Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort
1. Introduction
Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea on the Liaodong Peninsula, at the northeastern end of Dalian City. It covers an area of 130 square kilometers, including 78 square kilometers of land and 52 square kilometers of sea area. It is a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction.
The Dalian Coastal National Geopark within the Jinshitan Scenic Area is currently the only national geopark along the coastline in China. The "Dinosaurs Exploring the Sea" landscape here was once rated by CNN as one of the 40 most beautiful scenic spots in China. Furthermore, there is the Discovery Kingdom Theme Park, hailed as the "Adventure Park by the Sea." The Golden Coast in the central part of Jinshitan is the largest natural sandy beach bathing area in northern China. It is one of the 16 "Healthy-Type" bathing beaches rated by the State Oceanic Administration, featuring golden sand with uniform grains, a soft and flat beach, clean coastline, and a 100% excellent rate for bathing water quality. The natural resources of mountains, sea, beaches, and reefs in the Jinshitan Scenic Area are scattered along a coastline stretching over 30 kilometers, attracting approximately 6 million domestic and international visitors annually for seaside recreation.
2. Historical Development
Jinshitan was once an independent and tranquil fishing village where people worked at sunrise, rested at sunset, mended nets, and went out to sea for fishing.
In 1988, it was designated as a National Scenic Area.
In 1992, the State Council approved the establishment of the Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort.
In 2005, it was rated as a National Coastal Geopark.
In 2009, Jinshitan received the title of "Top Ten Scenic Areas for Best Ecological Environmental Protection in China."
In 2011, it was rated as a National 5A Tourist Attraction.
In 2012, Jinshitan was selected as one of the 40 most beautiful scenic spots in China by CNN's 2012 annual selection.
In 2014, it was designated as a National Marine Park.
In 2015, it was rated as a National Ecotourism Demonstration Zone by the National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
In 2021, Dalian Jinshitan was selected as one of the first eight outstanding cases of Beautiful Bays in China, the only case selected in Northeast China.
3. Geographical Environment
3.1 Origin of the Name
Long ago, there was a villager named Manzi in the village, and all the villagers were his descendants. They all relied on the spring water from the beach for their livelihood, so people named the village "Manjiatan" (Manzi's Beach). The bay with the magical cool spring water on the beach was also called "Liangshuiwan" (Cool Water Bay). Later, the area became famous for its abundant golden stones and was renamed Jinshitan (Golden Stone Beach).
3.2 Location and Boundaries
Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort is located at the northeastern end of Dalian City, at 39 degrees north latitude, with mountains behind and facing the sea. It embraces a sea area of 42 square kilometers. Its boundaries extend to the eastern Naxiu Garden and Aotan Scenic Area coastline in the east, the southern coastline of the Jinshitan Scenic Area in the south, the Shark's Mouth Steep Wall coastline in the west, and the Manjiatan section of Dongqu Road in the north. The development and construction of the entire Jinshitan Tourist Resort follow the overall planning of six functional zones: the Eastern Peninsula, Western Peninsula, Central Theme Park Area, Northern Ecotourism Area, Comprehensive Service Area, and Eastern Future World. The coastline here stretches 30 nautical miles, with convenient transportation, surrounded by sea on three sides, and a pleasant climate. The forest coverage rate is as high as 46.2%, and the negative oxygen ion content in the air is 20 times that of the urban area.
3.3 Climate
Jinshitan is surrounded by sea on three sides, consisting of the Eastern Peninsula, Western Peninsula, the open hinterland between the two peninsulas, and bathing beaches. It belongs to a warm temperate semi-humid climate zone. The four seasons are distinct, with a mild climate—no severe cold in winter and no intense heat in summer. There are many sunny days with ample sunshine, small temperature differences between day and night, and the sea area remains unfrozen and free of siltation. August is the hottest month, and January is the coldest. It is often called the "Little Jiangnan of Northeast China."
3.4 Natural Resources
Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort boasts a rich variety of biological species, including various plants and animals. The Jinshitan Botanical Garden covers 68.96 hectares, with over 30,000 trees and more than 67,000 shrubs planted. It features 18 themed gardens, growing nearly 300 species of flowers and trees such as tulips, lilacs, five-leaved maples, and crabapples. The Beach Marine Park showcases various marine life, including dolphins, sea lions, and sharks. Visitors can experience activities like diving and dolphin interactions. The Jinshitan National Tourist Resort also has abundant fossil resources of algae plants.
