Yushan Island

A spontaneous trip to Yushan Island during the National Day holiday. Originally, after hearing from friends who went on the 2nd that it was less crowded, we decided last minute to leave on the 3rd. But it turned out to be a sea of people 🥲 The waiting time was longer than the time spent playing, but I have to say this "sea grassland" is truly breathtaking!

🌊 Trip Highlights:
Dayuushan Island is the only "Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands in China" in Fujian. The most amazing thing is that the island hides tens of thousands of acres of grasslands and natural lakes. From a high vantage point, the view of blue sky, turquoise sea, and grassland together is super healing~

📍 Travel Guide:
Dayuushan Island Scenic Area (Yushan Town, Fuding City, Ningde City, Fujian Province)
⏰ Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM (last entry at 5:20 PM)
🎫 Ticket + round-trip boat and bus ticket about 160 RMB

✨ Must-Visit Spots:
1️⃣ Tianhu Scenic Area: The island’s core attraction, a sapphire-blue lake embraced by grasslands. Every photo looks like a Windows wallpaper.
2️⃣ Tens of Thousands of Acres of Grassland: In golden autumn, the grass turns yellow, running through it feels like being in Hulunbuir.
3️⃣ Viewing Platform: A 20-minute climb on the boardwalk offers a 360° panoramic view of the whole island. The spectacle of seawater surrounding the grassland from three directions is stunning.
4️⃣ Moon Bay: At low tide, a clean crescent-shaped sandy beach appears. Watching fishing boats return to port at dusk is very relaxing.

💡 Hard-Learned Tips:
1. Absolutely do not go during holidays! We waited 2 hours for the boat and 1 hour for the scenic area shuttle bus (normally the boat ride is only 30 minutes).
2. Bring enough snacks! There are few and expensive restaurants on the island. We were hungry for a long time before finally buying instant noodles.
3. Wear comfortable shoes! Although the scenery is beautiful, there are uphill climbs. I wore canvas shoes and doubted my life choices.
4. Check the weather! The lake looks gray and dull on cloudy days. We were lucky to catch a sunny day when the lake water shone bright blue.

🍜 Food Bonus:
When back in Fuding city, be sure to try local specialties:
✓ Fuding Pork Slices (the old brand on Shifu Road is the most authentic)
✓ Betel Nut Taro Paste (sweet but not greasy, the best souvenir)
✓ Honey-Glazed Chicken Wings (the grilled ones at the Qiaotou street stalls smell the best)

Although the crowds were overwhelming, the moment seeing the grassland connected to the sea from the mountaintop was truly worth it! I recommend saving this for a less busy week; it’s definitely a magical island you’ll want to visit again and again~