Dongji Island | The Most Romantic Place in Easternmost China, Chase a 120° Sunrise!

| The most romantic place in easternmost China, chase a 120° sunrise! “More niche than Gulangyu Island! This 'isolated island at sea' in Zhejiang hides a stunning lighthouse. Stay in the 'easternmost homestay' to see the first ray of sunlight in China, and your social media will explode with likes!”

🚢 Pre-trip Essentials: Why Choose Dongji Island?

• Transportation:
✈️ Depart from Hangzhou/Shanghai → Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport → Take a boat to Dongji Island (approx. 2h, book tickets 3 days in advance during peak season!)
🚢 Zhoushan Island → Dongji Island (6 boats daily, last boat at 4:30pm, round-trip ticket CNY 120)

• Seasons:
🌸 April–June (Island flowers bloom, pleasant temperature)
🌅 October–December (More sunny days, higher probability of sunrise)
⚠️ Avoid the typhoon season from July–August; occasional showers in September

• Budget:
💰 CNY 800–1,200 per person (including boat tickets + accommodation + meals; students can look for special offers on homestays)

• Tips:
🧳 Pack light! Supplies on the island rely on shipping, so bring your own snacks and drinks.
🤮 Essential for seasickness sufferers: Choose window seats and take motion sickness medicine in advance.

🌅 Top 5 Must-See Spots:

1️⃣ Dongji Island Lighthouse (Free!)

• Internet-famous: Filming location for the movie *The Continent*, white walls and red tiles + rotating lighthouse, stunning blue and white color scheme at sunset!

• Hidden gem: The reef area outside the lighthouse; you can find colorful shells at low tide (⚠️ Pay attention to the tide times!)

2️⃣ Miaozihu Village (Main Island, free admission)

• King of earthly delights: China's easternmost post office, the first convenience store, and a street of seafood stalls

• Must-try: Wake up at 4am and go to "Xiao Caiyuan" with the fishermen to catch freshly landed mantis shrimp!

3️⃣ Qingbang Island ("Potala Palace on the Sea")

• Instagrammable paradise: Orange-red roofs arranged in a staggered pattern, looks like a fairy tale world from a drone's perspective

• Fun fact: There's only one cafe on the island, and opening the door reveals the entire East China Sea!

4️⃣ Gouqi Island ("The Wizard of Oz")

• Hidden gem: Home of mussels, with the beach full of silvery-white mussels in July–August, freshly caught and cooked, super fresh!

• Bonus: Climb the "Shanhai Qiguan" viewing platform for a panoramic view of the sea of clouds + blue sea + green fields!

5️⃣ Dongfushan Island ("Easternmost Point of China")

• Ultimate romance: From June 1–July 31, you can climb the "Dongfushan Lighthouse" to see the first ray of sunlight (requires advance application!)

• Overnight experience: Stay in the "easternmost homestay," be woken up by the sound of waves in the middle of the night, and open the window to a starry sky and the sea!

🦪 Culinary Delights of the East China Sea: A Seafood Feast!

• Top 3 Must-Try Dishes:
① Mantis Shrimp (Steamed/Spicy Stir-fry, CNY 100 per person): Full of roe and fat, certified by locals as the "best seafood"!
② Mussel Fried Rice (CNY 30): Made with freshly caught mussels from the island + Thai fragrant rice, incredibly delicious!
③ Sea Melon Seeds (Night market barbecue stalls, CNY 15/serving): Roasted crispy over charcoal fire, dipped in chili sauce, a soul-stirring experience!

• Secret menu: Find the granny in a blue cloth shirt and order the "Boss Lady's Secret Seafood Noodles" (loaded with toppings overflowing the bowl!)

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations and Warnings:

• High-end Choice:
🌟 "Dongji Island · Boxin" (average price CNY 800/night): Cliffside sea view rooms + private stargazing platform, open the window to see the lighthouse!

• Best Value for Money:
🏡 "Little Prince Homestay" (CNY 150/night per person): Colorful roofs + rooftop bathtub, the owner will teach you how to take cinematic photos!

• Avoid:
❌ Mass-produced "internet-famous homestays," poor sound insulation + inflated seafood prices!

💡 Local Insider Tips:

1. Time-saving tip: Buy the "Dongji Island Combo Ticket" (CNY 120/person, valid for 3 days), including admission to Miaozihu + Qingbang + Gouqi Island

2. Off-the-beaten-path route: Gouqi Island → Dongfushan Island (10-minute boat ride), stop by "Mouse Hole" to see dolphins along the way!

3. Clothing suggestions: Denim shorts + straw bag + Martin boots! Lots of rocky roads, flat shoes are prone to sprains.

📸 Photo Pose Ideas:

• Lighthouse: Turn sideways and look back + use a telephoto lens to compress the space, pretend you're at the "end of the world" 🌍

• Qingbang Island rooftops: Lie on the tiles and shoot upwards, using the red walls as a backdrop 📸

• Mussel tidal flats: Go barefoot in the mud, grab handfuls of shells, and capture a "warrior woman" look!

• Sunrise at sea: Wrap yourself in a blanket and sit on the rocks, waiting for the sun to "jump" out of the clouds!

🎁 Souvenir List:

• Dongji Island wind chimes (made of shells + fishing nets, super atmospheric hanging in the car)

• Meigancai Kou Rou Bing (vacuum-packed, a Zhoushan specialty snack)

• Handmade sea salt (natural and additive-free, suitable for bathing/cooking)

• Aurora-themed postcards (printed at the post office, with island location stamps)

✨ Summary: Dongji Island is suitable for travelers seeking something "niche" and "healing." There's no Sanya-like crowds, nor the artificiality of Qiandao Lake, only sea breezes, lighthouses, and the slow-paced fishing village life. If you're looking for a place that's "beautiful, photogenic, and not crowded," Dongji Island is definitely worth spending your youth here～