Dalian 7-Day Essential Guide

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**📅 Itinerary**
**🏖️ Day 1: First Experience Around Xinghai Square**
- **Afternoon Arrival**: Check in at a hotel near Xinghai Square (seaside homestays recommended for convenience).
- **Evening Activities**:
- **Xinghai Square**: Feed the seagulls (bringing your own bread is more economical), capture sunset shots of the cross-sea bridge.
- **Xinghai Park**: Walk to the seaside, enjoy the beach at night, watch the music fountain at 8:00 PM (open Fridays and Saturdays).
- **Dinner**: Eat sea cucumber rice and soft fried pork at "Pinhailou" on the north side of the square (about 80 RMB per person).

**🌊 Day 2: Coastal Road Mountain and Sea Hiking**
- **Morning**:
- **Lianhua Mountain Viewing Platform**: Take the small train to the top for a 360° view of Xinghai Bay.
- **Fujiazhuang Park**: Free seaside beach with clean sand, great for photos and swimming.
- **Afternoon**: Hike the middle section of Binhai Road (Fujiazhuang → Laohutan), passing **Beida Bridge** and **Yanwo Ridge Wedding Park**, enjoy the rocky coastline.
- **Evening**: **Fisherman’s Wharf**: European-style buildings mixed with fishing boats, capture artistic sunsets, try freshly grilled squid.

**🐬 Day 3: Ocean Fantasy Journey**
- **All day**: **Laohutan Ocean Park** (enter before 8:20 AM to avoid crowds):
- Prioritize visiting the Coral Pavilion underwater tunnel, watch the beluga whale show at the Polar Pavilion (best at 10:30 AM).
- Take the cross-sea cable car to overlook Lingjiao Bay.
- **Alternative** (for those who prefer modern venues): Choose **Sun Asia Ocean World**, walk the 118-meter underwater tunnel, watch the "Dolphin Bay Love" show.
- **Dinner**: Nearby "Pinhailou" or "Zhenghuangqi Seafood BBQ".

**⛰️ Day 4: Geological Wonders and Golden Coast**
- **Morning**: Take Light Rail Line 3 to **Jinshitan** (about 1 hour), visit the **Binhai National Geopark**:
- Check out sea erosion wonders like "Dinosaur Exploring the Sea" and "Divine Turtle Searching for Its Child" (more spectacular at low tide).
- **Afternoon**: **Ten-Mile Golden Coast**: Walk on fine sand and waves, try sailing or jet skiing.
- **Overnight**: Stay at Jinshitan Hot Spring Hotel to relax.

**🚢 Day 5: Lushun Historical Tour**
- **Transport**: Take Metro Line 12 to Lushun (about 1 hour).
- **Key Attractions**:
- **Lushun Museum**: See Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes, photograph Japanese-style gardens.
- **Sun Valley Scenic Area**: Russian-style old buildings, stunning ginkgo avenue in autumn (best in late October).
- **Baiyushan Scenic Area**: Climb to the top for a view of the military port "Tiger Tail" peninsula.
- **Dinner**: Return to the city, try old Dalian dishes at Xi’an Road shopping area (e.g., 68-86 Dalian Old Cuisine Restaurant).

**🚃 Day 6: City Vibes and Nightlife**
- **Morning**: Experience the **Route 201 vintage tram** (Train Station → Xinggong Street), travel through a century of history.
- **Afternoon**: **Oriental Water City**: Gondola ride (80 RMB/person), cruise through European-style buildings.
- **Evening**:
- **Donggang Music Fountain** (8:00-8:20 PM): Sea fountain combined with light show, more spectacular than Xinghai.
- **Venice Water City Night View**: Lights reflecting on water, perfect for long-exposure photography.

**🌸 Day 7: Leisure and Return**
- **Morning**: **Labor Park**: Enjoy lotus flowers blooming in July, experience local leisure atmosphere (direct access via Metro Line 5).
- **Souvenir Shopping**:
- Buy grilled fish slices and shrimp paste at Qingniwa Bridge shopping area.
- Choose vacuum-packed Spanish mackerel dumplings at chain supermarkets.
- **Afternoon**: Return according to flight/train schedule.

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**⚠️ Key Tips**
1. **Transportation**:
- From airport/train station to downtown: Metro Lines 1 and 2 cover main attractions, taxi to Xinghai Square costs about 30 RMB.
- During peak season, buy the "Tour Loop" day pass (10 RMB/person) for unlimited sightseeing bus rides.
2. **Accommodation**:
- Preferably stay near **Xinghai Square** (beautiful night view, convenient transport) or **Zhongshan Square** (European style, cost-effective), book at least 1 month in advance during peak season.
3. **Food**:
- Must-try: sea cucumber rice, Spanish mackerel dumplings, menzi (a local jelly dish), teppanyaki squid.
- Seafood caution: buying processed seafood at supermarkets is cheaper than street stalls; confirm price before weighing.
4. **Others**:
- Sunscreen essential: strong UV by the sea, bring SPF50+ sunscreen and a sun hat.
- Tide info: Use the WeChat mini-program "Dalian Tide Table" to plan tide-related activities.

> This guide schedules 2-3 core attractions per day to avoid rushing. If short on time, skip Jinshitan or Lushun, prioritize city highlights (like Xinghai, Binhai Road, Laohutan). Summer average temperature in Dalian is 22-28°C, cool in mornings and evenings, bring a light jacket for safety.