A Colorful Fishing Village on the Cliffs! 2-Day Island Getaway
by Lily Foster Alexander
Jul 26, 2025
Location: Jishan Island, Yuhuan, Taizhou  
Topics:  
📌 Why is it worth a special trip?  
▪️ The "Potala Palace of the Sea" Spectacle  
The entire island is built along the mountainside, with hundreds of stone houses stacked layer upon layer, resembling a giant colorful Lego castle from afar. At dusk, when warm lights flicker on, it feels like a scene straight out of a Miyazaki anime. Even better? No motor vehicles—just winding stone stairways, offering a complete escape from the hustle and bustle.  
▪️ Secret Sea Erosion Wonders  
The east coast hides a **blue tears** observation spot (peak season: July-August), where waves glow with an eerie blue fluorescence at night. At low tide, explore the **Tidal Sound Cave** to discover a 100-meter sea erosion corridor, its walls studded with oyster shells—pluck one off and eat it raw for an explosion of briny sweetness!  
▪️ Seafood Feast for Just ¥50 Per Person  
Hit the morning market at the dock (5:00-7:00) for the freshest catches straight from fishing boats:  
✅ **Bombay duck fish** (¥10/bowl)—melts in your mouth  
✅ **Red shrimp balls** (¥15/bowl)—springy with roe  
✅ **Barnacle steamed eggs** (¥20)—unbelievably umami  
▶️ Recommended spot: Granny’s Seafood Stall (hidden behind the post office)  
🚶♂️ **Immersive Itinerary**  
▪️ **Day 1: Chasing Light & Shadows**  
✅ Head straight to **Train Village** after arrival—abandoned rails + colorful stone houses = Instagram gold  
✅ 15:00 Climb **Lighthouse Hill Lookout** for panoramic views of the stone village and distant wind turbines  
✅ 19:00 Stake out the east coast for **blue tears** (avoid full moon nights)  
▪️ **Day 2: Wild Adventures**  
✅ 7:00 Tidepool at **Tidal Sound Cave** (bring crab tongs—reefs teem with blue crabs)  
✅ 10:00 Charter a boat for **island circumnavigation** (¥50/person, explore sea arches)  
✅ 13:00 Try **fishing** (boat captains teach free—often catch yellow croaker or scorpionfish)  
💡 **Pro Tips**  
▪️ **Transport**  
▶️ Drive to **Yuhuan Zhantai Pier** → 30-min ferry (¥30 round-trip, hourly departures 7:00-17:00)  
▶️ Island travel is foot-only—wear grippy shoes (mossy steps!)  
▪️ **Stay**  
🔸 Top pick: **Sea Breeze Lodge** (cliffside stone house, ocean views, ¥180/night)  
🔸 Avoid newly renovated B&Bs near the pier (poor soundproofing, overpriced)  
🎁 **Easter Eggs**  
⚠️ **Friday night outdoor movies** at the village square (free dried seaweed & peanuts)  
⚠️ Buy **dried shrimp** (¥20/jin—3x fresher than mainland) from locals before leaving  
💬 **True Story**: While prying oysters at Tidal Sound Cave, an old tidepooler handed me wild seaweed: "Girl, *this* is how you make soup taste alive!"
Post by Lily Foster Alexander | Jul 26, 2025












