Dalian

Dalian is a youthful city by Chinese standards, with colonial history from Russia and Japan. It is now a model of redevelopment, offering parks, beaches, and a pleasant environment. The city is less reliant on heavy industry than its northeastern counterparts, making it a more pleasant place to visit.

Dalian is served by Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (IATA: DLC), with domestic flights to major Chinese cities and international flights to destinations in East Asia. The city has two main railway stations: Dalian Railway Station and Dalian North Railway Station, the latter handling high-speed trains. Ferries from Yantai and Incheon also connect to Dalian.

Dalian has a metro system (Line 1 connects Dalian North Railway Station with the city center) and numerous bus lines. Taxis are readily available. For scenic travel, Binhai Road offers a coastal route; walking or taxi along the 35 km stretch is popular. The city is also walkable in central areas.

Summer (June–August) is popular for beach activities and the Dalian Beer Festival in late July to early August. Spring and autumn offer mild weather. Winter allows ice-skating at Labour Park. The football season runs from March to November, drawing locals to matches.

Budget options include youth hostels and university guest houses, though some hostels do not accept foreigners. Mid-range Chinese-run hotels (e.g., Homeinn, Jinjiang Inn) are plentiful. Splurge hotels are dominated by international chains like Kempinski and Shangri-La. Most hotels require booking through Chinese platforms for best rates.

Local cuisine blends Dongbei and seafood influences. Street food stalls offer pancakes, skewers, and candied fruits from ¥1. Night markets in summer serve cheap draft beer (¥1–3) and barbecue. For sit-down meals, try Japanese or Korean restaurants. Reservations are rarely needed except at high-end places.

Visit Zhongshan Square, People's Square, and Xinghai Square (Asia's largest). Explore old colonial buildings in Dongguan Historic District and Russian Street. Relax on Fujiazhuang Beach or walk along Binhai Road. The Dalian Forest Zoo is worth a visit, as is the Dalian Beer Festival in summer.

Crime is low, but pickpockets operate in crowded areas. Traffic can be dangerous; cross at lights and follow locals. Tap water is not drinkable without boiling; bottled water is safer. Food safety ratings (A, B, C) are posted; choose B or above. Some areas in Lüshunkou District have military restrictions for non-Chinese.

The area code is 0411. SIM cards from China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom cost ¥50–100. Internet cafés are plentiful but require a Chinese ID (foreigners not allowed). Wi-Fi is available in coffee shops like Starbucks and SPR. The Great Firewall blocks many foreign websites; a VPN is recommended.

Street food from ¥1, beer ¥1–3, internet café ¥1–5/hour. SIM card ¥50–100. Beer festival admission ¥10, food ¥30, beer ¥50. Budget accommodation around ¥100–200 per night for hostels. Daily budget for a backpacker: ¥150–300 excluding accommodation.

Nearby destinations include Shenyang, Benxi, Anshan, Liaoyang, and Dandong, all reachable by train. Lüshunkou (Lüshun) is a day trip by bus or metro, but be aware of military restrictions for foreigners.

Bargaining is mandatory in markets and street stalls. Be polite when asking for discounts. In supermarkets, cashiers may ask for small change to give a larger bill in return; trust them. When entering restaurants, check the food safety rating sign.

From Dalian, trains and buses connect to Shenyang, Benxi, Anshan, Liaoyang, and Dandong. High-speed trains also serve Beijing, Shanghai, and Harbin. Ferries to Yantai are available but some services are suspended.