Dalian/Xigang

For those arriving by air, all three airport buses stop in central Xigang. The express shuttle stops at the municipal government (just north of People's Square), bus 701 stops at the stadium, while bus 710 stops at People's Square. Those arriving at the central train station, meanwhile, can catch bus 16 or 22 to People's Square and the stadium. Those arriving by boat, bus 16 also stops just in front of the passenger ferry terminal.

Getting around in the central part of the district is little trouble given that most of the areas of interest are clustered around People's Square and the Stadium which are no more than 10 minutes walk from one another. To get to the central market catch bus 16 or 22 from the stadium or People's Square to Qingniwaqiao, head to the railway station and walk through the pedestrian tunnel on the left hand side. The Forest Zoo can be reached by catching bus 4 (terminating at Tiger Beach) from the stadium. To get to Fujiazhuang Beach head to Qingniwaqiao then take bus 5.

• 🌍 Russian Street (俄羅斯風情街 Éluósī Chuíqíngjiē), Across Shengli Bridge, NE of train station. One of the few places it's still possible to get a glimpse of Dalian's colonial past. Most of the old Russian and Japanese buildings were razed in the many bursts of redevelopment the city has seen over the years, but the old architecture is "preserved" in the sense many of the buildings along the road are actually modern facsimiles of old Russian buildings rather than the genuine article. The old buildings that do remain are worth examining, however, and more genuine examples lie along the side roads to the east of the main street. Stalls and shops along the road sell various trinkets and souvenirs (no affiliation with Russia other than some wooden dolls) but the same items can generally be found for much less elsewhere in the city. A similar Japanese Street exists in the south of the city center, near the Children's Park, but it is almost wholly fake, with empty shells of buildings lining the road. Those interested in real examples of Japanese houses would be better served exploring the area around Gaoerji Lu to the south of People's Square, although much of what exists is in shambles. 

• 🌍 Dalian Art Museum (大连美术馆, formerly known as the Dalian Art Gallery 大连艺术展览馆), 35 Shengli Street (胜利街35号) (southern tip of Russian Street), ☏ +86 411 8254-0584. 09:00-16:00. In a spectacular old Russian building dating from 1902, the museum contains a varied and changing selection of works from local artists, ranging from traditional Chinese styles to works of modern art. The museum also periodically hosts touring shows from prominent artists both Chinese and foreign. Free. 

• 🌍 People's Square (人民广场 Rénmín Guǎngchǎng), Zhongshan Road (中山路) (Metro Line 2, Renmin Square Station, Exits B and C). The other main square in the center of Dalian, where the seat municipal government buildings are housed, some in old Russian-style. Like Zhongshan Square, it is may interested some for the architecture alone, but this one has a much larger grassy area where kite flyers and fountains can be viewed (actually setting on the grass is frowned upon so don't expect to be able to throw a frisbee). The best time to see the fountain is probably during the evening show (8PM) when it is illuminated and elders join in dancing. 
• 🌍 Dalian Forest Zoo (大连森林动物园 Dàlián Sēnlín Dòngwùyuán), 60 Yingchun Road, Nashidao Street (南石道街迎春路60号) (The north gate is accessible via bus routes 525, 529 and 715. The south gate can be reached via bus routes 5, 47, 49, 501, 541, and 702), ☏ +86 411 82476970 (tickets & enquiries), +86 411 82476818 (complaints). April-Octoberː 08:30–16:00, November-Marchː 09ː00-16ː00. A major attraction for Chinese tourists primarily because of its pandas (both red pandas and great pandas live in the zoo), although many other exotic species are also represented. The zoo is essentially split into two parts, with a walking section at the top of the hill and a safari area at the base near Fujiazhuang. The two sections are joined by a cableway and a foot path, with the pandas housed in the upper section. The cableway is most popular mode of transport to get between sections, but zoo buses are also offered, in addition to walking (which is likely too much for little ones, as the road is winding and hilly). There are also parking lots at the entrances to both section. While the exhibits and conditions may disappoint some, the zoo has passed numerous international inspections and is of high quality by Chinese standards. The only crowds are schoolchildren on field trips, otherwise it's very quiet. Fast food and BBQ are available from vendors inside the zoo. You can also pay to feed some of the animals from food prepared by zoo keepers (¥4 for fruit cup, ¥10 for raw chicken). The admission fee from April to October is ¥120, but from November to March, it is only ¥100. The fee includes tickets for the cable car. The zoo bus charges a separate fee of ¥20. Parking fees vary from ¥15 to 40 depending on parking lot and type of vehicle. If you want to use both parking lots, you must pay for them separately. 
• 🌍 Dalian Wushu Culture Museum (大连武术文化博物馆 Dàlián Wŭshù Wénhuà Bówùguǎn, Dalian Martial Arts Culture Museum), 16 Zhongxia Road (仲夏路16号) (Take bus no. 5, 47, 501, 541 or 702. Get off at the Dalian Art Centre (大连艺术品中心). The museum is about 500 metres from the bus stop), ☏ +86 411 82413388, wsbwg_dl@163.com. 09ː00-11ː00, 13ː00-16ː00, closed on Mondays. Free. (updated Nov 2018)
• 🌍 Dalian Science and Technology Museum (大连市科技馆 Dàlián Shì Kējìguǎn), 3 Changbai Street (长白街3号) (Take bus no. 4, 12, 29, 40, 407, 506, 541 or 702. Get off at the Dalian Transport Technicians College (大连交通技师学院). The museum is about 200 metres southwest of the bus stop), ☏ +86 411 83640656. 09ː00-17ː00, closed on Mondays. Free. (updated Nov 2018)

• Dalian central market – North of the train station, this is the best place to go for bargains. There are many different halls offering pretty much everything under the sun, but the main hall is the most useful to visitors, with foodstuffs on the ground floor, clothes and bags on the next couple of floors and trinkets and souvenirs on the next floor up. If you are willing to haggle hard, goods can be purchased here for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere.

The range of restaurants is nowhere near as comprehensive in Xigang as it is in Zhongshan District, with the only standout example being the Tapas Spanish restaurant near Russian Street. In the more residential areas there's still the usual range of cheap, hole in the wall and mid-range Chinese restaurants, however.