13 Recommended Tourist Spots in Dalian!

Dalian, also known as the "Hong Kong of the North," has attracted many foreign companies and has been designated as an economic and technological development zone. Because of this, Dalian is a developed port city. Did you know that Dalian has a deep connection with Japan due to its history under Japanese rule and the large number of Japanese companies that have expanded there today?

In Dalian, you can still find nostalgic Japan—Japanese-style houses that carry the atmosphere of the Showa era, something you can hardly experience even in Japan nowadays, and various buildings from the time of Japanese rule. Additionally, Dalian offers large-scale tourist attractions unique to China, such as Xinghai Square, the largest square in Asia, and Laohutan Ocean Park.

Why not set out on a trip to Dalian right now? Surely, wonderful encounters are waiting for you there.

1. Zhongshan Square

There are many large and small squares in Dalian, but the most beautiful of them is Zhongshan Square. Centered around this square, which has a diameter of 213 meters, the roads of the city center extend out radially.

During the period of Japanese rule, Zhongshan Square was called "Dai Hiroba" (Great Square), and even today, 10 Western-style buildings built at that time still remain around the park. Among them, the Dalian Guest House, Bank of China Dalian Branch, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Dalian Branch are particularly famous. These buildings are now used as government offices and financial institutions. Many tourists also visit to see these buildings and reminisce about the past. If you research what each building was during the Japanese rule, you'll enjoy sightseeing in Dalian even more!

In the evenings, many people gather in the square after dinner. Couples chatting, parents playing with their children, and seniors dancing—you can catch a glimpse of the daily life of Dalian citizens here. Of course, it’s a tourist spot, but you can also enjoy strolling through the park as if you were a local.

2. Dalian Former Site of the South Manchuria Railway Exhibition Hall

As you explore Dalian, you’ll probably notice many buildings from the Japanese colonial era. The Dalian Former Site of the South Manchuria Railway Exhibition Hall is one of them. The South Manchuria Railway Company, commonly known as "Mantetsu," was a Japanese private enterprise that symbolized Japanese rule. Although it was labeled a private company, in reality, Mantetsu operated directly under the Japanese government and was heavily involved in city planning and port construction in the railway zones.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mantetsu, a portion of the old Mantetsu headquarters and hall was restored in September 2007. This is what we now call the "Dalian Former Site of the South Manchuria Railway Exhibition Hall."

Inside the exhibition hall, you’ll find desks, bookshelves, and conference tables used at the time, along with photographs and documents on display. These valuable artifacts tell the deep history between Dalian and Japan. As you visit this tourist spot, why not reflect on the past and think about the Japanese pioneers who once worked here, while appreciating the splendid architecture and furnishings?

3. Former Russian Street

In Dalian, there are streetcars running throughout the city. If you take the streetcar from Dalian Station and head northeast along Changjiang Road, you will come to a bridge called Victory Bridge. Once you cross that bridge, you’ll find yourself in the Former Russian Street.

This area was once a Russian residential district, so it was lined with Russian-style buildings. In 2000, through redevelopment efforts, it was restored and named the Former Russian Street. Today, it’s one of Dalian’s famous tourist spots. It’s bustling with visitors, even attracting many tourists from Russia.

The most eye-catching feature on Former Russian Street is the building of the "Former Dalian Natural History Museum," located at the end of the street. Though it’s no longer in use today, it once served as the city hall during the era of Imperial Russian rule. Its sophisticated architecture is so impressive that it makes you feel as if you’ve stepped out of Dalian and into Russia. There are also many hotels in the area that utilize Russian-style architecture, so staying in one of them during your visit to Dalian could be a unique experience. You’ll surely get a taste of a foreign atmosphere.

4. Former Japanese Street

During the Japanese colonial period, Dalian developed as a key city. After the end of the war, many Japanese-style houses and urban facilities were left behind, and citizens moved into them. However, in recent years, most of these buildings have deteriorated, and aside from a few important structures, many have disappeared. Today, areas such as Former Liansuo Street, Nanshan, Shahekou, and Wenhuatai still retain a relatively large number of buildings from the Japanese era. Because of this, many tourists from Japan also visit these places.

