Complete Guide to Summer Vacation in Zhoushan Islands | Islands, Beaches, Sunsets & Seafood Feast

| Islands, Beaches, Sunsets & Seafood Feast
**📍 Location**: Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province (Zhoushan New Archipelago)
**🌊 Best Season**: June-September (Peak season: July-August)
**⏳ Recommended Duration**: 3-5 days (Island-hopping or in-depth single-island exploration)

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## **【Transportation Guide】**
### **1. How to Get to Zhoushan?**
- **Self-drive** (Most convenient):
- From Hangzhou/Shanghai: Via Hangzhou Bay Bridge → Yongzhou Expressway, ~3-4h directly to Zhujiajian.
- From Ningbo: ~1.5h.
- **Bus**:
- Direct buses to Putuo Long-Distance Bus Station from Hangzhou/Shanghai/Ningbo.
- **Flight**:
- Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport (Zhujiajian), limited flights. Recommended: Fly to Ningbo Lishe Airport then transfer by bus.

### **2. Inter-Island Transport (Tickets are key!)**
- **Dongji Islands** (Miaozihu/Dongfushan/Qingbang Island):
- Depart from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier, 1-2 daily sailings, 2h voyage.
- **Ticketing**: Book 3 days in advance via WeChat official accounts "Zhoushan Xinghai Ferry" or "Dongji Marine"!
- **Shengsi Islands** (Gouqi Island/Shengshan Island):
- Depart from Shanghai Shenjiawan Pier or Zhoushan Sanjiang Pier, 1.5-3h voyage.
- **Putuoshan**:
- Ferries from Zhujiajian Pier every 15min, 20min voyage.

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## **【Accommodation Recommendations】**
### **1. Zhujiajian (Family/Self-drive Friendly)**
- **Luxury**: Zhoushan Westin Resort (Private beach, sea-view pool).
- **Budget B&Bs**: Near Nansha/Dongsha beaches, e.g., "Zhujiajian Haijie No.11" (Walk to beach).

### **2. Dongji Islands (Must-visit for Art Lovers)**
- **Miaozihu Island**: Commercialized, recommend "Fanyu Boutique Homestay" (Sea-view terrace).
- **Dongfushan Island**: More primitive, stay at "Tata Homestay" (Best sunrise spot).

### **3. Shengsi Gouqi Island (Trendy Island)**
- **Qianmo Seaview Inn**: Cliffside B&B, 270° ocean views.
- **Sanbu Inn**: Vintage style, near Dawang Beach.

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## **【Must-Visit Islands & Attractions】**
### **1. Zhujiajian**
- **Nansha Beach**: Finest sand in Zhoushan, hosts summer sand sculpture festival (¥70).
- **Daqingshan Ring Road**: Scenic drive with mountain-sea views (¥100/car).
- **Guanyin Fayu**: Billion-dollar Buddhist cultural site, visually stunning (¥90).

### **2. Dongji Islands (Filming location of *The Continent*)**
- **Miaozihu Island**:
- Instagrammable red-white lighthouse, Caibogong statue (Hike or sightseeing bus ¥88/person).
- Seafood stalls at "Daodou Street" at dusk.
- **Dongfushan Island**:
- Easternmost point of China, sunrise observation spot (Wake up at 4am!).
- 4h island hike via Elephant Trunk Peak & stone houses.

### **3. Shengsi Gouqi & Shengshan Islands**
- **Gouqi Island**:
- Dawang Beach (Free), Shanhai Qiguan (Yellow staircase photo spot).
- Ganxie Village overlook for "sea pastures" (mussel farms).
- **Shengshan Island**:
- Abandoned Village (Fairy-tale greenery, ¥50).
- Dongya Cliff (Best sunrise spot, ¥50).

### **4. Putuoshan (Buddhist Sacred Site)**
- **Puji Temple**, **Nanhai Guanyin**, **Foding Mountain Huiji Temple** (1-day tour, ¥160 + ferry ticket).

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## **【Food Recommendations】**
### **1. Must-Try Seafood**
- **Swimming crab** (Plumpest post-August fishing season), **hairtail fish**, **mussels** (Gouqi specialty).
- **Seafood noodles**: Shenjiamen "Feizhu Noodle Shop", Dongji "Xiaolin Noodle House".
- **Night stalls**: Zhujiajian "Shenjiamen Seafood Stalls", Dongji Miaozihu "Dongji Seafood Stalls".

### **2. Local Snacks**
- **Stir-fried rice cakes with seafood**, **dried fish with pork**, **seaweed peanuts** (Snack).

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## **【Itinerary Suggestions】**
### **Option 1: Dongji Islands 3D2N (Artsy Version)**
- **Day1**: Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier → Dongji Miaozihu (Stay).
- **Day2**: Miaozihu tour → Ferry to Dongfushan (Stay, stargazing).
- **Day3**: Dongfushan sunrise → Return.

### **Option 2: Zhujiajian + Gouqi Island 4D3N (Family Leisure)**
- **Day1**: Zhujiajian Nansha Beach → Daqingshan drive (Stay).
- **Day2**: Zhujiajian → Gouqi Island (Stay, Dawang Beach).
- **Day3**: Gouqi → Shengshan (Abandoned Village + Dongya Cliff).
- **Day4**: Return.

### **Option 3: Putuoshan Day Trip (Pilgrimage)**
- Zhujiajian Pier → Putuoshan → Puji Temple → Nanhai Guanyin → Return.

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## **【Pro Tips】**
1. **Book ferry tickets early!** Dongji/Shengsi tickets sell out fast in peak season.
2. **Sun & bug protection**: Strong UV—hats, sunscreen, mosquito repellent essential.
3. **Carry cash**: Poor signal on small islands, some B&Bs/ferries only accept cash.
4. **Bargain for seafood**: Confirm prices at stalls to avoid "market price" traps.