Current Time in Dalian
About Dalian
Dalian is located in China, in the Northern Hemisphere, and is a major city with a population of around 4,913,879. It runs on Asia/Shanghai time, currently UTC+8:00 relative to UTC. Dalian does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so this offset stays fixed year-round.
- CountryChina
- Population4,913,879
- Latitude38.9122°
- Longitude121.6022°
- Time zoneAsia/Shanghai
- Current UTC offsetUTC+8:00
- Daylight Saving TimeNot observed
Sunrise & Sunset in Dalian Today
For Sunday, October 11, 2026, calculated from Dalian's own coordinates.
Sunrise
Sunset
Daylight
Seasons in Dalian
Approximate dates — the exact moment a season begins shifts by about a day from year to year.
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Top Places to Visit in Dalian
Xinghai Square
Xinghai Square, built between 1993 and 1998 on reclaimed land in Dalian's southwestern bay, is one of the largest public squares in the world, roughly four times the size of Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and was constructed to commemorate the 1997 return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty. Its centerpiece, a white marble pillar 19.97 meters tall with a 1.997-meter diameter, directly encodes the year of the handover into its dimensions, surrounded by a nine-dragon relief sculpture symbolizing the nation. The square blends open lawns and fountains with an amusement park, the Dalian Shell Museum, and direct beach access, making it a genuinely multi-purpose destination rather than a purely ceremonial space. It's particularly lively in the evening, when locals gather for kite flying, dancing and walks along the waterfront, and in winter it becomes a popular spot for ice skating and snow-related activities.
From Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 directly to Xinghai Square station, a short walk from the square.
From Dalian Railway Station, take a taxi, ride-hailing app, or the metro (transferring as needed) toward Xinghai Square station.
From Dalian's long-distance bus stations near the railway station, take the metro toward Xinghai Square station.
Zhongshan Square
Zhongshan Square, Dalian's most historically significant public square, was originally laid out by Russian planners in the late 19th century during the brief period of Russian colonial administration, then substantially developed further under subsequent Japanese occupation in the early 20th century. Ten streets radiate outward from the square's 213-meter-diameter circle, surrounded by early-20th-century buildings in a range of European architectural styles, including several grand structures built as banks and government offices under Japanese rule. The square remains a popular gathering point for Dalian residents, particularly in the evenings when locals meet for group dancing, language exchange corners, and general socializing around its landscaped central green space. Its concentration of well-preserved colonial-era architecture makes it one of the best places in the city to see the layered Russian and Japanese influences that shaped early modern Dalian.
From Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a central interchange, transfer toward Zhongshan Square station.
Dalian Railway Station sits close to Zhongshan Square; take a short taxi ride or walk, or connect via tram.
From Dalian's long-distance bus stations near the railway station, take a short taxi ride or tram toward Zhongshan Square.
Laohutan Ocean Park
Laohutan Ocean Park, or Tiger Beach Ocean Park, stretches along more than 4 kilometers of Dalian's southern coastline and is considered the largest ocean-themed park of its kind in China, combining a coral reef aquarium, a polar animal exhibit, a bird park and a marine mammal show arena across several distinct venues. Its name comes from a rock formation resembling a crouching tiger near the shoreline, and a large tiger sculpture at the park's entrance has become one of its most photographed features. Dolphin and sea lion performances run at scheduled times throughout the day in the Marine Mammal World venue, drawing particularly large crowds during peak tourist season and school holidays. Given the park's scale and the number of separate venues within it, most visitors plan to spend at least half a day here, and combination tickets covering multiple venues are generally more economical than paying for each separately.
From Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a central interchange, transfer toward the coastal light rail (Route 202) or a taxi toward Laohutan.
From Dalian Railway Station, take the light rail (Route 202) or a taxi to Laohutan, roughly 20-30 minutes.
From Dalian's long-distance bus stations near the railway station, take a local bus or taxi toward Laohutan.
