[Dalian] Traveling with a Baby: Discovering the Many Faces of Romantic Dalian in Summer

We are going to Dalian! When I was in middle school, my dad's company organized a team-building trip to Dalian. At that time, we flew there and returned by ship. For someone from an inland city, the city with blue sea and sky naturally has a romantic, vacation-like aura. I still remember being moved to tears by the dolphin show at the aquarium, and how delicious the big squid was at the night market!

After landing, we took a taxi to the hotel. It took less than 20 minutes? So close! Dalian's airport is right in the city center, which is really convenient. In other cities, we might have to allow an hour and a half for the trip to the airport. Opening the window, the breeze felt so nice. The temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius. I envy the people of Dalian who live in air conditioning every day. I saw a video titled "Challenge the Coldest Summer" saying: Others eat watermelon with the air conditioner on, while in Dalian people wear long johns and search for wool socks.

Focusing on this city, the mist floated in the air. Mom held the little one and told him the characters on the license plate read "Liao". The joy of traveling gradually filled our hearts. After having a child, I often feel hesitant about trips longer than a week—worried about leaving him behind, but also afraid of the trouble of bringing him along. But once we actually set off, the long-dormant emotions of anticipation, surprise, and excitement revived. Every day of the trip was joyful. The child was surprisingly well-behaved and sensible, full of curiosity about everything. He fell asleep as soon as his energy was spent each day. We all went to bed early and woke up early, full of energy. As long as we set out, there will always be gains. Travel has always been the highlight of my life.

Regarding Dalian, I had a preconceived impression of this city: a northern coastal city, reefs, sandy waves, big seafood, and a dialect with a sea-taste... But when I actually stepped into Dalian's summer, I found that this city is far more than that...

The hotel we stayed at was the Railway 1896 Garden Hotel. The hotel was built in 1896, making one feel immersed in Dalian's history. Twenty-eight European-style villas come together to form a large garden, with Russian, French, and Japanese styles. Red brick walls, green roofs, large lawns, and blooming flowers. In the room: oil paintings, crystal chandeliers, carved cabinets, heavy curtains. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting dappled shadows of trees—a tangible sense of time travel. Many famous people once lived here: Miss Zhao Si, Mr. Cai Yuanpei, Natsume Sōseki... Each villa's plaque tells a historical story.

The hotel is well-equipped with surrounding facilities. Food delivery arrives within 15 minutes, and the soup is still hot. Fifty meters away is the classic tourist attraction Russian Style Street, with magnificent Russian-style buildings full of exotic charm. Walking there feels like traveling in Europe. The hotel is also not far from Tianjin Street. In the evening, we strolled to the snack street. The Tianjin Street snack strip had just opened for business and was extremely exciting. We ate Dalian Menzi (a local snack) to our hearts' content. If you're lucky, you can see the vintage No. 201 tram with over a hundred years of history. Riding the tram to see the flowing city scenery, face to face with a century of time.

If the wind were to choose a place to rest,

I think it would be the grasslands and pastures~

I want to soak in the green of summer forever

During our Dalian trip, Sanhuan Pasture surprised me greatly. Endless green lawns, rolling hills, cattle and sheep wandering leisurely in groups—it's like a little Switzerland! Every family sets up camp here to spend the weekend. Children roll on the ground and run around. An ideal camping site. I didn't expect Dalian to have grasslands! I love being surrounded by mountains and green lawns. In the atmosphere of an original pasture, we can give our child high-quality companionship and return to a natural, rustic vacation style. The summer breeze gently blows, breathing freely like grass and trees. The green grass spreads from spring to early summer, quietly and passionately covering the entire mountain field. In days when we can't travel far, I have fallen in love with camping.

[Attraction Info]

📍 Address: Yingshi Stone Village, Longwangtang Street, Lüshunkou District, Dalian

Ticket: 70 yuan, group 60 yuan

Opening hours: 9:00-17:00

A few tips:

✅ The sun is strong, pay attention to sun protection!

✅ You can bring your own tent and gear or rent a tent. Some friends say camping overnight is possible. Please camp without leaving a trace.

✅ Get close to small animals: besides free-range cattle and sheep, there are also pony, alpaca, rabbits... You can bring carrots. Animal release times: 9:30-11:00, 13:30-15:30

✅ Multiple non-powered children's playgrounds, kids love them.

✅ There is a BBQ restaurant and a self-service BBQ area, with restrooms, tap water, and complete facilities.

