There will never be such a luxurious year, indulging recklessly in hometown's spring. (Dalian Cherry Blossom Guide)
From midnight on April 30, Beijing's emergency response level for epidemic prevention and control was lowered from Level 1 to Level 2. People returning to Beijing from low-risk domestic cities no longer need to quarantine for 14 days.
I've been receiving many news screenshots from friends, telling me the good news and inviting me back to Beijing for drinks and meetups. Miss them, yes, but it also means I have to leave home, leave the days of enjoying three meals a day as soon as I open the door, and return to Beijing to start a busy work life. I'm actually a bit nervous and anxious.
I joked with a friend, "After staying at home for over three months, my ability to take care of myself has deteriorated. I can't even remember how to find food on my own now."
So, writing this travelogue on April 30 feels quite emotional.
I left home for college in Beijing and have been there for seven or eight years, living the saying, "From then on, hometown only has winter and summer, no more spring and autumn." This pandemic, this huge pause button, has frozen us all in a different time and space. I am grateful that these three months have been spent in my hometown's spring.
I visited all the places in Dalian perfect for outings and cherry blossom viewing, from world-famous sakura gardens to secret spots only locals know. I even took my parents to stay overnight at the romantic Cherry Blossom Room in Shangri-La Dalian, and completed this practical, pink-bubble-filled Dalian Cherry Blossom Guide.
Dalian's cherry blossom season is late. From May Day, the double-petal cherry blossoms bloom in full swing. Departing now is just right.
There will never be such a luxurious year, where I indulge recklessly in my hometown's spring.
Location: Lüshun Cherry Blossom Garden, also known as 203 Cherry Blossom Garden
Ticket: 30 RMB/person
Rating: Five stars
Here you can experience spring embraced by cherry blossom trees~
Lüshun Cherry Blossom Garden is currently the largest cherry blossom garden in China, with the most cherry trees and the widest variety of species, including over 3,000 cherry trees of more than 100 varieties from around the world. The layout of the garden is also excellent, with a smooth route. Following the path, you walk through forests and flower clusters in different colors, like passing through a giant palette. Along the way, there are landscape features designed to complement the cherry blossoms, such as traditional Chinese crane sculptures paired with cherry blossoms, and Japanese-style pavilions and boardwalks, adding richness to the scenery.
The garden isn't just about cherry blossoms; the variety of flowers exceeds expectations. There are cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, magnolias, winter jasmine, and many other flowers whose names I don't know. Each type has multiple different shapes. Be sure to walk to the higher ground of the garden and look down—you'll see a colorful sea of flowers, like a paradise.
Remember to bring plenty of snacks. The garden is huge, with so many flowers to see and spots to photograph that you won't want to leave. Many people also come here for picnics and outings—families or groups of friends pick a favorite cherry tree, sit under it, enjoy food and play cards. It's so pleasant.
Now, about one-third of the flowers are in bloom, already beautiful enough to make you want to run through the garden.
Many fully bloomed cherry trees take on a hugging posture. Walking into a cherry tree is like being embraced by spring—so wonderful! Starting from May Day, the double-petal cherry blossoms in the garden will bloom fully one after another. D~o~n~'t~ ~m~i~s~s~ ~i~t~
Location: Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Garden
Ticket: 30 RMB/person
Rating: Five stars
The best cherry blossom garden for picnics. A spring picnic under cherry trees is r~o~m~a~n~t~i~c~
Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Garden covers over 5,000 square meters and is the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Dalian. Built by the Japanese, the garden contains 10 ancient Japanese early-blooming cherry trees over a century old, as well as a century-old star magnolia transplanted from Osaka.
The garden is divided into two parts by a dam, connected by a wooden bridge. Walking across the bridge, you see the dense cherry blossoms blooming along the dam. Every time the wind blows, many petals fly up and fall down, creating the artistic conception of "ten thousand cherry blossoms enter a dream."
It is recommended to buy tickets and parking passes in advance to save a lot of queuing time.
