A Guide to Must-Visit Coastal Attractions in Dalian: Experience the Charm of the Romantic City in the North

When Dalian is mentioned, many people's first reaction is the endless blue sea and the variety of seafood on the table. Although Dalian is a prefecture-level city under Liaoning Province, its attractions are among the best in the country. Dalian has many tourist attractions. This time, I spent five days and four nights visiting the coastal attractions. The famous ones are mainly distributed in the southern Shahekou District and the northeastern Jinzhou District. In order of location, they include Haiyun Park, Bangchui Island, Amber Bay, Laohutan Ocean Park, Binhai Road, Yanwo Ridge, Fujiazhuang, Xinghai Bay Bridge, Heishijiao Park, and more. If you have a chance to come to Dalian, you must visit these places and take a look.

Haiyun Park is located at the easternmost part of Dalian's coastal scenic area. Because of its large area, many people know about it. It faces the sea on both sides and is only about 10 kilometers from the city center, so it is very convenient to get to Haiyun Park.

The park integrates mountains, blue sea, and strange rocks into one, with unique scenery. Attractions such as "Haiyun Square," "Eighteen Bends Strange Slope," "Shenfu Rock," "Tiangu Stone," and "Ingenious Craftsmanship" wind through the mountains, offering beautiful and pleasant scenery.

Every year, a large number of tourists come here for inspiration and relaxation. It is not only a distinctive sightseeing spot but also an excellent place for fitness, fishing, and other leisure activities. There are many recreational facilities nearby, allowing you to enjoy nature's gifts in the vast natural environment.

Deep in the scenic area, there is an internet-famous spot called "Dalian's Holy Elephant Heavenly Gate." It is not easy to get there for photos; you need to climb with both hands and feet. Be sure to pay attention to safety when taking photos.

Bangchui Island is a place many Dalian locals come to, close to Haiyun Park. It is a popular spot for wedding photos. The seawater here is clean, the air is fresh, and it is a scenic resort featuring mountains, sea, islands, and beaches.

Bangchui Island is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side. The north is encircled by mountains, and the south is an open sea area and a flat sandy beach. There is also an uneven cobblestone beach on the shore, where you might find a beloved stone while walking.

About 400 meters away from the beach, a small solitary island stands in the sea. Seen from a distance, it looks like a farm tool used for beating clothes, hence the name "Bangchui Island."

This beach is not very large, but the seawater is very clear. It is quite pleasant to take a walk, bask in the sun, or collect shells and pebbles on the beach. However, unlike southern beaches, the sand here is coarse and mixed with many stones and shell fragments, making it a bit uncomfortable to walk barefoot.

Dalian, surrounded by sea on three sides, has many scenic spots connected by Binhai Road. Yanwo Ridge is located in the middle section of Binhai Road. A friend told me it is a wedding park, but I didn't expect it to be such a wonderful place inside. Before coming, I read some guides online and found that it hides a stunning seaside rock spectacle. It has now also become an internet-famous spot. When the weather is good, the seawater is crystal clear and unpolluted, perfect for photos, beachcombing, and fishing.

Entering Yanwo Ridge Park, you will see an internet-famous viewing spot on the left, but that is not our final destination. After passing the internet-famous spot, there is a quiet path on the left. Follow this path all the way, and that is where we want to go. As you walk, it feels increasingly desolate, and there are fewer and fewer people, which might make you doubt. Until you see the sign for "Sunset Returning Swallows." At the intersection, always turn left to reach the seaside.

Yanwo Ridge usually has few visitors, mostly local residents. It is a great place for camping, leisure, and relaxation.

North Bridge is located between Laohutan Scenic Area and Yanwo Ridge Scenic Area. It is a dry bridge that spans a mountain valley near the sea. It is a magnificent and beautiful scenic spot between the western part of Laohutan and the adjacent Yanwo Ridge.

North Bridge is a symbol of friendship to enhance friendly exchanges between two cities. North Bridge and Dabei Pavilion commemorate the traditional friendship between the people of the two cities. A Chinese-style pavilion called Dabei Pavilion was built in Kitakyushu City Park, and a highway bridge called North Bridge was built in Dalian.

Walking along Binhai Road from Laohutan to Yanwo Ridge, especially for couples, you will surely stop here. At some point, North Bridge has become the "Lovers' Bridge" in people's hearts. It is said that couples who walk across the bridge together will have everlasting love. Why not take your partner and give it a try?

After visiting Yanwo Ridge, you can also take a trip to nearby Fujiazhuang. This is one of Dalian's four major seawater bathing beaches, with excellent sand and water quality. Every summer, many locals come here to swim, enjoy the sea, and sunbathe. Little Fujiazhuang and Big Fujiazhuang are connected.

Fujiazhuang Park is located on Binhai West Road in Xigang District, on the southern coast of Dalian's main urban area. Although it is a park, because it is by the sea, the view is very open. The azure blue sea spreads out not far away, offering an endless view.

There are many sculptures with marine elements in the park, bronze-colored, depicting people playing by the sea, crossing the sea in boats, or holding swim rings facing the sea, all vivid and interesting. The beach is gentle and wide, with fine, even sand that appears soft golden under the sunlight, smooth and comfortable to walk on.

