Banks: 08:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 18:00, daily
Museums: 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Crime against tourists is very low in Dalian, particularly violent assaults or muggings, which are virtually unheard of. Theft is the main area of concern, as pickpockets and bag grabbers do exist in the crowded parts of the city. Be extra careful with your valuables when riding a busy pubic transport or walking around a popular tourist attraction.

An even bigger danger for visitors is Dalian’s traffic, which is frenetic and seemingly nonstop. Pedestrians attempting to cross busy streets should not take anything for granted, as vehicles simply do not slow down if you step out into the road. If you have to cross where there is no footbridge, wait for a momentary gap in the traffic and run for it.

Police: 110

220V AC, 50Hz; round two-pin European plugs are the norm.

Since Dalian has relatively good air quality compared to the appalling pollution in other Chinese cities like Beijing, the main health concern for visitors is food and water. Tap water should not be consumed, as it cannot be guaranteed to be clean. Stick to bottled water, which is cheap and readily available, for everything. There are no state-sponsored hygiene inspections of Dalian’s many restaurants, so use your best judgment when choosing one. Restaurants in China that are empty often indicate poor quality so go where the masses are eating.

All visitors to China should get vaccinated against prevalent Asian diseases like hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus. The risk of contracting a disease in Dalian is fairly low, but the sheer number of people and a dire lack of basic health education allows diseases like hepatitis to flourish, especially in restaurants.

It always helps to pack a small first aid kit with diarrhoea tablets, aspirin and the like. If you get really ill, there are hospitals all over Dalian, though their levels of competence vary widely. The Friendship Hospital is your best bet as the staff are known to speak English and are prepared for foreign visitors. In China you need to pay for your medical care before you will be treated so bring plenty of cash if you make a hospital visit. Buying travel insurance will reimburse you for any unexpected medical emergencies.

Ambulance: 120
Friendship Hospital: +86 411 8271 3281

Everyone in Dalian speaks Mandarin Chinese, but thanks to its history of international interaction there is a certain level of multilingual understanding. This is one Chinese city where the hotel staff probably understand a little English.

China’s national currency is the renminbi yuan (¥). There are 10 jiao or 100 fen in a renminbi yuan. Banknotes come in denominations of ¥100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, as well as 5 and 1 jiao. Coins come in denominations of ¥1, 5 and 1 jiao, as well as 5, 2 and 1 fen. Visitors should be aware that China has a big problem with counterfeit ¥50 and ¥100 notes.

Upon arriving in Dalian visitors will need to exchange their foreign currency into Chinese renminbi (yuan). Since Chinese currency is not allowed to be traded outside of the country there’s no way to get yuan, and the nationalised Bank of China is the only official bank in Dalian allowed to exchange currency.

There are branches of the Bank of China at the airport, behind the Dalian Hotel on Zhongshan Square, and in some of the larger hotels (which offer lower rates). Only exchange your money at an office run by the Bank of China as there is a big problem with counterfeit yuan in China. The evidence of this can be seen in the ubiquitous ultraviolet money scanners in every shop in the city.

Credit cards are slowly becoming more widely accepted in Dalian thanks to its international commercial links. But even so, credit cards can usually be used only at large department stores and hotels. For attractions, small stores and most other things you need cash. Be sure and carry an adequate amount of money when you head out for the day. ATMs can be found at virtually every bank, but not all of them accept foreign debit and credit cards. In a pinch, you can do most transactions at the main branch of the Bank of China.

Every visitor to China is allowed to bring 400 cigarettes, two bottles of alcohol, 50 grams of gold or silver and a personal amount of perfume without incurring customs duty. Chinese customs officials will confiscate anything they consider political, religious or pornographic if they think it is subversive. Customs officials frequently search the contents of laptops, video cameras and digital cameras for illicit material, so be careful what you pack.

Even the most seasoned travellers experience a touch of culture shock on their first visit to China. Dalian is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in China so the impact will be much less than in a backwater town. Even so, be prepared for frequent spitting, shocking public toilets and pushy locals. The government has embarked on a very ambitious plan to curb these unpleasant public displays, but some habits are hard to break.

Chinese culture is filled with Confucian-based rules and hierarchy. Greetings are formal, with a handshake given first to the eldest in the group. Don’t be put off if nobody looks you in the eye when saying hello, as this is considered a sign of respect. Another important thing to consider is the concept of saving face. Even under the most trying circumstances, try and control your temper. Raising your voice or lashing out at a local creates big problems for that person, so be considerate of this essential social construct.

Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to eat out with a Chinese person, most likely the dinner will be held at a restaurant. There are plenty of rules of etiquette for dining, but only a few are really important to know. Slurping soup and burping are considered signs of enjoying the meal so don’t be put off by this.

Keep an eye on your chopsticks, as these are the most important component of a meal. Never leave them sticking upright from your rice bowl, as this represents death. Do not lick your chopsticks or point them at someone as this is rude. When not using them, place them back on the chopstick holder. Tips are not often given in China, though upscale restaurants may be more used to the concept. If you feel the service was impressive, you can consider leaving a small gratuity.

All foreign visitors to China must apply for a travel visa in advance of their trip. This is done at your local Chinese embassy, and typically takes around five working days to process. If approved, you will receive a 30-day visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six more months and have two blank pages remaining. The fee for your visa depends entirely on what country your passport is from. Getting a visa to visit China isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but if you have all the proper paperwork it shouldn’t be a problem.

Dalian has a Tourism Bureau with an information line, as well as a complaint line should you need to ask for help. There is a small office on Renmin Square with brochures and basic information.

Tourism Bureau
1 Renmin Square
Dalian, China
Phone: +86 411 8451 9940