Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Dalian is a coastal city located in the Liaoning province in Northeast China, known for its beautiful beaches and modern architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 2.8 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 60 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 CNY ≈ 0.14 USD; major banks include Bank of China and ICBC. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable, bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom at local kiosks and stores. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartment hotels. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, mobile payment apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay are very popular. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local short-term rental platforms are available. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Dalian Victory Hostel and Dalian Yijia Hostel offer affordable options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Zhongshan District and the waterfront near Xinghai Square. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | 开发区 (Development Zone) and the city center for proximity to coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Dalian Coworking Space & i-Work are popular for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Bene and Starbucks are known for good Wi-Fi and work-friendly environments. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups on WeChat and local expat communities host various networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Dalian Expat Club regularly organizes social meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi Chuxing is the most popular ride-hailing app in Dalian. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and Hello Bike have bike-sharing services in the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Discoverers Beach, approximately 30 mins away by public transport. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | China Southern Airlines operates multiple regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air China and China Eastern operate international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | G204 and G312 highways provide access to nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Dalian Railway Station is the main hub for trains within and out of the city. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly transport cards are available for bus and subway services. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services to Shenyang and other cities are available from Dalian Railway Station. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Dalian Medical University Affiliated Hospital is a top choice for expats. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Room and MySpace Yoga are popular spots. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and Gold's Gym have locations in Dalian. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services are available in most apartment complexes and a few stand-alone laundromats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Ele.me and Meituan for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dalian style fried scallops and seafood dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Loving Hut and local vegetarian restaurants offer plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Haagen-Dazs and local bakeries like BreadTalk for desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local wet markets and supermarkets like Walmart. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | JD.com and Taobao are the main online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Fresh Hema and local grocery delivery services offer convenience. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Hongqi Street is a popular nightlife district with bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Dalian Beer Factory offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wuji Wine Bar is a well-known spot for wine lovers. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Night markets around Dalian offer a variety of street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Italian restaurants like La Botte and Indian restaurants like Ganges. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Xinghai Square and Tiger Beach. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Dalian Modern Museum and Dalian Art Gallery are must-visits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Russian Street and the Dalian Site of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Sofia Cathedral and the Dalian Zhongshan Temple. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Dalian International Beer Festival in August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Italian Style Street is a cultural highlight. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Dalian People's Grand Theatre offers various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Dalian's Anshan Street Market is vibrant with local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local bars often host live music events, especially in the summer. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Graffiti along the waterfront and urban projects showcase local artists. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes specializing in seafood are available through local culinary schools. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Dalian’s Art Museum features contemporary artworks. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Dalian Railway Station, a blend of different architectural styles. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Dalian's heritage includes influence from Russian and Japanese architectures. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Discovery Bay and Laohutan Scenic Park. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Xiangshui Lake National Forest Park is a nearby option. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Walking paths along the coastline and in parks like Labor Park. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Binhai Road offers stunning coastal views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Yinshanshan Nature Reserve for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beaches and designated parks allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express and China Post for reliable shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Gadget repair services are available in major shopping areas. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often have facilities for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Chinese language schools like Mandarin House offer classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Dalian Library is a quiet space for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Xinghai Community Center offers various activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Internet cafes around the city provide gaming setups. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are some entertainment with slot machines and local gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥25,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥1,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥18,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥720,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥30,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥22,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,320,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥35,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥2,800,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥25,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥2,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Income taxed based on residence status. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 13% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies to foreign entities. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | An annual property tax system based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Varies but is generally around 3%-5%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific exemptions under the current tax laws. |