Dalian trip planner

Clockwise from top: Dalian's Skyline, Lüshun Station, Zhongshan Square, Xinghai Square, and Laodong Park [wikipedia.org]

In Dalian, a port city in Northeast China's Liaoning province, one should enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, taste delicious seafood, swim at a beach and go for a hot spring spa.

72 hours is not enough time to explore even all the attractions along the picturesque Binhai Road. So here we list most of the must-see places and it is best one should only focus on several parts.

Day 1

The first day, you can take a sightseeing bus to see the city's most beautiful scenery. Or you can travel by taxi over the same route.

After breakfast, one can enjoy a walk at People's Square. Maybe you can see a policewomen patrolling on horseback at the square in front of the municipal government. It is one of symbols of Dalian.

Then, move on to Xinghai Square. It is called the largest square in Asia. At the very center of the square, there stands a 19.97-meter-high cloud pillar (Huabiao) representing the celebration of the re-unification of Hong Kong with China in 1997. There is also a sculpture commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Dalian as a modern city.

The square also acts as the avenue for many expos and activities, such as Dalian International Beer Festival and Dalian Auto Show.

If you are interested in seeing marine and polar animals, you can visit the nearby Sun Asia Sea World or Laohutan Ocean Park about 10 km away.

Next, one can take in some fresh air along the Binhai Road along the southern coast of Dalian. With an imposing mountain scenery on one side and ragged seaside cliffs on the other, the road is one of the most fascinating destinations in Dalian.

It links many attractions, including the forest zoo, Fujiazhuang bathing beach and Beida Bridge.

The 20.99 km-long wooden walkway along the road is the longest wooden walkway in the world. You can get off the car and spend some time at Mount Bird's Nest (Yanwoling) in order to experience the area's nature.

You can reenergize yourself at the Fisherman Pier (Yuren Matou) before heading off to Bangchui Island.

Bangchui Island is a state guest hotel as well as a good place for recreation. There, one can enjoy swimming and sun bathing. Its water quality is some of the best you'll find among Dalian's bathing beaches.

If you take a shot snap on the bus and get off at Zhongshan Square, surrounded by century-old European style buildings, you'll find it is like returning to the busy world from a short trip to suburb.

The 1.3 km-long Renmin Road that connects the square and the Eastern Harbor Commercial Area is the city's central business district.

Dine on delicious seafood at a restaurant in 15 Ku (No.15 warehouse, which is transformed from a warehouse of relocated Dalian Port).

Wrap up the first day trip with shopping at Dashang Pedestrian Street and the underground Victory Plaza (Shengli Square), a great place to buy gifts. But please be careful, it is not a good idea to roam around alone because it is easy to get lost underground.

Day 2

Take the light rail from the terminal near Dalian Railway Station to Jinshitan, the Golden Pebble Beach State Tourist Resort. It takes about one hour to get there.

Jinshitan is known as the back garden of the romantic city of Dalian. The special marine abrasion landform won the title of "Chinese State Geological Park."

You can also hit all the scenic spots by taking a sightseeing bus. Tickets cost RMB 10.00 per person for the whole day.

Start the journey from Jinshi Cultural Expo Center, which accommodates a waxworks museum, a museum that features badges of Chairman Mao Zedong, and the Mysterious Life Museum. The Mysterious Life Museum reveals the vertebrate evolution process by more than 2,000 specimens preserved by advanced plastic technology.

Then, one can admire the wonderful work of nature along the seaside. One should definitely stop at the Dinosaur Leisure Park. The mountain was carved as a dinosaur drinking water in the sea. While enjoying the beautiful scenery, one can dine at a sidewalk seafood stand.

If you still have any energy left, then check out the Discoveryland Theme Park (open to the public from April to October). With splendid amusement facilities, one can linger there until it closes at 9 pm.

Or visit the Tang Dynasty Hot Spring club, stay there for one night and have a hot spring spa next day.

Or if you love playing golf, you can enjoy spending the day at the Jinshi Golf Club.