Dalian Things to Do

The aquarium in Dalian is a major attraction. The aquarium showcases marine animals and fish from mainly the polar regions of the world. Among them are the beautiful white whales which are also featured in the aquarium performances. Of course you will also see polar bears and penguins. You can really see these animals at very close distance. Seeing the sturgeon and other large, strange ocean fish was amazing as well. The dolphin and white whale performances included in the admission were excellent. But there are specific performance times you will need to take note of, so you don't miss any performances. The admission price is 100 yuan (+ 15 yuan to first enter the park).

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A magnificent and impressive castle can be seen on the hill from Xinghai Square. It no doubt offers lots of excellent photo opportunities. As for actually going into the castle, you will actually find yourselves visiting the Shell Museum, where lots of seashells are exhibited. I personally am not very interested in shells. So I would suggest just enjoying the castle from the outside.

On the south end of Xinghai Square, you will find a long strip of footprints. This is the Dalian Centenary Sculpture, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city of Dalian. The bronze sculpture is 80 meters long and has 1000 footprints, all from the people of Dalian. Dalian has gone through a complicated 100 years (during the 20th century), with both Russian and Japanese influence and occupation. Be sure to stop by this sculpture.

Dalian's Xinghai Square is the largest square in Asia, and it is indeed very huge. You will get tired from walking from one end of the square to the other. At the center of the square, which is actually oval-shaped, you will find an ornamental marble column which is taller than the one in Beijing. On the ground around it you will find markings of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals. All this was built in 1997 to celebrate and commemorate Hong Kong's return to China. There are bicycle rentals (for 1, 2, or 3 persons) available all around the square. The beach recreation area is adjacent to the square.

This is the heart of downtown Dalian, mixing the old colonial architecture with the new Chinese development represented by modern buildings in the background.

This is your starting point for the main places in town.

Tianjin Street is the main commercial street in Dalian.

It's open only for pedestrians, it is normally crowded and after the commercial hours a night market opens with Chinese specialities and food in general.

As the street stretches for a long distance, you find almost everything on it... quite interesting walk.

Located south from the downtown, this nice park has some thematic squares, Chinese gardens and a small amusement park.

Recommended is the ride in the big ferris-wheel as well as a ride with the cable-car up to the TV tower and then back with the slide-car (tobogan).

Aquarium and exhibitions about marine themes.

The interesting part is an aquarium which can be visited from the "inside": a round tunnel crosses the aquarium letting visitors see the marine fauna as if they were underwater.

Tickets at RMB 100,00/person.