Xinghai Square

Location

Southside Beach Scenic Area, Shahekou District, Dalian 116023, China

Reasons to visit

The most famous square in Dalian.

Our Ratings

Opening Hours

All day,

Located in downtown Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, Xinghai Square is the largest city square in the world, covering a total area of 1.1 million square meters, which is four times of Tian’anmen Square in Beijing. It used to be a waste landfill in Xinghai Bay, and the reconstruction project started on July 16, 1993. The municipal government made used of construction trash for a 114 hectares land reclamation project. The reconstruction was finished in 1998. 'Xinghai' means a sea fulling of star in English. The shape of the central square looks like a star. That's how it got its name.

In the center of the square has the country's largest white marble tables, which is 19.97 meters high, with 1.997 meters in diameter. The numbers of it are to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, as Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. On the Chinese table base and pillar was decorated with a total of nine dragons sculpture, a symbol of Kyushu sons and daughters being descendants of the dragon.

There are groups of bronze sculptures on the square, such as a policewoman on horseback, roll-skating children and street artist. Among them, a sculpture of people's footprints developing from childhood to adulthood is the highlight. It represents a long journey requiring patience and composure, which Dalian has gone through. Whilst wandering the square paved with red bricks and franked by green grasses, you can enjoy sunshine, the grand sea, and even fascinating modern architecture.

Cliffs tower above the sea at the eastern and western ends of the park and the cliff tops present stunning views across the bay where sea and sky blend together on the distant horizon. The Tanhai Cave can be seen in the eastern cliffs. The name of the cave means 'exploring the sea' and as you descend the steps within it you will find the sea-spray rising at your feet, a truly amazing sight!

Highlights to See around Xinghai Square

Xinghai Park consists of land park and beach park two parts. In the land park, there are excursion area, rest area, children's amusement park. Submarine channel, aquarium, Sun Asia Ocean World is also located in Xinghai Park. There are quite abundant of amusement in the park, like offshore boats, dinosaur world playground, sea bungee jumping and so on. In recent years, the city's first water park was built in Xinghai Park, it is called Xinghai Water Park. It is located by a small mountain in west of the Xinghai Park. The water park set up high-water-skiing, magnetized swimming pool, high dive and other water recreation facilities.

【Exhibition Center】
Xinghai Convention and Exhibition Center is a landmark building in Dalian. Walk northwards for about 500 meters from the center of the square and you will reach the Exhibition Center. The Center covers a total area of 86,000 square meters, of which 94,000 square meters belongs to construction area. It consists of one storey underground and four storey on the ground. No matter the design, construction quality, or internal facilities, the exhibition center belongs to international advanced level and can be comparable with other world-class exhibition hall in other cities. Dalian International Fashion Festival, Fireworks Festival, trade fairs and other large festivals or event are usually held in this center.

【Shell Museum】
Xinghai Square is located in the southeast corner of Xinghai Park. It is the largest shell museum with the most exhibits in Asia, as well as in the world. The museum covers a construction area of 2,500 square meters. Here displays more than 5000 kinds of exotic marine shells from around the world, including New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Morogo, Malaysia, Philippine, Japan, United States, etc. Some are from personal collection, buyers, others from conchologists, Shellfish institutes and shell collectors.

Travel Guide

【Best time to visit】: April to August, when is spring and summer in Dalian. It is suitable for water activities during the time period.
【How to get there】: take Subway Line 1 to Xinghai Square Station, or take Public Bus No.18, 22, 23, 37, 202, 406, 531, etc. to get off at Xinghai Square Station.

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