Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach)
金石滩
A national geopark and resort northeast of Dalian's urban area, with 600-million-year-old Sinian coastal rock strata, Golden Coast beach, and the Discovery Kingdom theme park all in one place.
Jinshitan lies about 50 km northeast of Dalian's urban area, in Jinzhou District. It is a national tourism resort and a national geopark. Its coastline of more than 30 km exposes sedimentary strata from the Sinian and Cambrian periods, 600 to 900 million years old, which has earned it the nickname 'natural geological museum.' Core attractions include the Jinshitan Geopark (ticket about RMB 80), where coastal rocks such as the Cracked Turtle Rock (a rare giant turtle-shaped rock), Dinosaur Reaching the Sea, Great Peng Spreading Its Wings, and other sea-eroded formations and colorful rock strata line the shore; a seaside boardwalk tour takes about 2 hours. Golden Coast is Dalian's longest sand beach, good for swimming and beach activities in summer. Discovery Kingdom (ticket about RMB 220, seasonal, roughly April to October) is Dalian's largest amusement park, with roller coasters, giant pendulum rides, and more, and it has fireworks and parades in the evening, making it the top choice for families and young people. Other attractions include the Jinshitan Wax Museum, the Museum of Life's Mysteries, and Jinshitan Golf. For planning, set aside a full day: visit the geopark in the morning for the coastal rocks, spend midday at Golden Coast, and spend the afternoon and evening at Discovery Kingdom for the fireworks. Without the amusement park, half a day is enough. Getting there: Metro Line 3 (express line) runs from Dalian Railway Station to Jinshitan Station in about 1 hour, and shuttle buses and regular buses run from the exit. By car, the coastal highway takes about 1 hour. Notes: the coastal rocks are slippery, so wear non-slip shoes. Discovery Kingdom has long queues in peak season, so consider a fast-track ticket. The site is large and the attractions are far apart, so use the shuttle bus or take a taxi.
Opening hours
Geopark approx. 08:00–17:00; Discovery Kingdom approx. 10:00–21:00 (seasonal)
Nearby sights
- Discoveryland Dalian
- Dahei Mountain
- Haizhiyun Park
- Bangchui Island
- Donggang Waterfront & Venice Water City
- Dalian Port Warehouse No.15
- Binhai Road Coastal Walk
- Dalian Fisherman's Wharf