✅ Shuttle car: 20 yuan per person each way.

✅ The pasture is too big. A good pair of walking shoes determines how far you can go.

My eyes were opened! I've never seen cherries this big in my life. I knew Dalian cherries were famous, but I didn't expect each one to be so huge—each as big as an apricot, hanging densely on the branches. When picked, each one is red, bright, and plump, every single one shaped like a heart. I think bringing a girl to pick cherries on a date is a great idea, because the whole tree is full of little hearts that say "love you" haha.

Dalian cherries have a long cultivation history, over a hundred years since their introduction in the last century. Thanks to the unique geographical location and climate conditions, it has become a world-famous production area and also the largest greenhouse cherry planting area in China. Major areas include Anbo Town and Siping Town in Pulandian City, Lüshunkou District, and Jinzhou District. We went to Dalian Jinpu New District, where there are Wenlin Cherry Orchard and others. The little one was overjoyed, standing under the tree with a small bucket, eating and picking at the same time, his little belly round and full. Cherry prices were surprisingly low: 30 yuan per person for unlimited eating, and 25 yuan per jin to take away. I was moved to tears—these are giant cherries! On the return trip at the airport, we saw large cherries selling for 48 yuan per jin, which isn't actually expensive. Bringing some home is a kind of good intention.

Ah, it feels like the South of France! Such a large patch of purple! Ziyun Huaxi Lavender Manor is located in Jinzhou District, Dalian, covering over 1,000 mu. Lavender, roses, verbena, sage, roses and others grow in patches. Flowers bloom all over the mountains. In the middle of the purple flower sea stands a majestic ancient castle. Climbing through the mountain forest path to the Roman castle, along the way apricot and plum trees are laden with fruit. Standing on the castle, you can overlook the Sun's Beginning Square and the lavender fields. The shuttle carts in the fields are also purple.

📸 Photo spots: 🌼 Sun's Beginning Square, European-style cottage architecture, stone-wood square, Cupid statue and love wall, swings, Dutch windmill, wedding vintage car, wooden thatched pavilion. Immerse yourself in a sea of flowers, enjoy a lifetime of blossoms. May you enjoy flower viewing in summer.

Friends who come here should not miss seeing inside the castle. The decoration is exquisite, completely replicating the interior of a European ancient castle. We had a sumptuous lunch in the castle. It wasn't Western food, but authentic Dalian cuisine. The three-delicious Menzi was much more luxurious than the one I had at the night market.

Dalian Western Suburb National Forest Park

Upon getting off the car at Dalian Western Suburb National Forest Park, a vast expanse of green greets you. The air is fresh, with mountains and lakes—it's like a little Switzerland! This is a natural oxygen bar, with lush greenery that washes away physical and mental fatigue.

The park is located in the western suburbs of Dalian, at the southwest corner of the Liaodong Peninsula, covering an area of 5958 hectares. It's still within the city, with convenient transportation. It was officially approved as a national forest park by the State Forestry Administration on December 27, 2006. If I lived in Dalian, I think I would come here often for camping and photography.

Compared to Sanhuan Pasture, this park is more suitable for young people to play and challenge themselves. The activities in the park are more exciting, such as:

Sky Glass Bridge:

Total length 300m, with simulated glass breaking sound in the middle. Good views from the bridge, suitable for tourist photos. It sways a bit when it's windy.

New major project in the park❗️ After taking the cable car to the middle, you drop vertically like a free fall and then swing, terror index 5 stars.

There are high-altitude and low-altitude versions. Those who are timid but want to experience it can try the small one. It looks scary, but actually only the first moment when you go out is a bit scary. Once swinging, feeling the wind is great! Overlooking Tangli Lake! A 90-degree downward drop is thrilling.

Hollow stepping challenges: going over is on transparent glass, coming back is rainbow-colored.

Sky Bicycle: This part is combined with the Heart-Stopping challenge. You can queue first to avoid long waits when crowded.

NOLINE Offline Camp

When I arrived at the Western Suburb National Forest Park, the first thing that came to mind was camping. Coincidentally, the park owner thought the same. So, on the unique green lawn, complete camping gear has been set up for you. As an experienced camping enthusiast, I want to say it's so convenient to choose a ready-made camping base. Usually, when a family goes camping, from choosing a site and gear to setting up the tent, cooking, and then taking down the tent, the whole day leaves us exhausted.

