Photo adjustments
Proportionally resized and converted to WebP without cropping, retouching or changing the photographed subject.
Explore the region
About Jinshitan
The geological park and Jinshiyuan rock garden give this scenery a clear focus, while Golden Coast offers a more conventional beach setting. Museums and an amusement park add other options, but they are separate attractions across a broad district. Choose a geology-and-coast visit if the rock formations are the main reason for travelling here, rather than trying to combine every advertised attraction.
Jinshitan was originally called Manjiatan. Its coastline features sedimentary rock landforms formed over hundreds of millions of years, known as a 'stone forest by the sea', and the site was later renamed Jinshitan, meaning 'Gold Stone Beach', because the rocks were considered more precious than gold.
The area became a county-level nature reserve in March 1986 and was upgraded to a municipal-level reserve by the Dalian city government in November 1987. In August 1988 the State Council approved it as part of the second batch of National Key Scenic Areas, a designation later renamed National-level Scenic Area, and in November 1992 the State Council approved it as China's first, and largest, National Tourist Resort.
In September 2005 the Ministry of Land and Resources approved the Dalian Coastal National Geological Park centered on Jinshitan, which became a national science-popularization base the following year. The area was named among the first batch of National 4A Tourist Attractions in 2000 and was upgraded to National 5A status in January 2010.
What to look for
- The coastal geological park's weathered sedimentary formations.
- Jinshiyuan rock garden and the contrasting open shoreline of Golden Coast.
The surrounding area
Southern coastal city base with a specific waterfront focus around Xinghai Bay, Xinghai Square and selected Binhai Road walking sections. The Changshan Islands require an additional island travel plan.
Location & getting there
Getting to Jinshitan
Arrive at Jinshitan station on Metro Line 3, then confirm the local connection to the geological park or beach sector you intend to visit.
Combine your visit
Suggested order within this visit:
-
Jinshiyuan rock garden
Begin with a concentrated introduction to the local rock forms.
-
Coastal geological park
See the formations in their shoreline setting.
-
Golden Coast
Add a beach stop only if the transfer and return arrangements fit.
This sequence is an editorial suggestion based on the features described in the sources. Access to individual buildings or areas should be checked locally; no travel time or shared admission is implied.
Find Jinshitan
金石滩 · 大连市
The pin marks the area, not the entrance.
More places nearby
Approximate straight-line distances between map pins, not travel distances.
Bangchuidao Island 棒棰岛
36 km awayBangchuidao 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…
View guide →Zhongshan Square (Dalian) 中山广场
38 km awayDalian'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…
View guide →Dalian Art Museum 大连美术馆
38 km awayDalian 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…
View guide →Sources & visit information
The linked encyclopedia sources support background and place descriptions. Current opening hours, ticket prices, booking rules and transport schedules have not been independently verified for this guide. Confirm them with the venue or operator before travelling.
Visitor information adapted and edited from Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 91267552.
Background paragraphs translated and condensed from Wikipedia contributors, "金石滩", Chinese Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 91267552.