Unlike Former Russian Street, this area has not been developed into a theme park. However, the retro design of the houses—evoking the Showa period—gives even those unfamiliar with that time a sense of nostalgia.

In particular, Former Liansuo Street, located in front of Dalian Station, is a place where you can feel like you’ve slipped back in time to the Showa era, despite the surrounding high-rise developments. During the Japanese colonial period, this area was known as the station-front shopping street. It’s also famous for being the location of the "Star Photo Studio," once run by the father of the famous Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. Nowadays, it’s rare to find places that evoke the Showa atmosphere, even in Japan. So if you’re visiting Dalian, be sure to explore Former Japanese Street while you still can. You may just encounter a nostalgic piece of old Japan.

5. Dalian Jinshi Stone Appreciation Museum

The Dalian Jinshi Stone Appreciation Museum is the largest stone exhibition hall in China. It displays about 3,000 unique and famous stones of around 200 different types, including colorful stones, Yellow River stones, and crystals. The sheer number of exhibits is truly impressive. Among the highlights are rare stones that can only be seen here, such as the Chrysanthemum Stone, which has flower patterns on black rock, and the Crack Stone mined from the karst formations of Golden Pebble Beach (Jinshitan). It’s highly recommended as a sightseeing spot.

In Japan as well, the power hidden in stones has gained attention in recent years, and more people enjoy wearing them as accessories. In this sense, China—where people have cherished stones since ancient times, going back thousands of years—can be considered the home of power stones. Here in Dalian, be sure to experience these precious stones and receive their energy.

6. Zhongyuan Street

As the evening sets in, you might find yourself feeling a little hungry. After walking around all day on your Dalian sightseeing adventure, you’ll probably want to take a break. This is when Zhongyuan Street comes highly recommended.

Zhongyuan Street is a lively street market about 100 meters long, lined with food stalls. Step off the main road and into this bustling alleyway full of energy, where locals and tourists gather. One of the joys of traveling is experiencing local food culture. Of course, dining at stylish restaurants is nice, but seeing and tasting what the locals eat on a daily basis is part of the fun of travel. On Zhongyuan Street, you’ll find an array of classic street food like lamb skewers and grilled buns. Whether you’re strolling and sampling as you go, or just taking in the atmosphere, you can fully enjoy the vibrant local energy. It’s conveniently located near Qingni Street at the south exit of Dalian Station, so it’s easy to access—be sure to stop by!

7. Laohutan Ocean Park

If you have extra days in your Dalian trip, why not spend a relaxing day at Laohutan (Tiger Beach) Ocean Park? It has been certified by the National Tourism Administration as a top-class tourist attraction. Within its vast area of 1.18 million square meters, you’ll find an aquarium, coral museum, and more. You can ride a ropeway up to the observation deck, and there are sightseeing boats available along the seaside. You can watch dolphin and sea lion shows, interact with birds like parrots, and more. This is a fun tourist spot where families, couples, adults, and children can all enjoy themselves.

Moreover, the location here is absolutely stunning. On clear days, the view from the observation deck is truly breathtaking. There may be similar places in Japan, but this is China—the vastness of the land makes the scale completely different. If you’re visiting Dalian, be sure to stop by.

8. Dongfang Venice Water City

Dongfang Venice Water City (Dongfang Weinixi Shuicheng) is a theme park built in the Donggang Redevelopment District near Dalian Bay. It was constructed at a cost of 5 billion yuan to recreate the canals of Venice, Italy. The man-made canal stretches about 1 kilometer, with magnificent Western-style buildings lining its sides. Visitors can take a gondola ride and enjoy the atmosphere of authentic Venice right here in Dalian.

One of China’s strengths is its ability to build large-scale theme parks that rival the originals. Thanks to its vast land and grand-scale mindset, modern China makes projects like this possible. Dongfang Venice Water City is a symbol of this modern Chinese ambition. Visiting Dalian lets you enjoy both the city and the feeling of being in Venice. It might just make your trip twice as rewarding!

9. Hongji Grand Stage

Currently, the only theater in Dalian where you can watch Peking Opera performances is the "Hongji Grand Stage." Built in 1908, this theater was originally called "Yongshan Tea Garden."

