Dalian: A Beautiful Seaside City for a New Year Full of Atmosphere

Dalian, this gorgeous seaside city, has earned the nickname "Little Paris of the East." At the end of 2023, I arrived in Dalian and started a four-day romantic, artsy New Year's trip.
**Chasing the Sunset Over the Sea**
After landing, my first stop was Silver Beach. It sits in the southeast part of Dalian and is counted among China's ten most beautiful beaches. Standing on the shore, I could spot fishing boats drifting on the water, adding a touch of life to the whole scene. The winter sea breeze was biting, but the deep blue water and bobbing boats made it feel like I'd stepped into a romantic painting.
I wandered along the sand for a while, listening to the waves. It was pure joy and relaxation. Honestly, if there'd been a dusting of snow, it would've been absolutely perfect.
As the afternoon wore on, the sun started its slow descent, and I found a good spot to watch the sunset. The sky turned orange and pink, and the sea and sand were bathed in golden light. It was a breathtaking sight. The sun eased down while we strolled along the beach, feeling the waves lap at our feet. There were plenty of other visitors there snapping photos too.
Another great place to catch a sea sunset is the Xinghai Bay Cross-Sea Bridge viewpoint. This bridge is the longest of its kind in the world, stretching 25.4 kilometers. It spans Bohai Bay, linking downtown Dalian with Jinshitan, and serves as a key connection between the city's east and west sides.
Plenty of people gather at the viewpoint to watch the sunset as well. Trains bustling across the bridge created a nice contrast with the natural scenery. As the sun slipped lower into the sea, the sky grew even more vivid and colorful. In that fading glow, I felt nature's magic and beauty, and it left me feeling genuinely uplifted—and reminded to treasure each day.
**You've Got to Try Sea Urchin Dumplings**
After the sunset, we headed to a super famous spot in Dalian for sea urchin dumplings: Xiding Sea Urchin Dumplings. We got lucky and snagged a table right away, but I'd recommend booking ahead—we barely made it in before the wait got long.
The place feels upscale: clean, tidy, with roomy, comfortable seating. The whole dining experience was top-notch.
The sea urchin dumplings are their signature dish, and they're absolutely delicious. Every bite is packed with rich sea urchin flavor—it's one of those meals you'd remember for a lifetime. You should also try their other seafood dumplings. I'd recommend the abalone ones and the sauerkraut with pork cracklings—both juicy and tasty.
The rest of the menu was great too. We ordered shrimp soup with rice, spicy Sichuan chicken, stir-fried spinach with seaweed, bone-off meat, and white clams. Every bite left me feeling satisfied and happy. The food came out fast, the service was attentive, and they had an open kitchen with proper sanitation measures, so you can dine with peace of mind.
**Soaking Up Russian Vibes**
Russian Style Street sits in the heart of Dalian and is an old lane full of exotic charm. As one of China's most famous Russian-style architectural districts, it draws crowds eager to soak in the foreign atmosphere.
Russian-style buildings line both sides, with shops, restaurants, and bars all decked out in that aesthetic. Colorful onion domes, blue doors and windows—each structure has its own character, making you feel like you've wandered into a small town in Russia.
We strolled along, taking in the strong Russian flavor. The little shops were charming, too: some sold nesting dolls, pewter ware, and amber souvenirs, while others offered Russian specialty foods.
All in all, Russian Style Street was a thoroughly enjoyable experience—you get to see different cultures collide and blend. It's a must-visit in Dalian. Through February, during the New Year period, the street hosts an immersive event called "A Date with Russian Street," and throughout the Spring Festival, there are daily scheduled performances like decorated parade vehicles.
Right at the entrance to Russian Style Street is the Dalian Art Museum. It's another historic building with a distinctly artistic architectural style.
The exhibitions inside are fascinating and immerse you in a rich creative atmosphere. If you're into art, stop by the Dalian Art Museum for a cultured little escape.
**A Pedestrian Street with Artistic Flair**
Nanshan Style Street is located in Dalian's Nanshan area and is primarily a Japanese-themed street. It features a variety of villa styles—some elegant and refined, others weathered and old—coming together with a strong Japanese character.
