stalls and night markets.

锅包肉Crispy sweet and sour porkThe northeast’s signature dish: thin pork slices fried crisp and glazed with a sweet and sour sauce.

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