Tourists from all over the world come to Chinese Dalian for rest - here a mild climate, wonderful beaches and a modern hotel fund. People come here for treatment. Dalian has many modern, superbly equipped clinics offering traditional Chinese medicine services. Dalian is of great interest for excursion groups as well, because it combines history and modernity in a unique way.
The region is experiencing rapid industrial and financial growth, but the city authorities are careful about the environment and are proud of the title of the greenest city in the country. In Dalian, modern architectural projects fit well into the landscape, fashionable museums stand next to Buddhist temples. And every tourist will be able to choose what to see in Dalian, because there are really many attractions for every taste.
TOP 10 attractions in Dalian
Dalian Square
Friendship Square
Among all Chinese cities, Dalian stands out for a large number of city squares. There are 31 of them here. Each of them is original in design and worthy of the attention of tourists. The most interesting areas:
- Friendship Square is the oldest square in the city. From here, the main city streets radiate out in beams. Druzhba Square is especially beautiful in the evenings, when the illumination is turned on here. Thousands of people come here to listen to music and dance;
- Zhongshan Square was built at the end of the 19th century by Russian architects, and today it is the financial center of the city;
- Xinghai square is one of the largest in Asia (there is even a go-kart track);
- The Musical Square is located not far from the port and is distinguished by a large number of monuments-figures made in various styles;
- the Square of the Frozen Wave, paved with expensive black granite and decorated with sculptures of white steel, boasts good restaurants and interesting souvenir shops;
- People's Square with a huge musical fountain.
Dalian Forest Zoo
Zoo
Dalian Zoo is the largest in China in terms of area and the richest in terms of the number of inhabitants. Here are presented the rarest species of animals collected from all over the world. Walking around the zoo in one day will not work. You can rent an electric car or travel on a special bus.
The zoo is divided into thematic zones: the territory of tigers and lions, the "orangutan park", "monkey hill", the zone of predators. Bear Hill is probably the most interesting sector of the zoo. In addition to polar and brown bears, you can see giant pandas and rare red pandas here. The herbivores are home to giraffes, flamingos, camels, zebras and Asian elephants.
You can take a look at the entire park from the height of the cable car, which leads to another part of the zoo - the Botanical Garden. This is a piece of paradise, a tropical forest with picturesque ponds, emerald greenery, small waterfalls and a huge collection of plants from all over the world.
A day spent at the Dalian Forest Zoo will give unusually vivid emotions to both kids and adults.
Oceanarium
Dalian Oceanarium, located in Xinghai Park, offers visitors many amazing and educational attractions. Of greatest interest is the longest underwater tunnel in Asia. This 118-meter-long visitor corridor runs under a huge aquarium, which is home to over 10,000 fish and other species of the underwater world. In total, 7000 species of marine life are represented in the Oceanarium. A separate room introduces the fauna of the Arctic.
The aquarium hosts daily shows for guests: shark feeding and performances with dolphins and seals. Guests are also offered to see the Shark Cave, the Traveler submarine, the UFO Crash exposition.
To services of tourists restaurants and souvenir shops.
Shell Museum
The Shell Museum was recently housed in an ancient stone castle on the mountain, but then moved to a modern building with a stunningly beautiful roof made in the form of huge shells overlapping each other. The museum's collection contains 25,000 exhibits, but only a fifth of them are displayed in the halls for visitors. Nevertheless, the richness of the exposition is amazing. In the museum you can see hundreds of species of shells and molluscs, extraordinary corals and the most unusual inhabitants of the deep sea. There is even a tridacna, a 4-meter shell, which people at all times feared and called the "Death Trap".
At the seashell museum, you can learn how a pearl grows and develops in a shell at different stages. You can admire the magnificent seashell crafts and even purchase some of them.
Russian street
The 400-meter pedestrian street with a Russian flavor is a great place for interesting walks and vivid impressions. 38 houses along the street are miniature copies of famous Russian buildings. The most beautiful building is called a copy of the Historical Museum of Moscow. The street itself resembles the Arbat during the years of its noisy prosperity. Everywhere here they sell items that are considered to be the symbols of Russia all over the world: hats with earflaps, nesting dolls, T-shirts with an Olympic bear, caps with stars, medals, badges, plaster busts of Lenin, Soviet binoculars, glasses with cup holders. It is customary to bargain here.
But in order to truly feel the mood of the past, the historical atmosphere of the Russian quarter, you need to turn into one of the lanes. And then really old houses, built by Russian architects at the end of the 19th century, will open. It was here that our compatriots once lived. The best preserved building of the Chinese Eastern Railway Shipping Company, it can be viewed from the inside.