With the ocean, sand, reefs, and distant islands faintly visible, perhaps because the scenery is so beautiful, there are especially many couples taking wedding photos in the park, especially at sunset. If the weather is good and the sunset clouds fill the sky, it is an unforgettable beautiful sight.

During this trip to Dalian, I discovered a lesser-known tourist spot: Amber Bay. Amber Bay is located between Laohutan and Bangchui Island. The water quality is very good. Few outsiders know about it, but locals love to swim here in summer and go beachcombing in winter. Or just sit in a seaside coffee shop, looking at the sea and reading a book.

It is also a free attraction. Nearby, there are bookstores, coffee shops, and homestays. Suitable for a slow life and emptying your mind.

The ecology here is very good. Large flocks of seagulls often hover by the sea. You can bring your children to feed the seagulls and enjoy parent-child fun.

You can feed them or play paddleboarding here. The seawater hits the reefs on the shore, creating splashing waves full of dynamism. Just a few steps away from the park and beach, it feels like another world, with reefs and waves accompanying you, and the scenery in front of you feels private.

From Amber Bay, we came to Heishijiao Park. This unique landscape in the coastal city, with the sea showing strange reefs of various sizes, is deeply loved and noticed by people.

The dark black color of the reefs, under direct sunlight, looks like plump black pearls sparkling on the blue sea. After long-term erosion by wind and waves, they stand like steady warriors rooted in the sea. Whenever waves hit, they create white foam of various shapes blending with the blue water, presenting a beautiful and stunning picture that makes people stop and watch.

At Heishijiao Park, you can see the Xinghai Bay Cross-Sea Bridge, which is also a great place to watch the sunset.

The beautiful scenery of Heishijiao attracts many tourists to come and play. Beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and sightseeing will all make you very happy. The buildings around Heishijiao are also beautiful. The green plants, waves, and reefs merge into a natural beautiful painting, refreshing the mind and pleasing the soul. If you are interested, please come here and take a walk.

Tahe Bay Bathing Beach is located near the Salt Factory on Lushun South Road. Although it is a bit far from downtown Dalian, transportation is still convenient; you can take the subway directly. It once hired an internationally renowned design company to carry out an overall landscape design for the bathing beach. The water quality is excellent, the seawater is clear, and it is very suitable for sea bathing.

Here you can feel the beauty of Sanya. Unlike indoor bathing beaches, this is a private coast with an overall Hainan resort style: sunshine, sea, coconut trees, and beach, fulfilling everyone's fantasies. Not only can you unlock various internet-famous photo spots, but there are also many recreational facilities, such as small trains, trampolines, carousels, slides, rainbow slides, internet-famous swinging bridges, and more. There is also a petting zoo with various cute animals: peacocks, rabbits, elk, etc. It is an excellent place for weekend outings with kids and seaside BBQs. You can bring your own grill and tent or rent them here. In short, this is not just a seaside bathing beach, but also a paradise for entertainment and leisure with kids!

Dalian Xiajiahezi Seaside Bathing Beach is located on the Bohai Strait in the northern part of Ganjingzi District, Dalian. Its biggest feature is the vast and flat tidal flats, calm waves, and soft fine sand and mud seabed. The shore is all sand, fine and even. Even a few hundred meters from the shore, the water is only waist-deep. Therefore, it is very suitable for beginners to swim and is known as a "natural swimming pool."

At the entrance of Xiajiahezi Park, there is a sculpture called "Oriental Goddess" with a total height of 37.96 meters, facing south. It consists of four parts: the goddess, the earth, an octagonal base, and eight dragon pillars. The shape is that of a Chinese mother holding a child.

Every summer, it attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country to come here to enjoy the sea, swim, and also camp on the shore and taste local Dalian seafood barbecue.

Tired of the city's hustle and bustle, listen to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. The bigger the city, the more vibrant the sounds. The sound of horns and music are not as good as this natural symphony by the sea. On Xiajiahezi Beach, listening to the whisper of the sea breeze, camping, BBQ, bonfire parties with friends, and gazing at the blue sky and sea, the place is calm all year round, making it a livable summer resort.

Clear seawater and fine sand are more suitable for parent-child trips. Parents take their children fishing on the sea. The clear water allows you to see the fish in the water at a glance, giving children more opportunities to connect with nature. The warm afterglow of the setting sun falls on the beach. The sea experiences its last ebb tide. A family strolls along the beach, the child laughing while picking up the fish, shrimp, and shells brought up by the sea, and then picking them up to show the parents. When the setting sun withdraws its last rays of afterglow, it is another scene. It is truly a series of beautiful pictures. If you like watching the sunset, Xiajiahezi is a good choice.

Jinshitan Golden Coast is located in the middle of Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort. It is relatively far from downtown Dalian, about an hour's drive, but you can take Light Rail Line 3 directly. The golden coast stretches for nearly five kilometers and is the largest natural seawater bathing beach in Northeast China. This is the main seaside leisure area of the Jinshitan Resort. The sand here is golden, soft, and flat. The bathing beach water quality is also good. Every summer, this is a popular place for swimming and water sports.

