Get to know Dalian
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- Administrative area
- Prefecture-level city · 地级市
- Part of
- Liaoning
- Chinese name
- 大连市
- Local areas
- 10 local areas
Area & population
- Area in the source
- 13,743.00 km²
- Population · 2020 census
- 7,450,785
- Administrative seat
- Xigang District
Source: cited geographic source, as of the dates shown.
Tourism
Dalian is a popular destination among domestic tourists and foreign visitors, especially from Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Its mild climate and multiple beaches, as well as its importance in the modern history of China, have attracted tourists. Some of the most famous beaches are Jinshitan Golden Coast beach, Fujiazhuang (付家庄) beach, Bangchuidao (棒棰岛) beach, Xinghai Park (星海公园) beach, Xinghai Bay (星海湾) beach, and Xiajiahezi (夏家河子) beach. In 2007, it was one of the three cities named "China's best tourist city", along with Hangzhou and Chengdu, recognized by the National Tourism Administration and the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Explore Dalian
Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.
Dalian 大连
Xinghai Square 星海广场
Jinshitan 金石滩
Dalian Modern Museum 大连现代博物馆
Dalian Forest Zoo 大连森林动物园
Laohutan Ocean Park 老虎滩海洋公园
Zhongshan Square (Dalian) 中山广场
Bangchuidao Island 棒棰岛
Lüshun Museum 旅顺博物馆
Lüshun Russo-Japanese Prison 旅顺日俄监狱旧址
Dalian Natural History Museum 大连自然博物馆
Dalian Art Museum 大连美术馆
Lüshun Submarine Museum 旅顺潜艇博物馆
Baiyu Mountain Scenic Area 旅顺白玉山
Laotie Mountain 旅顺老铁山
Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Park 龙王塘樱花园
Donggang Seafront Promenade 东港滨海步行区
Bangchui Island Beach 棒棰岛海滨
Bingyugou Valley 冰峪沟
Haiwang Nine Islands 海王九岛
Lushun Railway Station 旅顺火车站
Lushun Russo-Japanese Prison Museum 日俄监狱旧址博物馆
Baiyu Mountain 白玉山
Sun Asia Ocean World 圣亚海洋世界
Dalian Discoveryland 发现王国
Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan Islands 大长山岛与小长山岛
Zhangzi Island 獐子岛
Zhongshan District 中山区
Xigang District 西岗区
Shahekou District 沙河口区
Ganjingzi District 甘井子区
Lüshunkou District 旅顺口区
Jinzhou District 金州区
Pulandian District 普兰店区
Changhai County 长海县
Wafangdian 瓦房店市
Zhuanghe 庄河市
Places to explore around Dalian
A city view in Xigang District, Dalian (大连西岗区), with parkland in the foreground. Photograph date recorded by the source: Taken on 15 February 2013.Dalian大连
Dalian's character comes from its planned port-city streets and a long, varied coast. Zhongshan Square presents the radial street plan and early twentieth-century bank, hotel and administrative façades. Xinghai Bay offers a…
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Xinghai Square · 星海广场Xinghai Square星海广场
Xinghai Square opens Dalian's cityscape towards Xinghai Bay. Developed on former salt-field and reclaimed land, it is a modern civic landscape of lawns, broad paved spaces and waterfront sculpture. The centenary monument and…
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Weathered coastal cliffs at Jinshitan in Dalian, June 2021.Jinshitan金石滩
Jinshitan is a coastal resort district whose defining natural feature is its weathered sedimentary rock landscape. The geological park and Jinshiyuan rock garden give this scenery a clear focus, while Golden Coast offers a more…
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The exterior of Dalian Modern Museum, Liaoning; 5 May 2017.Dalian Modern Museum大连现代博物馆
Dalian Museum, often called Dalian Modern Museum in travel listings, explains the port city's history through its Modern Dalian display. The exhibition follows coastal defence, the development of the port under Russian…
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Dalian Forest Zoo · 大连森林动物园Dalian Forest Zoo大连森林动物园
Dalian Forest Zoo uses the wooded slopes of Baiyun Mountain rather than a compact, flat city block. Its animal areas include a panda house, golden-monkey house and primate gardens, spread between the zoo's principal sections…
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Laohutan Scenic Park · 老虎滩海洋公园Laohutan Ocean Park老虎滩海洋公园
Laohutan, or Tiger Beach Ocean Park, is a coastal collection of animal attractions along Binhai Road. The Polar Aquarium and Coral Aquarium are the principal marine themes, while Bird Forest provides a different setting away…
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Zhongshan Square and surrounding streets in Dalian, photographed in 2006 · 大连中山广场 Photograph date recorded by the source: 11 September 2006.Zhongshan Square (Dalian)中山广场
Dalian's Zhongshan Square preserves the circular hub of a planned port city, with ten streets radiating from its centre. The surrounding façades record the city's changing administrations and commercial institutions. Former…
