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Dalian, China

Labor Park, Dalian

Introduction

Dalian is a large and relatively young city. It's geographical location gives it a lot of Russian, Japanese and Korean influences.

Visas

Citizens of most nationalities will need a visa to visit China including American crew members. The number of entries depends on how many times your ship leaves China and enters a non-Chinese port. The Chinese consulate does not like to issue multi-entry visas so provide them with your itinerary when applying for the visa. In 2015, new 10 year visas were introduced at the same cost of short term visas.

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships dock at an old pier northeast of the city center. A free shuttle is usually provided taking you the short distance to Friendship Shopping Center on Renmin Rd beside Zhongshan Square. A new cruise terminal has been announced and is still in the planning stages.

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Money and Tipping

China's currency is the Yuan (CNY) but it may also be referred as Renminbi (RMB). Money exchange in China is regulated by the government and you can change money at any bank with a passport. ATM's are readily available as well. Tipping is not a common practise in China. The smaller one coin is worth Y0.1 (not to be confused with the larger 1 Yuan coin or 1 Yuan note) and the 5 coin worth Y0.50. One Yuan coins are less popular in Beijing (vs Shanghai). You will notice that shopkeepers check the 100 Yuan notes carefully checking for counterfeit bills. Here is a guide for spotting counterfeit money. http://www.xian-travel.com/china-travel-guides/chinesemoney/

Local Transportation

Taxis are inexpensive in China. Most taxi drivers do not speak English so make sure you have your destination written out in Chinese. Also make sure your driver uses the meter.

Line 2 of Dalian's metro opened in 2015 with a station near the cruise pier and stations at Zhongshan Square and Qingniwan near Victory Square.

Hotels

Search hotels in Dalian here

Sights

These places are away from the center of town and not the most exciting attractions.

• Tiger Beach - Tiger statues near Ocean Park
• People's Square/Renmin Guanchang - Dalian's largest square. Has grassy areas where locals like to fly kites.
• Ocean Park - This small theme park has aquariums and a dolphin show.

Shopping & Restaurants

Tianjin St is a pedestrianized mall with stalls and street food vendors. It runs from Minsheng St off of Zhongshan Square to Victory Plaza across from the Railway Station. There is a large underground shopping center below Victory Square. Across from Zhongshan Rd at Victory Square is Qingniwan shopping area with modern malls and department stores. There are also small street markets in this area as well.

On the opposite side of the train station towards the north is a large open plaza (with shops underneath) and Dalian Central Market in the building directly across.

The state-run Friendship Shopping Center has a supermarket in the basement (with lots of staff). Prices are only slightly higher.

Russian Street (northwest of Zhongshan Square along Shanghai St) has Russian style buildings and shops and stalls selling Russian themed souvenirs like Matryoshka nesting dolls.

In general, restaurants don't provide napkins and washrooms don't have soap or toilet paper and may have squat toilets. Always travel with a pack of tissues and some hand sanitizer.

Internet

Friendship Shopping Center has free wifi but nowhere to sit. Cafes and restaurants may provide free wifi for customers. Facebook is blocked in China.

Post Office

There is a post office on the northwest side of Zhongshan Square.

Maps (right-click to save)

Weather

Dalian Weather Forecast

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