Mid-October Mid-Autumn Festival, a mountain and sea rendezvous in Dalian

The Mid-Autumn breeze always carries a touch of gentleness🍂. In October, Dalian sheds the summer heat and gains a layer of autumn clarity. So, pack your bags and embark on this journey where mountains, sea, and reunion intertwine🏮.

Day 1: Xinghai Reflecting the Moon, First Taste of Seafood and Cozy Stay

Arriving in Dalian near noon, after leaving the airport, I headed to the pre-booked Home Inn Selected Dalian High-tech Zone — chosen not only for its good reviews but also for its proximity to Metro Line 1🚇, making trips to Xinghai Square and Lüshun convenient. Opening the hotel door, a warm atmosphere greeted me. The front desk staff smiled and handed me hot tea☕: “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Your room is ready, and we’ve also prepared a local Mid-Autumn gift for you🎁.” When receiving the room card, my fingers touched a handwritten blessing card filled with warmth❤️.

Taking the elevator to the room, the moment I opened the door, the travel fatigue melted away: the light gray bedding was neatly arranged, a small sofa and tea table sat by the window, and drawing the curtains revealed neatly trimmed greenery below🪴. Thoughtfully, a gift box printed with Dalian’s mountain and sea pattern was placed on the tea table. Opening it revealed local specialties of shredded squid and almond crisps🍪, the savory aroma filling the room, instantly bringing a sense of Mid-Autumn belonging. After a quick freshen-up, I took Metro Line 1🚇 from the hotel; in just ten minutes, I arrived at Xinghai Square. The convenient transport made the trip less tiring.

In October, Xinghai Square is less crowded than in summer, appearing more spacious. In the distance, Xinghai Bridge looks like a silver ribbon🌉, one end connected to the square, the other plunging into the blue sea🌊. Walking slowly along the coastline, the stone pavement still held the warmth of sunlight, and occasionally seagulls skimmed the sea surface🦅, their calls clear. By evening, the sunset dyed the sea orange-red🌇. Passing by a nearby vegetable market, seeing people carrying freshly bought seafood — crabs full of roe🦀, lively shrimp — I remembered that Mid-Autumn is the time when Dalian’s seafood is at its plumpest.

At night, I found a small seaside restaurant and ordered steamed crabs🦀 and spicy stir-fried clams. The owner also gave two local seafood mooncakes🥮. Taking a bite of the mooncake, the salty and fresh shrimp paste wrapped in crispy crust, paired with a sip of chilled Dalian beer🍻, I looked up to see the full moon quietly climbing above Xinghai Bridge🌙. Moonlight scattered silver on the sea surface, and the sea breeze carried the scent of osmanthus. At that moment, the word “reunion” felt more real than ever. After a satisfying evening, I returned to the hotel. Small red lanterns🏮 hung in the lobby, and the front desk staff was still there, smiling and asking, “Did you have fun today? Would you like help planning tomorrow’s trip to Lüshun?” Such attentiveness made the night in a foreign place feel warmer.

Day 2: Autumn in Lüshun, Resonance of History and Mountains & Sea

I had long heard that Dalian’s autumn is hidden in Lüshun’s streets and alleys. Early the next morning, I left Home Inn Selected Dalian High-tech Zone. The metro station was right downstairs🚇, and the direct rail transit to Lüshun was very convenient, with no transfers, avoiding the hassle.

Exiting Lüshun metro station, I found the autumn here richer than in the city — ginkgo trees by the roadside were turning yellow🍂, old brick walls of houses were covered with green vines🪴, and occasionally a vendor selling roasted chestnuts🌰 emitted a fragrant aroma from afar.

