Binhai Road, Dalian

Background

Binhai Road follows the southern edge of the Dalian Peninsula from the Xinghai Square area in the west to the Donghai coast in the east (some sources put the eastern end at the Donggang area), linking Xinghai Square, Fujiazhuang, Laohutan, Yanwoling, Bangchuidao, Melody of the Sea Park, the Forest Zoo and more; it is also one of the main routes of the Dalian International Walking Festival. Its total length is given either as over 30 km or as about 35 km. In the 1970s it was a military road; it opened to the public in the early 1980s, turning from a war-preparedness road into a scenic city drive — a snapshot of Dalian's shift from port and industrial city to seaside resort. It is commonly divided into Binhai West Road (Xinghai Square to Fujiazhuang), Binhai Middle Road (Fujiazhuang to Laohutan), and Binhai South and North Roads (Laohutan to the Donghai coast). The North Bridge on the middle section is the road's landmark. Set on Binhai Middle Road between Laohutan and Yanwoling, it is a three-span suspension bridge across a sea valley, 230 metres long with a 132-metre main span. Work began on 1 May 1984 and was completed on 1 May 1987; it was built to commemorate the sister-city relationship between Dalian and Kitakyushu.

Local customs

• Walk it in sections — Fujiazhuang to Laohutan and Laohutan to the Donghai coast are the two classic stretches
• watch the hills meet the sea from the North Bridge
• combine the beaches at Xinghai, Fujiazhuang and Bangchuidao and the parks along the way
• if you drive, take it slowly and pull in at viewpoints whenever you like.

Travel tips

• The full route is long, so explore it in sections rather than trying to cover it all at once
• bring water and sun protection if you walk, and plan your parking if you drive. From the city, take a bus or taxi to points such as Xinghai Square, Fujiazhuang, Laohutan or Donghai, then walk or ride section by section, or drive the road yourself
• check the latest local information for routes and schedules. Late spring to early autumn is best for strolling and hiking, and summer combines well with the beaches, though the UV by the sea is strong
• in winter the sea wind is strong and temperatures are low, so it suits short sightseeing stops rather than long walks.