1. Props to enhance the ritual feel
Picnic blanket: Many colors available online; I chose a red-and-white checkered one to match the cherry blossom theme.
Picnic basket: Also many styles; choose according to your preference. Great for baguettes and wine.
Throw pillows, bouquets, magazines, the book you are currently reading—can bring them too.
2. Food and drinks
Bread: Baguettes, croissants, sandwiches, etc. Pizza, from personal experience, gets cold after photos—though I love eating it.
Cakes and desserts: Strawberry cake, durian cheesecake (if you love durian), Japanese daifuku, etc.
Drinks: Sake pairs perfectly with cherry blossoms; red wine, orange juice, cola, and other colorful drinks.
Fruit: Strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, red apples, etc.—bright colors make photos lively.
3. Tableware:
Corresponding tableware and glasses for food and drinks. After all, after taking photos, you still want to enjoy the food under the sun.
The night before the picnic, I stayed with my parents at the Cherry Blossom Room in Shangri-La Dalian. So all the food was prepared by the hotel.
The day before, I ordered durian cheesecake, watermelon cake, pan-seared salmon salad, tuna pizza, Japanese daifuku, and pure rice sake. The hotel prepared everything the next morning before we left.
The fruits and bouquet were gifts from the hotel upon check-in. Drinks were picked directly from the minibar—a few with nice colors. I also borrowed the throw pillows and tableware from the Cherry Blossom Room. When the hotel heard I wanted to go shoot a cherry blossom picnic, they even prepared extra croissants and small breads at breakfast.
In short, I originally planned to go to the supermarket, cake shop, and various places for a big shopping trip, but ended up getting everything done at the hotel in one stop. Very convenient and time-saving—excellent! If you plan to come to Dalian for cherry blossom viewing and a picnic, I highly recommend the Cherry Blossom Room at Shangri-La Dalian~
Nothing is more romantic than seeing large expanses of cherry blossoms in bloom. If there is, it's picnicking under the cherry trees, eating and drinking while waiting for the wind to come, watching small petals dance and twirl before your eyes, occasionally a couple drifting onto the strawberry cake beside you.
The packaging of the sake from Shangri-La is so beautiful, matching the cherry blossoms perfectly. The tipsy romance of drinking sake under the cherry tree is very touching~
I wore a set of pink casual clothes. Probably because I thought the cherry blossoms were too beautiful, I had to wear a color even brighter than the blossoms to steal some attention among the cherry trees.
Later, I observed the aunties in the cherry blossom garden, and everyone probably thought the same way, haha.
By the way, one auntie wore a white cheongsam and held a Japanese-style red umbrella as a prop—very beautiful~
Location: Hengshan Temple, also known as Hengshan North Putuo Scenic Area
Rating: Four stars
Dalian locals' favorite weekend outing spot~
Hengshan Temple is the largest Buddhist temple north of the Yangtze River in China, reputed as the first temple in southern Liaoning. It has now become a cultural theme park with excellent facilities and layout. Walking from the entrance into the park, you gradually climb the slope while enjoying the scenery. You'll pass by clusters of winter jasmine, tulips, and magnolias. The most beautiful here is the tulip garden; the cherry blossom garden is at the deepest part of the park and not very large.
There are many fish ponds of various sizes in the park. The vermilion corridor pillars echo the gold and red koi in the ponds. Occasionally, a pair of mandarin ducks or a flock of white geese swim by, very relaxing.
There are many spots in the park where you can set up tents. The best area is near Jingxin Lake, where there is a row of areas under the shade of trees for tents. In front is a patch of tulips. We chose a sunny spot to sit, set out beautiful macarons and milk tea. Who needs a vacation in the south of France?
Location: Labor Park
Rating: Five stars
Childhood memories of Dalian locals, a once-popular flower-viewing spot in childhood~
Which Dalian native hasn't gone to Labor Park to see flowers? When I was young, holidays were few. The annual Dalian International Tulip Festival was a big event in life. Whenever I recall my childhood, the image of me as a little girl in a red dress standing in front of tulips is one of the first beautiful memories that pops up.
