Hangzhou → Dalian! A 3-Day, 2-Night Summer Escape to Unlock Northern Coastal Adventures

As May brings rising heat to Hangzhou, we made a swift decision to head to Dalian, plunging into this breezy romantic coastal city! Just wrapped up our 3-day, 2-night trip and compiled this ultra-realistic guide—complete with pitfalls to avoid and unexpected delights! 🚇 Must-Have for Travel The metro is super convenient! Download the "Dalian e-Transport" app in advance, link it to Alipay, and scan your way through the gates in seconds! 🏨 Accommodation Recs Stayed at Orange Hotel Dalian (Zhongshan Road MixC Hotel)—prime location with unbeatable convenience. 🌊 Day 1: Xinghai Square + Lotus Mountain, Surprises in the Wind Plan: Xinghai Square → Lotus Mountain Observatory → Haida Cableway → Xinghai Bay Bridge → Silver Beach Park → Fujiazhuang Reality: Xinghai Square → Lotus Mountain Observatory Dropped our bags at the hotel and rushed to Xinghai Square! Little did we expect the sea breeze to be "overly enthusiastic"—nearly blew us away. Took the mini train up Lotus Mountain (hiking is an option too). The panoramic city view from the observatory was breathtaking! Originally planned to take the Haida Cableway down to the cross-sea bridge, but it was closed due to strong winds. Got lost on the way down... BUT! Stumbled upon wild deer—instant mood booster! Dinner at Dalian Market: the wildly popular smoked meat pancake was unexpectedly delicious—crispy outside, savory inside. Highly recommend! 🌴 Day 2: Bangchuidao + Gangdong 5th Street + Venice Water Town Took a cab to Bangchuidao South Gate. Limited energy, so only hit Bangchuidao and Wanghai Pavilion, skipping Haizhiyun and Holy Elephant Gate. Heads up! Following online guides to exit via the main gate left us stranded—no cabs! To get back downtown, take Bus 90 to Shanping Street first, then transfer. Next stop: Gangdong 5th Street. Bring a camera if you want those viral shots—phones just can’t capture the vibe! Feeding seagulls along the way was a blast. Venice Water Town is walkable but underwhelming by day—probably more photogenic at night with the lights on. 📍 Day 3: Strolling Old Streets, Embracing Slow Living Explored Zhongshan Square, Baowei Alley, Fendou Alley, Culture Street, and Guangfeng Street. Personally found them average as attractions but perfect for leisurely walks soaking up local life. Dalian Airport is tiny! Security is lightning-fast—checked in and cleared in 30 minutes. Few seats at gates, so no need to arrive too early and wait. 💡 Pitfall Roundup: 1️⃣ Check the weather! Cableways close on windy days—plans can crumble. 2️⃣ Bangchuidao’s main gate is a cab desert—plan your return trip ahead. 3️⃣ Bring a camera to Gangdong 5th Street; Venice Water Town shines at night. Despite minor hiccups, Dalian’s seas, deer, and that smoked meat pancake made this trip unforgettable! We’ll be back!