Xigang

Getting around

First, confirm which Xigang you are heading to, since the name is shared by several towns, districts and subdistricts across China and Taiwan. The guidance here covers Xigang District in Dalian, which sits in the city centre and is the best-documented version. Because the district contains the main train station area and two long-distance bus stations, you can base yourself here and make most city-centre trips without a car. The main train station, near Shengli Square, puts you in the heart of the city; Dalian North Train Station, in Nanguanling, is farther out but closer to the airport and better suited to high-speed connections. The district is also practical on foot, with the station, the Jianshejie bus station and central streets clustered together.

• Buses are the most widespread option, with over 100 lines and self-service ticketing, so keep small change or a local payment method handy.
• Tourist buses run in the high season from April to October, stopping at the main tourist sites.
• For onward travel, Jianshejie Station just outside the main station's northern entrance serves most nearby destinations, while Beigangqiao Station has buses to Lvshun and other cities in Liaoning.
• For sea travel, Dalian Xianglujiao Port has ships to Yantai.
• Taxis are metered and carry a numbered mini animal doll so you can identify the car if you leave belongings behind; ride-hailing is not covered in the source, so rely on metered taxis or whatever app works locally.
• From the airport, several public bus routes run to the city centre in roughly 40 minutes, an airport shuttle goes to Youhao Square, and a taxi to downtown takes about 20 minutes.

Three days in Xigang

Day one: Start in Xigang District, the heart of Dalian, and orient yourself around Shengli Square, a central point from which the surrounding streets fan out. From here you can walk to Youhao Square and get a feel for the commercial character of the district before heading toward Jianshejie, where buses and taxis make it easy to continue exploring. If you arrive by train, Dalian North Train Station and Nanguanling are your gateways into the city, and taxis from either will bring you into Xigang quickly.

• Shengli Square
• Youhao Square
• Jianshejie

Day two: Use the bus network to reach Jianshejie Station and Beigangqiao Station, both useful stops for moving around the district. Tourist buses run between April and October, making the warmer months the most convenient time to cover ground without a car. Spend the day between the stations and the surrounding neighbourhoods, and plan your onward transport from Dalian Xianglujiao Port if you intend to cross to Yantai.

• Jianshejie Station
• Beigangqiao Station
• Dalian Xianglujiao Port

Day three: Take a taxi or bus out toward Lvshun in Liaoning for a change of scene from the city centre, or stay local and revisit the squares and streets around Xigang at a slower pace. Buses and taxis connect the district's stations and squares, so you can shape the day around your departure point, whether that is Dalian North Train Station or the port. End with a final walk through the district's central streets before you leave.

• Lvshun
• Xigang District
• Dalian North Train Station