Day 1

The first day, you can take a sightseeing bus to see the city’s most beautiful scenery. Or you can travel by taxi over the same route.

After breakfast, one can enjoy a walk at People’s Square. Maybe you can see a policewomen patrolling on horseback at the square in front of the municipal government. It is one of symbols of Dalian.

Xinghai Square. [Photo/icpress]

Then, move on to Xinghai Square. It is called the largest square in Asia. At the very center of the square, there stands a 19.97-meter-high cloud pillar (Huabiao) representing the celebration of the re-unification of Hong Kong with China in 1997. There is also a sculpture commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Dalian as a modern city.

If you are interested in seeing marine and polar animals, you can visit the nearby Sun Asia Sea World or Laohutan Ocean Park about 10 km away.

Next, one can take in some fresh air along the Binhai Road along the southern coast of Dalian. With an imposing mountain scenery on one side and ragged seaside cliffs on the other, the road is one of the most fascinating destinations in Dalian.

It links many attractions, including the forest zoo, Fujiazhuang bathing beach and Beida Bridge.

The 20.99 km-long wooden walkway along the road is the longest wooden walkway in the world. You can get off the car and spend some time at Mount Bird’s Nest (Yanwoling) in order to experience the area’s nature.

You can reenergize yourself at the Fisherman Pier (Yuren Matou) before heading off to Bangchui Island.

Bangchui Island is a state guest hotel as well as a good place for recreation. There, one can enjoy swimming and sun bathing. Its water quality is some of the best you’ll find among Dalian’s bathing beaches.

If you take a shot snap on the bus and get off at Zhongshan Square, surrounded by century-old European style buildings, you’ll find it is like returning to the busy world from a short trip to suburb.

The 1.3 km-long Renmin Road that connects the square and the Eastern Harbor Commercial Area is the city’s central business district.

Dine on delicious seafood at a restaurant in 15 Ku (No.15 warehouse, which is transformed from a warehouse of relocated Dalian Port).

Wrap up the first day trip with shopping at Dashang Pedestrian Street and the underground Victory Plaza (Shengli Square), a great place to buy gifts. But please be careful, it is not a good idea to roam around alone because it is easy to get lost underground.