Bangchuidao Scenic Area
Bangchuidao, a small island connected to the mainland by a short causeway on Dalian's southeastern coast, is known for having some of the clearest, cleanest seawater in the city, a contrast to the busier developed beaches closer to the urban core. Pine forests cover much of the island, and quiet walking trails wind through them alongside rocky coves and small sandy stretches, giving it a noticeably calmer, more natural character than Xinghai Square or Laohutan. Seafood restaurants on the island serve fresh catches, and the area has historically drawn a mix of both tourists and Dalian residents seeking a quieter beach alternative within easy reach of the city center. Boats also connect Bangchuidao with Laohutan Ocean Park along the coastline, offering visitors a scenic way to combine the two without backtracking through the city.
From Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a central interchange, then a taxi or ride-hailing app to Bangchuidao, as it sits outside direct metro coverage.
From Dalian Railway Station, take a taxi or ride-hailing app to Bangchuidao, roughly 25-35 minutes.
From Dalian's long-distance bus stations near the railway station, take a taxi or ride-hailing app to Bangchuidao.
Binhai Road
Binhai Road is a roughly 40-kilometer scenic coastal road tracing Dalian's cliffs and coves along the Yellow Sea, with a wooden boardwalk running alongside much of its length, split into west, middle and east sections covering different stretches of coastline. The middle section, nicknamed Lovers' Road, is particularly popular for its combination of sea cliffs, pine forest and quiet coves, and doesn't require walking its full length to appreciate, with most visitors choosing a manageable 4 to 6 kilometer stretch rather than the entire route. The western section connects Xinghai Square to Fujiazhuang, linking several of the city's coastal attractions into a single walkable corridor for visitors with the time and inclination for a longer coastal walk. Free to access and requiring no ticket, it offers one of the more low-key, unstructured ways to experience Dalian's genuinely striking coastline away from the city's more curated paid attractions.
From Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to Xinghai Square station, at the western end of Binhai Road's accessible sections.
From Dalian Railway Station, take a taxi, ride-hailing app, or the metro toward Xinghai Square station, at the western end of Binhai Road.
From Dalian's long-distance bus stations near the railway station, take the metro toward Xinghai Square station.
China National Holidays
2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Tue, Feb 17 |
| Qingming Festival | Sat, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Fri, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Fri, Jun 19 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Fri, Sep 25 |
| National Day | Thu, Oct 1 |
2027
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Sat, Feb 6 |
| Qingming Festival | Sun, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Sat, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Wed, Jun 9 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Wed, Sep 15 |
| National Day | Fri, Oct 1 |
2028
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Sat, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Wed, Jan 26 |
| Qingming Festival | Tue, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Mon, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Sun, May 28 |
| National Day | Sun, Oct 1 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Tue, Oct 3 |
2029
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Mon, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Tue, Feb 13 |
| Qingming Festival | Wed, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Tue, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Sat, Jun 16 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Sat, Sep 22 |
| National Day | Mon, Oct 1 |
2030
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Tue, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Sun, Feb 3 |
| Qingming Festival | Thu, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Wed, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Wed, Jun 5 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Thu, Sep 12 |
| National Day | Tue, Oct 1 |
Daylight Saving Time
Dalian does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The UTC offset stays fixed at UTC+8:00 year-round.
Time Difference from Top 10 US Cities
Time Difference from Top 10 Cities Worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Dalian
What time zone is Dalian in?
Dalian, China uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone. It is currently on CST (UTC+8:00). The live local time is shown at the top of this page.
Does Dalian observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Dalian does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so it stays on UTC+8:00 all year round and never changes its clocks.
What time is sunrise and sunset in Dalian today?
The sun rises at 5:57 AM and sets at 5:23 PM in Dalian today, giving 11h 25m of daylight.
What is the time difference between Dalian and New York City?
New York City is 12 hours behind Dalian right now. The full comparison against other major cities is in the tables above.
What is the UTC offset for Dalian?
Dalian is currently UTC+8:00. This offset is fixed and does not change during the year.