Along the street are Japanese restaurants, hotels, flower shops, bookstores, and cafés. It's one of Dalian's signature spots, drawing many domestic and international visitors each year.
In winter, with snow on the ground, it's especially picturesque and artsy. During the New Year period, the bars and some restaurants stay open until the early hours.
**The Perfect Photo Spot Is Right Here**
Fisherman's Wharf has a nostalgic, laid-back charm, tinged with a bit of human warmth and memory. The scenery is lovely, the environment inviting—a great place for leisure and sightseeing.
What makes Tiger Beach Fisherman's Wharf stand out is its European-style architecture. The buildings draw from British, French, and Russian influences, so you might feel like you're strolling through a European village.
You can also try all sorts of water activities—sailing, speedboats, jet skis—for some excitement on the sea. Or you can just admire the view, take photos, browse the small shops, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
For the best shots, head across to Tiger Beach Ocean Park and gaze over at the wharf from the waterfront. Seagulls circle overhead, and the winter sea feels calm and a little mysterious.
The wharf at night is stunning too, with twinkling lights creating a romantic glow. For New Year celebrations, the park will set off small fireworks displays on February 12, 13, 14, 23, and 24, each lasting eight minutes—plenty of festive atmosphere to go around.
**A New Year Full of Festive Cheer**
In the evening, we watched the Donggang New Year's light show. It's the highlight of Dalian's New Year's Eve celebrations every year.
The Donggang light show, along with the one at Xinghai Bay, is a visual feast. That night, in addition to the Donggang events, landmarks like the TV Tower, Xinghai Bay, and the Node Building all lit up with dreamy light displays. We caught two truly romantic shows: "Shining Glory 2023" and "Chasing Dreams 2024."
The iconic buildings featured digital countdowns and rang in the new year with the midnight bell—giving the whole evening a proper sense of ceremony.
One thing you absolutely can't miss during the New Year is the light-up tram (the 201 vintage tram). These retro trams steal the show, wrapped in colorful LED lights. Dalian's century-old trams have never looked so magical.
On New Year's Eve, crowds of people lined up just to get on board. Inside, it was decked out with lanterns and decorations, making the tram a moving light show through the city. There's also a light-up bus—a double-decker wrapped in bulbs that loops around Xinghai Square. It runs from the New Year's holiday through the Lantern Festival.
A Chinese New Year wouldn't be complete without lantern fairs. Traditional culture, folk customs, delicious food, and beautiful scenery all come together in Dalian's spring festival celebrations. Since the new year is the Year of the Dragon, many lanterns were shaped like dragons—lifelike and adorable—giving locals and visitors alike a real sense of festive joy.
We reached Zhongshan Square in the evening. It's the central square of Dalian, right in the city center. The surrounding streets, buildings, and trees were all decorated with lights, creating a gorgeous and festive atmosphere. It felt wonderfully romantic.
**A Museum Journey**
If you ask me, Dalian is truly a city of museums. It's home to so many themed museums worth visiting. Since I was short on time, I only made it to the Dalian Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Shell Museum, and the World Music Museum.
The Dalian Museum is a national first-class museum and serves as a window into the city's history and culture. On the first floor, you'll find "The Art of Time," with vintage clocks that are simply delightful.
The second floor houses an exhibition on Dalian's modern history, covering the city's development since 1840. If you're curious about Dalian's past and culture, this is a must-see.
There's also a special shadow puppet art exhibition right now, showcasing the craftsmanship of traditional artisans.
The Dalian Natural History Museum is a comprehensive science museum that collects, researches, and displays specimens across geology, paleontology, animals, and plants.
It has 12 exhibition halls covering topics like Earth, dinosaurs, marine life, Northeast forest animals, wetlands, biodiversity, and fossils from western Liaoning.
The museum holds nearly 200,000 specimens, including over 6,000 rare ones. Its marine life specimens and "Jehol Biota" fossils are standout features. Among them, a 66.7-ton black right whale