4. Key Attractions
4.1 Qishi Museum (Odd Stone Museum)
The Jinshitan Qishi Museum is currently the largest stone collection museum in China, known as the "Stone Capital." It houses nearly a thousand precious stones of over 200 varieties, including Langhua Stone, Boshan Wen Stone, and Kunlun Colored Jade, which are unique to China. The stones of Jinshitan are more valuable than gold because they are unique in China, extremely rare in the world, and non-renewable on Earth.
4.2 Golden Coast
The Golden Coast, located in the central part of Jinshitan, is the largest natural sandy beach bathing area in northern China. It features golden sand with uniform grains and is one of the 16 "Healthy-Type" bathing beaches rated by the former State Oceanic Administration.
4.3 Jinshi Cultural Plaza
The Jinshi Cultural Expo Plaza is located north of the Jinshitan Light Rail Station. The building, when viewed from above, resembles a human figure, like a child leaping on the earth, symbolizing a tourism image of human-nature harmony and a passion for exploration. The project includes eight core exhibition halls: the Jinshi Wax Museum, Future Science and Technology Museum, Mystery of Life Museum, Huaxia Cultural Experience Hall, Fantasy Art Experience Hall, Geological Museum, Dome Theater Experience Hall, and Mao Zedong Historical Collection Museum. It also features a food court, shopping center, and multifunctional hall. It is a comprehensive cultural and leisure venue integrating cultural display and experience, commercial facilities, distribution services, plaza leisure, exhibition and trade, specialized teaching, and cultural creative industries.
4.4 National Geopark
The Geopark consists of four major areas: Jinshitan, Daheishan, the Southern Coast, and Lüshunkou. Located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, it primarily features marine scenery, coastal landforms, stratigraphic profiles, and typical geological structural landscapes, supplemented by ecological and cultural landscapes. It is a comprehensive urban coastal zone geopark integrating geological research, teaching and field practice, sightseeing, vacation leisure, summer retreat and recuperation, and adventure exploration.
4.5 Jinshi Garden Park
Jinshi Garden is one of the natural odd stone geological landscapes in Jinshitan. The park is named for its rocks that appear golden yellow after weathering. It is a typical karst landform covering an area of 30,000 square meters.
4.6 Jinshitan Botanical Garden
The Jinshitan Botanical Garden is located south of Yintan Road and north of Haibin Road within the Jinshitan National Tourist Resort. It covers an area of 68.96 hectares, with green space accounting for 90% of the total area. Over 30,000 trees and more than 67,000 shrubs have been planted. The garden features 18 themed areas, such as Rose Flower Slope, Blue Wave Lake, and Fragrant Flower Valley, with nearly 300 species of flowers and trees including tulips, lilacs, five-leaved maples, and crabapples. It also includes leisure and entertainment areas like the Roman Wedding Square, Pet Paradise, RV Area, Tent Camping Area, and Parent-Child Playground. From the botanical garden's viewing platform, one can see the sea on three sides and enjoy a panoramic view of the eastern landscape of Jinshitan.
5. Cultural Activities
On July 19, 2019, the opening ceremony of the 2019 Dalian International Beach Culture Festival, themed "Hi! Jinshitan," and the launch ceremony of the "Light of Jinshi" Holographic Immersive Carnival were brilliantly presented in front of the Jinshi Cultural Expo Plaza.
On October 25, 2020, the 2020 "Luneng Resort" Cup 19th China Dalian International Winter Swimming Festival, organized by the Dalian Sports Bureau, Dalian Sports Federation, and the Management Committee of Jinshitan National Tourist Resort, and hosted by Dalian Jinshitan Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and the Dalian Winter Swimming Association, opened at the Golden Coast of Dalian Jinshitan National Tourist Resort.
On July 24, 2022, the 18th Dalian International Beach Culture Festival, themed "Trending to Jinshitan, Endless Happiness," kicked off in Dalian Jinshitan. It specially invited domestic celebrities such as "Mermaid Princess" and popular star from the show "Sisters Who Make Waves" Christy Chung, the classic legendary band Black Panther, and the young fashionable group Panda to join the event. Numerous media outlets, including CCTV and Hunan TV, covered the festival.
On July 26, 2024, the 2024 (20th) Dalian International Beach Culture Festival joyfully commenced at the Happy Coast of Jinshitan National Tourist Resort. The Beach Culture Festival closely follows the main theme of "Integrated Development of Culture, Sports, and Tourism." Over 20 exciting activities will newly construct a multi-element activity format and consumption scene of "Tourism +," polishing the brand IP of the Dalian International Beach Culture Festival.
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