You can check the performance schedule on their website, so it’s a good idea to look it up before you go. Additionally, the theater offers a cosplay experience for tourists, where you can dress in Peking Opera costumes and makeup and take commemorative photos. The makeup is done by professional Peking Opera makeup artists, so even though it’s a tourist experience, the result is very authentic.

At Hongji Grand Stage, it’s not just Peking Opera you can enjoy. They also perform traditional Chinese arts like acrobatics and "bian lian" (face-changing). Why not go and see it for yourself?

10. Xinghai Square

Xinghai Square is said to be the largest square in Asia. When you visit for the first time, you’ll be overwhelmed by its vastness. This oval-shaped park covers an area of 45,000 square meters, and its longest diameter stretches 240 meters. You won’t find a park on this scale in Japan. If you visit Dalian, be sure to include a walk through this massive square in your sightseeing itinerary.

Xinghai Square was built on reclaimed land from the scenic Xinghai Bay to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Dalian City. There’s also the Xinghai International Convention and Exhibition Center located here, which serves as a key area for Dalian’s secondary urban center.

Surrounding the square are luxury apartments, exhibition halls, office buildings, and more, creating the impression of the park being enclosed by the city. This area could be considered a symbol of Dalian as a modern metropolis.

11. Dalian Modern Museum

The Dalian Modern Museum, which opened in 2002, features a modern exterior that blends both Chinese and Western architectural styles. It is located on the north side of Xinghai Square. Inside the four-story building, exhibits showcase the history of Dalian from about 100 years ago to the present, focusing on themes such as urban development, industry, and culture.

What’s particularly fascinating is how the period of Japanese rule, from 1904 to 1945, is presented as an era of “Multicultural Exchange and Integration.” It introduces the daily life and townscape of that time. This kind of perspective is rare and not often seen in other history museums in China. The fact that Dalian Modern Museum presents Japanese colonial culture in an objective manner shows its commitment to fairly addressing history related to Japan. In China, this approach is considered quite valuable.

Be sure to visit this remarkable museum yourself. You’ll discover its significance beyond just being a tourist attraction.

12. Dalian Forest Zoo

The entire area of Baiyun Mountain, a gently elevated hill, has been developed into a forest park that includes the Dalian Forest Zoo.

This zoo, known as Dalian Forest Zoo, is exceptionally large. It houses 2,000 animals from 150 species. The zoo is divided into two areas: a safari zone where you can drive through and a traditional zoo where you can walk around. At the “Dalian Panda Pavilion,” you can see giant pandas. There’s also an area featuring sea lion shows and plenty of other attractions to keep visitors entertained.

It’s only about a five-minute drive from Xinghai Park, making it easily accessible. After visiting the zoo, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll around Xinghai Park. This spot is highly recommended for families and especially for those visiting China who absolutely want to see pandas.

13. Dahei Mountain

Dahei Mountain is located in Jinzhou District, Dalian. It’s a scenic and picturesque mountain with many famous sites and temples, attracting numerous tourists. There are two climbing routes: one from the west side leading to Chaoyang Temple, and another from the east side leading to Guanyinge. Whichever route you take, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views and must-see tourist spots, making Dahei Mountain a highly recommended destination.

Among the highlights you shouldn’t miss are Guanyinge, a Buddhist temple from the Ming Dynasty, and Shuixiangguan, a Taoist temple from the Qing Dynasty. Additionally, the reconstructed castle walls from the time when the Goguryeo and Tang dynasties battled on Dahei Mountain make it perfect for historical sightseeing.

You can reach the trailheads in about 20 minutes by car from Jinzhou Station. On a clear day, it’s a great place to visit for a picnic-like outing.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced 13 recommended tourist spots in Dalian. In fact, there are still many more fascinating places in Dalian that we couldn’t include this time. While preserving cultural influences from Russia and Japan, Dalian continues to grow as a modern Chinese city. Its grand scale and abundant natural beauty make it an excellent destination for sightseeing.

You’ll also experience a unique blend of retro-style architecture and modern buildings. With the successful integration of the old and the new, Dalian never fails to entertain its visitors. Why not take a trip to Dalian right now? You’re guaranteed to make unforgettable memories!