Dalian Metro — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Dalian Metro started operation in 2003. It has 4 lines, 2 urban and 2 suburban, serving a total of 56 stations. The lines are owned and operated by two separate companies, with Dalian Public Transportation Group Co. Ltd for the R2 and R3 lines and Dalian Metro Co. for the M1 and M2 lines. This 141 km network in Dalian, Liaoning, China, is expected to have around 10 lines in the near future. With an annual ridership of 103 million in 2014, we can expect this number to increase in the coming years.

Looking at the map of the Dalian metro, I was struck by several details of the system. First and foremost, there was no data available on the number of daily passengers using the system. The metro didn’t operate 24 hours a day; service began at 5:30 a.m. and ended at 1:30 a.m. This was common to many metro systems, and Dalian was no exception.

Looking through the features of the Dalian Metro, I noticed that there was no air conditioning, which was a bit surprising. Also, passengers weren’t allowed to walk between platforms, possibly for safety reasons.

The Dalian metro wasn’t equipped with driverless trains, which I found interesting given the advances in technology worldwide. It also didn’t have screen doors on the platforms.

As for fares, they varied from CNY1.00 to CNY8.00, with the final price depending on the distance travelled.

Dalian Metro Map

Map of Dalian Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Dalian Metro map in PDF format.

Overview of Lines and Stations

With a total length of 153 kilometres (95.1 miles), the Dalian Metro has four active lines and 69 stations. The lines intersect in the centre of Dalian and serve the northern, eastern and western areas of the city. Each line has a specific colour and number designation.

Line 1

Opened in 2015, Line 1 was designed to connect the southeastern and northern regions of Dalian through the city centre. Spanning 28.34 kilometres (17.6 miles), it has 22 stations and runs from Phoenix Peak to the development area. There are also plans for a branch line from Wuyilu to Jinbohaian, to be developed in three phases. When completed, a combination of tram and metro services will connect Shahekou to Hekou.

Line 2

Like Line 1, Line 2 was launched in 2015 and connects the central-eastern and central-western areas of the city. The line is 42.56 kilometres (26.45 miles) long and has 29 stations, stretching from Houyan to Donghaigongyuan, forming a distinctive C-shape. Future expansion plans are in two phases: the first will extend the line to the city’s airport, and the second will reach Dalian’s main railway station.

Line 3

Line 3 aims to connect the development zone and the Jinshitan sector with the city centre. Its route is mostly at ground level or elevated, thus promoting urban development in this part of the city. It covers 63.45 kilometres (39.4 miles), has 18 stations and passes through five districts, including a northern zone that is not currently served by bus routes.

Line 12

Formerly a tram extension (line number 202), line 12 has been incorporated into the metro’s heavy rail system. It became operational on 30 December 2013, connecting northern Dalian to the city centre, covering 40.38 kilometres (25.1 miles) and consisting of 8 stations. This line is identified by the number 12 and the colour purple. Notably, the station names have been translated from Pinyin to English for the convenience of tourists.

Interchanges

The Dalian Metro lines intersect at several stations, as detailed below:

Dalian North Station (大连北站): Located in the Ganjingzi district and served by Line 1, it connects to the north terminal of Dalian Railway Station.
Xi’an Road (西安路): Located in Shahekou district, this station serves Lines 1 and 2.
Hekou (河口): Located in Ganjingzi district, this station is a hub for lines 1, 2 and 12.
Airport (机场): Located in the Ganjingzi district, this station is served by Line 2 and provides a connection to the terminal of Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport.
Dalian Railway Station (大连站): Located in the Xigang district, this station is served by Line 3 and provides a connection to Dalian’s main railway station.

Operating Hours

Despite Dalian’s considerable size and population, and its significant commercial activities, the metro operates on a somewhat restricted schedule. Trains start at 5.30am, coinciding with the start of most business activities, and run until around 10.30pm, with those travelling after closing time having to use more expensive alternatives. The Dalian Metro operates continuously from Monday to Sunday, except for interruptions due to system maintenance or breakdowns. However, the frequency of train arrivals depends on the day and time. During off-peak hours on weekdays, trains run every 4 minutes, while during peak hours this is halved to every 2 minutes. At weekends, when there are no peak periods, trains run every 4 minutes.

Cost and Fare Structure

The Dalian Metro provides low-cost transportation for both residents and tourists. The fare is calculated according to the distance travelled, with fares on lines 1 and 2 starting at 2 yuan for a maximum of 6 kilometres. Each additional 2 kilometres is charged at 1 yuan. The fare on Line 3 is based on the number of stations travelled, with prices starting at 1 yuan for every two stations, not including the station of origin. The maximum fare for a one-way trip on Line 3 can be up to 8 yuan. Line 12 uses the same fare system as Line 3. On both lines, tickets have a certain validity period after which they expire. If a ticket expires before a trip is completed, a refund can be requested at the ticket office.