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Bangchuidao Island seen through sea mist beyond the foreground shore in Dalian, Liaoning; 16 July 2026.Bangchuidao Island棒棰岛
Bangchuidao is the small offshore islet seen from the beach at the end of Yingbin Road. Its rounded outline is associated with a local word for ginseng, which gives the place its name. For most visitors the practical attraction…
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The historic main entrance facade of Lüshun Museum, September 2013.Lüshun Museum旅顺博物馆
Lüshun Museum brings together archaeological and decorative-art collections in a historic European-style museum building. Xinjiang material and the museum's ceramics, enamels and snuff bottles give the collections a wider reach…
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The entrance building of the former Lüshun Russo-Japanese Prison, May 2009.Lüshun Russo-Japanese Prison旅顺日俄监狱旧址
Former prison museum documenting Russian and Japanese occupation. Closed for heritage conservation from 17 October 2025; no verified reopening date was found. Confirm reopening before travelling for an interior visit.
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Dalian Natural History Museum beside the shore · 大连自然博物馆 Photograph date recorded by the source: 17 July 2012, 17:06:28.Dalian Natural History Museum大连自然博物馆
Dalian Natural History Museum's Heishijiao setting suits its strong marine collections. A North Pacific right-whale specimen provides a striking sense of scale, while a group of Psittacosaurus fossils brings the story onto land…
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Dalian Art Museum大连美术馆
Dalian Art Museum occupies the reconstructed former Eastern Chinese Railway shipping-company building at the entrance to Russian Street. Its elaborate European-style exterior is a landmark, but the present structure includes…
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Lüshun Submarine Museum旅顺潜艇博物馆
Lüshun Submarine Museum is organised around a retired Type 033 submarine on the Huangjinshan shore. The boat is the principal object, supported by retired land, sea and air equipment and simulated submarine experiences. These…
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The monument on Baiyu Mountain in Lüshun · 旅顺白玉山 Photograph date recorded by the source: 4 February 2017.Baiyu Mountain Scenic Area旅顺白玉山
Baiyu Mountain rises above central Lüshun and gives a clear view of the port's confined setting. Its summit tower was erected by Japan after the Russo-Japanese War and is now interpreted in the context of the occupation. That…
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Laotie Mountain lighthouse · 旅顺老铁山灯塔 Photograph date recorded by the source: 19 May 2009.Laotie Mountain旅顺老铁山
Laotie Mountain occupies the southern end of the Liaodong Peninsula within a protected coastal landscape. Its headland scenery and historic lighthouse are the principal visitor interests. The lighthouse is best planned as an…
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Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Park viewed from the dam in April 2011 · 龙王塘樱花园 Photograph date recorded by the source: 28 April 2011.Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Park龙王塘樱花园
Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Park pairs spring-flowering trees with the dam and reservoir that shaped the site. The cherry planting is associated with the reservoir's early twentieth-century development, while the dam has an…
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Donggang Seafront Promenade · 东港滨海步行区Donggang Seafront Promenade东港滨海步行区
Donggang Seafront Promenade (东港滨海步行区) brings wooden promenades and sea-view terraces to the redeveloped Donggang waterfront in Dalian's Zhongshan District.
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Bangchui Island Beach · 棒棰岛海滨Bangchui Island Beach棒棰岛海滨
Bangchui Island Beach (棒棰岛海滨) is the coastal bay and beach on the eastern section of Dalian's Binhai Road, facing the small club-shaped island that gives the area its name.
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Bingyugou Valley · 冰峪沟Bingyugou Valley冰峪沟
Bingyugou Valley (冰峪沟) is a valley landscape in Zhuanghe, where quartzite peaks rise above rivers, deep gorges and pine-and-oak woodland.
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Haiwang Nine Islands海王九岛
Haiwang Nine Islands (海王九岛) is a nine-island group administered by Wangjia Town in Zhuanghe, at the northeastern end of the Changshan archipelago.
