Zhoushan 2 Days 1 Night Island Tour

Who says you have to go to Sanya to see the sea?
In the Yangtze River Delta, there is a stunning island reachable by a 30-minute high-speed train—

This is the Zhoushan Archipelago, China’s first prefecture-level city established by islands, consisting of 1,390 islands, known as the "Pearl of the East China Sea."

I completed a spontaneous 2-day 1-night light trip here in summer.

Starting from Hangzhou, it takes only 3 hours by high-speed train + bus;
Stayed at a seaside guesthouse in Zhujiajian, collected shells on the beach at dawn, climbed islands to pray and dug razor clams during the day, enjoyed freshly caught seafood at night, and gazed at the starry sky... all for less than 2,000 RMB per person, with an incredible cost-performance ratio!

This highly cost-effective Zhoushan micro-vacation guide is perfect for couples, best friends, or families. Everyone wanting a short escape from the city, please save it!

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✅ Itinerary Overview

- Duration: 2 days 1 night (recommended departure Friday night or Saturday morning)
- Budget: About 2,000 RMB per person (cheaper for two traveling together)
- Highlights: Sea and sand fun × Fresh seafood that will blow your mind × Light hiking × High cost-performance

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🚆 Day 1: Arrive in Zhoushan × Walk on Zhujiajian Beach × Seafood Feast
🚄 Transportation (about 450 RMB)
Take high-speed train G7562 from Hangzhou East Station → Ningbo Station (about 1.5 hours, ticket 71 RMB), then transfer to a bus to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier (about 1.5 hours, ticket 38 RMB).

Tickets can be purchased via mobile for the whole trip with seamless connections. Driving is more convenient: Hangzhou → Zhujiajian about 3 hours, round-trip fuel + toll about 500 RMB, suitable for sharing among several people.

> 💡Tips: Buy tickets in advance during holidays; bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and snacks for a more comfortable ride.

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🏡 Accommodation Recommendation (1 night about 600 RMB)
Stayed at the seaside guesthouse "Tingtao·Shanju" near Nansha Scenic Area in Zhujiajian, about 600 RMB/night (including breakfast for two), just a 5-minute walk to the beach.

> 💡Key point: Don’t stay in Shenjiamen city! Although cheaper, it’s far from the sea; staying in Zhujiajian or Dongji is better for a vacation vibe.

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🍽 Dinner: Local Seafood Stall (about 150 RMB/person)
At "A Yong Seafood Stall," ordered five must-try dishes:
- Poached fresh water shad (melts in your mouth, incredibly fresh and sweet)
- Salt-baked clams (original flavor, easy to shell)
- Steamed swimming crab (seasonal female crab with roe, golden and tempting)
- Clam steamed egg (soup mixed with rice can be eaten three bowls)
- Seafood fried rice cakes (chewy and full of ocean flavor)

>💡Tips: Ask the owner to catch fresh seafood on the spot, avoid frozen goods; confirm prices to avoid being overcharged.

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🌅 Evening: Walk at Nansha Seaside Bathing Beach + Sunset Check-in
After dinner, stroll slowly along Zhoushan International Sand Sculpture Art Plaza, golden sunset shining on the fine soft sand, sea breeze gently blowing, children building sandcastles and chasing waves.

Cycling on the coastal trail feels like a slow-motion scene from a movie. At that moment, it seemed the whole world slowed down.

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✅ Day 2: Putuo Mountain Blessing × Summit View × Tide Pool Fun

⛩ Morning: Putuo Mountain Day Tour (ticket + ferry about 220 RMB/person)

Early morning ferry to the "Buddhist Kingdom of the Sea and Sky" — Putuo Mountain (departing from Wugongzhi Pier, one-way ferry ticket 30 RMB, entrance ticket 130 RMB).

Private cars are prohibited on the island; eco-friendly vehicles connect all attractions. We chose the essential route:

📍 First stop: Nanhai Guanyin Statue (free)
A 33-meter tall bronze statue stands by the sea, solemn and sacred. The child clasped hands and made a wish: "Hope mom is happy every day."

