Live Your Best Lives
"They come from the sea, and to the sea they will return."
Recently, a film has been gaining momentum in the summer box office, grossing over 100 million yuan in just two days. Despite the ongoing controversy, it's been trending on social media. Let's shout out its name—"East Pole Island"!
Image source: Weibo @电影东极岛
I originally thought I'd just go for the fun, but I was completely moved by the final scene of the fishermen setting sail to save people.
The blue sea, the overgrown weeds, the swarthy fishermen, the passionate people—I won't spoil the rest of the story, but the acting is spot-on, the characters are fitting, and the many subtle foreshadowings are clever! I'm waiting for you to experience it for yourself at the cinema.
The underwater scenes are amazing!!
Thinking of the documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" released last year, although the box office was only 47 million, it was also a small-scale hit, unlocking this dusty history for everyone——
A Japanese freighter carrying British prisoners of war was sunk by a US submarine, trapping over 1,800 prisoners in the hold and brutally massacring them. Adhering to the belief that "if someone falls into the sea, we must risk our lives to rescue them," Zhoushan fishermen, steadfast in their belief, used small boats to repeatedly salvage the captives, ultimately rescuing 384.
This documentary originated from a casual conversation between director Fang Li and local fishermen while scouting for the film "See You Tomorrow." The song by G.E.M., "When a ship sinks to the bottom of the sea, when a person becomes a mystery...", actually relates to this theme.
Source @CGTN Interview with Fang Li, director of "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru"
This story about great love takes place on Dongji Island in Putuo District, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province. If you want to visit the island and see the village that appeared in the movie, or just want to see one of the few blue seas in Zhejiang, then please keep this guide to the island!
@ mulberry
Dongji Island can be regarded as an old internet celebrity, and its fame is inseparable from Han Han's movies. The sea, lighthouse, fishing village, islands and reefs, and seafood, this romantic and dreamy literary and artistic island was also the first ray of dawn in the new century.
@Lily Zeng
Dongji Island doesn't refer to a single island, but rather to all the islands under the jurisdiction of Dongji Town, comprising 28 islands and 108 reefs.
Miaozihu Island, Dongfushan Island, Qingbang Island, and Huangxing Island are the four most inhabited islands, ranked in descending order of development. Qingbang Island and Huangxing Island are more desolate and wild than the first two, so many people don't consider them on their itineraries.
📍Zhoushan Municipal District Map Island Source Website @Tiantu
The art director of "Dongji Island" said, "The island scenes were filmed collaboratively on Miaozihu Island and Qingbang Island, with Miaozihu carrying the film's main storyline." If you want to check in the same scene, you can watch the movie first and then go to the island~
Source: "Dongji Island" art director Xiaohongshu @赟Iron
After introducing the general situation of Dongji Island, let’s talk about how to get on the island.
Compared with other islands in Zhoushan, the convenience of landing here can only be ranked lower, but it is close enough to the open sea, which is the blue foundation of our Zhejiang islands.
There is no direct high-speed rail, so we first have to use various means to get to the Banshengdong Pier on Zhoushan Island, and then take a boat to the island after a few hours of bumpy ride on the sea👇🏻
🌟Step 1: All over the world - Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf
🚗Self-driving: Friends in surrounding cities can drive themselves and locate Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf
🚌Other transportation: You can take a bus to Putuo Long-distance Passenger Transport Center, or take a plane to Putuo Zhoushan Airport, and then take a taxi to Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf.
*Taxi from the passenger transport center to the destination takes about 10 minutes and costs 10-15 yuan; taxi from the airport to the destination takes about 20 minutes and costs about 20 yuan
🌟Step 2: Shenjiamen Banshengdong Pier - Go to the island (Miaozi Lake)
🎟Ferry ticket: You need to buy the ferry ticket in advance, and it will be on sale at 12:00 noon 7 days in advance. No matter which island you go to, the first stop is Miaozi Lake.
🔸Outbound: You can search the mini program [Smart Travel Starfish]
⏳Departure time: 7:10/8:20/11:30/13:30/14:20
🔸Return: You can buy tickets from [Dongji Shipping]. Everyone needs to pay attention to the latest inter-island ferry schedule. If there are any changes, they will be updated synchronously on the official account~
⏳Departure time: 9:20/11:10/12:10/15:10/16:20
*Since last year, boats to Dongji Island are no longer boarded at the Wugongshi Pier in Zhujiajian! Don't miss it!
🌟Step 3: Island Hopping🔸If
you want to go directly to other islands without getting off the boat, you can buy tickets on the boat directly, so please prepare cash;
🔸If you want to stay on Miaozihu Island and island hop the next day, you can go to the pier to buy tickets~
🌰Example: Departing from Hangzhou | Bus + Ferry | Visit Miaozihu Island
1️⃣ Take a bus from various boarding points, including Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station, and Hangzhou West Bus Station, to Putuo Long-Distance Passenger Transport Center Station. The journey takes 3.5-4 hours and costs 110 yuan.
2️⃣ Take a taxi from Putuo Long-Distance Passenger Transport Center Station to Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf. The journey takes 15 minutes and costs 13 yuan.