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Aerial view of Lüshun Railway Station's Russian-style station building, Lüshunkou District, Dalian · 大连市旅顺口区旅顺火车站俄式风格站房航拍 Source-recorded photograph date: 2019-09-20 15:36:39.Lushun Railway Station旅顺火车站
Lushun Railway Station (旅顺火车站) is the historic railway terminus near Lüshun harbour, known for its Russian-style timber station building.
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Lushun Russo-Japanese Prison Museum · 日俄监狱旧址博物馆Lushun Russo-Japanese Prison Museum日俄监狱旧址博物馆
The Lüshun Russo-Japanese Prison Museum preserves a prison compound in Lüshunkou that was built under Russian rule and later enlarged and used by the Japanese colonial authorities.
Read the place guide →The White Jade Hill Tower monument seen from a park path on Baiyu Mountain, Lüshunkou District, Dalian, with a preserved historic cannon in the foreground · 大连市旅顺口区白玉山，园路远眺白玉山塔，前景为保留的历史炮台 Source-recorded photograph date: 2017-02-04.Baiyu Mountain白玉山
Hill in the centre of Lüshunkou, Dalian, with a 1909 Japanese memorial tower and a view over the naval harbour and Laohuwei Peninsula.
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Sun Asia Ocean World · 圣亚海洋世界Sun Asia Ocean World圣亚海洋世界
Sun Asia Ocean World is a complex of marine and animal pavilions inside Xinghai Park in Dalian's Shahekou District.
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The Crazy Cobra roller coaster at Discovery Kingdom in Jinshitan, Jinzhou District (Jinpu New Area), Dalian · 发现王国的过山车“疯狂眼镜蛇”，大连金石滩，金州区（金普新区） Source-recorded photograph date: 2013-08-22 12:51:09.Dalian Discoveryland发现王国
Discoveryland is a large theme park beside the Golden Coast in Dalian's Jinshitan resort, with roller coasters, themed rides and an indoor family play area.
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A view down from a cliff onto a rocky shore: clear blue-green water with submerged pale rocks and green algae visible below the surface, a jumble of grey boulders along the waterline at the right and a bank of dense green coastal scrub and vines at the right edge.Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan Islands大长山岛与小长山岛
Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan are neighbouring islands in Changhai County's northern Yellow Sea archipelago, joined by Changshan Bridge since 2014.
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Zhangzi Island · 獐子岛Zhangzi Island獐子岛
Yellow Sea island in Changhai County, 56 nautical miles northeast of Dalian, known for abalone and scallops, with Eagle Beak Rock and a sandy beach.
Read the place guide →Local life & food
Dalian local specialties
大连市特色美食 · 17 specialties to discover
Dalian clam-and-bean noodles 大连蚬子芸豆面AI illustration · AI 示意图
Clam juices provide briny sweetness, and the beans add a soft but distinct vegetable bite. The noodles turn it into a complete, comforting bowl.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Dalian mixed seafood casserole 海味全家福AI illustration · AI 示意图
A well-balanced version contrasts tender fish, springy shellfish and a seafood-rich liquid without one texture dominating the plate.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Dalian sea-urchin dumplings 大连海胆饺子AI dish illustration · AI 菜品示意图
Sea urchin can bring a soft, rich marine note against the resilient dumpling skin, with the final balance depending on the mixture.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Dalian seaweed jelly 大连海凉粉AI illustration · AI 示意图
Cool, slippery pieces have a delicate bite and a mild marine note; most of the stronger flavor comes from the dressing.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Salted fish and grain cakes 大连咸鱼饼子
The fish is intensely savory and sometimes crisp at the edges, while the grain cakes provide a drier, gently sweet counterpoint.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
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Seaweed buns 大连海麻线包子AI dish illustration · AI 菜品示意图
It brings a marine, vegetal flavor and a slight chew against the soft bun wrapper and juicy filling.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Dalian Pan-Fried Starch Jelly 大连焖子
Dalian Pan-Fried Starch Jelly (大连焖子) is a local snack of Dalian (大连), Liaoning: a jelly made mainly from sweet potato starch, cut into pieces, fried slowly over a low flame and dressed with garlic oil, soy sauce and sesame paste.
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Seaweed Steamed Buns 海菜包子
Seaweed Steamed Buns (海菜包子) are filled buns made with haicai (海菜), fresh seaweed from Lüshunkou (旅顺口), a district of Dalian (大连). The district counts them among its traditional foods.