With a ready-made base, we can save the time of setting up tents, chat with friends, accompany children in playing, take photos for social media, or simply do nothing and completely relax. NOLINE Offline Camp has a variety of camping gear and tent styles: Indian tents, Mongolian tents, sunshades, single and double tents...

Lots of small items too: ambiance lights, cassette stoves, egg roll tables, helping you take amazing camping photos with many details! Eating outdoors whets the appetite, and the camp has prepared abundant food. After a satisfying feast, it's comfortable for the whole family to enjoy. There are restrooms with toiletries, hot water, and electricity.

Our next itinerary is about to embrace the blue sea and sky!

After visiting the grasslands and forests, the main and most precious tourism resources of Dalian are still the sea!

Besides the familiar city beaches, Dalian has many islands to explore: Dachangshan Island, Changhai Guanglu Island, Hehai Wangjiu Island, Shicheng Island, Geli Island... Each island retains the most natural marine scenery, but each has its own unique features.

Dalian's Changhai County is a county-level administrative region entirely made up of islands, already very well developed. More famous islands include Dachangshan Island, Xiaochangshan Island, Guanglu Island, Haxian Island, Saili Island, Gexian Island, etc. This time we visited Guanglu Island, Dachangshan Island, and Xiaochangshan Island.

The little-known romantic island Guanglu Island: When the thick fog clears

We took a boat to Guanglu Island. Thick fog rose, and when we arrived on the island, we were immersed in a white world unable to see anything. The hotel car waited at the dock. We loaded luggage and checked in. The island's weather changes rapidly. While we were making tea in the room, the fog outside dissipated unnoticed, and the scenery unfolded before us like a fairyland. Waves crashed against the rocks. The island's vegetation was lush. On the path to the seaside, we encountered all kinds of strange plants. The pebbles on the beach were crystal clear; we picked a few to take home. On the island we ate shrimp, conch and clams, and dumplings filled with sea fish. The hotel set off fireworks at night. Sleeping at night was very quiet.

About Guanglu Island: Located in the western part of the Changshan Islands in the northern Yellow Sea, it is a national-level island forest park. It consists of 23 islands, islets, and reefs, with a land area of 31.5 square kilometers and a population of about 13,000 people. The island has a long history. In the folk museum, you can see the generations of islanders' lives. Five hundred years ago, the land was fertile, deer roamed in groups on the mountains, and fish and shrimp abounded in the sea. Countless treasures were hidden in the Laotie Mountains. The island has advanced communications and convenient transportation, with daily direct ferries to Xingshutun Port and Pikou Port. The soil is fertile, and freshwater resources are abundant—it is the island with the most freshwater among the many islands of Changhai County.

[Attraction Info]

Transportation: By ferry. Need ID card at Pikou Port.

Accommodation: Haichang Discovery Kingdom Resort Hotel (breakfast included). There are not many restaurants on the island; usually you stay in local guesthouses where you eat. Seasonal seafood is abundant but more expensive than in the city.

Note: Before entering the island, you need to fill in an entry application on the "Changhai Rongmei" account one day in advance. Often the first submission won't pass review, but after following the manual online modification suggestions, it can pass. You need to have a 48-hour nucleic acid test. After arriving on the island, everyone will also be tested for nucleic acid.

From a distance, Dachangshan Island looks like a crouching dragon riding the waves, with its head slightly raised...

Dachangshan Island is located at the center of the Changshan Islands, the seat of Changhai County government. It is named for its long shape and many mountains. The island has a winding coastline, many bays, and numerous natural and cultural attractions. Rugged rocks, rolling hills, dense forests, blue sea, and clean beaches. Around the island, a seaside garden has been built, with architecture combining European and Northeast Asian styles. Changshan Island's tourism infrastructure is complete, and popular items include fishing village tours, beachcombing, and fishing. Major tourist attractions include Qixiang Garden, Sanyuan Palace, Beihai Bathing Beach, the Memorial Tower for Island Builders and Guardians, the Double Phoenix Facing Sun Tower, the West Dashan Stele Site, and Shangmashi Stone.

Xiaochangshan Island belongs to Changhai County. A 1790-meter-long Changshan Bridge connects it to Dachangshan Island. At both ends of the bridge, you can see natural bathing beaches with clean sand and water, which are good places for locals who are used to swimming to exercise. They swim to the opposite side, take a stroll, and swim back.

