Under $50 per person | Dongshan Island Travel Guide in Zhangzhou, Fujian

| Dongshan Island Travel Guide in Zhangzhou, Fujian. Want a weekend getaway out of province? With 2-3 days, I highly recommend Zhangzhou!

Day1️⃣: Take the high-speed train from Guangzhou/Shenzhen right after work → Zhangzhou Station
(Recommend a night stroll in Zhangzhou Ancient Town that evening. The compact town is perfect for leisurely citywalking, with great spots for food, drinks, and photos)

Day2️⃣: Tulou in Nanjing County (visit the iconic sites featured in "Big Fish & Begonia")
Then around 7 PM, take the train from Zhangzhou Station → Yunxiao Station, reaching Dongshan Island in half an hour. Spend the evening exploring the Nanmen Bay night market.

Day3️⃣: Full-day tour of Dongshan Island: Early risers can catch the sunrise at Jinluan Bay, known as the "Oriental Hawaii".
Morning: Head from Nanmen Bay → Ding Street (most photogenic spots are concentrated here, with fewer crowds in the morning. This is also where the rooftop scenes from the movie "The Left Ear" were filmed)
Afternoon → Nanyu Twin Seas with its photogenic green lighthouse, then → Sufeng Mountain Ring Road. Rent a vehicle for a breezy island ride!
Next → Maluan Bay, full of resort vibes. Order a coffee and lounge under a parasol—pure bliss!
Return home by 7-8 PM to wrap up the trip~

⚠️Notes:
1️⃣ The tulou sites in Nanjing are a bit far from Zhangzhou. Typically, take a train from Zhangzhou Station to Nanjing Station, then carpool or take a bus to the attractions.

2️⃣ Self-drive or carpool route options:
Route A: Tianluokeng (Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yuchang Lou, Taxia Village) ¥90/person, shuttle ¥15/person (round-trip)
Route B: Yunshuiyao (Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, Hegui Lou, Huaiyuan Lou) ¥90/person, shuttle ¥15/person (round-trip)
✔️ Choose one route (or both if time allows). I joined a day tour covering Yunshuiyao in the morning and Tianluokeng in the afternoon!
(Independent carpool + tickets would cost nearly ¥500, while the small group tour was just over ¥200, and it wasn’t as rushed as expected)

3️⃣ Dongshan Island transport: Take the train to Yunxiao Station, then a 30-minute ride to the island. Pre-book a car (around ¥40/solo, ¥60 for two).

🏨 Accommodation tips:
Zhangzhou: Stay near the ancient town for convenience.
Dongshan Island: For sunrise views, choose Jinluan Bay; for more dining/activity options, Nanmen Bay. Off-season rates offer sea-view rooms under ¥100—unbeatable! I’d revisit Dongshan Island anytime!!

🍻 Food recs: Satay noodles, Tongshan chicken legs, fruit juice ice, four-fruit soup, ginger duck, handmade fish balls, oyster omelet, glutinous rice cakes...