[Dalian Travel - Video Guide] A Comprehensive VLOG Showcasing the Essence of Attractions - Three Days Two Nights In-depth Tour

📍 Dalian · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 97 likes

How many days does it take to truly understand a city?

Three days and two nights is the perfect duration for an in-depth tour of Dalian.

"Southerners who have long lived in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, tired of seeing too many green hills and clear waters, decided to head north to this city surrounded by the sea, seeking the coastline they yearned for, immersing themselves in sea breezes and deep blue."

Beachcombing, wave-treading, sea bungee jumping, snorkeling, sea fishing, fresh seafood...

The highlight is the low cost of living—office workers find here the long-missed joy of low spending. A wild three-day-two-night trip costs an average of 1,800 RMB per person (including round-trip airfare from Shanghai to Dalian).

This guide uses a large number of real-shot VLOGs to explain the unique features of each essential attraction from all angles, allowing you to get to know Dalian more directly and deeply.

You can click the "Table of Contents" option to jump to browse corresponding attractions.

Dalian is the most cost-effective coastal tourist city I have ever seen in China. Why choose Dalian?

Cheap airfare, great scenery, low prices, and fun experiences.

This article plans two routes for you, bypassing some theme parks and keeping only the truly essential natural scenic spots of Dalian, suitable for hiking and wild fun.

Why not go to theme parks?

Because I, as a blogger, have visited too many large theme parks in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Coming here, I want to experience Dalian's unique coastal scenery.

Three days and two nights is more than enough to tour Dalian,

and you can basically cover most of the essential attractions.

These two routes—one suburban and one urban—can be linked together for sightseeing. It's worth mentioning that shared bikes are relatively rare in Dalian (due to the terrain, locals are not used to riding shared bikes), so most trips require taking the bus or walking (most buses accept mobile payment).

D1: Dalian suburban route (Jinshitan National Tourist Resort) — Dalian Binhai National Geopark (must-visit highlight) — Jinshitan Jinshi Park (karst landform site) — Love Seaside Wedding Square (experience beachcombing) — Jinshitan Commercial Center Square (seafood feast) — hotel/B&B rest

D2: Ten Mile Golden Coast (beach bathing and wave-treading) — Transfer to Dalian urban route — Xinghai Square (experience snorkeling, see unafraid seagulls) — Xinghai Park (highest sea bungee jump) — Binhai Road Boardwalk — Fujiazhuang Park (beach bathing) — Wanbao Seafood Boat / New Oriental Food City (seafood feast) — Qingni Alley (night market) — hotel/B&B rest

D3: Bangchui Island Hotel Scenic Area (stunning blue sea) — Ride the 201 retro tram — Russian Style Street (souvenirs) — Fly out of Dalian

As shown on the map, the itinerary basically circles most of Dalian.

Jinshitan National Tourist Resort includes many attractions. You can get off at the terminal of Metro Line 3—Jinshitan Station. The tourist service center is on the right side when you exit.

At the tourist service center, you can purchase a combo ticket ranging from 50 to 300 RMB (the combo ticket includes unlimited bus rides for the day and admission tickets). There are self-service luggage lockers next to the center. The unlimited bus rides included in the combo ticket can save you a lot of time.

Immersive tour of sea erosion landforms and deep blue—this is a walking geological museum, Jinshitan.

Sea erosion landforms are natural artworks carved by nature.

First stop: it's recommended to start from the farthest point and work your way back. By the time you reach Love Seaside Wedding Square, the tide will have receded, making it perfect for beachcombing.

A single ticket for Jinshitan Geopark costs 80 RMB, well worth the price. Buying a combo ticket at the tourist service center is more cost-effective.

Tips: Protect yourself from wind and sun; bring extra clothes as the sea wind can get cold. Do not go below the railings, as many areas are national geological protection sites. If everyone breaks the rules and goes down, this spectacular coastline would no longer exist.

What is it like to get lost in Dalian's geological relic protection area?

Dalian's "Antelope Canyon" is located in Jinshiyuan Park in Jinshitan. Formed in the late Sinian period about 600 million years ago, this is a gathering place of weathered sea rocks, a true karst landform site, a national first-class geological relic protection area, also known as the "Sea Erosion Zoo."

It's full of solid, real stones—unlike the artificial hollow stones in theme parks—making it a real "natural maze."

A single ticket costs 30 RMB, but the combo ticket from the tourist center is more affordable.

The garden is not large, but the twisted stones inside give a sense of adventure. Occasionally encountering puddles forces you to find another path. There are gaps wide enough for only one person to pass sideways, and stone platforms that require hands and feet to climb—freeing the childlike spirit, we played here for a long time.