Compared to Dachangshan, Xiaochangshan is more pristine. Big trees, grass, and shrubs grow freely. On the gentle slopes, various crops are planted. Country paths are winding, wildflowers bloom freely and wildly. On the nearby reefs, groups of seagulls play or circle. On the shore, fishermen dry kelp in rows, black patches. The latitude is 39°N, and the sea area is at the junction of cold and hot zones, recognized as the most suitable growth environment for marine life in the world. Hence, it enjoys the reputation of "natural fishing village," producing abalone, sea cucumber, scallops, red scallops, and other marine delicacies.

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is located on the coast of Xiaochangshan Island. It is a national 3A scenic spot, with forest coverage up to 80%. The vibrant forest meets the beautiful blue ocean, opening its arms. Walking along the coastline on the up-and-down wooden boardwalk, you'll encounter strange rocks along the way. The total length of the boardwalk is 550 meters. Persist and you'll step onto a 30-meter-long glass walkway, with the surging sea below. Sit down and take photos—every shot is like a movie scene. Xiaoshuikou also has Shuiyun Pavilion and viewing platforms. Standing on the viewing platform, looking across the sea, you'll see the famous Mingzhu Shuangduo Scenic Area, islands embedded in the sea like scattered pearls.

Stay: Dalian Haishan Island Resort Hotel

When I was a child, I watched "Summer Holiday" (Summer Holiday in Hong Kong) over and over, longing for a beach vacation. Now, in various ways, I have fulfilled childhood dreams at different seaside places. On Xiaochangshan Island, we stayed at the Haishan Island Resort Hotel. I heard it's the best hotel locally, but at first glance, the room and facilities didn't seem particularly special. However, after a two-day, one-night stay, due to the excellent service, we had an unparalleled vacation experience.

When daydreaming, I think of the feeling "Summer Holiday" gave me. The service a hotel provides is so important; it directly determines the final feeling of the trip.

Special seafood lunch

We had a very special seafood lunch: individual seafood sets, and a pot of fish dumplings for two. Young staff members bustled in and out of the kitchen, carefully placing each dish and side dish before us. Oysters bigger than a palm, fist-sized conch, and the fish for the dumpling filling was freshly caught that morning. The little one ate an entire salmon head. A delicious lunch.

Abundant seaside activities

In the afternoon, we changed into swimsuits and went to the beach. The seawater was crystal clear. Guests staying at the hotel can experience a variety of water sports. Colorful kayaks, surfboards, paddleboards were lined up on the shore.

I tried paddleboarding with the little one. The water was calm, not too hard to handle. A 350-square-meter outdoor swimming pool was like a blue ribbon, with a children's pool next to it. Across was a sandy beach with fine sand. The child played in the sand and swam, incredibly happy, until the sun set and the temperature dropped. The owner kindly ran over to remind us: there's a hot seawater room over there, go inside so the child doesn't catch cold. Hot seawater room? We had seen it earlier but didn't know what it was. Inside, it was a private hot spring! A large hot seawater pool, water temperature about 40°C. Soaking in it was extremely comfortable. Why didn't I discover this earlier! Outside were showers. After showering and changing clothes, twinkling lights appeared outside. Surrounded by green mountains and cypress trees, the peaceful night extended to the pitch-black sea—no light pollution, no noise, only the sound of waves.

Barbecue smoke in the seaside glass house: A dinner surprise. Who would have thought that the row of pointed glass houses by the sea were barbecue huts? We were ravenous from playing and ate voraciously. Mom patiently grilled meat for us. Food becomes incredibly delicious after grilling: grilled lamb, beef, prawns, vegetables... Individual servings of red bean paste dessert, Korean cold noodles, and steamed egg specially prepared for the baby. Gathering around the stove to chase away the night's chill.

The next day, heavy rain. We had to leave this beautiful place. I was reluctant to leave the spacious terrace overlooking the sea. The little one followed us, sleeping on the road, eating and staying with us like an adult. Not fussy, not spoiled. In a few days, he got tanned and stronger. He remained emotionally stable every day, which comforted his mother. I made up my mind to take my child to wider places to play and experience.

The poet Pu Lu Hai said: It's not how much you know that determines how much you see, but how much you love.

Strive to cultivate your child's curiosity about the world, develop their ability to perceive the wonders of life, and nurture their passion for the unknown. When I am not by his side, I hope he has something he loves to face the long journey of life.

Dalian has so many fun places and so many ways to play. Whether you want to vacation, explore, take kids, or do city sightseeing, Dalian always has a place for your soul to belong.

Our trip to Dalian

Is not just for this summer, but for the future.

Dalian, we'll meet again.