Xinghai Park · Heishijiao (Black Reef)

Seaside bathing area + geological scenery (Heishijiao karst black reefs, western section of Dalian Binhai National Geopark); Natural History Museum (at Heishijiao, free, whale shark specimen). First built in 1909, Xinghai Park is one of Dalian's earliest seaside bathing areas, with reefs alternating with sandy stretches, and the local tradition of summer sea bathing has continued for a century; the Heishijiao area west of the park is famed for its black limestone reefs—karst dissolution combined with marine erosion has formed black reef flats of countless gullies, part of the western section of Dalian Binhai National Geopark, where reefs are exposed at low tide and beachcombers appear with buckets. The Dalian Natural History Museum beside Heishijiao is free to enter (reservation required); its enormous whale shark specimen and Chinese sturgeon specimen are must-sees for ocean lovers; 'bathing beach + reefs + museum' line up in one route, within walking distance of Xinghai Park Station on the metro—the most compact coastal geology education route in the city.

Getting there: Xinghai Park Station