Tips: Places with these big stones are great for photos. You can pose by the stones or turn on the wide-angle mode on your phone to take ultra-wide shots. Especially around 3 PM, when sunlight comes diagonally from above, creating strong contrasts of light and shadow on the stones—this is when you get the best shots, resembling America's Antelope Canyon.

Where can you experience beachcombing in Dalian? Is there a fee?

What will a first-timer at beachcombing in Dalian harvest?

Recommended beachcombing spot in Dalian: Love Seaside Wedding Square

When visiting Jinshitan, aside from sightseeing, you can also try beachcombing here. This wedding square has few people, beautiful scenery, and a great experience. It's actually a free attraction on the one-day tour route.

It's recommended to make Love Seaside Wedding Square the last stop of the day. At that time, the tide will be receding (around 4 PM), and you can experience beachcombing for 30 RMB.

After paying the 30 RMB/person entrance fee, you can go into the sea and take away seafood worth 30 RMB/person. We took a big bucket, and the shopkeeper confidently said that with so many people, one big bucket might not be enough. In reality, we were being greedy.

Tips: Be sure to research beachcombing techniques beforehand. Just going down and playing like us might end up only finding starfish suitable for specimens.

For example, to find crabs, you need to turn over stones and look in crevices; simply sifting through sand won't make them appear.

But for first-timers, the joy lies in the unknown. You must try it in Dalian!

Walking along Dalian's "Golden Coast" in search of the meaning of travel.

Golden Coast is located in Jinshitan Resort, Jinzhou District, Dalian. It's a 15-minute walk from the terminal station Jinshitan on Line 3.

Golden Coast is also known as a seawater bathing beach. Many locals and tourists come here to play in the water (local taxi drivers jokingly call it the "bathing place").

Golden Coast is divided into east and west banks. The sand on the west bank is finer, while the east bank has almost no sand, only pebbles (giving a foot massage feeling when walking). The video shows the east bank.

Sitting on the pebble beach, feeling the sea breeze, with a glass of ice-cold juice, listening to the sound of waves hitting the stones—it's truly relaxing.

Tips: Bring an extra layer; the sea wind can get cold. If you have a swimsuit, you can go into the water. There are shower facilities on the shore. From the subway station, if you're not in a hurry, you can walk; a taxi costs about 10 RMB.

Xinghai Square is one of Dalian's landmarks. The seagulls at Xinghai Square are not afraid of people at all. People are curious about their chirping sounds. When you see seagulls flying toward you, your worries vanish instantly.

The sea breeze, blue sky, and seagull calls make it feel like this life has become part of you.

The experience here is superb. In front of you is the azure sea, with a cross-sea bridge on the other side. Staring at the seagulls, watching them fight for food—you could spend a whole morning watching these animal scenes.

Xinghai Square has no entrance fee. It's easily accessible by bus or subway. There are robot ice cream vendors and various small trinkets. If you have no first destination in Dalian, you might as well come here first. It's also convenient to reach Binhai Greenway and Xinghai Park.

Tips: Ice cream is a must on a summer seaside day. Prices here are low (2-5 RMB per ice cream). I can eat three in a row. Bring an extra layer and apply sunscreen; the color difference between your sunscreen-treated face and untreated hands is real.

Next to Xinghai Square is open water, where you can try snorkeling. Snorkeling costs 260 RMB/person (price may vary), underwater photos 100 RMB/person, underwater video 200 RMB/person, with a professional instructor accompanying you.

Besides that, local elderly people also like to come here for fishing and swimming as daily pastimes. So this square is not only visited by tourists; locals also frequent it.

The bungee jump at Xinghai Park in Dalian is a Guinness World Record at 55 meters high—the highest sea bungee jump in the world hidden here.

During holidays, the bungee price is 260 RMB/person, watching others jump is 30 RMB/person, and a challenge certificate is 10 RMB each. I understand the regular price is about 20-40 RMB cheaper.

Before jumping, you sign a "life and death" agreement. Special note: Twist your waist and turn your body before jumping to avoid spraining your back (based on personal experience).

Tips: Don't eat too much before bungee jumping. The moment you jump feels like rebirth, but being pulled back up feels strange. You can also see the sea upside down.

What is Dalian's unique "Straight Man Giant" store?

It's a niche food experience—actually, grilled sausages on the spot.

The "Straight Man Giant" mobile stall is near the main gate of Xinghai Park, next to Dalian Sun Asia Ocean World.

Don't be fooled by the flamboyant name—the sausages are even more pungent. Do you want a second one after finishing the first?

There is quite a long queue. Prices range from 8 RMB to 15 RMB for different options. Personally, I think it's good value (after being spoiled by Shanghai prices).

