Located in Dalian, a major city and seaport in southern China’s Liaoning Province, the Dalian Metro system consists of 4 lines with a total length of 153 kilometres (95 miles) and 69 stations. The metro operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fares vary depending on the distance travelled, with the lowest fares starting at 2 yuan on lines 1 and 2. It also provides a direct link to Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport.
Dalian Metro is an important public transport system in Dalian, China. The number of passengers it serves daily is not specified.
The Dalian Metro doesn’t operate 24 hours a day, but is in service from 5:30 am to 1:30 am. For passenger comfort, the metro does not have air conditioning and does not allow passengers to walk between platforms. The metro system is not automated and requires human operators to run the trains.
In terms of passenger safety, the Dalian Metro does not have platform screen doors. The fare for a trip on the metro ranges from 1.00 to 8.00 Chinese Yuan, depending on the distance travelled, and entry/exit gates are used for fare enforcement.
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.
Historical Overview of Dalian
As the southernmost city on the Liaoning Peninsula and the second largest city in the province, Dalian has traditionally acted as a maritime crossroads for major powers. It passed through various periods of Japanese and Russian control before Chinese sovereignty was asserted. Today, Dalian is a powerful financial, transport and logistics hub, thanks in large part to Asia’s economic boom and the city’s strategic location on the Yellow Sea. Dalian has gained considerable recognition, ranking 48th in the Global Financial Centres Index, 82nd in the Global City Competitiveness Index, and was named China’s most livable city in 2006.
In the mid-20th century, however, Dalian’s population exploded, putting a strain on the city’s services, particularly public transport. Attempts to integrate buses and trams into a trolleybus system were unsuccessful. It was not until the late 1990s that a metro system was proposed as the definitive solution by the city’s transport authorities and the Ministry of Urban Planning. This led to the initiation of the Dalian Metro in 2000 and its official launch in 2003.
Lines and Stations
Dalian Metro’s 4 active lines cover a total of 153 kilometres (95.1 miles) and include 69 stations. The lines connect in the centre of Dalian and serve the north, east and west areas of the city, each identified by a unique colour and number. Information on each line is given below:
Line 1
Launched in 2015, Line 1 was designed to connect Dalian’s southeastern and northern zones through the city centre. Spanning 28.34 kilometres (17.6 miles) with 22 stations, it extends from Phoenix Peak to the development area. Future expansion plans include a three-phase branch from Wuyilu to Jinbohaian.
Line 2
Launched in 2015 alongside Line 1, Line 2 connects the city’s central-eastern and central-western areas over its 42.56 kilometres (26.45 miles) length and 29 stations. The line’s unique architecture forms a ‘C’ shape. Its extension is currently planned in two phases.
Line 3
Line 3 aims to connect the development zone and the Jinshitan sector with the city centre. Its mostly elevated or at-grade route promotes urban development, starting from the northern zone of the city and traversing five districts over 63.45 kilometres (39.4 miles) with 18 stations.
Line 12
Formerly a tram extension, Line 12 was redeveloped to become part of the metro’s main transport system. It became operational on 30 December 2013, connecting residents of northern Dalian to the city centre over its 40.38 kilometres (25.1 miles) length and 8 stations. The line is recognisable by its purple trains and station names translated from Pinyin into English.
Interchange Stations
The four lines of the Dalian Metro intersect at the following major stations:
- Dalian North Railway Station (大连北站): Located in the Ganjingzi district and served by Line 1, this station connects to the northern terminal of Dalian Railway Station.
- Xi’an Road (西安路): Located in the Shahekou district, it is a transfer point between Lines 1 and 2.
- Hekou (河口): Located in the Ganjingzi district, this station provides access to Lines 1, 2 and 12.
- Airport (机场): Located in the Ganjingzi district, this station is served by Line 2 and provides a direct connection to the terminal of
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport.
- Dalian Railway Station (大连站): Located in the Xigang district, it is served by Line 3 and connects to Dalian Main Railway Station.
Operating Hours
Despite Dalian’s vast geographical reach and high population density, the metro has somewhat limited operating hours.
Metro service begins at 5.30am, coinciding with the opening hours of most businesses and the start of the working day for many residents. Service continues until 10:30 p.m. While the metro runs all day, those travelling after hours must rely on alternative, often more expensive, modes of transport.
The Dalian Metro operates on the same schedule seven days a week, every day of the year, except for occasional interruptions due to maintenance or breakdowns. However, the frequency of trains varies depending on the day and time of day. On weekdays and at off-peak times, trains run every 4 minutes, while at peak times the frequency doubles to every 2 minutes. At weekends, trains run every 4 minutes as there are no peak periods.
Cost Structure
The Dalian Metro is an extremely cost-effective means of transport for both locals and tourists. The cost of a ticket depends on the distance the rider wishes to travel. It starts at 2 yuan on lines 1 and 2 for a maximum distance of 6 kilometres, with an additional yuan added for every 2 kilometres beyond that. For example, a trip of 8 kilometres would cost 3 yuan.
Fares for Line 3 are calculated based on the number of stations travelled, starting at 1 yuan for every two stations, excluding the driver’s current location. A trip to the other end of the line would cost up to 8 yuan.
Tickets for this line have an expiry date. If the ticket expires before a trip can be completed, a refund can be requested at the ticket office. The fare system of line 12 is similar to that of line 3. This information is available on the official website of Dalian Metro.
