Zhejiang Zhoushan, In-Depth Travel Concierge-Level Planning

1. Itinerary Planning (5-7 Days In-Depth Tour)

Day 1: Zhoushan Main Island (Shenjiamen + Zhujiajian)

Morning: Arrive in Zhoushan, check into a hotel in Shenjiamen or Zhujiajian.
Afternoon: Zhujiajian Nansha Scenic Area (70 RMB): Sand Sculpture Festival, seaside bathing beach.
Evening: Seafood night stalls on Bin Gang Road, Shenjiamen (120-200 RMB per person), watch fishing boat lights.

Day 2: Zhujiajian Island Loop

All day: Daqingshan National Park (100 RMB): Self-drive or bus around the island, Shaojiwan Fishing Village, Lisha Beach; Wushitang (40 RMB): black pebble beach, listen to the tide.

Day 3: Putuo Mountain Pilgrimage

Transport: Take a boat from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier (30 RMB one way + Putuo Mountain ticket 160 RMB).
Route: Puji Temple (5 RMB incense voucher) → Fayu Temple (5 RMB) → Huiji Temple (cable car one way 40 RMB) → Nanhai Guanyin Statue (6 RMB).
Tips: Wear comfortable shoes, bring small change for incense money, vegetarian meals on the island about 30 RMB per person.

Day 4: Dongji Island (Miaozihu + Dongfushan)

Transport: Book ferry tickets 3 days in advance (Shenjiamen Banshengdong → Miaozihu, lower deck 130 RMB), 2-hour boat ride.
Miaozihu: Red and white lighthouse (filming location of "The Continent"), Caibogong Statue, island electric cart 88 RMB.
Afternoon ferry: Transfer to Dongfushan Island (30 RMB), stay at seaside guesthouse (off-season 300-500 RMB per room).

Day 5: Dongji Island Sunrise + Return

Dongfushan: Century Dawn observation point for sunrise, island hiking (4 hours), Elephant Trunk Peak, Dashuwan Stone House Cluster.
Afternoon: Take boat back to Zhoushan main island.

Day 6: Daishan Island (Optional)

Transport: Take ferry from Sanjiang Pier to Daishan (20 RMB per person).
Attractions: Dongsha Ancient Town (30 RMB): century-old fishing town, intangible cultural heritage museum; Lulan Qingsha (free): East China’s longest beach.

2. In-Depth Introduction to Featured Attractions

Putuo Mountain (Must-Visit)

Three major temples: Puji Temple is the largest, Fayu Temple’s Jiulong Hall is a relocated building from the Forbidden City, Huiji Temple is atop Foding Mountain.
Hidden spots: Fanyin Cave cliff sea view, Pantuo Stone sunset in Xitian Scenic Area.

Dongji Island (Stunning Scenery)

Dongfushan: The easternmost inhabited island of mainland China, crystal-clear seawater, excellent stargazing spot.
Qingbang Island (Optional): Pristine "Potala Palace on the Sea" stone house cluster, high chance of bioluminescent sea in summer.

Shengsi Archipelago (Ideal for Artsy Trips)

Gouqi Island: Mountain and sea wonders, abandoned village (Green Wild Fairyland, ticket 60 RMB).
Huaniao Island: Blue Tears bloom season (May-September), Far East’s first lighthouse.

3. Local Recommended Food and Shops

Must-Try Specialties

Seafood noodles: Shenjiamen "Feizhu Noodle Shop" (25-50 RMB customizable toppings), Donggang "Abao Seafood Noodles."
Stir-fried crab with rice cakes: Fat and delicious in autumn, "Gaojiazhuang Seafood Restaurant" (150 RMB per person).
Spicy crab/drunken mud snails: Raw marinated flavor, "Asan Seafood Stall" (Bin Gang Road, Shenjiamen) popular with locals.
Seafood night stalls: Stalls 1-53 with transparent prices, recommended steamed hairtail fish, scallops with scallion oil.

Snacks

Seafood clay pot: Donggang "Haizhongzhou Seafood City" downstairs stall (30 RMB).
Wojingtan hard cake: Daishan intangible cultural heritage, similar to compressed biscuits, long shelf life.

4. Cost-Effective Accommodation Recommendations

Zhujiajian:
Zhoushan Qingchen Guesthouse (near Nansha, off-season 200-300 RMB/night).
Dongji Island:
Miaozihu "Fanyu" Guesthouse (sea view terrace, 400-600 RMB).
Dongfushan "Haijiao No.1" (high location with good views, 300-500 RMB).
Putuo Mountain:
Longwan Village guesthouse area (walk early morning to Nanhai Guanyin, 250-400 RMB).
Budget travelers:
Economy hotels near Shenjiamen Pier (e.g., Zhuhai Hotel, 150-200 RMB), convenient for catching boats.

5. Local Specialty Shopping Guide

Dried seafood: Shenjiamen Donghe Market (local shopping spot), recommended:
Grilled dried shrimp (35-50 RMB per jin), baby squid (30 RMB), eel jerky (best in winter).
Zhoushan hairtail fish: Choose fresh frozen with intact silver scales and bright eyes (20-40 RMB per jin).
Putuo Mountain Buddhist tea: New tea around Qingming, shops near Puji Temple about 100 RMB/box.
Guanyin Cake: Putuo Mountain specialty pastry (15 RMB/box), sesame flavor is classic.

6. Pitfall Avoidance Guide

Transport pitfalls:

Dongji Island ferry tickets must be grabbed at 5 AM on the "Zhoushan Haixing Ferry" WeChat public account; return tickets booked one day in advance on "Dongji Shipping."
Non-self-driving tourists should be cautious about visiting Daishan/Shengsi due to limited ferry schedules and inconvenient island transport.
Food pitfalls:

Ask clearly about pricing units at seafood stalls (per portion or per jin), request draining water when weighing.
Putuo Mountain bottled water costs 5-8 RMB per bottle; bringing your own is recommended.
Shopping pitfalls:

Pearls and coral sold in scenic spots are often from Yiwu; avoid impulsive purchases.
When buying incense on Putuo Mountain, do not trust high-priced recommendations from guides; 1 RMB for three sticks of incense inside the temple is sufficient.
Others:

During typhoon season (July-September), check ferry schedules in advance and follow "Zhoushan Meteorology."
Accommodation on Qingbang/Huangxing Islands in Dongji is limited and medical facilities are inconvenient; beginners should choose Miaozihu for safety.

Budget reference: Off-peak season, about 2500-3500 RMB per person (6 days including ferry tickets and accommodation), seafood feasts and boutique guesthouses are the main expenses.
Best seasons: May-June (Blue Tears + pre-fishing moratorium seafood fattening), September-October (post-fishing season + crisp autumn weather).