Surrounded by the Yellow Sea and inland Bohai Sea, Dalian has a coastline of nearly 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). The north temperate zone climate with high rainfalls endow it with an ideal seawater environment to produce a variety of rich nutritious marine products including fish, prawns, crabs, shells, echinus, sea cucumbers, abalone and algae and so on. Therefore sea food is undoubtedly king of the local dining scene.Actually, a more budget choice is to choose a home restaurant in the scenic coastal area and cook the fresh sea food yourself.

Steamed Scallops
Fresh scallops are steamed with lima beans, shallots, wine and sauces – preserving the original taste of the seafood.
When cooked they are served on tender egg white pieces with vegetables and diced carrot to present a pleasing appearance. It tastes light and fresh.

Lantern-shaped Steamed Abalone
Shelled abalones are elaborately cut into the shape of lanterns and steamed with the seasonings of shallot, gingers and salt for seven minutes. The finished dish should keep the fresh flavor of abalone. It is usually served with simmering shellfish soup.

Dalian is a notable seaside tourist summer resort, boasting gorgeous landscapes, a pleasant climate and unique architecture. The coastal highway runs through the mountains and rivers like a jade belt, and travelling on these travelers may visit Bangchuidao Scenic Area, Laohutan, Fujiangzhuang, Xinaghai Park and other tourist spots south of the city. Also in the southwest part of the city lies the world renowned Port Arthur, as well as Baiyu Mountain and Haimao Island. To the north of the City is Jinshitan National Tourist Resort, where visitors can enjoy the spectacular karst landscape of the beachfront.

Old Colonial Buildings
Though a young city, Dalian’s status as a former colony of both Russia and Japan offers an eclectic mix of architectural styles for history buffs. Many of the older buildings in central Dalian were demolished during periodic bouts of renovation, but pockets of history remain with Russian Street (Xigang District) offering perhaps the best concentration of old buildings.

Changxing Island
Located in the west of changxing island of Bohai Sea, the two bridge connected the island and the mainland.  Changxing island resort is a sightseeing, entertainment, leisure, sports in the integration of tourism resorts.

Dalian Weather
Bordered by the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, Dalian is situated at the southern end of the Liaodong Peninsula in northeastern China. This is a warm temperate zone with a semi-moist monsoon climate and ocean climate features. The annual average temperature here is from 8°C to 11°C (about from 46°F to 52°F) and it has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Influenced by the mild ocean winds from the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, the city has a good climate with an annual rainfall of 550 to 1000 millimeters, over 60% of which falls during the summer period.

Spring & Summer
Spring
Dalian’s spring begins in late March or early April when the warm southeast ocean winds bring the temperatures up.  You need to wear jackets, sweaters, shirts and jeans to protect yourself from the last of the winter’s cold.

Summer
The best time to travel is from May onwards when the Dalian Chinese Scholar Tree Blossom Affairs and Commodity Export Fair open in the city. They run through to mid-September. These mild and comfortable months welcome huge numbers of tourists from different areas in China and the world. The summer period from July to early September has an average temperature of around 20°C (68°F).

Autumn & Winter
Autumn
In late September, Dalian welcomes autumn and the cold air begins to control this area. The average temperature drops down to around 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). Whilst tourist crowds retreat from the seashores, it is a perfect time for fishing as it is the migrating season for fish.

Winter
From late November, the cold north winds become stronger and dominate the city till the following February.  January is the coldest month and you need to wear an overcoat, sweater, jeans, gloves and warm shoes.

Dalian International Airport
Located about 10km northwest of the city, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport serves as an important transportation hub in the Bohai area. It is about 10km from Dalian Railway Station, 5km from the Shenyang-Dalian Freeway and 35km from Lushun.

Thirty international routes connect Dalian to over 30 cities in 14 countries. There are regular charter service between Dalian and regions in Southeast Asia, Europe, American and Russia.In addition, 69 domestic flights leave from the Zhoushuizi International Airport, roughly 10 kilometers northwest of the city center, taking passengers to most of the major Chinese cities.

Dalian Train
As the terminus of the Harbin-Dalian Railway (Ha Da Railway), Dalian is well connected to the networks that cross the northern and eastern parts of China. Trains from the city can reach all cities in Dongbei (northeastern China) area and Beijing, Shanghai and Hankou. The high speed air-conditioned Tourist Specials running between Dalian and Beijing, Shenyang, Harbin and Changchun make excursions convenient. From Shenyang to Dalian there are two express trains – Liaoning- Shenyang Evening Express and Jinshitan Express.

Dalian City Bus
The public bus transport in Dalian is highly developed. Over 150 routes enable budget visitors to get around the city easily. The buses’ operating times vary, starting between 4:30am and 6:30am and finishing between 8pm and midnight. Make sure of the operating hours when you take a bus.

Dalian Subway
The conception of building Dalian’s Subway dates back to 1980s. In 1987, the plan was officially submitted for approval but failed. It was not until 2002 that its first line, line 3 was completed and operated. Currently, there are two lines – line 3 and 7 are in service. Another two, line 1 and 2 are under construction and predicted to be opened by July of 2014. In addition, line 6, 8 and 10 are also under construction. In future, the city will all together have 12 subway lines.

Dalian Taxi
The city area of Dalian is not very large and a taxi would be a good choice for travelers who want to quickly see the city. The rates start from eight yuan for the first three kilometers (1.86 miles) with 1.8 yuan per additional kilometer (0.62 miles). Rates for the night service from 22:00 – 05:00 (next day) are 30% higher, starting at 10.4 yuan for the first three kilometers (1.86 miles) and 2.34 yuan for each additional kilometer.

The Pearl Card
The Pearl Card (Ming Zhu Ka) is a public transportation IC card. Some taxis accept this kind of IC card as a way of payment.