Yuhuan｜The Romance and Fresh Delicacies of the East China Sea's Hidden Gem, Loved by All

📍Destination: Taizhou·Yuhuan City (Golden Coastline of Southeast Zhejiang)

🏙️City Portrait: A Hidden Island Where Mountains Meet the Sea

🏔️Yuhuan, Zhejiang's first island county-level city, boasts China's first island national wetland park and the most beautiful fishing village in East China, yet remains heartwarmingly low-key. Free from the bustle of popular islands, it features volcanic black sand beaches, windmill roads, and sunset lighthouses. It conquers "Once Upon a Bite" with bold seafood like "Belt Fish Rice" and "Dragon Fish Pancakes," earning the title "East China Sea's Flavor Reaper."

🏞️Must-Visit Attractions: From Volcanic Islands to Artistic Fishing Villages

【Natural Wonders】

1️⃣Xuanmen Bay National Wetland Park (Island Wetland Miracle)
🌟Highlights: East China's only near-sea wetland, home to the world's endangered black-beaked gulls, with thousands of birds soaring in autumn and winter.
✅Must-Do:
▶️Cruise through the reed maze on a painted boat (40 RMB).
▶️Capture "bird waves" at the crescent-shaped bird-watching platform.
▶️Family fun at the Wetland Science Museum (free).
⚠️Tips: 30 RMB entrance fee; renting a bike for a lakeside ride offers more freedom (20 RMB/h), stunning at sunset.

2️⃣Dalu Island (Forest Art Island on Volcanic Rock)
✅Three Wonders:
1️⃣Rock Carvings: "Earth Art" carved by 87 artists, inscribed by Liu Haisu.
2️⃣Island Forest: Century-old camphor trees + cliffside boardwalks.
3️⃣Golden Beach: Rare volcanic black gravel beach.
🛳️Transport: Take a ferry from Zhantai Pier (every 30 minutes, round-trip 60 RMB); stay overnight for stargazing.

【Cultural Charms】

3️⃣Jishan Island (East China's Colorful "Little Venice")
🔆Activities:
▶️Photograph pastel-colored fishing villages: layered stone houses draped with dried fish, maze-like alleys.
▶️Enjoy fresh seafood cooked by boat captains: buy directly at the pier, processed by homestays (20 RMB/dish).
🫖Climb Nanshan Lighthouse: 270° ocean views, sunset painting the island group red.
Ferry: Yangyu Pier → Jishan Island (15 min, 8 RMB/person).

4️⃣Dongsha Fishing Village (Ancient Coastal Defense Village with Intangible Heritage)

🧊Highlights:
▶️Ruins of Qi Jiguang's anti-pirate fort.
▶️Century-old stone houses (some converted to homestays).
▶️Dragon Boat Festival "Fishermen's Challenge" folk activities.
*️⃣Hidden Gem: Dried fish-making experience (best during Sept-Oct eel-drying season).

🕜Food Guide: The Ultimate Freshness from the Sea

【Must-Try Treasures】

✅Yuhuan Belt Fish Rice
🌟Soul: Local fatty belt fish steamed over glutinous rice, creating a gelatinous texture.
Recommended Spots:
Chumen Old Street Steamed Rice (30-year-old shop, 25 RMB/serving).
Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Stall (upgraded with dried shrimp and bacon, 48 RMB).
✅Dragon Fish Pancake
🌟Specialty: Boneless fish paste fried to crispy outside, tender like tofu inside.
Top Pick: "Haihua Snacks" in Kanmen (15 RMB/piece, opens at 3 PM).
✅Pounded Fish Noodles
🌟Intangible Heritage: Thin slices of minced croaker fish dried and boiled into soup, bursting with umami.
Where to Buy: Shamen Town Farmers' Market (50 RMB/jin, can be mailed).

🕜【Seasonal Specials】

May-Aug: Steamed razor clams (from Xuanmen Bay mudflats, plump and sand-free).
Sept-Nov: Salt-roasted baby octopus paired with local Wendan wine.
Year-Round Surprise: Old-school egg mochi (street cart near Yuhuan No. 2 High School).

🚍Transport Guide: Cross-Sea Bridges and Island-Hopping Tips

🚄External Transport
High-speed rail: Hangzhou East → Wenling Station (2h), transfer to Yuhuan Bus Terminal (1h).
🚗Self-drive: Yongguan Expressway leads directly to Yuhuan; Xuanmen Bay Bridge is toll-free (scenic ocean road).
🛳️Island-Hopping
Dalu Island: Buy tickets at Zhantai Pier (hourly departures 8:30 AM-3:00 PM).
Jishan Island: Yangyu Pier → Jishan Island (rolling departures 7:00 AM-5:00 PM).
Ferry Tips: Check real-time schedules on "Yuhuan Tourism" WeChat; suspended during typhoons.
🚎Local Transport
E-bike rental: Available at Dalu/Jishan Island piers (50 RMB/day), perfect for island loops.
Bus: Take "Island Shuttle" in downtown Yuhuan to major attractions (2 RMB/person).

🏯Accommodation Picks: Seaside Stays with Character

✅Island Immersion
Dalu Island Luming Villa: Cliffside wooden cabins with ocean views, includes meals (from 600 RMB).
Jishan Island Manye Homestay: Colorful stone house with terrace facing fishing boats, DIY seafood (from 350 RMB).
✅City Comfort
Yuhuan Four Points by Sheraton: Overlooks Xuanmen Bay Wetland, rooftop pool (from 500 RMB).
Yin Xinju Designer Hotel: Industrial-chic art space near food street (from 300 RMB).
✅Fishing Village Charm
Dongsha·Cape Diary: Century-old stone house by fort, guided tide-pooling (from 400 RMB).

🛣️Itinerary: 3-Day Highlights

✅Day1: Wetlands & Seafood
AM: Birdwatching + biking at Xuanmen Bay.
Lunch: Chumen Old Street Steamed Rice (Belt Fish Rice).
PM: Explore Dongsha's fort + fish-drying.
Dinner: Kanmen seafood stall (Dragon Fish Pancake + salt-roasted octopus).
Stay: Four Points.
✅Day2: Island Art Tour
AM: Zhantai Pier → Dalu Island (rock carvings + black beach).
Lunch: Luming Villa seafood noodles.
PM: Yangyu Pier → Jishan Island (colorful village + lighthouse sunset).
Dinner: Homestay seafood processing.
Stay: Manye Homestay.
✅Day3: Local Flavors
AM: Jishan morning market for dried fish → Return to downtown.
Lunch: Shamen Market for pounded fish noodles + "Haihua" pancakes.
Before Departure: Yuhuan Wendan specialty shop (seasonal pomelos).

🚸Tips & Hidden Gems

🎫Ticket Savings
Xuanmen Wetland + Agricultural Park combo: 60 RMB (saves 20 RMB).
Dalu Island ticket covers all rock carvings (no extra fees).
📜Off-Peak Tips
Avoid Jishan crowds on weekends; visit Thu/Fri.
Best birdwatching: Nov-Mar; skip summer heat.
⚠️Heads-Up
Limited homestays (Dalu has only 1 hotel); book 2 weeks ahead!
Seafood prices rise 30% during fishing ban (May-Aug), but farmed shellfish remain.
Yuhuan pomelos arrive late Oct; choose "Yanggen Village" origin.

🏔️Where volcanic islands meet art, ancient villages don rainbow filters, and belt fish rice redefines carbs—Yuhuan, the East China Sea's hidden gem, awaits travelers who appreciate its untamed beauty and bold flavors.