Xinghai Square was built in 1997 to commemorate Hong Kong's return to China. It's a huge public space, bordering the sea on one side and developments on the other three.
At the water's edge is the Grand Hyatt, whose restaurant, Dalian Dalian, offers spectacular views from the 46th floor. Opened in 2016, the menu offers local seafood favourites, such as abalone, sea cucumber, and sea urchin. The cold waters around Dalian offers fresh spiky sea cucumbers during the winter months while other parts of the country get their dried counterparts.
The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, with the sun setting in front of the windows in the late afternoon.
The elevator lobby opens up to the huge Xinghai Square already.
All hotel rooms have sea views, and it was pleasant to wake up to this every morning. Below, the beach was already busy with many visitors at 8am.
Outside, the square is surrounded by office buildings and many residential towers.