Tips: Do the bungee jump first before eating, or you might throw up.

Binhai Road Boardwalk is a winding uphill walking path with beautiful coastal scenery along the way. This road also leads to Jinshatan Resort, Fujiazhuang Bathing Beach, Dalian Forest Zoo, etc. Walking time is about 40 minutes.

Here we encountered a very boastful grilled squid stall, with its radio looping "Men become stronger, women become prettier" which drew us in. Not only the radio, but the boss lady was also arrogant: "If it's not good, it's free; I guarantee you've never had squid this delicious anywhere here. Everyone around knows our squid."

A whole grilled squid costs 25 RMB. Arrogant they are, but delicious they are too. The squid is tender and juicy; one big bite gives you full squid meat. The boss lady has every right to be confident.

Many people pitch tents here, swim, and fish. Although the scenery here is not as spectacular as earlier spots, it's exactly the real life of locals—comfortable and relaxing seaside living.

Qingni Alley is a surprising lane located about 150 meters south of the intersection of Jiefang Road and Zhongshan Road in Zhongshan District, Dalian. It has a strong night market atmosphere, with street performers singing, pet stalls with cats and dogs, and food markets. It's a great place for a post-dinner stroll.

Bangchui Island, also called Bangchui Island Hotel Scenic Area, has very pure and blue seawater. Ticket price is 20 RMB (10 RMB in off-season). The area is not very large. For young people, it's recommended to skip the sightseeing car.

The name Bangchui Island comes from a small island standing about 500 meters offshore, shaped like a club used by farmers to beat clothes, hence the name "Bangchui" (club).

Attention: Just buy tickets at the entrance. Don't be fooled by the boat ticket sellers at the gate. Dalian's salespeople have a very confident way of talking to tourists (enviable). They may say, "What's there to see in a hotel? Better take a boat ride around the real Bangchui Island."

But in fact, the entire beach here is called Bangchui Island Hotel Scenic Area, a holiday spot for national leaders. For ordinary tourists, playing on the beach is enough. You can take a boat ride if you really want, but personally I think the value isn't high.

Tips: Locals may come here to sneakily beachcomb, but it's actually not allowed. I saw a lot of plastic trash on the beach, which spoils the view. Please take your trash away; there are trash cans a few steps back. Don't leave it on the beach.

Dalian Bangchui Island had a "green hairy monster"—what was it?

It turned out to be mussels. For people who don't live by the sea, the original form of mussels is unfamiliar. The seaweed and dried shrimp we usually eat are harvested during low tide beachcombing.

Currently, Dalian has only two tram lines, 201 and 202. This time we took the 201 tram. The tram slowly approaches with the sound of the handbrake squeaking. The moment you board, you feel a time-travel experience.

You can pay by mobile phone on the tram, same as regular buses, with a fare range of 1-2 RMB. There are attendants at both front and rear doors. The tram is truly manually operated; the control lever looks unique and is a functional device.

It's recommended to start from the terminal station Xinggong Street. You'll quickly reach Dalian Railway Station (each route is different). Note that the 201 tram also has new-style trams. If you see a new one, you can wait for the next.

Dalian Russian Style Street is at No. 19 Tuanjie Street, just a bit up from Zhongshan Square.

It looks more distinctive when the lights are on at night. The entire street sells exotic small items mainly from Russia: Russian chocolate, cigarettes, perfume, matryoshka dolls, etc.

There are also local Dalian specialty shops nearby. You can take some as souvenirs. As a final stop for shopping, you can come here.

Actually, this Dalian trip was a spontaneous getaway during the holidays. We booked the tickets the afternoon before and flew to Dalian the next day. Initially, we just wanted to wander with our mood, but Dalian brought us so many surprises that we kept wanting to unlock new destinations.

So we researched the route along the way, like unlocking treasures. After visiting one place, I wanted to go another. The feeling this city gives is different from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. I really enjoy the sea breeze, the air, and the food here.

Reviewing the footage and writing this travelogue feels like revisiting the city. I hope the joy this city brought me can be passed on to you.

Travelogue Table of Contents

1. Prologue of Three Days Two Nights

2. GIF Preheating Image Divider

3. Introduction

4. Itinerary and Attraction Descriptions

5. Dalian Suburban Route – Jinshitan National Tourist Resort

6. Dalian Jinshitan National Geopark (Highlight)

7. Jinshitan Jinshi Park (Karst Landform Site)

8. Love Seaside Wedding Square (Beachcombing Experience)

9. Ten Mile Golden Coast (Beach Bathing and Wave-treading)

10. Dalian Urban Route