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Photo: JesseW900, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A tourist attraction in its own right, with a restaurant at the top and impressive views of Dalian. Better than the tower, however, is the walk up via a little known side path, which offers both peaceful greenery in the centre of the city and spectacular views. To get to the side road either walk down the east side of Labour Park or take bus 2 or 5 from Qingniwa and get off at the Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital stop (中医院; Zhōngyīyuàn) and walk back towards the park. The road up to the tower is actually a tiny side road underneath a flyover just south of an old red bricked school next to Labour Park. Though somewhat difficult to find, the road is relatively simple to follow. The only junction is about one third of the way up, next to an artificial lake and the Dalian Circus Academy (the lake makes for a nice place to take a break). Keep going straight ahead at the junction then simply follow the road to the peak. The walk should take between half an hour to an hour. Getting back down involves either walking back the same way or taking the cable car or slide down to Labour Park.
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劳动公园; Láodòng Gōngyuán
The largest park in Dalian containing a number of attractions, including a small aviary area, a few man made lakes and an amusement park (which, like the one in Xinghai Square, is overpriced and fairly uninteresting). Off season the park is free and can be a pleasant place to take a stroll, but it is probably not worth paying to get in during the holiday periods.
大连工人剧场
A theatre which specializes in local opera forms. Great for those interested in seeing the kind of opera more associated with north-eastern China.
人民文化俱乐部
Built in 1951 and today serves as the main concert hall of the city. A wide variety of orchestral, operatic and ballet performances are held. They are performed by local and touring companies.
大连京剧院
Offers regular performances of Peking Opera.
中山美术馆
老虎滩海洋公园; Lǎohǔtān Hǎiyáng Gōngyuán
This tourist area is somewhat misnamed, as there really is not a beach to speak of. There are a number of tourist attractions, the most prominent of which is the Polar Aquarium. Other attractions include the Sea Creature Aquarium, the Coral Aquarium, the Bird Forest and the Happy Theatre. Though popular with tourists, the area, though pretty, is unlikely to hold the attention of more jaded overseas tourists for long and is perhaps best seen as a starting point for journeys along Binhai Road.