Dalian (Dalianbei Railway St)

Dalianbei (Dalian North Railway Station) is one of the key and most modern transport hubs in Liaoning Province. This massive terminal primarily serves high-speed trains connecting Dalian with major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shenyang, and Harbin. The station building impresses with its futuristic architecture and spacious halls, designed to accommodate the comfortable flow of thousands of passengers daily.

It is important for passengers to note the station's clear zoning: the departure hall is located on the upper level, while exits and transfers to city transport are on the lower level. To enter the building, you will need to pass through a security check and present your ticket (or passport). Navigation inside is duplicated in English, which significantly simplifies orientation for international travellers.

• Official Website (Reservations): www.12306.cn (China's unified railway system)
• Hotline: +86 12306 (service available in Chinese and English)
• Address: Ganjingzi District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China (Dalian North Railway Station, Ganjingzi District)
• Opening Hours: 24 hours (ticket offices and waiting halls operate according to the train schedule, typically from 05:30 to 23:00)
• Luggage Storage: available in the waiting hall ("Left Luggage"), cost depends on luggage size
• Accessibility: the station is equipped with lifts, escalators, and dedicated restrooms for passengers with reduced mobility; escort services are available upon prior reservation.

Getting to Dalian North station is quite simple, as it is seamlessly integrated into the city's transport network. The most convenient and predictable method is the Metro. The Dalian North Railway Station stop serves as an interchange hub between Line 1 and Line 2, allowing for quick access from both the city centre and the airport.

If you prefer a taxi, a trip from the central Zhongshan district will take about 30–40 minutes (depending on traffic) and will cost approximately 40–60 RMB. The taxi rank is located on the underground level. Numerous bus routes also lead to the station, though this option may be more challenging to navigate for tourists without knowledge of the Chinese language.

Dalian North station offers a full range of services for a comfortable wait. The vast waiting hall features rows of seating, as well as separate VIP halls and business lounges for first-class passengers. Free dispensers with hot drinking water (boiling water) are available throughout the station—a traditional and very useful feature of Chinese stations, so do not forget your thermos.

For ticket purchases and exchanges, there are both automatic kiosks (often requiring a Chinese ID) and traditional manned counters, where service is provided using passports. Among other amenities are clean restrooms, charging stations for mobile devices (sometimes for a fee), luggage storage, and the "Red Cap" navigation service (porters), who can help carry your luggage directly to the carriage for a small fee.

It is difficult to go hungry at Dalian North station. Inside the terminal, particularly on the departure level, there is a food court with a wide selection of establishments. Here you can find familiar international fast-food chains (KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks), as well as popular Chinese chain restaurants offering beef noodles or rice dishes.

For a quick bite, numerous convenience stores selling snacks, beverages, and ready-made meal sets are suitable. The average bill for a full meal will be around 30–50 RMB. If you have plenty of time before your train, you can head out to the station square where there are also small cafés, though the selection inside the station is generally of higher quality and safety standards.

The history of Dalian North (Dalianbei) station is inextricably linked to the development of high-speed rail travel in China. It was officially commissioned in 2012, becoming a key link in the new Harbin–Dalian line—the world's first high-speed railway passing through regions with extremely low winter temperatures.

The construction of this giant transport hub was necessary to relieve the historic Dalian Station in the city centre, which could no longer cope with the growing passenger flow. Since its opening, Dalian North has become a symbol of the city's modernisation, ensuring rapid connection of the peninsula with the rest of mainland China and contributing to the region's economic growth.

The main advice for passengers at Dalian North is to arrive early. It is recommended to arrive at least 1 hour before your train departs, as luggage screening and identity verification procedures may take time, especially during public holidays. Remember that boarding stops 5 minutes before departure.

Always keep your passport with you: it is required not only for buying a ticket but also for entering the station building and passing through the turnstiles. If you have an old-style paper ticket (non-magnetic), you must pass through the "Manual Check" channel rather than the automatic gates. At night, the station may close for several hours, so do not plan to stay overnight in the waiting hall without verifying the current schedule.