Park of China
Overview
| Designation | National Park of China (second batch) |
| Province | Liaoning |
| Location | Yellow Sea coast east of Dalian, Liaoning, Liaodong Peninsula |
| Latitude, longitude | 39.1, 122.0 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Sea caves and sea stacks |
| Top sights | The Cracked Rock |
| Nearby cities | Dalian |
| Nearby sites | Dalian Coast 39km, Dalian Seashore–Lüshunkou Scenic Area 74km, Jiaodong Peninsula Coast 181km Search nearby |
| Themes | Ocean, Island, Beach, Stone, Stamp, Theme Park, Coastal landforms, Beach resorts & diving |
About
The Jinshitan (“Golden Stone Beach”) scenic area lies on the Yellow Sea coast north-east of Dalian, Liaoning, on the Liaodong Peninsula, sea on three sides with 30 km of coast. Its sea caves and sea stacks are called a “stone forest on the sea”; the Cracked Rock is the most famous.
The coastal sedimentary rocks formed hundreds of millions of years ago; in 2005 the Dalian Coastal National Geopark was established with Jinshitan at its centre.
It is in the second batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1988.
Travel tips
Getting there: Jinshitan is in Jinzhou District, about 50 km northeast of central Dalian. Light rail and buses run from Dalian station; by car it takes about an hour.
The coast: paths run along the shore past sea caves, sea stacks and the Turtle-Crack Stone. This is bare limestone bedrock whose surface is cracked like a turtle shell, usually seen next to the beach.
Other sights: the area also has a geopark, a sculpture park and theme parks, which you can pick by interest. The area is large, and moving between sights needs an in-park vehicle or taxi.
Seaside: Jinshitan has bathing beaches, busy with swimmers in summer, and the water is cooler than in the south.
Time: half a day is enough for the coastal geology; with the beaches and other sights, a day is more comfortable.
Season: summer is busiest, though sea fog reduces visibility. Autumn is clear and quieter. Winter sea winds are cold.
Where to stay: the resort area has hotels, and central Dalian has more choice and is easy for a day trip.
Stamps
In 2005 China Post issued “Dalian Coast”, four stamps: Tiger Beach, Bangchui Island, Jinshitan and Lüshunkou.
Photo credits: Jinshitan Coastal Geopark, Dalian, Liaoning: 信之洋 (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Nearby
| World Heritage | Beidaihe, Qinhuangdao 233km |
| National parks | Dalian Seashore–Lüshunkou Scenic Area 74km, Jiaodong Peninsula Coast 181km, Xingcheng Seaside 202km, Yalu River 220km |
| AAAAA attractions | Dalian Coast 39km, Liugong Island Scenic Area 174km, Penglai Pavilion Tourist Area 178km, Huaxia City Tourist Area 183km |
| AAAA attractions | Dalian Daheishan 22km, Ming Lake 38km, Dalian Forest Zoo 43km, Dalian Museum 45km |
| Cities | Dalian 42km |
| Historical sites | Daheishan Mountain City 23km |
| National geoparks | Dalian Coastal National Geopark <1km |
| Nature reserves | Daheishan National Nature Reserve 22km, Snake Island and Laotieshan National Nature Reserve 93km, Xianrendong National Nature Reserve 128km |