Half Ice and Snow, Half Sea: The Ultimate Guide to Dalian Jinshitan in January 2024

A city that subverts past perceptions! Located in the northeast of the country, it snows when other provinces do, but the cold air is only half as intense. For example, when Harbin is -20°C, here it's only -10°C. This is also one of the few coastal cities among the three northeastern provinces. Describing it as a beautiful seaside city is by no means an exaggeration—this is Dalian!

Dalian's Jinshitan Resort never lacks romance, with its unique landforms and sea views intertwined into a stunning picture. Every time the sun shines, the entire beach seems to be coated with a layer of golden light. In winter, strolling on Dalian Jinshitan, feeling the sea breeze brush your cheeks, feeling the graceful dance of your hair, hearing the melody of waves hitting the rocks, away from the city's hustle and bustle, listening to the purest sounds of nature.

[Complete Guide to Dressing in Northeast China]

Be sure to bring short sleeves, short sleeves, short sleeves—indoor heating in the Northeast is really hot. A layering method is recommended, so you can easily remove clothes wherever you are when it gets hot. Also bring short-sleeved pajamas and shorts.

[Is Dalian Cold?]

My main activities this time were in Jinshitan, Dalian. Although it's by the sea, there wasn't the strong wind and low temperature I imagined. Instead, it felt like a "warm winter," with temperatures similar to Beijing.

[Who Is This Travelogue Suitable For?]

This itinerary is perfect for families with children and multi-generational vacations. It's all self-driving with short distances, and the activities are not tiring. Importantly, I visited several hot spring hotels—staying alone would be a waste, but for a family, it's a great deal.

Day 1: Sea on One Side, Snow on the Other: Limited-Time "Happy Snow World"

Day 2: Read Thousands of Books, Travel Thousands of Miles: Understanding Earth from 440 Million Years Ago

Day 3: Enjoy Scenery and Play Games—These Can't Be Done Alone

Day 1: Sea on One Side, Snow on the Other: Limited-Time "Happy Snow World"

In Dalian Jinshitan, a limited-time "Happy Snow World" has been built on flat ground. It's limited because it will only last less than two months! On February 29, 2024, it will return to its original beach state. There are several types of sledding slopes popular in the Northeast, with few people and no lines. The sleds are very easy to pull, plus there is a magic carpet booster, so you can slide all day without getting tired. There is also a fireworks show during the seven days of the Spring Festival.

The park has about twenty attractions, all included in a single ticket, with unlimited rides and unlimited time. There are also restaurants and rest areas, so you can stay all day for food and drink. If you need to leave the park temporarily, you can do a facial recognition at the entrance and return within five hours.

Happy Snow World in Dalian Jinshitan is a standard "kid-wrangling" paradise. There are piles of sleds to choose from. All the kids you see are being pulled around in sleds; no one is begging adults to carry them. Heavy bags are also placed in sleds and pulled along. These sleds are included in the ticket, no deposit required, no need to worry about guarding them—if you get tired of one color, you can switch anytime.

For adults, the more thrilling attractions like the sledding slopes and banana boats are favorites. The little train, carousel, zip line, snowy roller coaster, and other gentler activities are better for kids. I prefer to come in the afternoon, play for two or three hours, catch a sunset, and then leave—perfect!

Day 2: Read Thousands of Books, Travel Thousands of Miles: Understanding Earth from 440 Million Years Ago

Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles. Here, there are real-life displays more captivating than books. While playing, not only do kids gain knowledge, but even I—an adult—am amazed by the wonders of Earth.

The Huaxia Culture Experience Hall is an immersive ancient-style exploration park. On the first floor, four themes display Chinese culture: jade, Buddhist artifacts, gold & silverware, and porcelain.

The Mystery of Life Museum starts from 440 million years ago, from primitive single-celled organisms, from ancient life forms we've never met. The timeline unfolds here, compressing Earth's 4.6 billion years into a few hours of wandering. Prosperity is not eternal; extinction is not an end. Species continuously evolve as their environment changes.

At Light of the Earth, both adults and kids marvel at the countless new things in the world we live in. When we think of mining, we usually think of coal, oil, gold, but underground there are many more minerals we've never seen, with different colors and sparkling translucence.

The EX Future Science and Technology Experience Hall explores future technology. Artificial intelligence robot research centers, bionic human experiment pods—it feels like traveling to a future world. Technology is changing our lives; more precise surgical robots may one day replace humans.

Everyone knows the Northeast's ice and snow sculptures are famous, but actually, the lantern shows after Laba Festival (Minor New Year) are even more popular. The New Year lantern show is a traditional Chinese folk activity, with all kinds of lanterns in animal, plant, and human shapes, bright colors, and auspicious meanings. The intangible cultural heritage "fire dragon steel flower" must be seen in person—no matter how beautiful the photos, they can't capture the awe-inspiring impact of seeing it live.