First, I went to Baiyu Mountain. October’s Baiyu Mountain is not as green as in spring but layered with shades of yellow. Walking up the stone steps, the wind carried the fresh scent of pine needles🌲. At the summit, the full view of Lüshun Port was breathtaking: several ships docked in the blue harbor🚢, and the distant Old Iron Mountain stood like a dark screen. The Mid-Autumn clouds were thin, and sunlight bathed the harbor, making even the sea water appear a gentle blue🌊. Standing on the observation deck, listening to an elderly man nearby telling stories of the past, I realized this mountain and sea not only offer beautiful scenery but also hold the weight of history.

In the afternoon, I visited the Yellow and Bohai Sea dividing line. The sea breeze was stronger in October. From the observation deck, I clearly saw two colors of sea water meeting in a distinct line — the Yellow Sea’s blue leaning green, the Bohai Sea’s blue deeper, like a boundary drawn by nature🌊. The wind tousled my hair, yet I couldn’t help but pause: on one side, the vast sea; on the other, mountains tinged with autumn; above, a clear sky. Even breathing felt refreshing.

Returning to the city in the evening, I passed Lüshun Railway Station — this century-old station still retains its Russian architectural style🏛️. The yellow walls glowed warmly under the streetlights, and red lanterns hung at the entrance🏮, adding a festive Mid-Autumn atmosphere. I bought a freshly baked roasted sweet potato🍠, holding it warmly as I returned to Home Inn Selected. The air conditioning in the room was set to a comfortable temperature🌡️. Lying on the bed, recalling the day’s journey, I felt both grounded and content.

Day 3: Charming Streets, Leisurely Enjoying Dalian Time

On the last day, not wanting to rush, I strolled slowly around the city. In the morning, I had breakfast at Home Inn Selected Dalian High-tech Zone’s restaurant. Besides the usual porridge and bread, they served Dalian’s specialty kidney bean clam noodles🍜. Drinking a hot bowl made me feel completely comfortable. Chatting with the restaurant auntie, she recommended a small coffee shop on Russian Style Street, saying, “This season, it’s less crowded and you can see the ginkgo trees.” It was indeed reliable.

Following her recommendation, I went to Russian Style Street in the morning. In October, the streets were quieter without the summer tourist crowds. Colorful Russian-style buildings had potted plants🪴 in front, small shops sold nesting dolls🪆 and chocolates🍫, and occasionally a girl in a long skirt passed by, her hem brushing fallen ginkgo leaves🍂, like a slow-motion painting. Entering the corner coffee shop the auntie recommended, I ordered a latte☕ and watched the sunlight slowly move outside the window, losing track of time.

In the afternoon, I went to Bangchuidao Island. The October beach was free from summer’s noise, with only a few couples strolling👫. The waves gently lapped the shore🏖️, their sound soft. Walking along the beach, the island looked like a green gem set in the sea, the water so clear I could see the fine sand beneath. I found a rock to sit on🪨, took out the gift snacks I brought from the hotel (the front desk had smiled the night before, saying “If you get hungry on the road tomorrow, these shredded squid snacks🦑 will help,” and had specially given me two extra packs), and slowly ate them with the sea breeze — at this moment, there was no crowd noise, only mountains, sea, moonlight (though not yet night, I was already looking forward to the full moon🌙), and myself. This “solitary reunion” felt like a rare kind of comfort.

At sunset, leaving Bangchuidao Island, the sun slowly sank into the sea, dyeing the sky pink and purple🌇. Back at Home Inn Selected, packing my luggage, I found a Mid-Autumn postcard from the hotel on the bedside table💌. The back showed the moonlit Xinghai Bridge, with the words “May you take away Dalian’s gentleness and see you next time.” Looking back on these three days, I suddenly felt complete: the moon over Xinghai🌙, autumn in Lüshun🍂, fresh seafood🦀, gentle sea breeze, and the thoughtful warmth brought by Home Inn Selected❤️ — it’s not just a place to stay but a “temporary home” on the journey, adding peace of mind to every trip.

Dalian in October, the Mid-Autumn moon🌕, all the beauty is hidden in this unhurried encounter, in every warm little detail❤️. Home Inn Selected (Dalian High-tech Zone)