Besides the beautiful golden coast, there are famous attractions in the resort, such as Discovery Theme Park, the World Famous Wax Museum, and the Jinshi Theme Museum. You can choose to visit according to your own schedule.

Binhai National Geopark is located on the coast of Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort. The reefs here have been carved by nature into thousands of natural artworks. Some of these giant rocks look like a stone monkey watching the sea, some like a roc spreading its wings, and some resemble Beethoven's head. Most of them stand by the sea, making them excellent photography spots.

The core scenic areas of the Geopark mainly include Dinosaur Park, Nanxiu Park, and Aotan Park. It takes more than three hours to hike through the entire area. If you have enough time and energy, you can also visit Rose Garden, Jinshi Garden, and the Geological Museum. Due to time constraints, I only did aerial photography here. I will have to come back another time to see it!

Laohutan Ocean Park is located in the middle of the southern coast of Dalian City. It is the largest modern seaside playground in China. Nestled against mountains and by the sea, it is both a world of marine animals and birds and a scenic seaside resort. The park has beautiful natural scenery, with mountains and sea complementing each other, creating a charming view.

Traveling is more about relaxing the mind and body that you have finally freed from work. Laohutan Ocean Park is such a good place to travel.

There are set meals, cold drinks, snacks, and other food in the park. Swimming is not allowed on the beach inside the park. After visiting the park, you can go to nearby North Bridge, Fujiazhuang, and other seaside places to play.

Binhai Road is the collective name for Binhai North Road, East Road, Middle Road, and West Road. It is located along the eastern and southern coasts of Dalian's urban area. On this coastal road stretching over 30 kilometers, the north side is lush green mountains, and the south side is the blue sea and various reefs and islands. It is an excellent place for hiking and photography.

Driving on this road, on one side are mountains with mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests and foothills covered with fiery red azaleas, and on the other side is the vast sea and various reefs and islands. Along the way, wonders appear one after another, too beautiful to take in all at once. Every turn is a gasp of admiration, a feast for the eyes. The wooden walkway along Binhai Road is also very nice, a very quiet path.

The air along Binhai Road is fresh, and the road winds up and down. Along the way, there are bridges, observation boardwalks, beaches, green spaces, and other landscapes. This forms the most beautiful part of Binhai Road, perfect for hiking and photography, and is also the "Lovers' Road" most loved by local couples. If you have time, come here for a stroll.

The Xinghai Bay Cross-Sea Bridge is also worth visiting! It is 6,000 meters long, with two levels for one-way traffic. Although Dalian's cross-sea bridge is mainly for vehicle traffic, pedestrians are allowed to pass. There are wooden walkways on both sides of the bridge. Walking on this cross-sea bridge feels very different. Standing on the bridge looking at the magnificent sea, compared to standing on the shore, the artistic conception and feeling are completely different.

Going to see the sea before the storm arrives, climbing the hill along Binhai Road, the setting sun hides in the steaming sea mist. Waiting for the sky to change color in the hazy horizon, then looking forward to the neon lights of Xinghai Bay Bridge gradually lighting up. When the sparklers in the hands of the newlyweds bloom with brilliant fireworks, it is far less than the brilliant starry river in your eyes when you look at me.

Oriental Venice Water City is located in Dalian Donggang Business District, built with Venice as the prototype. You can take an Aragosta boat tour, which is very photogenic, especially at night. There are many gourmet foods and cultural landscapes here.

The buildings of Venice Water City are mostly designed and built based on the city of Venice, spanning over 200 European-style castles, St. Mark's Square, Piazza Emmanuel II, and more.

If you have time, you can feed pigeons in St. Mark's Square. The pigeons are not afraid of people and often fly to your head, shoulders, or palms. There are also some shops nearby worth checking out, such as OUR Bakery, Under the Plane Tree, Magu No. 5, Cat's Sky City Concept Bookstore, Lambach Western Food, and more.

Nowadays, slow living is increasingly advocated, and the ultimate purpose of travel is to enjoy life and leisure time. The city of Dalian has many beautiful and worthwhile attractions. It is a city suitable for vacation and enjoying life. Here, there is no sense of time racing against the clock. It has both cultural and natural landscapes. This city is worth a visit.

Dalian Weather: The world-famous summer resort of Dalian has a northern temperate monsoon continental climate, with an average temperature of 24°C. Precipitation is concentrated in summer with frequent heavy rain, and night rain is more than day rain. Best travel time: May to September. When tourists leave, the fish return. September to October is the best time for seaside fishing. Essential items for a seaside trip: Bring a long-sleeved shirt to avoid catching a cold. Swimming gear (swimsuit, swim trunks, swim cap, swim goggles, towel, and beach pants). Travel shoes, sandals, slippers. Sunscreen, sun oil, sunglasses, sun hat, etc. Bring plenty of drinking water. Medicine for diarrhea, anti-allergy medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, etc. There are many mosquitoes by the sea, so bring mosquito repellent, cooling oil, etc. Transportation: Dalian has very convenient transportation with subway and light rail. You can also take a taxi or drive there.