Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC) serves Dalian, the coastal city on the Liaodong Peninsula and Liaoning Province's second-largest city. Located 10 km northwest of the city center, it's the gateway to Northeast China's most scenic coastal destination.

The airport has two terminals: the main Terminal and a secondary building. Note: A new airport is under construction that will eventually replace this facility.

Key airlines: China Southern (major presence), Air China, Dalian Airlines, Korean Air, and various domestic carriers.

DLC is northwest of Dalian city:

• To Dalian city center (Zhongshan Square): 10 km, 20-30 minutes
• To Railway Station: 12 km, 20-35 minutes
• To Xinghai Square: 15 km, 25-40 minutes
• To Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach): 50 km, 50-70 minutes

Uber does not operate in China. Use Didi.

Taxis from the rank:

• To city center: ¥30-50 (~$4-7 USD)
• To Xinghai Square: ¥40-60
• Metered, reliable

Metro Line 2

Metro Line 2 connects to the city:

• Route: Airport → city center stations
• To Railway Station: 20 minutes, ¥3
• Frequency: Every 5-8 minutes
• Hours: 06:00-22:30

The metro is the most convenient option.

Airport Bus

Airport buses to various destinations:

• Multiple routes
• Cost: ¥5-10
• Less convenient than metro

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Covered	¥60/day	Terminal adjacent
Open	¥40/day	Short walk

DLC has standard airport dining:

Terminal:

• Chinese restaurants
• Seafood options (Dalian specialty)
• Fast food chains
• Coffee shops

Try: Fresh seafood—Dalian is famous for it.

Network: DLC Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Good
• May require verification

VPN needed for Western services.

SIM cards from carrier counters:

• China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
• Passport required
• Prices: ¥100-200 for prepaid with data

ATMs in terminal.

Currency: Chinese Yuan (¥/CNY). Approximately 7.2 CNY = 1 USD.

• Duty-free
• Chinese souvenirs
• Dalian seafood products
• Basic retail

China Southern Lounge

• Access: China Southern Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus

First Class Lounge

• Access: Premium cabin, various programs

BGS Premier Lounge

• Access: Priority Pass, walk-in available

Hotels along the coastal areas and city center. Xinghai Square area is popular for tourists.

Dalian is Northeast China's summer resort—a beautiful coastal city with Russian and Japanese colonial heritage, excellent seafood, and surprisingly pleasant beaches:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Xinghai Square: 30 min—Asia's largest city square, coastal views
• Zhongshan Square: 25 min—historic European architecture in a circle
• Bangchuidao Scenic Area: 40 min—coastal scenery, Mao's summer villa
• Laohutan (Tiger Beach): 35 min—ocean park, beach, scenic area
• Russian Street: 25 min—preserved Russian colonial architecture

Beaches & coastal:

• Xinghai Bay Beach: 30 min—city beach, family-friendly
• Fujiazhuang Beach: 35 min—popular summer destination
• Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach): 60 min—unusual rock formations, clean beaches
• Binhai Road: Scenic coastal drive with multiple viewpoints

Historic & cultural:

• Dalian Modern Museum: Former Russian-Japanese bank building
• Lüshun (Port Arthur): 1 hour—Russian-Japanese War history, military sites
• Sun Asia Ocean World: 35 min—underwater tunnel aquarium

Food (Dalian = seafood heaven):

• Sea cucumber: Premium delicacy
• Abalone: Fresh from local waters
• Sea urchin: Served fresh
• Grilled squid: Street food favorite
• Seafood BBQ streets: Multiple locations with fresh catches
• Dalian's seafood is genuinely excellent—prices reasonable

Local tips:

• Summer resort: July-August is peak season; beaches crowded
• Russian/Japanese influence: Unique architecture from colonial period
• Clean city: Dalian is notably clean by Chinese standards
• Tram: Historic trams still run—take Line 201
• Football: Dalian has passionate football fans
• Weather: Four seasons; summer mild, winter cold but less harsh than inland
• New airport coming: Eventually will move operations farther from city
• Korean proximity: Quick flights to Seoul; Korean restaurants common
• The city was Russian (Dalny), then Japanese, then returned to China
• "Hong Kong of the North"—a nickname for its commerce and modernity