3️⃣ Take a ferry from Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf to Miaozihu Island. The journey takes 2 hours and costs 100 yuan for lower cabin, 130 yuan for middle cabin and sleeper, and 150 yuan for upper cabin.
*Those who are prone to seasickness should prepare motion sickness pills/spot patches in advance. In rough weather, the ride might be a bit bumpy! Some friends have reported that the middle cabin is more stable, so choose a cabin based on your personal preference. You can even get out of the cabin to look at the ocean, take some photos, and maybe even forget about seasickness.
@Team Leader Lan Hao
🌟Itinerary: (Still taking Hangzhou as an example)
🔸If you are traveling for two days on the weekend and want to check in with the special forces, you can take the earliest bus to Putuo and take the 11:30/13:30 boat👇🏻
Day 1: Hangzhou - Pier - Dongfushan Island (stay at Dongfushan Island)
Day 2: Dongfushan Island - Miaozihu Island - Pier - Hangzhou
🔸If it is a 3-day trip, it will be more relaxed👇🏻
Day 1: Hangzhou - Pier - Miaozihu Island (stay at Miaozihu Island)
Day 2: Miaozihu Island - Dongfushan Island - Miaozihu Island (stay at Miaozihu Island)
Day 3: Miaozihu Island - Pier - Hangzhou
Miaozihu Island is the main island of the four inhabited islands of Dongji Island. It is also a transit point for traveling to other islands. Here, you can meet up with "See You Tomorrow", where many famous scenes of the movie were filmed; "Dongji Island" was also mainly filmed here.
The entire journey takes about 4 hours. If you feel too hot, you can rent an electric car or take the island bus (88 yuan per person, buy tickets at the pier) to enjoy the pristine scenery of the island.
@chimpanzee
The stone house has weathered the elements, leaving mottled marks on its walls, a testament to the passage of time. Walking through the small path, past the deserted village, and up the hillside, you can overlook Qingbang Island, known as the "Potala Palace on the Sea."
Statue of Caibogong
This statue symbolizes the spirit of fishermen. The story of Cai Bogong has been passed down from generation to generation and has become a belief in the hearts of fishermen. On rainy or foggy nights, this kind fisherman would hold up a torch to illuminate the way for passing ships! The Cai Bogong statue is also the highest point on the island. Some people call him the "God of Freedom" of Dongji Island.
@Team Leader Huahua
@Team Leader Sea Breeze
The Red and White Lighthouse
, a viral hit praised by countless netizens, serves as a guide for island fishermen returning home. Standing tall on the shore, it silently guards the waters. The contrast between the azure sea, blue sky, and white clouds creates a striking and romantic backdrop. Here, you can check in and snap a photo of the island.
Lisbon Maru Rescue Memorial Museum
A memorial hall is also built on Miaozihu Island, where tourists can relive this period of history and decipher the story behind the shipwreck - uncovering a long-forgotten massacre and witnessing a heroic rescue.
If you want to watch the sunrise, I recommend Dongji Pavilion! If you're tired, you can relax in one of the island's cafes, enjoy the air conditioning, and wait for the sunset. Then, watch the surroundings turn to blue. The sea shimmers with golden light, and fishing boats slowly return to port under the setting sun. The sea is inherently romantic, and sunset is even more gentle.
@bone
This is the easternmost island of Dongji Island, a desolate place nicknamed "the home of the wind, the hotbed of rain, the kingdom of fog, and the cradle of waves" by local fishermen. Because it's closer to the open sea, the water here is even bluer!
@chimpanzee
There's no public transportation on Dongfushan Island, so getting around is by foot. Once you arrive, you can explore on foot. A full circumnavigation of the island takes about five hours, so if you're feeling a bit tired, you can always return the same way.
@ mulberry
Have you ever heard the incredibly catchy "Dongji Island Song"? There's a line in it: "The Pacific Ocean's sunshine will shine upon you first." This is the official location of the first ray of dawn
on the inhabited islands of mainland China in the new century, as determined by the Greenwich Observatory in the UK. If you have plenty of time, why not get up early one morning and watch the sunrise?
Elephant
Trunk Peak is the highest point on Dongfushan Island. From the summit, you'll enjoy breathtaking views. The massive reef, like an elephant's trunk, plunges deep into the sea, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The waves crashing against the reef create a vibrant energy. The hike up is challenging, so be sure to exercise caution.
📍At the entrance to the East China Sea, look at this island from a different perspective~ @桑子
There are also places like the "Fortune as Rich as the East Sea" stone, Baiyun Temple, and the Dashuwan Stone Houses, where you can stop and experience the life and spiritual strength of the fishermen behind these landmark buildings.
@ mulberry
Qingbang Island appears to be more pristine. Walking slowly along the narrow and deep stone road, it feels like traveling through a time tunnel.
@ mulberry
Watching the local elders sitting at the door of the stone house chatting about family matters, or silently looking at the sea in the distance, it is like taking you back to an afternoon in your childhood in an instant.
