Dalian, Xinghai Square

Xinhai Square is a landmark of Dalian, built to commemorate the return of Hong Kong, and was put into use in 1997. It is the largest urban square in Asia, covering a total area of 1.76 million square meters. It is located at No. 572 Zhongshan Road, Shahekou District, and is open to the public for free. The square is cleverly designed, with an inner circle diameter of 199.9 meters symbolizing the centennial of Dalian's founding, and an outer circle of 239.9 meters looking forward to the future 500 years ahead. The center is paved with 999 pieces of red marble, engraved with the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, the 24 solar terms, and the 12 zodiac animals. The outer yellow pentagram symbolizes the descendants of Yan and Huang. The bronze-cast footprints of the Centennial City Sculpture record the footsteps of Dalian citizens from 1899 to 1999. This place is not only a leisure spot for locals but also a must-visit for tourists. You can feed seagulls, watch the fountain (performances at 7 PM from May to October), and enjoy the light show (at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM every night). It is recommended to come around 3 or 4 PM, with about 4:30 PM being the perfect time to watch the sunset.