So, this time I specially searched through the old family photo album for photos from my childhood flower-viewing trips, found the original spots, and carried out a "Recreate Childhood Plan."
The park hasn't changed much—the stone lions and zodiac bronze statues that I used to take photos with are still there, and the lotus pond remains, only with more flowers. But outside the park, the changes are huge. The low buildings that appeared in the background of those photos have all grown into skyscrapers.
How did they grow so tall in the blink of an eye?
My parents have also aged.
I particularly like this photo of my parents waiting for me under the biggest magnolia tree in the park.
The park still has so many flowers, especially magnolias—large, clustered, floating high in the sky. The magnolia trees in Labor Park are probably older, much taller than the common ones elsewhere, with many more flowers. Looking up, it's like an oil painting with a blue background.
Peach blossoms and winter jasmine have also bloomed quite a bit, beside traditional Chinese pavilions and in Japanese-style courtyards. Strolling around the park, you can always find some beautiful corners.
I ate a green rice ball and drank a cup of coffee under a peach tree.
I originally came to see the flowers, but the willow trees sprouting new shoots became a pleasant surprise. This must be the most vibrant time for willow buds. Rows of willows sway their light, yellowish-green branches, very striking in the sunlight.
Location: Dalian Botanical Garden
Rating: Five stars
The back garden of the city center, a hidden spot for flower viewing among Dalian locals~
For me, the Botanical Garden is a magical existence—the kind where you can't exactly say what's so good about it, nothing exceptionally outstanding, but it's very attractive. Maybe it's just an ordinary genius of love. Every time I enter the Botanical Garden, I feel my body and mind suddenly quiet down, the city's noise disappearing instantly. Although the park has many visitors, there is a feeling of "not daring to speak loudly, lest I disturb others."
If you want to find a place to quietly walk and see flowers, to slow yourself down, this is the best place.
Pink balloons float in the room, pale pink cherry blossom pillows rest gently on the bed, a pair of pink fluffy slippers by the bedside, a light pink English three-tiered stand of afternoon tea on the coffee table, next to a bouquet of pink and purple flowers. I wore a set of pink clothes. Opening the door, it was all the breath of spring~
I saw a welcome dessert on the coffee table, with a photo of me from three years ago! At that time, I was an actor in a promotional video for Shangri-La Qingdao. The photo was one of the filming scenes—full of memories. So thoughtful, what a surprise!
Apart from the room environment, my favorite thing about the Cherry Blossom Room is the view. Outside the large window is a bell tower. It felt special to see the bell tower from almost a parallel perspective, as if time is within reach. Of course, it also makes for great photos~
The hotel recently offers a double breakfast that can be enjoyed in the room. The service staff delivers it at the agreed time to minimize contact. The breakfast was so abundant and beautifully colored. My first reaction when it was wheeled in was, "Hey, isn't this just serving me an Instagram prop?"
The Botanical Garden and Labor Park are very close to the hotel. After checking in, I had a cup of coffee and a short rest, then strolled with my parents for about half an hour to reach them. Along the way, there are many small cafes and restaurants. In short, it was a very comfortable and pleasant afternoon.
Actually, this March I was originally planning to go to Japan with my parents to see cherry blossoms, but due to the pandemic, it didn't happen. Instead, I saw all the cherry blossoms in Dalian. Every time I visited a place, I felt a bit proud thinking, "Our Dalian is so beautiful. Who needs to go to Japan to see cherry blossoms?"
So, keep this guide well. Welcome to Dalian to see the cherry blossoms~
Travelogue Directory:
1. Lüshun 203 Cherry Blossom Garden
2. Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Garden
3. Hengshan Temple
4. Dalian Labor Park
5. Dalian Botanical Garden
6. Where to Stay | Shangri-La Dalian