Day 3: Enjoy Scenery and Play Games—These Can't Be Done Alone

Facing the sea, get up close to the strange cliffs and peculiar rocks of Dalian Jinshitan National Geopark. This is a season with few tourists, featuring fewer people, beautiful scenery, and great prices! You can see scenery different from usual. The reefs along the shore are fully exposed, blending with the azure sea to create a unique picture.

Dalian Jinshitan Hunting Club is a leisure resort combining live ammunition shooting, real CS combat, paintball, camping, team building, and dining. Real shooting must be done under professional guidance and supervision—it's both novel and safe. Highly recommended. The reservoir behind the tourist center has already frozen solid! There are many ice activities, and it's almost like having the place to yourself.

Jinshima Alley is a famous commercial street in the Jinshitan area of Dalian, with everything for eating, drinking, and fun. There are also specialty shops selling products from Russia, Korea, and other countries. Taking photos on the bridge at the entrance to the commercial street has a cinematic feel. Walking to the alley entrance, you can capture the arc of the street beautifully.

[I Love Bathing, Skin So Good—Hotels Must Have Hot Springs]

The entire coastline of Dalian Jinshitan is very long, and there are many hot spring hotels. Suitable for friends or families to come together—staying alone is such a waste. This time I stayed at hot spring hotels, each with its own characteristics, all in Dalian Jinshitan. Listed together for easier comparison to choose your favorite.

Tangjingze Hot Spring Resort Hotel is well-known in Dalian Jinshitan. The first feeling upon entering the hotel is warmth and politeness, enthusiastic but not overwhelming, bright and clean. Tangjingze Hot Spring Resort Hotel exudes cleanliness in both facilities and environment, showing the management's meticulousness. In the morning, every window in the hallway lets in light—beautiful. The hotel has a Japanese style, great for photos. The only note: never come alone—it's a waste.

From the moment you enter the hotel lobby, you'll never see your shoes again—everyone wears slippers throughout the hotel. Different building areas are connected by corridors, so it's not cold. Rooms have private hot springs, and there are also public indoor and outdoor areas, plus a children's water park. After bathing, you can get a spa in the relaxation hall—prices are quite affordable for the quality. There is a separate foot bath area and a steam room—all excellent.

The most eye-catching feature of Luneng Ocean Hot Spring Hotel in Dalian Jinshitan is its outdoor hot spring pools. With over sixty pools, during off-peak season, a family can easily have a pool to themselves. Pools of different colors have different main effects and temperatures. Choose one based on your preference or need. If your family is planning a trip for the Spring Festival, don't hesitate—bring the elderly and kids to Dalian Jinshitan for a warm winter year, and find a hot spring hotel—doesn't that sound great?

Sunrise Over the Sea: a hotel where you can watch the sunrise. The sea-view hot spring king room and the boat house are especially recommended. The hot spring pool in each room type is either indoor or outdoor. The boat house is more suitable for young couples—the pool is on the balcony, very photogenic. The hotel lobby is on the first floor, and the restaurant is not on the same level but extends in a stepped design to the second floor, where you can also have a stove-boiled tea in the afternoon.

Walking from the boat house, you can reach Shengtang Lanshan Commercial Street. Hotels with street views in this area are relatively more affordable. There is also a Chinese-style health center in the commercial street, similar to a VIP-level public bath that holds a limited number of people, where you can add a medicinal herbal bag to the bath—worth trying.

Dalian Jinshitan Bath Palace Hot Spring Villa Hotel is located in the center of Jinshima Alley, Dalian Jinshitan—an excellent location. The standalone villas can accommodate seven to eight guests. When visiting Dalian in winter, you must find a hot spring hotel—it's the right way to experience it. The entire commercial street has many food options, and there are specialty shops selling products from Russia, Korea, and other countries. The whole street is a great spot for photos.

Although Dalian is in the Northeast, it is a genuine coastal city. Dalian's Jinshitan Resort is cool in summer and not cold in winter—it's a place where the whole family gathers, meeting everyone's climate preferences. In the past, visiting relatives during the Spring Festival was busier than work. This year, why not bring the family to Dalian for a warm winter year?

Stroll along Dalian Jinshitan, listen to the waves gently lapping the shore, feel the gentle sea breeze and fine sand; play games in groups in the forest, race across the ice on an ice sled; away from the hustle and bustle, soak in the misty hot springs—the hotel is the perfect place to wash away fatigue. Dalian is a vibrant city, with an exotic atmosphere permeating its ubiquitous cultural ambience. Its unique natural conditions allow you to have an unforgettable warm winter year this season.