Ticketing

Dalian Metro tickets are embedded with a magnetic stripe that passengers must swipe at turnstiles when entering and exiting stations. These tickets can be purchased from vending machines in the ticketing areas, which offer multiple language options including English, Japanese, Korean and Russian. Tickets can also be purchased directly from ticket offices. The Metro also periodically issues special commemorative tickets offering various discounts and offers.

Pearl Card

The Pearl Card, a reloadable card, is a convenient way to pay for public transport in Dalian. It can be used on all city bus lines and the metro. The card offers a 10% discount on Line 3 (not applicable to the student version) and a 20% discount on Lines 1, 2 and 12. A student version of the card offers a 50% discount on these three lines. Pearl Cards can be purchased and topped up with cash, Alipay or WeChat from vending machines in station ticket areas. A mobile version of the Pearl Card is also available, allowing users to add funds via a downloadable app and use NFC technology on their mobile phones at the turnstiles.

Rules and Regulations

Passengers are expected to observe the following rules when using Dalian Metro:

Ensure that baggage does not obstruct other passengers or transport operations.
Respect Metro staff and fellow passengers, and avoid causing disturbance or inconvenience.
All passengers over the age of 6 must have a valid ticket.
Carrying fireworks on metro vehicles is prohibited and may result in expulsion.
Leaning against platform doors is not recommended.
Smoking is completely prohibited in metro facilities.
Running in metro stations is discouraged to avoid possible accidents.
Consumption of alcohol on metro vehicles is prohibited, as is entering the system while intoxicated.
In the event of an emergency, remain calm and follow the instructions of the security staff.
If travelling with a pushchair, use the front or rear of the train.
Do not attempt to board or alight when the doors are closing.
Use headphones when using media devices in the carriages.
Disrupting the work of Metro staff is strictly prohibited.
Begging is not allowed in areas owned by Dalian Metro.
Only duly identified police officers are allowed to carry firearms.
Permission to record must be obtained from local authorities.

Fascinating Facts

Dalian Metro serves more than 430,000 passengers daily, with a total of more than 157.2 million users annually.
In 2017, the Dalian Metro became the first metro system in China to provide information in languages other than English and Mandarin, introducing vending machines with options for Japanese, Korean and Russian.
Dalian Metro is managed by two companies. Dalian Metro Co. oversees lines 1 and 2, while Dalian Public Transportation Group Co. operates lines 3 and 12.
The Xi’an Road station, on Lines 1 and 2, has a maternity room where mothers can get advice on breastfeeding and other baby related issues.
While passengers on Lines 1 and 2 enjoy full 3G and 4G mobile phone coverage, the signal on Lines 3 and 12 can become unstable in tunnels.
Public toilets are available at all Dalian Metro stations.

Airport Connection

Conveniently, the Dalian Metro has a station that connects directly to the Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport: the Airport Station on Line 2. Its three exits lead directly to the terminal area. Exit A provides access to a recently opened facility and Terminal D. Exit B leads to Terminal C, which is currently under construction.

The time and cost to reach Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport depends on the traveller’s location. The fare ranges from 2 yuan for nearby areas to 4 or 5 yuan. The metro is a quick and economical option for travellers, although luggage considerations may require alternative transport options.

Bus stops outside the terminal serve routes to neighbouring cities and parts of Dalian not served by the metro. Taxis and car rentals are also available nearby.

Planned Expansions

Several projects are underway to expand the Dalian Metro, including

Line 1 Northern Extension: This project will extend Line 1 to the new airport in northern Dalian, providing a 13.2-kilometre (8.2-mile) link for residents of Yaojia.
Line 7: A new 10.3-mile (16.5-kilometre) line with 17 stations will connect residents of Lily Mountain Villa to the rest of Dalian’s rail network.
Line 10: The first metro link for residents of southern Dalian, running 22.8 kilometres (14.2 miles) through Jinpu district.

According to current plans, Line 10 will intersect with Lines 1 and 2, adding a third interchange at Xi’an Road Station. According to the latest reports, six stations are already under construction and are expected to be completed before 2020.

Tourist Attractions

While in Dalian, be sure to visit the Dalian Forest Zoo, located in the southwest of the city. Accessible by cable car, the zoo is home to a variety of wildlife, mainly from Asia. In particular, it has a panda pavilion, which attracts many visitors due to the endangered status of the species. Regular exhibitions provide additional attractions. To get to the zoo, take the number 40 bus from Railway Station Metro stop on line 2.

Nearby Victory Square is home to a popular underground shopping centre with a variety of shops and businesses. To cater for international visitors, most signage is in English.