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All dish names · 全部菜名 (17)
- Dalian clam-and-bean noodles · 大连蚬子芸豆面
- Dalian mixed seafood casserole · 海味全家福
- Dalian sea-urchin dumplings · 大连海胆饺子
- Dalian seaweed jelly · 大连海凉粉
- Salted fish and grain cakes · 大连咸鱼饼子
- Seaweed buns · 大连海麻线包子
- Dalian Pan-Fried Starch Jelly · 大连焖子
- Seaweed Steamed Buns · 海菜包子
- Salted Fish with Grain Cakes · 咸鱼饼子
- Iron-Plate Grilled Squid · 铁板鱿鱼
- Cold Seaweed Jelly · 海凉粉
- Spanish Mackerel Dumplings · 鲅鱼饺子
- Dalian Sea Cucumber · 大连海参
- Home-Style Braised Greenling · 家焖黄鱼
- Steamed Egg Custard with Sea Urchin · 海胆蒸蛋
- Stir-Fried Spoon Worms · 炒海肠
- Clam Noodles · 蚬子面
More dishes from across Liaoning are in the Liaoning food guide.
Counties & districts in Dalian
10 areas belong directly to Dalian.
10 areas
Zhongshan District 中山区
Zhongshan District (simplified Chinese: 中山区; traditional Chinese: 中山區; pinyin: Zhōngshān Qū) is one of the seven districts of Dalian, Liaoning province, People's Republic of China, forming part of the urban…
Explore the area →DistrictXigang District 西岗区
Xigang District (simplified Chinese: 西岗区; traditional Chinese: 西崗區; pinyin: Xīgǎng Qū) is one of the seven districts of Dalian, Liaoning province, China, forming part of the urban core.
Explore the area →DistrictShahekou District 沙河口区
Shahekou District (simplified Chinese: 沙河口区; traditional Chinese: 沙河口區; pinyin: Shāhékǒu Qū) is one of the seven districts of Dalian, Liaoning province, People's Republic of China, forming part of the urban…
Explore the area →DistrictGanjingzi District 甘井子区
Ganjingzi District (simplified Chinese: 甘井子区; traditional Chinese: 甘井子區; pinyin: Gānjǐngzi Qū) is one of the seven districts of Dalian, Liaoning province, People's Republic of China, forming part of the urban…
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Lüshunkou District 旅顺口区
Lüshunkou District (also Lyushunkou District; 旅顺口区), commonly known as Lüshun (旅顺), is a district of Dalian, Liaoning province, China.
Explore the area →DistrictJinzhou District 金州区
Jinzhou District (simplified Chinese: 金州区; traditional Chinese: 金州區; pinyin: Jīnzhōu Qū; lit. 'golden prefecture') is one of the seven districts of Dalian, Liaoning province, People's Republic of China.
Explore the area →DistrictPulandian District 普兰店区
Pulandian District (simplified Chinese: 普兰店区; traditional Chinese: 普蘭店區; pinyin: Pǔlándiàn Qū) is one of the seven districts under the administration of Dalian, located in the south of Liaoning province…
Explore the area →CountyChanghai County 长海县
Changhai County is a county under the administration of Dalian, Liaoning province, China. It consists of several islands in the Yellow Sea and is located offshore of the Liaodong Peninsula.
Explore the area →County-level cityWafangdian 瓦房店市
Wafangdian, formerly Fuhsien (Fuxian) or Fu County (simplified Chinese: 复县; traditional Chinese: 復縣; pinyin: Fù Xiàn), is one of the two "northern county-level cities", the other being Zhuanghe, under the…
Explore the area →County-level cityZhuanghe 庄河市
Zhuanghe (simplified Chinese: 庄河; traditional Chinese: 莊河; pinyin: Zhuānghé) is one of the two "northern county-level cities", the other being Wafangdian, under the administration of Dalian, located in the…
Explore the area →No areas match this name.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Search for 大连市 in a map app to find stations and your accommodation.
Where to stay →Build your route
Dalian and Xinghai Square are about 3 km apart in a straight line. The linked place guides have entrance and visit details.
Continue with Liaoning →More in Liaoning
Sources & geographic information
Administrative names and parent areas: Official geographic directory · Reference date 2026-09-06.
Background text adapted from Dalian — Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been shortened and reorganized; source revision 1371507621.
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Photo: Xinghai Square · HSJ233 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia thumbnail; fitted to the ranking-card frame.
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Photo: Dalian Modern Museum · Ffggss · CC BY-SA 4.0. Proportionally resized and converted to WebP without cropping, retouching or changing the photographed subject.
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