Xiangshan, Ningbo: A Seriously Underrated Seaside Getaway

Phuket is too far, and Bali is too expensive 🤔
The seawater around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai always feels a bit lacking.
But after visiting Xiangshan five times, in different seasons,
I really want to say that Xiangshan is truly underrated!!
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🏝️Xiangshan 3-Day Itinerary
▪️Day 1:
Arrive in Shipu Town > Check in to Shipu Town > Visit Hepu Town > Hepu Dasha Beach > Hepu Passenger Terminal (chase the sunset) > Open-air seafood stalls at the terminal
▪️Day 2:
Shipu Royal City Beach (watch the sunrise) > Overlook the entire city of Shipu > Catch up on sleep > Lunch in Shipu > Dongdan Village > Check in to Niguang You She Homestay
▪️Day 3:
Take photos near the homestay > Songlan Mountain Scenic Area (check out the seaside swing) > Fantong Mountain (Ningbo Sayram Lake + Ningbo Siji Lie Island)
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✔️This route is perfect for a road trip
✔️You can see both the sunrise and sunset
✔️You can stay in a tropical resort-style homestay (Niguang You She)
✔️You can enjoy all kinds of seafood along the way
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✅A few recommended attractions:
1️⃣Hepu Dasha Beach
When driving, you will first pass a viewing platform where you can overlook the entire beach and the distant islands and windmills, which is quite charming with the houses by the sea. You can play in the water and set up tents here. There are restrooms and food available. It is the bluest seawater that you can drive to in Xiangshan.
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2️⃣Shipu Royal City Beach
A great spot to watch the sunrise. Drive there at 4am. After getting out of the car, many people head to the beach in the dark with their lights on. Be sure to arrive half an hour before the sunrise time predicted by the weather forecast. The most beautiful time is when the sun hasn't fully risen, dyeing half the sky red. Every photo will be beautiful!!
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3️⃣Fantong Mountain
Known as Ningbo's Sayram Lake and Ningbo's Siji Lie Island. You can keep playing along one route and take many scenic photos. Sayram Lake is actually a lake, separated from the coastline by a levee. The lake is very large and blue on a sunny day. With flocks of egrets and green mountains in sight, it is perfect for taking refreshing photos!
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4️⃣Songlan Mountain
It has a deep and gentle coastline, a beach swing with a 100% photo success rate, a large terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows and a reef cafe, and a lonely but steadfast seaside lighthouse. On sunny days, the seawater is light blue, and the romantic atmosphere is comparable to Jeju Island!
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🏨About Accommodation:
I stayed at "Niguang You She" in Dongdan Village, and the experience was excellent. The rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows with direct views of the sea and a strip of beach. The surrounding environment is very nice.
The homestay has excellent facilities, ample parking, an ins-style resort pool, an open-air dining area on the lower level, and a starry sky lawn for yakitori. The afternoon tea and meals are also good. Staying in a house with good aesthetics and excellent service really puts you in a great mood!