Hua Niao Island | The "Santorini of the East" Travel Guide

Hua Niao Island is the northernmost beautiful islet in the Shengsi Archipelago, located 25.9 km from the main Shengsi Island. The island covers just 3.28 square kilometers.

🚉Transportation Guide:

【Direct Ferry·Round Trip to Hua Niao Island】(Ideal for visiting Hua Niao Island only)

To improve accessibility, Hua Niao Island operates a customized direct ferry route. All direct ferry tickets must be purchased under real-name registration through local homestays. After selecting your preferred homestay on travel platforms, contact them to purchase direct ferry tickets. (Once purchased, passenger details like name, ID number, and phone number cannot be changed.)

After confirming the ferry schedule, if departing from Shanghai or Suzhou, you can book tickets in advance for the "Hua Niao Island Direct Ferry Shuttle Bus" to Shenjiawan Wharf for boarding;

Shenjiawan → Hua Niao Island direct ferry departs at:
11:50 from Shenjiawan Wharf, arriving at Hua Niao Island around 14:05

Hua Niao Island → Shenjiawan direct ferry departs at:
14:30 from Hua Niao Island Wharf, arriving at Shenjiawan around 16:45

(Connecting shuttle buses departing Shenjiawan around 17:00 are available to Shanghai South Bus Station, Hangzhou, and Suzhou)

【Transfer Ferry·To Hua Niao Island】
For other itineraries, you can choose to transfer by ferry yourself.

Here's our island-hopping route:

Self-drive:
From Hangzhou to Shenjiawan Wharf in Shanghai's Yangshan Outer Port; park your car

Ferry: AM 10:40 (1-hour voyage)
Shenjiawan → Sijiao (Lizhushan Wharf) 1-hour sailing

Taxi: 10 minutes
Lizhushan Wharf → Xiaocaiyuan Wharf

Ferry: PM 12:20 (1.5-hour voyage)
Xiaocaiyuan Wharf → Hua Niao Island Wharf

*Return via the same route, with ferry tickets purchased online in advance.

*Above information sourced from Shengsi Passenger Transport official website and WeChat.
Maritime transport is highly weather-dependent (especially typhoons). Island travel requires advance ferry bookings through official channels and real-time flight status checks.

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I don't really believe in the "Santorini of the East" label, nor have I seen Santorini's white houses, but Hua Niao Island is indeed very white. The island is small, with most areas accessible on foot. Its magic needs to be discovered personally.

The island's public transport is sightseeing buses with fixed schedules and stops (CNY 5 one-way per person, scan QR code to purchase tickets).

⏳Island Attractions:

① Nan'ao Wharf (The wharf road is a perfect photography spot)

② Back-to-back beaches—
Nan'ao Beach (seaside bathing area)
Bei'ao Beach

③ Hua Niao Village Commercial Street (The island's busiest area, with most homestays, restaurants, and shops)

④ Foshou Rock (Unique rock formation, ideal for sunrise and fishing boat views)

⑤ Hua Niao Lighthouse (Century-old lighthouse and sea sunset, requires round-trip sightseeing bus)

🏨The island is dotted with homestays. We stayed at two.

🛏Fangwai Homestay:
Perfect score - near Bei'ao Beach and commercial street, youthful, friendly, fresh, and artistic.

🖼Hua Yu Alice Holiday Homestay:
Unbeatable sea views facing Nan'ao Beach, private pool, complete facilities, diverse room types, perfect for photos, enjoying sea and sky.

🍽Hua Niao Village has limited restaurants. Though an island, seafood varieties aren't abundant or cheap, just meeting basic dining needs. Meals are also available at homestays.
The seafood noodles in Hua Niao Village are quite good.

📝Tips: Summer island travel requires insect protection, sun protection, and water safety. A 3-day, 2-night stay is ideal for Hua Niao Island.