Dalian Winter Swimming Open and Carnival

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UniqueDalian
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe event's defining feature is its
Language["zh"]Currency: CNY
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Dalian Winter Swimming Open and Carnival in Dalian

Each January, Xinghai Bay Bathing Beach in Dalian, Liaoning becomes the site of the Dalian Winter Swimming Open & Carnival, gathering nearly 2,000 winter swimming athletes for races in a 25-meter ocean pool alongside relays and a 100-meter open water event. Evolved from the long-running National Winter Swimming Day after 30 consecutive sessions, the carnival has become a signature cold-water sporting event for the city.

Each January, along the shore of Xinghai Bay in Dalian, Liaoning province, nearly 2,000 winter swimmers gather for a cold-water sporting tradition that has been building for three decades.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The event's defining feature is its transformation from a domestic tradition into an international showcase: after 30 consecutive years as National Winter Swimming Day, the gathering was upgraded into the Dalian Winter Swimming Open & Carnival, expanding its scope while preserving the endurance-sport identity that made the original tradition notable

02

The mystery stays covered

Nearly 2,000 athletes competing in freezing Bohai Sea waters at Xinghai Bay is itself a striking scale for a cold-water swimming event, and the mix of race formats, short 25-meter ocean pool sprints, team relays, and a demanding 100-meter open water race, gives the carnival a genuine competitive structure rather than functioning as a purely ceremonial cold-water dip

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The event descends directly from National Winter Swimming Day

Water and renewal

Living ritual

held for 30 consecutive years before being upgraded into the current Open & Carnival format

The sacred route

Living ritual

reflecting a deep-rooted Chinese winter swimming culture that treats cold-water immersion as both athletic discipline and communal ritual

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Spectators should dress in heavy winter clothing suited to coastal Liaoning cold, including insulated jackets, hats, and gloves; competitors wear swimwear suited to open-water cold...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["zh"] · CNY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.91 N, 121.60 EOpen in Google Maps

Dalian, China

Nearest airportPEI — Beijing Capital International Airport
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Dalian via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dalian, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearSpectators should dress in heavy winter clothing suited to coastal Liaoning cold, including insulated jackets, hats, and gloves; competitors wear swimwear suited to open-water cold conditions.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for China and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Dalian Winter Swimming Open and Carnival?

Dalian Winter Swimming Open and Carnival is listed for Past edition: 11 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Dalian Winter Swimming Open and Carnival take place?

The festival is listed in Dalian, China. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Dalian, China

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfacebook.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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