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Zhoushan Islands: A typical trip to Zhoushan involves enjoying seafood (at Shenjiamen in Putuo District), admiring the sea (at Dongji Island, Shengsi Islands, Gouqi Island, and Daishan Island), playing in the sand (at Zhujiajian), and burning incense and making petitions (at Putuo Mountain). Those with martial arts aspirations will naturally choose Taohua Island. Since most islands are connected by ferry, you can easily choose to visit one island, with an average of two days. A trip around the archipelago, exploring all the major scenic spots, will take at least six days. It's most convenient to return to Zhoushan Island and then travel to various destinations.
Reference series: Shengsi Islands → Zhoushan Island → Taohua Island → Zhoushan Island → Zhujiajian Island → Putuoshan Island → Daishan Island
Zhoushan connection: There are ferry connections between Zhoushan and Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo. Therefore, if you want to connect with the inland, you will generally choose one of these three cities.
Day 1: Depart for Zhoushan early in the morning, arrive at Shenjiamen for lunch before noon, and then visit Zhujiajian in the afternoon. We recommend limiting our visits to Nansha (a half-day trip to see the sand sculptures and swim at the beach), Wushitang (all black cobblestone), and Baishan (a castrated, scaled-down version of Huangshan Mountain), which is rather boring and should be avoided. In the evening, Nansha offers seafood barbecue stalls.
Day 2: Putuo Mountain. This is the highlight, and you need to be pious. Nanhai Guanyin, Foding Mountain, Puji Temple, and Fayu Temple are all recommended. The route is to walk right after reaching the pier and follow the crowds. (If you catch lunch at noon, you can go to Puji Temple for a vegetarian meal for 10 yuan per person.)
Day 3: Peach Blossom Island. We recommend visiting the Legend of the Condor Heroes (TV series) and Peach Blossom Village. (Anqi Peak is a very high mountain with a temple on top, and the climb takes most of the day. The beach is very affordable, only 15 yuan.) There's also a shuttle bus leaving Zhoushan at 7:00 PM.
Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge Scenic Tourist Area → China Opium War Relics Park Cultural Tourist Area → Seaside Park → Dinghai Port Public Yacht Marina → Dinghai Phoenix Island and Southern Islands
Donghai Grand Canyon National Forest Park Ecological Tourism Area → Xiaosha Sanmao's Ancestral Home → Ma'ao, China's "First Island Village" → China Drama Valley Cultural Tourism Area → Island-themed Leisure Farming and Fishing Resorts
Zhongxi Street, Lanli Former Residence → Zuyin Temple → Wang Family Former Residence, Zhu Family Former Residence, Liu Kunji Courtyard → Liu Hongsheng Former Residence → Haishan Park → China Opium War Ruins Park Cultural Tourism Zone → Zhoushan Qiandao Seafood Food Plaza
Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge Scenic Tourist Area → East China Sea Grand Canyon National Forest Park Ecological Tourist Area → China Drama Valley Cultural Tourist Area → Dinghai Phoenix Island and Southern Islands
Visit Buddha at Putuo Temple, play in the sand at Zhujiajian, and enjoy the fun of the seaside.
D1: Zhoushan (Zhujiajian)
Depart for Zhoushan early in the morning, have lunch, and then head to Zhujiajian in the afternoon. I recommend spending half a day in Nansha (visiting the sand sculptures and swimming on the beach) and Wushitang (all covered in black, soft rocks). In the evening, Nansha has seafood barbecue stalls.
D2: Zhoushan (Putuo Mountain)
Heart-shaped Stone → Pantuo Stone → Two Tortoises Listening to the Dharma Stone → Guanyin Cave → Puji Zen Temple → Huiji Zen Temple → Yangzhi Zen Temple → Qianbusha → Baibusha to reach Putuo Mountain.
Xitian Scenic Area: First, arrange accommodation near Puji Temple. You can stay inside the temple or find a suitable hotel nearby. Then, visit the Xitian Scenic Area, including the Heart Stone, Pantuo Stone, the Two Tortoises Listening to the Dharma Stone, and Guanyin Cave. Return to Puji Temple in the morning.
Huiji Temple: In the afternoon, take Line 2 from Baibusha to the cable car station. Take the cable car up to Huiji Temple and then to Foding Mountain. Then walk down the mountain, passing Haitian Foguo Stone.
Fayu Temple and Qianbusha: After visiting Fayu Temple, go swimming at Qianbusha or Baibusha. After dinner, continue to Baibusha to watch the sunset and listen to the waves. If you prefer a more lively atmosphere, Hengzhi Street, the "Nanjing Road of Putuo Mountain," is right in front of Puji Temple. But don't stay out too late, as we have to get up early tomorrow!
D3: Putuo Mountain: Duangu Holy Site → Luojia Mountain → Bukenqu Guanyin Temple → Chaoyin Cave → Purple Bamboo Forest → Nanhai Guanyin Statue → Baibusha
Go to Baibusha early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the sea.
Luojia Mountain: At 7:00, arrive at Duangudaotou and take a boat to Luojia Mountain for a half-day tour.
Purple Bamboo Forest: Go to the Purple Bamboo Forest Scenic Area in the afternoon and continue the "Pilgrimage to Guanyin" journey.
Beaches, beautiful scenery, and sea customs are all included...
D1: Zhoushan Island [Dinghai Ancient City → Huangyangjian Scenic Area → Opium War Site (Zhushan Park) → Shenjiamen Fishing Port]
D2: Peach Blossom Island (Tawan Sands → Anqi Peak)
Day 1: After arriving on Zhoushan Island, find accommodation on Donghai Middle Road or Bingang Road in Shenjiamen Town. Take the Dingshen Line bus to Dinghai Ancient Town. First, explore Zhushan Park, which offers beautiful scenery. Then, take a bus to Huangyangjian Scenic Area in Lincheng Subdistrict to admire the Thousand Islands of the Zhoushan Archipelago.
Then walk around the Ming and Qing Dynasty historical district. If there is still early time, you can visit Sanmao's ancestral home. You can also take a bus to Ma'ao Museum in Xiaosha Town to experience Ma'ao's rich marine culture.
Before dusk, take the Dingshen Line back to Shenjiamen. Enjoy the beautiful sunset at Shenjiamen Fishing Port, China's largest fishing port. If you're hungry, enjoy the famous Shenjiamen Night Food Stalls (located in Donggang, next to Zhujiajian Bridge). Recommended dishes include: Braised Chicken with White Dried Fish, Grilled Yellow Croaker with Dried Fish, and Grilled Large Flounder.
Day 2: Take a boat from Shenjiamen Banshengdong Pier to Taohua Island. From the pier, take a minibus to Jinsha, which costs 4 yuan and takes half an hour. Explore the Tawan Jinsha Scenic Area. First, visit Baique Temple and Dinghai Shenzhen. Then, stroll to Qianbu Jinsha, the second largest beach in the Zhoushan Archipelago, to experience the exceptionally fine sand. Enjoy the unique island scenery nearby.
In the afternoon, we will travel along Longtan Road to the Anqi Peak Scenic Area. Our itinerary will include the summit of Anqi Peak, the Alchemy Cave, the Shengyan Ancient Temple, and the Dahuangsha Desert. Return to the dock before 4:00 PM, take the ferry back to Shenjiamen, visit the Donghe Seafood Market, and stay overnight in Shenjiamen.