China · Asia
Dalian, China: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 4.9MCurrency: CNYTime zone: Asia/Shanghai
US travel advisory
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Best months to visit
May, Jun, Sep and Oct
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Dalian
Dalian is a coastal city in northeastern China, part of Asia, with a population of about 4.9 million people. It is not the country's capital, and its climate swings from cold, dry winters to warm, humid summers. For visitors, a single day of travel costs about $45 on a budget itinerary, $110 for a mid-range trip, or $235 for a luxury one; over a full week those figures scale to $315, $770, and $1,645. The most favorable months for a visit, based on local visit-score data, are May, June, September, and October, when sunshine hours are higher and rainfall is more moderate than in the height of summer. Peak season runs from May through October, while the off-season months of January, February, and December are the quietest and cheapest time to visit. Travelers should also be aware that both the US State Department and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office maintain country-level advisories for China, which apply to Dalian as part of the broader national guidance rather than reflecting any city-specific risk.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
1°
7mm
Feb
2°
8mm
Mar
9°
15mm
Apr
15°
46mm
May
20°
70mm
Jun
25°
78mm
Jul
28°
282mm
Aug
28°
175mm
Sep
25°
47mm
Oct
18°
46mm
Nov
12°
25mm
Dec
3°
14mm
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a week in Dalian cost?
A week of travel in Dalian costs about $315 on a budget itinerary, $770 for a mid-range trip, or $1,645 for a luxury one. These figures scale directly from the daily estimates of $45, $110, and $235 per person.
When is the best time to visit Dalian?
The best months, based on local visit-score data, are May, June, September, and October. These months combine higher sunshine hours with more moderate rainfall than the peak of summer.
Is Dalian safe to visit?
The US State Department rates China at Level 3 - Reconsider Travel, a country-level advisory that is not specific to Dalian. The UK FCDO notes that serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, though travelers should stay alert at busy tourist sites and transport hubs.
Is a budget trip to Dalian realistic?
Yes, the budget daily estimate is $45 per person, covering basic lodging, cheap meals, and local transport. Over a full week this comes to $315, making a low-cost visit achievable.
When is the cheapest time to visit Dalian?
January, February, and December are listed as the off-season months, when the city is both cheaper and quieter. These months also have the coldest temperatures, with January highs averaging only 1.4C.
What about food and getting around the city?
Local buses and the subway are inexpensive, with typical fares around $0.50, and a casual meal can cost as little as $4. A meal in a nicer restaurant runs about $15, consistent with the mid-range daily budget of $110.
Keep reading
More on Dalian
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.