Practical Tips

The best time to visit Dalian is from September to October. The weather is wonderful, the local fruit harvests are coming in, and the city seems particularly invigorated. Springtime is also a nice season to visit Dalian although it's a little more prone to rain. The ocean tends to moderate Dalian's extreme seasonal weather somewhat. Summers are usually uncomfortably hot during the days in July and August. Fortunately, there are frequent ocean breezes that cool the city around sundown. Winters can be very cold and wet here, but not nearly as bad as those seen in nearby cities further inland such as in Shenyang. Summers are great for swimming; the best beaches are at Golden Pebble Beach, Fujiazhuang and Xinghai Park. These beaches are great for some sunbathing and swimming, just be careful though, the water becomes very deep rapidly. Every September there's an International Fashion Festival that features fashion shows and exhibitions. You'll be hard pressed to miss any of it, models sashay down the runway on every street. Hotel prices will rise during this time and rooms will be hard to find.