Dalian may be one of the more relaxed Chinese cities, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take advantage of a good massage from time to time. Here, we delve into the most reputable places for a massage in Dalian. Read More>>

Binhai Road’s claim to fame is its rare blend of mountains and sea, and its 20.99 km long wooden boardwalk, the longest in China. In addition to the boardwalk, Haibin Road stretches on for a total of 40 km with 12 scenic attractions dotted along the way. Read More>>

Many expats consider it a blessing that, increasingly, companies are not providing us with their own housing but instead a housing allowance. This way we can have the freedom to choose a suitable apartment to our taste as refuge from the hustle and bustle ... Read More>>

If you’re looking for electronics you can go to Wal-Mart, Metro, or a handful of other large department stores, but they aren’t nearly as expansive as Olympic Square. All of the Dalian locals that I know shop at Olympic Square, because it’s huge and ... Read More>>

There is perhaps no city in China that takes spas as seriously as Dalian. Drawing on the onsen-spa tradition established during the Japanese occupation, spas have been an integral part of Dalian life since the early 1900s. Today, heavy interest from the ... Read More>>

Shengya Sea World (大连圣亚海洋世界) is an aquarium theme park where visitors can experience the world of the sea through a story-telling structure. Each attraction features a different aspect of the undersea world so visitors enjoy and learn all about sea ... Read More>>

In recent years, hot springs resorts in Dalian have been developing at a fast pace to match the local demand. But with so many choices, where should you go for your hot spring holiday? Below are recommendations for some of the best hot springs in and around ... Read More>>

A Brief History<br /> The first stores, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops started to open in Dalian’s Five Color City (五彩城) in 1988 in the New Development Area, and it was immediately touted as one of the most interesting places in Dalian. ... Read More>>

We all enjoy buying cheap food and groceries in China – the price of Chinese food compared to Western food is significantly cheaper. Even so, there comes a time when every expat craves a taste of home, even if it comes with an inflated price tag. In Dalian ... Read More>>

For a city of its size, there are a surprising number of high quality fitness centers in Dalian. If money is no matter, hands down, the best of the bunch (in terms of equipment and services) is Bally Total Fitness Club, which boasts two locations in the ... Read More>>

Although Dalian is known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities and scenic seashores, there is plenty to keep you occupied when the sun goes down. Below is our list of the best bars to relax after a hard day's sightseeing. Read More>>

Dalian is a costal city with beautiful natural scenery. However, the city also boasts a rather good selection of fun theme parks, suitable for the whole family. Tiger Beach Marine Park, Discovery Kingdom, and Dalian Forest Zoo, which is the most famous of ... Read More>>

It used to be that if you wanted a good cup of coffee in Dalian you could only find it at one of the city's top line hotels. Fortunately, those days are over. While you can still get a quality cup at the hotel, there are often better and cheaper choices to ... Read More>>

Although there are those that love it, for many, shopping is not a favorite fun activity. Add on the language and communation issues, different shopping etiquette, and worries about product quality and authenticity, and shopping in Dalian can seem like a ... Read More>>

Most of the foreigners who live in Dalian know about the many coffee shops, pizza restaurants, and Korean establishments. Many don’t know that the city has Indian food on offer. While the choices might not be extensive, they are there and you should check ... Read More>>

Dalian is one of China’s cleanest and most pleasant cities and that, coupled with its seaside location and rapid development, has made Dalian an increasingly popular travel destination. With a population of over 6 million, Dalian is by no means a small ... Read More>>

The sweaty summer months are here, and you know what that means!? If you answered: "shutting myself inside with the air conditioner and refusing to leave until September," then you my friend definitely need a Dalian beach get-away. Turn off the ... Read More>>

Historic Qingniwaqiao (青泥洼桥, literally, "bridge over the blue mud swamp"), is the de facto central business district of Dalian. To locals, this historic area south of the train station is effectively synonymous with "downtown ... Read More>>

Now that the scorching summer heat has arrived in full-effect across Dalian, item number one on many expats' lists is to head to the nearest beach for a bit of fun in the sun, followed by a cool, relaxing swim. Unfortunately, as countless expats have no ... Read More>>

If you are looking for a good "date night" place, or if you’re simply craving a nice foreign meal, there are several restaurants you can choose from in Dalian. After talking to foreigners around the city, I’ve determined that four establishments ... Read More>>

Your adventure to Bangchui Island Beach (棒棰島) begins once you step into your taxi. Soak in the Dalian skyscrapers that rise like giants throughout downtown, breath in the smog, and listen to the car horns barking at you, because you’re about to leave ... Read More>>

Dalian is a developed city and home to restaurants from around the world. Finding authentic western restaurants in Dalian isn’t difficult as Italian, Spanish, and French classic cuisine can all be found here. The following recommended restaurants in Dalian ... Read More>>

In Part 2 of this fine dining in Dalian series, I visited two more restaurants: Strollers and The Riviera. One restaurant, I'll never go back to; at the other, I enjoyed a gourmet meal. Read More>>

Despite its relative newcomer status, the Xi'an Lu Commercial Zone (西安路商业区) has quickly become one of the premier shopping, dining and entertainment destinations in Dalian, second only to the popular downtown shopping spot, Qingniwaqiao (青泥洼桥). ... Read More>>