Spent 3 days in Zhoushan, and my spending philosophy completely changed

After staying in Zhoushan for 3 days, I truly understood what it means to "spend money wisely"! There are no flashy markups here; every penny brings real happiness—50 yuan can fill you up with seafood noodles, 100 yuan can get you on a fishing boat to watch the sunrise, and you don’t have to starve even when staying in a sea view room... Turns out happiness can really be affordable. Save this guide quickly 👇

Clear and transparent transportation expenses 🚢

✈️ Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport: Super convenient upon arrival! A 20-minute taxi ride to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier, where you can take boats to Putuoshan and Dongji Island; you can also take bus No. 27 (5 yuan), enjoying the coastal scenery along the way, great value for money~
🚗 Self-driving + ferry: Drive 1 hour from Ningbo to Beilun Port, then take the ferry with your car (150 yuan/car, 50 yuan/person). Once on the island, drive along the coast and stop whenever you want—much freer than taking a taxi~
⛴️ Inter-island transport: To Dongji Island, choose the "Dongfu Ferry" (150 yuan/person), with an upper deck to enjoy the sea breeze and waves; inside Putuoshan, take the scenic shuttle bus (5-10 yuan/trip), which saves effort compared to walking and offers more views—worth the cost!

Accommodation worth the price 🏠

• Putuoshan sea view prime spot 📍: Radisson Blu Resort Putuoshan is amazing! Open your window to Lotus Bay, wake up to the sound of waves in the morning, breakfast included for just over 600 yuan, and a 5-minute walk to Puji Temple for easy incense burning and blessings~

• Dongji Island fishing village homestay ✨: "Qingbang Island Fisherman’s Courtyard" only 150 yuan per person! Rooms renovated from stone houses, balcony perfect for stargazing, and the owner even gives homemade dried fish—warmer than a hotel~

• Best value 💰: Hotels near Shenjiamen Fishing Port, 200+ yuan for a river view room! Seafood stalls downstairs, stroll the fishing port night market at night, enjoy delicious food, then walk back to the hotel—comfortable and money-saving~

Low-cost attractions with high experience 🎈

🌊 Dongji Island Dongfu Mountain: Free admission! Spend 50 yuan renting an electric scooter to circle the island, see the "First Dawn of the New Century" monument, take photos at the red and white lighthouse on the cliff, and pick wild goji berries along the way—free happiness~
🏯 Putuoshan: 160 yuan ticket is worth it! After worshipping the South Sea Guanyin, take the cable car up to Foding Mountain (40 yuan one way), overlooking the whole island like an emerald floating on the sea. Walk down via "Qianbu Sand," barefoot in the waves, so fun you won’t want to leave~
🎣 Shengsi Archipelago fishing trip: 100 yuan/person! Follow fishermen to cast nets and pull crab traps, have the catch boiled fresh on the boat, the freshest and sweetest seafood you can get, ten times better than restaurant dishes—such a worthy spend~
🌅 Zhujiajian Daqingshan: 100 yuan ticket for a full day! Drive through the winding mountain road, visit "Lisha" and "Qiansha" beaches, watch the sunset at "Niutou Mountain" in the evening, with orange-red clouds reflecting on the sea—breathtakingly beautiful~

Food so cheap you’ll want to stock up 🦞

🍜 Seafood noodles: Must-try at Shenjiamen "A Jie Seafood Noodles"! 50 yuan a bowl, piled high with swimming crab, shrimp, and clams. The broth is made from fish bones simmered for 8 hours, so fresh you’ll lick the bowl—much better value than fast food in the city~
🦑 Night stalls: Head to "Shengsi Caiyuan Night Market"! Grilled squid 10 yuan for 3 skewers, salt and pepper mantis shrimp 30 yuan a plate, freshly opened oysters 5 yuan each, average 80 yuan per person to eat until you can’t walk, and the owner will even round down the bill~
🥟 Seafood dumplings: Zhujiajian "Fisherman’s Dumpling House" 15 yuan/serving! Freshly made with mackerel or cuttlefish filling, juicy with every bite, dip in vinegar to cut the greasiness. Have a plate for breakfast and you’ll have energy all day~
🍧 Seaweed jelly: Street stall 5 yuan/bowl! Smooth like jelly, with honey and fruit, cool and refreshing, island-exclusive treat, healthier and cheaper than milk tea~

Spending tips to avoid pitfalls and save money ⚠️

1️⃣ Buy seafood at "Shenjiamen Seafood Market"! Go at 6 a.m. for the freshest catch, swimming crab 30 yuan/jin, clams 5 yuan/jin, have restaurants cook it for 10 yuan/serving—half the price of night stalls~
2️⃣ Don’t buy overpriced incense! Outside Putuoshan scenic area, incense costs 10 yuan/bundle, same as in the temple, no need to spend hundreds on "blessed incense," sincerity is what matters~
3️⃣ Book inter-island ferry tickets 3 days in advance! Tickets for Dongji Island and Huaniao Island sell out in peak season. Buy from the "Zhoushan Haixing Ferry" official WeChat, avoid scalpers and overpaying~
4️⃣ Rent electric scooters from local shops! Zhujiajian and Dongji Island rentals are 50 yuan/day. Don’t rent at the pier (80 yuan), walk 5 more minutes to save 30 yuan, plus get a helmet and charger included~

Spending 3 days in Zhoushan, 1500 yuan per person is enough for an amazing trip. Turns out traveling doesn’t have to break the bank to bring full happiness~ The spending philosophy here is so healing, every penny goes to scenery and food. This kind of solid happiness really makes you not want to leave~ Just go for it! 🚀