The off-season vibe in Dalian is absolutely amazing (including flight availability)

Went to Dalian for Japanese food over the weekend (food guide in the previous post) 7 attractions in 2 days, only after shooting these can you say the trip was worthwhile 🎏🎏 1️⃣ Silver Beach Actually quite small, and not really sandy. But the sunset blue hour + sea breeze with waves + circling seagulls + flying hair strands create an incredible atmosphere. Perfect for people who don’t know how to pose or smile for photos—just stand anywhere in this vibe and you’ll get great shots. 📝 Tips: In winter, sunset is around 4:30 PM and very short, so be sure to manage your time. 2️⃣ Rhythm of the Sea Park The photo spot is at Shengxiang Tianmen Beach, where huge reef caves and the distant sea horizon form a natural frame. It’s a place where the scenery alone guarantees great photos. 📝 Tips: Although beautiful, it’s extremely difficult to get there! You have to walk nearly 2 km on the main road from the park entrance, then turn onto a mountain trail, and finally climb a section of reef rocks using both hands and feet. Unless you have rich outdoor hiking experience, it’s safer to give up. 3️⃣ Songshan Temple A very Tang Dynasty-style pagoda. Went after sunset on the first day but the photos were blurry; went again early the next morning and felt the darker sky actually added more atmosphere. 📝 Tips: There are many cars on this road, so be careful. For shooting this kind of rustic street scene, I prefer walking to add more liveliness. 4️⃣ Lingjiao Bay Currently the most famous photo spot in Dalian. It’s not a big area but has many photo opportunities. Just follow the road inward; it’s great for shooting all along the way. 📝 Tips: You need a telephoto lens!! The colorful houses at the Fisherman’s Wharf across the water are actually far away. Without a telephoto, it’s nothing 😂 This is the largest shot I could get with my 120mm lens, and the effect isn’t great, but many professional photographers are here—choose one to shoot with, 15 RMB per photo, spend a little for a big result. 5️⃣ Cross-Sea Bridge Viewing Platform Considered a Dalian landmark. Now it’s fenced with glass, but photos are still fine. The golden light covering the sea before sunset and the cool feeling after sunset both look great. 6️⃣ Lotus Mountain Viewing Platform Who doesn’t know you can encounter sika deer in Dalian? 👏 Starting from the small path next to the viewing platform parking lot, you’ll see them all the way up. It’s either a zoo or a mountain where locals relax, and people and animals meet and coexist so naturally—it’s amazing. 📝 Tips: For close contact, feeding, and photos, the smaller deer are safer. Be cautious around larger ones and those with antlers. 7️⃣ Dalian Art Museum Conan fans don’t miss this—it’s not just similar, it’s exactly the same. 📝 Tips: Best photo spot is across the street. 👇 Finally My dining buddy doesn’t know how to use a camera, so many shots came out blurry, but surprisingly it matched the winter Dalian vibe perfectly. So what I want to say is, Dalian doesn’t require technical photographers or models who know how to pose. The scenery and weather come with their own atmospheric filter that makes photos look great.