A Guide to Zhoushan for the Long Weekend
by Jaylan Nienow
Dec 16, 2024
The Zhoushan Islands are made up of more than 1,390 islands. Here are some of the more well-known islands and their featured tour routes:
Mount Putuo Island: The Taoist temple of Guanyin Bodhisattva is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, along with Mount Wutai, Mount Emei, and Mount Jiuhua. There are many temples on the island, such as Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, and Huiji Temple, as well as the 33-meter-high Nanhai Guanyin Statue. In addition, the beaches of Qianbu and Baibu are soft and suitable for listening to the tides and swimming.
Zhujiajian Island: Known as the "hometown of sand sculptures and a vacation paradise." Nansha Scenic Area is the venue for the largest sand sculpture exhibition in Asia. There are themed sand sculpture exhibitions from July to October, as well as a wealth of entertainment programs. The ring road of Daqingshan National Park is suitable for cycling and offers a panoramic view of the "Five Sands Ring" spectacle. Wushitang has a black pebble beach, and the sound of the tide is like heavenly music.
Dongji Island: The filming location of the movie "The Continent." Miaozihu Island has a popular lighthouse and the Cai Bo Gong statue. Dongfushan Island is the observation point for the first ray of sunshine on the Chinese mainland. It takes 4 hours to hike around the island. Qingbang Island has a stone house complex known as the "Potala Palace on the Sea," and the Milky Way can be observed at night.
Shengsi Islands: Includes Gouqi Island, Huariao Island, Shengshan Island, etc. The mountain and sea wonders of Gouqi Island are the Ming Dynasty's anti-Japanese beacon tower. At sunset, you can overlook the 10,000-mu mussel farm. Houtouwan Village is a photography mecca. Huariao Island has the Far East's first lighthouse, and the "Blue Tears" fluorescent sea may appear from May to August. The East Cliff of Shengshan Island has a cliffside boardwalk with turbulent waves and a majestic momentum.
Daishan Island: Shuanghe Stone Wall is the site of an ancient quarry with jagged rocks. China Cape Park has a 7 km coastal trail suitable for cycling. Dongsha Ancient Town is a century-old fishing capital where you can experience the intangible cultural heritage project of "Fisherman Painting."
The following is a 3-day Zhoushan travel guide:
Day 1: Mount Putuo Island
In the morning, take a boat from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier to Mount Putuo and visit Puji Temple to experience the Zen of morning bells and evening drums. Then take scenic transportation to the top of the Buddha, visit Huiji Temple, and overlook the entire archipelago. In the afternoon, visit Fayu Temple, admire the Nine Dragon Wall and the Ming Dynasty architectural complex, and then go to the Zizhulin Scenic Area and the Nanhai Guanyin Statue to stroll along the beach and admire the sea view.
Day 2: Zhujiajian Island
In the morning, go to Daqingshan National Park, ride or drive along the ring road, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the "Five Sands Ring," and play at Lisha Beach. In the afternoon, go to Nansha Scenic Area to see sand sculptures and experience entertainment programs such as beach motorcycles. In the evening, listen to the tide in Wushitang and feel the unique atmosphere.
Day 3: Dongji Island
In the morning, take a boat from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier to Dongji Island, first go to Miaozihu Island, check in at the popular lighthouse and the Cai Bo Gong statue, and visit the filming location of "The Continent." In the afternoon, take a boat to Dongfushan Island, check into a B&B, and then hike around the island to enjoy the island scenery. Get up early the next day to watch the sunrise on Dongfushan Island, then take a boat to Qingbang Island, visit the "Potala Palace on the Sea" stone house complex, return to Miaozihu Island in the afternoon, and then take a boat back to Zhujiajian.
In terms of diet, Shenjiamen Seafood Night Market is a good place to taste seafood. For accommodation, you can choose a Zen-themed hotel on Mount Putuo, a seaside resort hotel in Zhujiajian, or a B&B on Dongji Island.
Post by OwenDonovan652 | May 12, 2025