📍 Second stop: Puji Temple (included in the ticket)
The main temple of Putuo Mountain, bustling with incense. You can toss coins into the donation box to pray, drink a bowl of free vegetarian tea, and feel your heart calm.

📍 Third stop: Baibu Sand → Purple Bamboo Forest → Bukengqu Guanyin Temple
Walk along the coastal boardwalk with excellent scenery. Listen to Buddhist chants in the Purple Bamboo Forest, and visit the Sino-Japanese exchange historical site before Bukengqu Guanyin Temple.

>💡Tips:
>- About 3 hours walking, wear comfortable sports shoes
>- Bring water and snacks, island prices are slightly higher
>- You can buy a combined ticket (including multiple bus and ferry rides) for convenience

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🍽 Lunch: Island Vegetarian Meal Experience (about 60 RMB/person)
Had a peaceful vegetarian meal at "Yinxiu An":
- Vegetarian chicken with bamboo shoots
- Mushrooms and greens
- Brown rice
- Lotus seed and white fungus soup

Light and stomach-friendly, calming body and mind.

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🐚 Afternoon: Zhujiajian Housha Beach Tide Pooling (free)
After returning to Zhujiajian, I went to the less crowded and beautiful Housha Beach area to join a local tide pooling activity (free guidance).

Dug up by hand:
- Small razor clams (hidden in the mudflats, one hole per clam)
- Clams (open easily with a gentle pry)
- Small crabs (running sideways, super cute)

>💡Tips:
>- Check the tide table! Best 2 hours before and after low tide (use the "Tide Table Elf" app)
>- Bring a small bucket, shovel, rain boots or crocs
>- The seafood you dig up can be cooked by the guesthouse (about 20 RMB per portion)

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🛍️ Before Departure: Buy Some Taste of the Sea to Take Home (about 200 RMB)
Recommended practical and presentable souvenirs:
- Zhoushan Three Abalone and Eel Gift Box (traditional curing and drying, great with drinks, 120 RMB)
- Dried mussels/shrimp in cans (enhance soup flavor, 60 RMB/can)
- Seaweed crispy snacks (individually packed, kids love them, 30 RMB/pack)
- Handmade shell wind chimes (artistic and fresh, under 50 RMB)

All under 200 RMB total, great for gifts to family and friends.

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🚆 Return Trip: Easy Journey Home
Booked a 4:30 PM bus back to Ningbo, then took the high-speed train back to Hangzhou, smooth and without traffic jams.

✅ Expense Summary (per person | total budget about 2,000 RMB)

Item Cost (RMB)
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Round-trip transport (train + bus + ferry) 450
Accommodation (1 night seaside guesthouse) 600
Meals (3 main meals + breakfast) 350
Attraction tickets and experiences 220
Tide pooling tool rental/miscellaneous 30
Souvenirs 200
Emergency reserve 150
Total ≈ 2,000 RMB

👉 Fully within budget, you can even upgrade to a lobster feast!

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📌 Thoughtful Tips | Practical Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. Best Seasons:
- April to June: Spring warmth, seafood is plump, moderate tourists
- September to October: Clear autumn weather, good for island visits
- Avoid typhoon season and extreme heat in July and August

2. Clothing Suggestions:
- Bring a jacket in spring and autumn, seaside winds are strong
- Wear non-slip sandals or crocs, convenient for water play and tide pooling

3. Safety Reminders:
- Don’t go alone deep into mudflats when tide pooling, beware of quicksand
- Do not eat unknown wild shellfish to avoid poisoning

4. Eco-friendly Travel:
- Take your trash with you, protect island ecology
- Do not pick live coral or disturb marine life

If you also want to:
✅ Hear the real sound of the waves
✅ Eat a dinner freshly caught from the sea
✅ Give yourself a reason to unwind

Then come to Zhoushan.

Here, the wind is free, and so is the heart.