Shengsi Islands Travel Guide (Apr-Jun): The Ultimate Crowd-Free Experience for First-Timers!

🕐 Best Time to Visit
👉🏻 Apr-Jun is the off-season in Shengsi, offering excellent value:
🔵 Weather: Temperatures range from 15-25°C (59-77°F), with cool sea breezes, avoiding the summer heat and typhoon season (Jul-Sep).
🔵 Crowds: Tourist density is only 30% of the peak season, so you won't have to wait in line at popular attractions.
🔵 Scenery: Wildflowers bloom across the islands in April, bioluminescent sea is common in May, and the sea fog creates a magical atmosphere in June.
🔥 Special Experiences: You might encounter the fishermen's sea worship ceremony in May, and witness the busy scene of mussel harvesting in June.

🚢 In-Depth Transportation Guide
1⃣️ Getting to the Islands
From Shanghai (main hub):
Nanpu Bridge Bus Station → Shenjiawan Pier → Lizhushan Pier
Ferry Schedule: Fast ferries depart every hour from 7:30 to 14:30 (1-hour journey). The 9:30 departure is recommended (to avoid the morning rush).
Hidden Perk: Purchase a combined bus and ferry ticket to enjoy the VIP waiting room at Shenjiawan Pier (free refreshments + charging outlets).

From Ningbo:
Ningbo South Bus Station → Sanjiang Pier → Sijiao Island

Note: Only recommended for travelers driving themselves. Parking spaces must be booked 2 days in advance.

2⃣️ Island Hopping
Gouqi Island (Shengshan Island): Two ferries daily at 7:45/11:50 (approx. 3 hours). Choose the 11:50 departure to avoid the risk of morning fog.
Hua Bird Island: Limited to 300 visitors per day. You need to waitlist tickets 15 days in advance on the "Shengsi Ferry" official account.
Secret Route: Rent a fishing boat from Shengshan Houtuo Bay Pier → East Cliff area to encounter migrating dolphin pods (contact the captain in advance).

3⃣️ Getting Around the Islands
Bus: Routes 301/302 cover the main attractions (every 20 minutes, last bus at 18:00).
Electric Scooter Rental: Recommended "Haiyu Electric Scooter Rental" (CNY 500 deposit, 80 km range).
Hidden Gem: Book the "Left Bank Highway Cycling Route" (including a picnic spot on a deserted beach).

🏨 Accommodation Guide
✅ Island Accommodation Tiers
Luxury:
"If You Are the One Resort" (next to Jihu Beach, with private stargazing terrace)
"Left Bank Yu Homestay" (infinity pool + cliffside afternoon tea)
✅ Value Options:
"Donghai Fishing Village Homestay Cluster" (CNY 150-300/night, including free fishing experience)
"Bianjiao Village Stone House Group" (renovated from a century-old fishing village, with oyster shell wall views)
🔵 Island Hopping Accommodation Strategy
📍 Gouqi Island: Stay near Dawang Beach, recommended "Qianmo Seaview Inn" (with night view terrace of the abandoned village)
📍 Hua Bird Island: Choose a homestay along the Mata Line, recommended "Wuma Inn" (bioluminescent sea observation point)

✅ Special Accommodation Experiences
► Camping: Designated area of Jihu Beach (must register with the scenic area in advance)
► Fisherman's Bed: Stay overnight on a fishing boat (sleeping bag provided + freshly cooked catch)

🗺️ In-Depth Guide to Attractions
✅ Must-Visit on the Main Island
Liujingtan + Heshangtao (combined ticket CNY 90):
Opens at 4:30. Take the first shuttle bus to the lighthouse and have the entire sunrise to yourself.
Hidden Route: From the end of the Heshangtao boardwalk, take a 15-minute walk along the path to reach a secret rocky beach.
✅ Donghai Fishing Village:
AR interactive installations added to the mural street (scan the wall paintings to trigger fishermen's stories)
Participate in the fishing net weaving experience after 16:00 (take your creation home)

✅ Island Hopping Highlights
Gouqi Island:
Abandoned Village Tunnel (newly opened adventure route, wear non-slip shoes)
Ganxie Pier Sunset (less crowded than East Cliff, with fishing boats returning to port)

✅ Hua Bird Island:
Buddha's Hand Stone Sunrise (book the lighthouse breakfast basket service in advance)
Mata Line Hike (bring a bioluminescent sea observation guide, headlamps can be borrowed from the homestay)

🌿 Seasonal Experiences
► April: Participate in mussel seedling planting (wear rubber boots)
► May: Observe bioluminescent algae with the scientific expedition team (book 3 days in advance)
► June: Fishing port morning market auction (starts at 5:00, experience the fish auction)

🗺️ Food Guide
🔶 1. Seafood Market Guide
📍 Location: Caiyuan Town Central Farmers Market (6:00-18:00)
👉🏻 Bargaining Tips: Buy by the basket after 16:00 (get 0.5 kg of small seafood as a gift)
🌈 Processing Recommendations:
✅ "Haishang Renjia" (plain boiling CNY 10/0.5 kg, salt and pepper CNY 15/0.5 kg)
✅ "Yusao Noodle Shop" (add CNY 5 for noodle refills in seafood noodles)

✅ Must-Eat List
April: Monkfish stewed with tofu (fishermen call it "sea foie gras")
May: Roe-bearing swimming crab (choose female crabs, the roe is like solidified fat)
June: Radar net ribbonfish (look for complete silver scales and clear eyes)

🤗 Hidden Delights
Shengsi Grilled Cuttlefish: Find the old man's mobile stall at Bianjiao Village Night Market (brushed with special fermented bean curd sauce)
Sea Stone Flower Jelly: Grandma's stall at the entrance of Jihu Beach (made with deep-sea sea stone flowers)

❗❗ Tips to Avoid Scams
1⃣️ Ferry Ticket Scams: Do not trust scalper tickets. Official channels release tickets 3 days in advance (7:00 has the highest success rate for waitlist).
2⃣️ Bioluminescent Sea Scams: So-called "bioluminescent sea forecasts" are mostly marketing tactics. The actual occurrence depends on the weather and location.
3⃣️ Seafood Overcharging: Ask to "see the live weighing" before ordering, and check the bill carefully (some tourists have been overcharged by 1.5 kg).
4⃣️ Weather Warnings: Follow the "Shengsi Meteorology" official account. All ferries are suspended in winds above level 8.
5⃣️ Environmental Scams: The "release sea turtles" promoted by some homestays are actually Brazilian turtles (invasive species). Refuse to participate.

🗺️ Itinerary Planning
🟢 3 Days 2 Nights Classic Route
D1: Shanghai → Sijiao Island → Jihu Beach (afternoon beachcombing) → Seafood feast → Left Bank Highway cycling
D2: Liujingtan sunrise → Donghai Fishing Village (murals + fishing experience) → Island hopping to Gouqi Island → Abandoned village exploration
D3: East Cliff sunrise → Return (optional day trip to Hua Bird Island)
🟢 5 Days 4 Nights In-Depth Tour
D1-D2: Same as above
D3: Gouqi Island → Hua Bird Island (Mata Line hike) → Bioluminescent sea observation
D4: Hua Bird Lighthouse → Return to Sijiao → Experience night fishing in the fishing port
D5: Dabeishan Yunlan → Purchase seafood → Return
🧳 Tips: There is often heavy sea fog in Apr-Jun, so it is recommended to bring a windproof lighter (ordinary lighters are prone to moisture and failure).

Wishing you the most beautiful trip to Shengsi!