Complete Guide to Dongshan Island｜A Hidden Gem Island with Half the Tourists of Xiamen

🌊 **Complete Guide to Dongshan Island｜A Hidden Gem Island with Half the Tourists of Xiamen** 🏝️

✨ **Why Choose Dongshan Island?**
✅ Only one-third the tourists of Xiamen
✅ Seafood prices 40% cheaper
✅ Preserves the original fishing village charm
✅ 7 stunning bays all free to visit

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🚗 **Transportation Guide**

🚄 **High-Speed Rail Option**
- Xiamen North → Yunxiao Station (40 minutes / Second class seat 28 RMB)
- Carpool from Yunxiao Station to Tongling Town (30 RMB/person, look for blue and white taxis)

🚌 **Island Transportation**
- Rent an electric scooter (60 RMB/day, recommended "Xiao Dian Lv" rental shop)
- Red tricycle (5-10 RMB/trip, remember to bargain)

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📍 **Must-Visit Spots**

🌅 **[Nanmen Bay] Rainbow Fishing Village Like Zuo Er**
- Best time: 7 AM / 5 PM
- Activity: Walk along the dike, photograph colorful houses reflected in the water
- Secret spot: Wengong Temple rooftop (free panoramic view)

🏖️ **[Jinluan Bay] Mirror Beach**
- Feature: Beach looks like a mirror at sunrise (fewer people than Sanya)
- Activity: Beachcombing for shells (best 2 hours before low tide)
- Tip: Bring empty bottles to collect seawater as souvenirs

🐠 **[Aojiao Village] Cliffs and Fishing Harbor**
- Hidden gem: White lighthouse (navigate to "Aojiao Fishing Harbor")
- Experience: Go out to sea with fishermen (bargain to 80 RMB/person)
- Note: Steep mountain roads, wear non-slip shoes

🌴 **[Sufeng Mountain Island Loop Road] Fujian’s Most Beautiful Coastline**
- Recommendation: Rent an electric scooter for a 1.5-hour loop
- Parking spot: Blue Bridge viewing platform
- Tip: Visit at dusk for backlit photos

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🏡 **Accommodation Recommendations**

💰 **Best Value**
- Tongling Town homestays (150-200 RMB, convenient for meals)
- Jinluan Bay sea view apartments (off-season 180 RMB, direct sea view)

🌟 **Unique Experiences**
- Aojiao Village fishermen’s homestay (authentic fishing family stay 100 RMB/night)
- Nanmen Bay tent camping (equipment provided 200 RMB/set)

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🦀 **Seafood Foodie Guide**

🍴 **Market Shopping**
- Tongling People’s Market (cheapest when fishing boats return at 4 PM)
- Recommended purchases: small squid (15 RMB/jin), balang fish (8 RMB), conch (market price)

🍜 **Must-Try Eateries**
1. **Chen Ji Meatballs**: seaweed fried rice + meatball soup (25 RMB)
2. **Old Theater Cat Congee**: freshly cooked seafood porridge (20 RMB)
3. **Zhongyi Oyster Omelette**: loaded with oysters (15 RMB)

⚠️ **Avoid Pitfalls**
❌ Ask prices first if the street stall marks "market price"
✅ Buy seafood yourself and have it cooked (restaurants charge 10 RMB/jin)

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📅 **3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary**

**Day 1**: Nanmen Bay → Wengong Temple → Tongling Night Market
**Day 2**: Jinluan Bay sunrise → Sufeng Mountain island loop → Aojiao Village
**Day 3**: Yugu Sandbar (visit at low tide) → Return trip

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💰 **Budget Control (2 people, 3 days)**
| Item | Cost | Money-saving Tips |
| Transportation | 400 RMB | Carpool + rent electric scooter |
| Accommodation | 400 RMB | Choose non-premium sea view rooms |
| Food | 500 RMB | Buy seafood at market and cook |
| Tickets | 0 RMB | All natural attractions free |
| Others | 200 RMB | |
| **Total** | **1500 RMB** | Only 750 RMB per person! |

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📸 **Photography Tips**
- Clothing: light-colored dresses + straw hat
- Props: locally bought shell wind chimes (10 RMB)
- Golden hours: 1 hour after sunrise / 2 hours before sunset

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⚠️ **Important Notes**
1. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! (Strong UV on the island)
2. May-June is peak "Blue Tears" season (but don’t trust paid tours blindly)
3. Typhoon season (July-September) check weather in advance
4. Limited medical facilities on the island, bring common medicines

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Dongshan Island awaits you with the charm of Xiamen 20 years ago. Before it becomes too popular, come be an islander for a few days! 🌊
(For more real-time tide and carpool info, feel free to leave a message)