Complete Guide to Summer Vacation in Zhoushan Islands | Islands, Beaches, Sunsets & Seafood Feast

| Islands, Beaches, Sunsets & Seafood Feast **📍 Location**: Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province (Zhoushan New Archipelago) **🌊 Best Season**: June-September (Peak season: July-August) **⏳ Recommended Duration**: 3-5 days (Island-hopping or in-depth single-island exploration) --- ## **【Transportation Guide】** ### **1. How to Get to Zhoushan?** - **Self-drive** (Most convenient): - From Hangzhou/Shanghai: Via Hangzhou Bay Bridge → Yongzhou Expressway, ~3-4h directly to Zhujiajian. - From Ningbo: ~1.5h. - **Bus**: - Direct buses to Putuo Long-Distance Bus Station from Hangzhou/Shanghai/Ningbo. - **Flight**: - Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport (Zhujiajian), limited flights. Recommended: Fly to Ningbo Lishe Airport then transfer by bus. ### **2. Inter-Island Transport (Tickets are key!)** - **Dongji Islands** (Miaozihu/Dongfushan/Qingbang Island): - Depart from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier, 1-2 daily sailings, 2h voyage. - **Ticketing**: Book 3 days in advance via WeChat official accounts "Zhoushan Xinghai Ferry" or "Dongji Marine"! - **Shengsi Islands** (Gouqi Island/Shengshan Island): - Depart from Shanghai Shenjiawan Pier or Zhoushan Sanjiang Pier, 1.5-3h voyage. - **Putuoshan**: - Ferries from Zhujiajian Pier every 15min, 20min voyage. --- ## **【Accommodation Recommendations】** ### **1. Zhujiajian (Family/Self-drive Friendly)** - **Luxury**: Zhoushan Westin Resort (Private beach, sea-view pool). - **Budget B&Bs**: Near Nansha/Dongsha beaches, e.g., "Zhujiajian Haijie No.11" (Walk to beach). ### **2. Dongji Islands (Must-visit for Art Lovers)** - **Miaozihu Island**: Commercialized, recommend "Fanyu Boutique Homestay" (Sea-view terrace). - **Dongfushan Island**: More primitive, stay at "Tata Homestay" (Best sunrise spot). ### **3. Shengsi Gouqi Island (Trendy Island)** - **Qianmo Seaview Inn**: Cliffside B&B, 270° ocean views. - **Sanbu Inn**: Vintage style, near Dawang Beach. --- ## **【Must-Visit Islands & Attractions】** ### **1. Zhujiajian** - **Nansha Beach**: Finest sand in Zhoushan, hosts summer sand sculpture festival (¥70). - **Daqingshan Ring Road**: Scenic drive with mountain-sea views (¥100/car). - **Guanyin Fayu**: Billion-dollar Buddhist cultural site, visually stunning (¥90). ### **2. Dongji Islands (Filming location of *The Continent*)** - **Miaozihu Island**: - Instagrammable red-white lighthouse, Caibogong statue (Hike or sightseeing bus ¥88/person). - Seafood stalls at "Daodou Street" at dusk. - **Dongfushan Island**: - Easternmost point of China, sunrise observation spot (Wake up at 4am!). - 4h island hike via Elephant Trunk Peak & stone houses. ### **3. Shengsi Gouqi & Shengshan Islands** - **Gouqi Island**: - Dawang Beach (Free), Shanhai Qiguan (Yellow staircase photo spot). - Ganxie Village overlook for "sea pastures" (mussel farms). - **Shengshan Island**: - Abandoned Village (Fairy-tale greenery, ¥50). - Dongya Cliff (Best sunrise spot, ¥50). ### **4. Putuoshan (Buddhist Sacred Site)** - **Puji Temple**, **Nanhai Guanyin**, **Foding Mountain Huiji Temple** (1-day tour, ¥160 + ferry ticket). --- ## **【Food Recommendations】** ### **1. Must-Try Seafood** - **Swimming crab** (Plumpest post-August fishing season), **hairtail fish**, **mussels** (Gouqi specialty). - **Seafood noodles**: Shenjiamen "Feizhu Noodle Shop", Dongji "Xiaolin Noodle House". - **Night stalls**: Zhujiajian "Shenjiamen Seafood Stalls", Dongji Miaozihu "Dongji Seafood Stalls". ### **2. Local Snacks** - **Stir-fried rice cakes with seafood**, **dried fish with pork**, **seaweed peanuts** (Snack). --- ## **【Itinerary Suggestions】** ### **Option 1: Dongji Islands 3D2N (Artsy Version)** - **Day1**: Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier → Dongji Miaozihu (Stay). - **Day2**: Miaozihu tour → Ferry to Dongfushan (Stay, stargazing). - **Day3**: Dongfushan sunrise → Return. ### **Option 2: Zhujiajian + Gouqi Island 4D3N (Family Leisure)** - **Day1**: Zhujiajian Nansha Beach → Daqingshan drive (Stay). - **Day2**: Zhujiajian → Gouqi Island (Stay, Dawang Beach). - **Day3**: Gouqi → Shengshan (Abandoned Village + Dongya Cliff). - **Day4**: Return. ### **Option 3: Putuoshan Day Trip (Pilgrimage)** - Zhujiajian Pier → Putuoshan → Puji Temple → Nanhai Guanyin → Return. --- ## **【Pro Tips】** 1. **Book ferry tickets early!** Dongji/Shengsi tickets sell out fast in peak season. 2. **Sun & bug protection**: Strong UV—hats, sunscreen, mosquito repellent essential. 3. **Carry cash**: Poor signal on small islands, some B&Bs/ferries only accept cash. 4. **Bargain for seafood**: Confirm prices at stalls to avoid "market price" traps.