Ships dock at Dalian International Cruise Terminal in the East Port (Donggang) district — a modern facility with taxis, shuttle buses, and metro access nearby.
💡 Pro move: Have your ship name, return time, and destinations written in Chinese characters — few taxi drivers speak English.
All cruise lines dock at the purpose-built Dalian International Cruise Terminal in the Donggang waterfront district.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Costa, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess) | Dalian International Cruise Terminal, East Port📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ships | Dalian International Cruise Terminal📍 | Docked |
Dalian rewards independent explorers — the metro, trams, and taxis make most highlights reachable without a tour.
The grand circular square is ringed by meticulously preserved Russian and Japanese-era buildings — a living reminder of Dalian's colonial past. Board the century-old 201 tram nearby for a slow roll through the city.
Find Dalian city tours →A spectacular cliff-hugging road linking beach coves, rocky headlands, and lookout points. The 'Strange Slope' illusion — where cars appear to roll uphill — is a quirky highlight along the route.
Find Binhai Road tours →One of Dalian's best sandy beaches — cleaner and less crowded than most Chinese city beaches. A 20-minute taxi ride from the port makes it a realistic half-day escape.
Find Dalian beach tours →A large marine park on the coast featuring beluga whales, sea otters, polar bears, and a coral hall. The dramatic setting on rocky headlands above the Yellow Sea adds to the appeal.
Find Tiger Beach tours →About 45 km from Dalian, Lushun was the site of famous Russo-Japanese War battles. Tour the 203 Meter Hill, Japanese and Russian military sites, and the Lushun Museum — a full-day commitment but deeply compelling for history buffs.
Find Port Arthur history tours →Stroll one of Dalian's oldest streets lined with Russian-era architecture, then head to Xinghai Square — one of Asia's largest city squares — for grand sea views and the ornate archway marking Hong Kong's 1997 return.
Find Dalian cultural tours →Dalian's wide boulevards and historic squares are made for walking — the city center loop is flat, clean, and endlessly photogenic.
From the cruise terminal waterfront, walk or taxi to Zhongshan Square and circle its ring of heritage buildings. Continue along Renmin Road to Tianjin Street for seafood lunch, then pick up the 201 tram for a loop back.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Take a taxi to Xinghai Square, walk its vast promenade to the sea-view terrace, then stroll the seafront path toward the Xinghai Bay Bridge viewpoint before heading back.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Dalian, Liaoning, China (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34°F / 1°C | 23°F / -5°C | 2 | 7:11 AM | 4:55 PM |
| Feb | 36°F / 2°C | 26°F / -3°C | 2 | 6:45 AM | 5:30 PM |
| Mar | 47°F / 8°C | 35°F / 2°C | 3 | 6:05 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Apr | 57°F / 14°C | 45°F / 7°C | 4 | 5:17 AM | 6:30 PM |
| May | 67°F / 19°C | 55°F / 13°C | 6 | 4:41 AM | 6:58 PM |
| Jun | 74°F / 23°C | 65°F / 18°C | 9 | 4:27 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Jul | 80°F / 27°C | 72°F / 22°C | 9 | 4:40 AM | 7:18 PM |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 73°F / 23°C | 11 | 5:07 AM | 6:48 PM |
| Sep | 75°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 6 | 5:35 AM | 6:02 PM |
| Oct | 63°F / 17°C | 53°F / 12°C | 4 | 6:03 AM | 5:15 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 39°F / 4°C | 5 | 6:36 AM | 4:39 PM |
| Dec | 37°F / 3°C | 27°F / -3°C | 3 | 7:05 AM | 4:32 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Dalian operates a Tourist Loop Line bus (旅游环线) covering major sights including Xinghai Square, Bangchuidao, and Laohutan Ocean Park for just ¥10 (~.40 USD). Not a traditional hop-on hop-off but functions similarly.
Metered taxis are plentiful at the cruise terminal. Starting fare is ¥8 for the first 3 km, then ¥2–2.4 per km — city center trips are inexpensive. Insist on the meter; few drivers speak English so carry your destination written in Chinese.
DiDi is China's dominant ride-hailing app and operates in Dalian with English-language support. Set up before arrival and link an international card, Alipay, or WeChat Pay for a smooth cashless experience.
Some cruise lines provide complimentary shuttle buses from the International Cruise Terminal to downtown Dalian (near Friendship Store). Check with your ship's guest services for availability and schedule.
Dalian's Tourist Loop Line (旅游环线) circles the city's major attractions all day for a flat ¥10 fare. Stops include Xinghai Square, Bangchuidao Scenic Area, and Laohutan Ocean Park — great value for independent explorers.
Pre-booked private transfers from the port to the city or specific sights are available through operators like KnopkaTransfer. Fixed pricing and an English-speaking driver make this the most stress-free option for families or groups.
Upcoming cruises that call at Dalian, Liaoning, China. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.