Liaoning, China · Asia
Dalian sits on the route: 30 minutes from Dalianwan.
Dalian is a major city located in Liaoning, China. With a population of 4,913,879, it is one of the largest urban centers in Asia.
On a road trip, Dalian sits in China, where you drive on the right. It's in the Asia/Shanghai time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Dalian to your route.
Dalian ( dah-LYEN) is a major prefecture-level, sub-provincial port city in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China, and is Liaoning's second largest city (after the provincial capital Shenyang) and the third-most populous city of Northeast China (after Shenyang and Harbin). Located on the southern tip of theRead more
Liaodong peninsula, it is the southernmost city in both Liaoning and the entire Northeast. Dalian borders the prefectural cities of Yingkou and Anshan to the north and Dandong to the northeast, and also shares maritime boundaries with Qinhuangdao and Huludao across the Liaodong Bay to the west and northwest, Yantai and Weihai on the Shandong peninsula across the Bohai Strait to the south, and North Korea across the Korea Bay to the east.
As of the 2020 census, its total population was 7,450,785 inhabitants of whom 5,106,719 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made of 6 out of 7 urban districts, Pulandian District not being conurbated yet.
Today, Dalian is a financial, shipping, and logistics center for East Asia. The city has a significant history of use by foreign powers for its ports. Dalian was previously known as "Dalniy" (Russian: Дальний; Dal'nii), "Dairen" (Japanese: 大連), and "Lüda" or "Luta" (Chinese: 旅大; pinyin: Lǚdà). The city used to be better known as "Port Arthur" and "Ryojun" (Japanese: 旅順) from the original Port Arthur, now the city's Lüshunkou district.
In 2016, Dalian ranked 48th in the Global Financial Centres Index. In 2012, Dalian ranked 82nd in the Global City Competitiveness Index. In 2006, Dalian was named China's most livable city by China Daily. It is now a Beta-level City under the Globalization and World Cities Research Network classification. The large amount of port traffic makes Dalian a Large-Port Metropolis.
Dalian is one of the top 40 science cities in the world by scientific research as tracked by the Nature Index, ranking 37th globally in 2023. The city is home to several major universities, notably Dalian University of Technology and Dalian Maritime University, members of China's prestigious universities in the Project 211, and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Dalian.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Dalian.
Dalian offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Dalian with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Dalian as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Dalian is located in Liaoning, China, Asia. The coordinates are 38.9122 latitude, 121.6022 longitude.
Dalian has a population of approximately 4,913,879 people, making it a major city in China.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Dalian as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Dalian. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in China
Foreign driving licences and IDPs are not recognised: a temporary Chinese licence is required.
Full driving guide for ChinaOther places to explore near Dalian.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning