Let's Go to Dalian to See the Sea

Unlike the intense and scorching atmosphere of tropical coasts, Dalian has more distinct seasons and a pleasant, comfortable climate. As a northern coastal city, Dalian has long been favored by tourists from Northeast China. With the gradual improvement and upgrading of Dalian's urban environment and the innovative development of its cultural tourism industry, tourists from all over China and even the world have listed Dalian as a top travel destination.

Coming to Dalian, the easiest and most essential travel experience is to see the sea. Its unique geographical environment and climate make the sea in Dalian present different scenery in different seasons. The total length of Dalian's Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea coastline is about 2,211 kilometers, of which the mainland coastline is about 1,371 kilometers and the island coastline is about 840 kilometers, making it the city with the longest continental coastline in China. Such a long coastline gives Dalian a very high-quality sea-viewing environment. Whether it's sandy beaches, reefs, or islands, the sea in Dalian has a unique charm and romantic temperament. On the map, Dalian, surrounded by the sea on three sides, sits on the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. The two seas embrace each other tightly here, naturally forming a clear dividing line on the boundless sea surface. Interestingly, the sea named the Yellow Sea is actually azure and emerald green, while the Bohai Sea appears more turbid and yellowish.

The sea is both the most powerful and the softest existence in people's hearts. Such contrasting images are because the sea itself is ever-changing. Different seasons, different weather, and different moods all reveal a different side of the sea. I think the sea in Dalian, perhaps because it absorbs the essence of this romantic city, always presents a romantic sentiment.

In the cool October, a rainstorm makes the sea and sky in Dalian particularly magnificent. The wind rises, clouds come, and clouds sing. The clouds keep changing under the action of the wind. Sunlight occasionally breaks through the gaps in the clouds and spills onto the sea surface. Golden rays spread with boundless brilliance, illuminating the deep blue sea. The shadows of the clouds move rapidly, dancing constantly beside these golden beams. This is the seascape I love, because with clouds and light, the boundless sea is no longer so monotonous or lonely. Watching the sea in Dalian is a very interesting experience. The long coastline, with both mountains and sea, gives this city embracing the sea many unique perspectives for viewing the sea.

Climbing Lianhua Mountain and looking down from the observation deck at an altitude of 259.6 meters, you can take in the panoramic view of Dalian. Lianhua Mountain Observation Deck stands on the coast of Xigang District, Dalian, and is the commanding height for appreciating the scenery of Dalian. Looking northeast, Dalian Port, Dalian Bay, and Jinzhou Bay are all in sight; looking southwest, the Xinghai Bay scenery unfolds completely, and the Xinghai Bay Bridge leaps like a dragon over the Yellow Sea; looking southeast, Fujiazhuang seaside and the winding Binhai Road are clearly visible. It can be said that this is the perfect angle and height for a bird's-eye view of Dalian.

On the eastern section of Binhai Road, a scenic resort mainly featuring mountains, sea, islands, and beaches is famous worldwide. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side, connecting with the open sea via an uneven pebble beach. Not far from the shore stands a small island protruding independently, which from a distance looks very much like a wooden club used for beating clothes in the countryside, hence it is called Bangchui Island (Stick Island). Bangchui Island is a well-known tourist resort in Dalian and a must-visit place for locals on outings. The sea here exudes a romantic atmosphere because of the people. Dalian people love the sea and are also romantic. This love and romance are sometimes very down-to-earth and sometimes very elegant and tasteful. In the Bangchui Island scenic area, you can often see groups of people warming up on the shore, then plunging into the sea and swimming to Bangchui Island, going back and forth tirelessly. After coming ashore, they will comment on each other with humorous words. This is the down-to-earth romance of Dalian people. Sometimes, orchestral music comes from the shore, and if you look carefully, you will find some music lovers playing their beloved instruments by the sea, intoxicated. The melodious music complements the waves, and the figures singing toward the sea also show the leisurely elegance of Dalian people.

The temperament of the sea is often determined by the viewer. So I think the joyful sea is at Golden Pebble Beach's Golden Coast. Why is it called the joyful sea? Because at Golden Pebble Beach, you can experience a variety of land and sea entertainment and recreational activities. Golden Pebble Beach National Tourist Resort has made great efforts to achieve the goal of "building a world-class coastal tourist resort and a perfect, romantic love destination." It has already built more than 50 cultural tourism projects, including Discovery Kingdom Theme Park, Golden Pebble Beach Botanical Garden, Cultural Expo Plaza, EX Robot Future Science and Technology Museum, Golden Pebble Hunting Club, Tangjingze Japanese Hot Spring, Luneng Marine Hot Spring, Luneng Hilton Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Luneng Meilijui, and Golden Pebble Wanxiang. Dozens of characteristic cultural tourism festivals and events each year attract tens or hundreds of thousands of tourists to come one after another. Every sunrise and sunset, the beach is bathed in sunlight, presenting a golden view, just like its name, Golden Pebble Beach.

The sea is Dalian's most magnificent appearance and also the soul that shapes Dalian's geological accumulation. At Dalian Coastal National Geopark, you can not only enjoy the boundless ocean scenery where the sea and sky merge but also appreciate geological wonders formed over hundreds of millions of years, with sea erosion landforms being the most fascinating. The masterpieces of nature's uncanny craftsmanship, combined with human wild imagination, have produced many strange peaks and rocks that are truly amazing. This is the focal point of sea culture, the museum of stone culture, and the exhibition hall of geological culture. Walking along the viewing trail, strange peaks and rocks lean against the sea. On the golden sea, fishermen are going out to catch fish. From an aerial perspective, the colors of mountains and sea are clear and distinct, with a smooth structure. Mountains, rocks, forests, sea, coasts, beaches, boats, and fishermen together form a beautiful picture of Dalian's mountains and sea.

If you prefer comfort, lying in a high-end resort hotel or a characteristic guesthouse room to watch the sea is also a good choice. Nowadays, many hotels and guesthouses in Dalian break away from fixed thinking to create more and better experience environments. Having a private beach by the coast is already a thing of the past. Now there are more popular holiday experiences such as coastal infinity pools, terraces with large floor-to-ceiling sea-view windows, private bay paddleboarding experiences, and beach camping parties. In addition, taking a yacht out to sea is also a choice for many people. Departing from the Dalian Donggang Yacht Marina, seagulls accompany you all the way. Riding the wind and waves in the sea, you can fully enjoy the surging passion. Watch the seabirds fly freely between the sky and the earth, taking in all the magnificence of the world.