Xinghai Park

Xinghai Park, located in the southwestern part of Shahekou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, on the west side of Xinghai Square, was built by the South Manchuria Railway Company in 1909, originally named 'Xinggepu Garden'. It was renamed to its current name in 1945. The name 'Xinghai' comes from a rock that protrudes above the water in the bay, known as the 'Celestial Stone', which led to the area being called 'Xinghai Bay', and consequently the park being named Xinghai Park. Covering an area of 15 hectares (150,000 square meters), it is the largest seaside park in the city, consisting of a coastal park and a bathing beach. Xinghai Park Beach is one of the four major sea bathing beaches in Dalian. Xinghai Park is known as the largest 'summer resort' in the city. It is now divided into four areas: a sightseeing area, a rest area, a children's amusement park, and a sea bathing beach. Inside Xinghai Park, Dalian's first water park—Xinghai Water Park—has been built. Located at the foot of a small hill on the west side of Xinghai Park, it features water entertainment facilities such as high-platform water slides, magnetized swimming pools, and high-platform diving. Origin of the Park's Name The name 'Xinghai' has a beautiful legend behind it. It is said that long ago, there was a small fishing village here called Kao Hai Zhuang. The villagers lived generation after generation by fishing and weaving nets. This area was guarded by blackfish and garfish, who lived harmoniously and had a peaceful and tranquil life. However, unforeseen events occurred one summer when a wandering blue shark spirit suddenly arrived at this bay, intending to dominate this beautiful bay. It harmed tourists and attacked the blackfish and garfish, causing chaos in the waters. The king of the blackfish led a resistance, spewing thick ink to darken the rocks in the bay, but still could not stop the rampage of the blue shark spirit. The blackfish and garfish did not retreat; they fought desperately. Their actions moved the Star God in heaven, who summoned celestial stones of various sizes and cast them into the bay. The largest one hit the blue shark spirit on the head, sinking it to the bottom of the sea. Half of this huge rock still stands above the sea to this day, and peace was restored to the area. To commemorate this celestial stone, the bay was named 'Xinghai Bay'.