Dalian Natural History Museum

Marine life specimens (whale shark / Chinese sturgeon), geology and dinosaur exhibits. Built by the sea at Heishijiao, the Dalian Natural History Museum is one of China's earliest natural history museums; the collection excels in marine specimens—a giant whale shark hangs suspended at the center of the exhibition hall, and the specimen series of Bohai and Yellow Sea endemic species such as the Chinese sturgeon and spotted seal lays out the diversity of Dalian's coastal waters at a glance. The geology hall displays minerals and paleontological fossils from the Liaodong Peninsula, and the dinosaur section's displays are continually refreshed with new fossil finds; right outside is the Heishijiao geological landscape belt—after the exhibits, go compare the "karst from the galleries" with the reef flats in person for a complete science-learning loop. Free with reservation; closes at 16:30 (earlier than most museums), and pairs well with Xinghai Park and tide-pooling at Heishijiao for a family half-day route.

Getting there: Heishijiao