Tickets
Dalian Metro tickets contain an embedded magnetic stripe that passengers must swipe at turnstiles when entering and exiting stations. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines located in ticketing areas, which are available in English, Japanese, Korean and Russian for the convenience of tourists. Tickets can also be purchased directly from ticket offices.
In addition to regular tickets, system officials periodically issue commemorative tickets to mark special occasions. These tickets offer benefits ranging from discounted travel to unlimited travel for a single day for a one-off payment.
Pearl Card
The reloadable Pearl Card is the most convenient way to pay for public transport in Dalian. A Pearl Card with sufficient credit can be used on all bus lines in the city as well as the entire metro network. The card offers significant benefits, including a 10% discount on Line 3 and a 20% discount on Lines 1, 2 and 12. A student version of the card is also available, offering 50% savings on these three lines.
Pearl cards can be purchased and topped up from vending machines in station ticket areas, using cash, Alipay or WeChat. A mobile version of the Pearl Card has recently been launched, allowing passengers to top up their balance via a downloadable app and use NFC technology to swipe their phone at the turnstile’s magnetic stripe reader.
Rules & Regulations
- Passengers are advised to ensure that their luggage does not cause inconvenience to others or obstruct traffic.
- Courteous treatment of Metro staff and fellow passengers is strongly encouraged. Causing disturbance or inconvenience to others is discouraged.
- All passengers over the age of 6 must have a valid ticket to travel on the Metro.
- The carriage of fireworks on the Metro is prohibited and offenders may be removed from the Metro.
- Passengers are advised not to lean against the screen doors separating the platform from the tracks.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in all metro facilities.
- Running in metro stations is discouraged. Passengers are advised to travel at a moderate speed to avoid accidents.
- Consumption of alcohol on metro vehicles or entering the metro system while intoxicated is prohibited.
- In the event of an emergency, passengers are advised not to panic and to follow the instructions of the security staff.
- Passengers with prams should sit at the front or rear of the train.
- For safety reasons, passengers should avoid boarding or exiting the metro once the door closing announcement has been made.
- Media devices should be used with headphones when travelling in carriages.
- Attempts to obstruct the work of Metro staff are strictly prohibited.
- Begging is not allowed in areas owned by Dalian Metro.
- Firearms may only be carried by properly identified police officers.
- Permission to film or record inside the Metro must be obtained from the local authorities.
Interesting Facts
- The Dalian Metro transports more than 430,000 passengers daily, or approximately 157.2 million passengers annually.
- In 2017, the Dalian Metro became the first metro system in China to provide information in languages other than English and Mandarin. In October of the same year, ticket vending machines were installed offering services in Japanese, Korean and Russian.
- The Dalian Metro is operated by two companies. Lines 1 and 2 are operated by Dalian Metro Co., while lines 3 and 12 are operated by Dalian Public Transportation Group Co.
- A maternity room is available at the Xi’an Road station on Lines 1 and 2. Mothers can get advice on breastfeeding and other baby related issues.
- While full 3G and 4G mobile phone coverage is available to passengers on Lines 1 and 2, signal strength in the tunnels on Lines 3 and 12 is intermittent, resulting in unstable connections.
- All Dalian Metro stations have public toilets.
Airport Connection
Fortunately for travellers, the Dalian Metro offers direct access to Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport via the Airport Station stop on Line 2. The station’s three exits lead directly to the terminal area. Exit A provides access to the newly inaugurated terminal building, an expansion initiative by the local authorities. It also connects to Terminal D of the airport.
Exit B takes passengers to Terminal C of the new building, which is currently under construction.
The journey time to Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport depends on the passenger’s point of departure. Fares range from 2 yuan for journeys from nearby locations to 4 or 5 yuan.
While the metro is the fastest and cheapest way to travel, passengers should take into account their luggage, which may limit their mobility and require alternative means of transport. There are bus stops outside the airport that serve other cities bordering Dalian and areas of the city not served by the metro. Taxi and car rental services are also available nearby.
Future Expansions
In addition to new routes and extensions to existing routes, the following are some of the planned expansion projects:
- Northern extension of Line 1: This extension will connect Line 1 to the new airport being built in northern Dalian. The extension will be 13.2 kilometres long and will provide a link for the residents of Yaojia.
- Line 7: This new line will be 16.5 kilometres (10.3 miles) long and consist of 17 stations. It will provide a metro link for the residents of Lily Mountain Villa and the project will cross several mountainous areas.
- Line 10: Line 10 will be the first project to provide a metro link for the residents of southern Dalian. The line will run 22.8 kilometres (14.2 miles) through the Jinpu district.
According to the latest public plans, Line 10 will intersect with Lines 1 and 2, adding a third connection at Xi’an Road Station. To date, 6 stations have been built and Line 1 is expected to be completed before 2020.
Tourist Attractions
While in Dalian, visitors must make time to explore the stunning Dalian Forest Zoo, located southwest of the city. Access to the zoo is by cable car. The zoo is home to a variety of animal species from around the world, with a particular focus on Asian wildlife. The Panda Pavilion is one of the main attractions due to the endangered status of these animals. The zoo also organises regular exhibitions for visitors.
To get to the zoo, you can take bus 40 from Railway Station, which is accessible by line 2. This station is also close to the popular Victory Square underground shopping centre, which houses a range of shops and businesses along its many corridors. With tourists in mind, most of the signage is in English. Walking around this interesting space and exploring its establishments is especially recommended during Dalian’s hot summer months, as the interior temperature remains significantly cooler.