Just returned from Dongji Island, really don't recommend visiting from July to September

Dongji Island is extremely hot from July to September. Without proper planning, it's like a natural sauna with countless pitfalls‼️ You must prepare well before going, otherwise I truly don't recommend visiting during these months😭 This guide combines 25 newly added cultural tourism projects in 2025 + the 100-day summer retreat action, helping you avoid 90% of the pitfalls! Bookmark this for future reference💓

📅 2-day 1-night in-depth itinerary
Day1: Miaozihu Island (main island) + Qingbang Island
🚢 Morning
7:30 From Ningbo/Zhoushan → Zhujiajian Pier → Take ferry to Miaozihu (middle cabin 130 RMB, 2 hours).
✅ Must-visit spots:
🔥Filming location of "The Continent": Caibogong Statue + Red & White Lighthouse (best light at dusk, wear light-colored long dresses for backlit photos).
Dongji Pavilion: Panoramic view of the "First City in the East", AI interactive electronic souvenir cards (full of tech vibes).

🍜 Lunch
Xiaolin Noodle House (Miaozihu Pier): Seafood noodles 35 RMB (tigerfish + mussels + shrimp), pair perfectly with chili sauce!
Afternoon
Take ferry to Qingbang Island (20 RMB, 20 mins) → Hike to "Sea Potala Palace":

Kid's Cave: WWII historical site, wear anti-slip shoes for climbing reefs.
Shapu Beach: Wait for September's bioluminescent sea (use flashlight to draw circles on moonless nights to trigger).

🌙 Evening
Stay at "Yuqi Homestay" on Qingbang Island (498 RMB/night, with stargazing terrace) → Late-night snack: Freshly grilled dried squid 20 RMB/bag + ice-cold beer.

Day2: Dongfushan Island (first sunrise in China)
🌄 Early morning
4:30 Hike to Dongfushan Sunrise Platform (20 mins) → Witness China's first sunrise (around 5:20).
🏔 Morning
Island loop hike (4 hours):
Elephant Trunk Peak: 360° cliff viewpoint, secure your hat as it's windy.
Dashuwan Stone Houses: Abandoned fishing village, drone photography allowed (must register in advance on "Zhoushan Police" WeChat).

🎣 Experience:
Lure fishing: Shell Beach base (198 RMB/2 hours, gear provided, caught fish can be cooked).

Afternoon
Dongfushan → Miaozihu (12:30 ferry) → Return.

⚠️ Comprehensive pitfall guide
🚢 Transportation pitfalls
Scalpers: Official tickets on "Zhoushan Haixing Ferry" WeChat 3 days in advance (sales start at 5:00), don't believe "insider tickets"!
Transfer trap: Zhujiajian→Miaozihu is main route, cash-only tickets for Qingbang/Dongfushan onboard (bring change).
Weather cancellations: Check "Zhoushan Weather" WeChat before departure as fog/rain may cancel all ferries.

🏨 Accommodation pitfalls
Kickback restaurants: Some homestays push partner restaurants (e.g. "Latitude 30°"), expensive and bad! Find local seafood stalls instead.
Too-good-to-be-true prices: Oceanview rooms under 300 RMB/night may be damp/buggy.
Peak season markups: July-August prices double, book 2 months early (recommend "Lanyun Blueness" homestay, 598 RMB/night with bathtub).

🍤 Food pitfalls
Pier scams: Seafood stalls shortchange customers, go to "Qingbang Memory Restaurant" for fresh fish (70 RMB/person).
Group buy traps: Cheap seafood sets may use dead fish, order à la carte with clear pricing.
Tourist trap shops: "Dongji Chili Sauce" is free to add, but don't buy bottled (15 RMB in supermarkets vs 30 RMB at attractions).

📸 Activity pitfalls
⭕Deep sea fishing scam: Beginners avoid 200 RMB/hour deep sea fishing (likely to catch nothing)! Try shore fishing (50 RMB/hour).
⭕Hiking misdirection: Dongfushan loop takes 4 hours, avoid "counterclockwise route" if unfit (hard first then easy).
⭕False bioluminescence claims: Only at Shapu Beach after August, ignore "always visible" ads.

🍜 Food hall of fame
Xiaolin Noodle House (Miaozihu): Seafood fried rice cakes 30 RMB, add vinegar to remove fishiness.
Ajun Seafood Stall (Dongfushan): Goose barnacles 88 RMB/jin, best steamed.
Dongji Fish Market (Miaozihu): Buy mussels 10 RMB/jin, have homestay cook them (15 RMB fee).

🎫 2025 new surprises
1⃣Heixiazi Island helicopter tour: Route A 10 mins 580 RMB, view China-Russia border.
2⃣Dongji Wave Music Festival: August event (feat. Silence Wang/Joey Yung), 380 RMB includes ferry.
3⃣Sanjiang Nature Museum: VR experience of three-river confluence, family-friendly (60 RMB ticket)

🌈 Pro tip: Dongji has poor signal, download offline maps! September has fewer tourists and fatter seafood, perfect for off-peak travel～