What to do in Dalian for the first time? Dalian must-see attractions and food guide
Preface
There are some cities that I have never been to, but I still have some inexplicable preference for. This is the case with Dalian. If I were to say my favorite northern city, I think it would be Dalian.
It was also a wonderful coincidence that both of my visits were in winter, so in this cold winter, I would like to share with you how to have fun in Dalian in winter. Dalian, a coastal city, has some Japanese charm, without the rough feeling of the north, and is very fresh and delicate.
Daliancheck the details
Dalian lies at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, at the junction of the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, facing Shandong Province across the sea. A major coastal commercial city in China, it's known as the "City of Romance." However, Dalian is the city least recognizable as a typical Northeastern city. Winters don't drop below -30 degrees Celsius, and the cuisine and local accents are more Shandong-style. Combined with its endless coastline, Dalian resembles a southern coastal city. Over a hundred miles of narrow coastline offer a wealth of natural beauty, and countless scenic spots for enjoying and enjoying the sea are the city's defining attractions. A variety of exotic streets, combined with the countless century-old European-style buildings in Zhongshan Square, give the city a distinctly foreign "flavor." The still-operating old trams slowly weave through the city, connecting countless landmark squares and symbolizing a time.
Recommended months: June to September
6654 recommendations, 4241 visits
Dalian's must-see cultural district
Please forgive me for being so impatient to announce this place as soon as possible. There are many places to visit in Dalian, but if I can only recommend one, it must be here: Qiqi Street.
I think Qiqi Street is the most representative and most beautiful street in Dalian. It is very Japanese, with blue sky, white clouds and yellow leaves. Although the weather is very cold, how can you miss such ginkgo trees?
Recommended must-visit shops
GROOVE vintage store
This is Dalian's first vintage shop. There are two of them. It's so fun to shop. I can't leave without buying anything. I love them all! The prices are not too expensive, and it's great to find the little things I like!
In fact, many people come here not to buy things, but mainly to take pictures.
Address: 3-1-1, Nanshanli, Qiqi Street
Japanese style street
This is a beautiful road, with ginkgo leaves falling all over the ground, which is extremely romantic. Don't miss it to take photos, check in and bask in the sun. There are also some hidden shops on this street that are beautiful for taking photos, so you can slowly explore them yourself.
Address: Walk along the street after visiting vintage shops. It’s easy to find.
Nanshan Academy
A shop selling second-hand books, quite literary and artistic, not far from Qiqi Street. It is a great place to take photos, and you can also find some out-of-print books!
Must-see attractions in Dalian
North Bridge
There's a legend about the North Bridge: a couple walking together across it, unable to look back, will remain together forever. With such a beautiful meaning, it's worth walking across the bridge, with its windmills and the sea, making it a beautiful place for photos.
Located on Binhai Road in Dalian, the Beida Bridge was built as a symbol of friendship after Dalian and Kitakyushu, Japan, became sister cities, fostering friendly exchanges between the two cities. The Beida Bridge and Dabei Pavilion commemorate the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two cities. The two structures, respectively, include a pavilion in Kitakyushu City Park, the Dabei Pavilion, with a Chinese-style design, and a highway bridge, the Beida Bridge, in Dalian.
Tips:
Tickets: None
Recommended visit time: 0.5 hours
Xinghai Square
Some say you haven't really been to Dalian if you haven't been to Xinghai Square. Dalian Xinghai Square is Asia's largest city square, built to commemorate Hong Kong's return to China. Nestled between mountains and the sea, it offers beautiful scenery.
Here you will have the opportunity to see heroic female police officers, and in the summer, there will be lively musical fountains.
Tips:
Tickets: None
Transportation: Take the light rail or bus and get off at Xinghai Convention and Exhibition Center Station
Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
Stone Trough
Located at the easternmost end of Binhai Road, it is a quiet place nestled between the mountains and the sea with beautiful scenery. It is actually a small fishing village that has well preserved its ancient flavor.
There is a coffee shop next to the pier. It is always popular. The location is really good, facing the entire sea. You can drink a cup of afternoon tea and lie down to watch the sunset. It is recommended to come in the afternoon and go directly to the sunset to watch the sun set over the sea level.
Tips:
Tickets: None
Transportation: Take bus No. 712 to reach the scenic spot directly.
Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is not far from Shicao. It is a comprehensive theme commercial area and a photo-taking paradise for literary fairies. It has retro fishing boats, European-style buildings, and romantic reefs.
You can see many fishing boats here from 5pm to 7pm every day. You can buy seafood here directly and take it home. The twinkling lights and the tranquil sea are very gentle.
Tips:
Tickets: None
Transportation: Take bus No. 2 or No. 712 and get off at Fisherman's Wharf Station to directly reach the scenic spot;
Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
Centennial tram
When you come to Dalian, you absolutely must experience a tram, just like the Ding Ding trams in Hong Kong! Dalian is the only city in mainland China where the trams have never stopped running. It's been exactly 100 years since the first trams began to slowly and ding-ding-ding-ding through the streets of Dalian.
There are two tram lines, 201 and 202. Some of the vehicles on Line 201 are still in the style of those before the liberation, which is very retro. I waited for a long time before I finally got the old-fashioned tram. When I got on the tram, I felt like I was in another world, dreaming back to a hundred years ago.
Not every tram is old-fashioned. There are two types of trams: wooden ones with a very classical style and modern ones. They basically depart and depart in turns. The wooden ones are red and green, while the modern ones are very high-end.
Operating routes:
Tram No. 202 runs from Xinggong Street to Xiaoping Island, covering a total distance of 12.6 kilometers with 19 stops. The fare is 1 yuan. It passes through the Xi'an Road business district, Xinghai Square scenic area, Xinghai Park scenic area, High-tech Park, etc., and offers a panoramic view of the scenery along Zhongshan Road - Huangpu Road.
Must-try food in Dalian
For me, Dalian's food is all about seafood. Nothing else matters! Give me the skewers, give me the seafood! I want them all!
Gaba Shrimp
I'm really sorry, I'm not sure about the name. It looks like this. As a cold dish, it tastes very good, crispy and delicious.
Grilled Sea Sausage
A food that the locals love very much, it is crispy and tender.
Mixed stings
You won’t want to miss the must-order dishes in the seafood cuisine. They are also very delicious and the taste is just right. Barbecue is already hot, so you still need some cold dishes to relieve the heat. The slippery and tender taste is a must-have dish for drinking!
Stir-fried clams
Although clams are cheap, I really like to eat them. The clams here are very spicy. As a Chengdu native, I agree. Both cold and hot foods are indispensable. In winter, you need some spicy food to refresh yourself.
kebabs
In Chengdu, barbecue is served in small skewers. When I came to the north, I found that the skewers are very solid. The beef and mutton here are really delicious!
Special bath
Finally, do you think it’s over? No, no, no, our last stop must be to take a bath, okay? If there is no scrubbing bath in the south, you must go to the north to realize it.
After a tiring day exploring the sights and a satisfying meal, I decided to hit the bathhouse before bed. There are bathhouses in the south now, but they're not as authentic as those in the north, where you're left naked. Promise me you'll go to a bathhouse when you come to Dalian!
Conclusion
Dalian is a place with no shortage of blue sky and sunshine. It is a place where you will feel very happy just by opening the window. My memories are all of clear and pleasant sunny days. I hope I can come here once in the summer.
