Dalian has returned, and I really don't recommend going in June-July because...
it's just too perfect, tailor-made for summer.
Dalian, the "Northern Pearl" embraced by the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, is a popular summer retreat with its cool sea breeze, geological wonders, and diverse culture.
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### 🌊 **1. Must-Visit Attractions: A Fusion of Mountains, Sea, and Technology**
1. **Xinghai Square**
- The **largest city square in Asia**, with 1.76 million square meters of open space. At night, the music fountain light show (19:00-20:00) and the Xinghai Bay Bridge lights complement each other, perfect for evening strolls and family kite flying.
- **Binhai Road Hiking**: Cycle along the 6-kilometer coastline connecting Yanwoling Wedding Park and Fujiazhuang Beach, enjoying mountain and sea views.
2. **Jinshitan National Tourist Resort**
- **Geological Wonders**: Sea erosion landforms like the "Dinosaur Exploring the Sea" and "Cracked Stones" formed over 600 million years, best photographed in the early morning side light for clear textures.
- **Science Dream Digital Art Museum**: AR dinosaur fossil revival, NFT rock layer art creation, fossil restoration experience (open on Saturdays), full of tech vibes.
3. **Laohutan Ocean Park**
- **Polar Pavilion**: Beluga whale shows, penguin feeding (50 RMB/person), and close-up views of polar bears swimming.
- **Coral Pavilion**: Touch starfish, observe coral symbiosis at night (reservation required), and a 180° underwater tunnel perfect for photos.
4. **Lüshunkou Historical and Cultural Area**
- **Bohai and Yellow Sea Boundary**: From the Laotieshan viewing platform, see the distinct separation of sea waters, paired with a century-old lighthouse for photos.
- **Taiyanggou Ginkgo Avenue**: Golden fallen leaves pave the road in late October, with Russian and Japanese old buildings turned into an "open-air museum," and the Lüshun Museum houses Western Zhou bronze treasures.
5. **Oriental Water City**
- Gondola rides weave through European-style buildings, with night lights reflecting on the water, known as the "Venice of the East," ideal for romantic dinners.
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### 🍽️ **2. Specialty Cuisine: The Ultimate Expression of Seafood**
- **Classic Seafood**: Steamed scallops, sea urchin raw or steamed egg, mackerel dumplings, recommended at Heishijiao Old Restaurant.
- **Street Snacks**:
- **Seafood Menzi**: Sweet potato starch fried with shrimp pieces, crispy and soft (Dai Street Night Market).
- **Fish Soup Buns**: Soup made from small yellow croaker, enhanced with pepper (Zhongyuan Food Street).
- **Innovative Experience**: The "Geological Era Set" at the Science Dream Light and Shadow Restaurant, molecular cuisine paired with holographic projection.
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### 📅 **3. Best Travel Time and Activities**
- **Peak Season (May-October)**:
- **July-August**: Average temperature 22°C, cycling on Binhai Road, beachcombing at Jinshitan, kite surfing on the Golden Coast.
- **September**: Fishing season, seafood at its plumpest; avoid summer crowds, great value for money.
- **Special Festivals**:
- **July Xinghai Beer Festival**: Square celebrations + neon lights on the cross-sea bridge.
- **October Lüshun Ginkgo Festival**: Old street concerts + classic movie screenings.
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### 🏨 **4. Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences and Practical Tips**
1. **New Cultural Landmarks**
- **Dongguan Street**: A cultural and creative street transformed from 120-year-old buildings, with cafes and handmade shops hidden in historic styles.
- **Fisherman’s Wharf**: Sunset accompanied by bell chimes, fishing boats returning to port like an oil painting backdrop.
2. **Transportation and Accommodation Suggestions**
- **Accommodation**: Around Xinghai Square (convenient night views), Jinshitan Resort (sea view rooms), Taiyanggou homestays (autumn ginkgo window views).
- **Transportation**: Century-old tram (retro experience), city loop bus (20 RMB/day, covering all scenic spots on Binhai Road).
3. **Avoiding Pitfalls**
- Rent an audio guide (20 RMB) at the geological park, or the wonders might just look like "ordinary stones."
- The Kingdom Discovery Theme Park night session (entry at 16:00) offers better value, with a 260 RMB ticket including a fireworks show.
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Dalian’s romance lies in the **cool 22°C sea breeze, the 600-million-year-old rock layers, and the century-old slow pace of the tram**—whether chasing technological wonders, immersing in historical clouds, or simply savoring the fresh sweetness of sea urchin, there’s always a side here that will make you willingly "indulge."