@ mulberry
Xiaohai Cave was also a major filming location for the film "Dongji Island." While the entrance is small, the interior is vast. At high tide, the seawater covers the cave entrance. During the Lisbon Maru rescue operation, fishermen hid three British soldiers here and later transported them out of Zhoushan.
Image source: Weibo @电影东极岛
If getting to the island is a bit of a hassle and you don't want to worry, we've also prepared two routes to Dongji Island! Visit Miaozihu Island and Dongfushan Island at once. Be the first one in your circle of friends to check in, especially since the movie is fresh off the press release!
🔻Recommended route:
Besides the beautiful scenery and historical heritage, an island trip is also about enjoying delicious seafood! Zhoushan welcomed its small fishing season on August 5th. Did you all get to enjoy your first bite of fresh swimming crab? The second half of this post is dedicated to foodies!
My little geography lesson 🙋🏻♂️
Of China's four major fishing grounds—the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea (Bohai and Yellow Sea waters), the Zhoushan Fishing Ground (East China Sea), the South China Sea Coastal Fishing Ground (Guangdong and Hainan coasts), and the Beibu Gulf Fishing Ground (Beibu Gulf waters), the Zhoushan Fishing Ground is the largest, specializing in large and small yellow croaker, cuttlefish, and hairtail (that gleaming silver fish Zhu Yilong catches in the movie)!
I wanted to share some seafood-filled itineraries in the East China Sea! These include Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, so foodies, get ready!
For our friends in Zhejiang, Ningbo, Zhoushan, and Taizhou are all incredibly delicious! Sea fishing, catching seafood, or even grabbing a table with friends at a street stall is a real treat!
Zhoushan Flower and Bird Island
🔹China has its own version of Santorini: a century-old lighthouse, an ancient fishing village, a scorching beach, a cerulean sea, and a vibrant blue sea. Experience the ocean and immerse yourself in the islanders' lives! Fish, catch fish, and feast on fresh seafood!
Zhoushan's Goji Island
, a little Greece of the East, is the "End of the World" of the East China Sea. Explore the mysterious Wizard of Oz village, witness the magnificent sunset over the sea pasture, the turquoise sea, and the sunny beaches. Go fishing from the pier, stock up on fresh seafood at the seafood market, and feast on delicious seafood at the food stalls.
Zhoushan · Shengsi
🔹Zhejiang's version of Kenting! Play on the beach, cycle around the island, go fishing, explore the fishing village, stroll along the cliff-side boardwalk with sea views, and enjoy the joy of the sea.
Taizhou Wenling Shitang
🔹 is a seaside town made of stones. You can go fishing, chase the wind and waves, check in the colorful Xiaoruo Village, and experience the life of fishermen - the intangible cultural heritage of Daqin drum/beating fish noodles/weaving fishing nets.
In Fujian, the pre-fishing season is characterized by grand and solemn ceremonies. This annual event, with thousands of sails setting sail, is considered one of Southern Fujian's most spectacular maritime celebrations, reflecting fishermen's reverence for the sea and their anticipation for a bountiful harvest.
I've learned that in Quanzhou's Xiangzhi, a grand fishing festival is held at the port before the end of the fishing ban, with fireworks, firecrackers, and flags celebrating the seafarers' livelihoods. Tourists interested in marine culture should check it out.
🌟 Time and Location:
📆 August 16th
📍 Quanzhou Shishi Xiangzhi National Fishing Port Center
Source: Douyin @Shishi Culture and Tourism Voice
Xiaoxia specifically consulted Ning Meng, a friend familiar with Fujian, and she listed some destinations for viewing, tasting and eating seafood:
Play in the mud on the mudflats of Xiapu, Mindong
. Seine fishing and crab traps. Hear ancient stories in a tranquil She ethnic village. Hand-feed fish from a fishing raft. Meet this historic coastal town, home to giant yellow croaker! Encounter the golden mudflats and watch the interplay of light and shadow against the sea and sunset.
Fuzhou Pingtan
🔹 is the best destination in China for chasing tears. Chase the blue fluorescent sea at night. Encounter the stone house fishing village and experience the crab cage pulling in the fishing raft sea park.
Putian · Meizhou Island & Nanri Island
🔹This is the birthplace of Nanri abalone. Sun-dried kelp, first-water seaweed, asparagus, wild sea anemone, etc. are all full of Nanri characteristics~ Go to the beach to catch a small sea, watch the sunset windmill array on the sea, learn about Mei women culture, and go to the Mazu Ancestral Temple... Longing for Meizhou, blessed to see Nanri!
Quanzhou
🔹Here, at the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, is a city brimming with World Heritage. Explore its historical sites and the cultural context behind them, and experience the profoundness of a city half bustling with life, half ethereal. [Humanistic Travel: Why Quanzhou] This route also includes a visit to Shishi, home to Xiangzhi Fishing Port, the opening of the fishing festival. Feel free to share your thoughts on the film "Dongji Island" 
in the comments section . You can also share your favorite ocean scene and recommend your next seaside destination . 💦💦💦We all know the smell of the sea😋