Back on the bustling main street, you can sit down at one of the many eateries and sample Russian cuisine with a Chinese twist. Unusual but delicious!
Fortress Port Arthur
Lushan Fortress (formerly Port Arthur) is one of the most important sights of Dalian for Russian tourists. In 1898, the Chinese Port Arthur was leased for 25 years to the Russian military, who built a fortress and deployed a fleet here. The remains of the Russian garrison, barracks and bunkers, defensive outposts and fortifications have survived to this day. In 1904, there was a battle here, which influenced not only the outcome of the Russo-Japanese War, but also determined the fate of the region: for a long 40 years, the northeast of China went to the Japanese. Only in 1945 did the USSR regain Port Arthur and 10 years later transferred the restored city to China.
Inspection of the fortress is usually combined with a visit to the Russian military cemetery, where 20,000 Russian officers and soldiers who died in the line of military duties between 1898 and 1905 and between 1945 and 1955 are buried. This is the largest burial place for foreigners in China. In front of the restored gates of the cemetery, there is a majestic monument to Soviet soldiers.
TV tower
The 190-meter television tower, the modern symbol of Dalian, is visible from anywhere in the city. It is built on Mount Lushan, the highest in the area. Climbing to the observation deck of the TV tower (as part of an excursion group or on your own) is a must. Because nowhere else do you get such amazing views of the entire city, of its temples and avenues, of lush parks and a fantastically beautiful bay.
Curious tourists can get acquainted with the production of television programs, test the technique, try themselves as a presenter, watch a recorded video with their participation.
You can dine right there. The revolving restaurant with panoramic windows offers surprisingly delicious Chinese cuisine and seafood specialties.
Bird Park and other parks
Bird Park
Parks in Dalian cover vast territories. These are real oases of nature with lush vegetation, well-groomed beaches and embankments, with a landscaped area and entertainment infrastructure.
One of the most interesting parks is the Bird Park. Its entire territory (more than 18,000 square meters) is covered over trees and hills with a special nylon net. About 3000 birds of more than 80 species live under which in almost natural conditions. One of the main attractions of the park is a show with trained parrots, where feathered artists count, play instruments, play football and perform acrobatic stunts.
Other popular parks in Dalian include:
- Tiger Park - the largest coastal park area in China, famous for its sculptural compositions, scenic views and extensive entertainment program;
- Park "Melody of the Sea" is distinguished by original and very beautiful steel sculptures, well-groomed paths and wonderful views of the sea;
- Labor Park, which is home to deer, peacocks and swans, and goldfish swim in ponds;
- Marine Star Park with a golf course;
- Xinghai Park, which has swimming pools, a water park, attractions, a bungee jumping and hang-gliding tower, as well as a crocodile show.
Discoveryland
Discoveryland
A huge selection of attractions (more than 30), an excellent entertainment program, theatrical shows and modern service make Discoveryland one of the best amusement parks in Asia.
Every morning at "China Disneyland" (this is what guidebooks often call it) begins with a colorful parade of acrobats, dancers, musicians and actors dressed as heroes from their favorite cartoons. On dozens of venues, fabulous circus performances take place throughout the day, Mickey Mouses, pirates and princesses walk around the territory. Fans of extreme sensations line up for roller coasters and dizzying merry-go-rounds, kids rush to the labyrinths of the "Medieval Castle". And the loudest and most joyful screams are heard from the side of the water slides. It is simply impossible to check in at all the attractions and watch all the shows in one day, but the most interesting ones are quite real to visit. Especially if you come here on a weekday. The day at the amusement park ends with a grand show, a laser show, fireworks and fireworks.
Female Mounted Police Squad
China's only "Women's Mounted Patrol Unit" is one of the most attractive and unusual attractions in Dalian. The average age of employees in the girls' detachment is 23 years. It is very honorable to serve here, because the female equestrian police are the beauty and pride of the city.
The duties of the girls include patrolling the streets, honorary equestrian escort of high-ranking guests of the city and political leaders of the highest rank. The charming female riders from the mounted police can also be seen at all the entertainment events of the city. And the most pleasant duty performed by the female equestrian squad is taking pictures with tourists. Each police girl, at the request of a tourist, will definitely stop the horse and allow him to take a photo as a souvenir. And the kids are even put in the saddle in front of the rider.
You can watch the trainings of the mounted police, capture tricks performed by graceful English horses and Oryol trotters and chat with charming police girls in the morning on the People's Square.
