Discover the Hidden Gem of Nanji Island

Nanji Island (sometimes mistakenly referred to as "Nanlu Island") in Pingyang County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a lesser-known island renowned for its crystal-clear waters, soft sandy beaches, and pristine natural scenery. It's hailed as one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Islands in China." Here's a detailed travel guide: ### **Best Time to Visit** - **May to August** is the best time to visit Nanji Island, with warm weather ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water activities. - July-August is peak season, but be aware that typhoons may affect boat schedules. ### **Transportation Guide** 1. **Getting to the Island**: - **From Wenzhou**: Take a bus from Wenzhou Passenger Transport Center to Aojiang, then transfer to a speedboat (approx. 90 mins, RMB 230 round trip). - **High-Speed Rail**: Take the high-speed train to Pingyang Station, then a 10-min taxi ride to Aojiang Port Passenger Station, followed by a ferry. - **From Shanghai**: Take a long-distance bus directly to Aojiang, then transfer to a speedboat. 2. **Ticket Booking**: It's recommended to book ferry tickets in advance through the "Huancheng Shangwu" WeChat official account, especially during peak season. 3. **Island Transportation**: There are no fixed bus routes. You'll need to hire a car or take a hotel shuttle bus (approx. RMB 50-100 per trip). ### **Recommended Attractions** 1. **Dasha'ao Beach**: A shell beach perfect for swimming, photography, and sunset viewing. 2. **Sanpanwei Scenic Area**: The best sunrise viewing spot, featuring natural lawns, reefs, and the "Monkey Worshipping Guanyin" rock formation. 3. **Meiling Residence**: A historical building that once served as Soong Mei-ling's residence. 4. **Hu Yu (Tiger Islet)**: A reef shaped like a tiger, offering unique natural scenery. 5. **Guoxing'ao**: The only sheltered harbor on Nanji Island, with historical connections to Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga). ### **Accommodation Recommendations** - **Lost & Found Hotel**: A cliffside cave hotel with stunning sea views from its rooms. - **Dasha Beach Resort**: The only hotel built directly on the beach. - **Camping**: Bring your own tent (RMB 50/night site fee) or rent one. ### **Food Recommendations** - **Nanji razor clams, sand clams, and spicy snails**: Local seafood specialties. - **Barnacles (Hongdandian) and sea mantis soup**: Delicious and flavorful. - **Grouper and mussels**: Can be stewed in soup or stir-fried. ### **Suggested Itinerary** - **Day 1**: After arrival, visit Meiling Residence and Xiangsi Garden. Swim at Dasha'ao Beach in the afternoon and watch the sunset at Mazu'ao in the evening. - **Day 2**: Head to Sanpanwei at 4 am to watch the sunrise. Explore the scenic area before returning. ### **Things to Note** - **Weather**: Take sun protection measures in summer and check typhoon warnings in advance. - **Seasickness**: The speedboat ride can be bumpy, so it's advisable to bring seasickness medication. - **Tickets**: Island entry fee is RMB 100, Sanpanwei Scenic Area is RMB 25, and Dasha'ao Beach is RMB 30. Nanji Island is perfect for a 2-3 day getaway. It's less crowded and commercialized, making it ideal for nature lovers. If you're looking for unique accommodation, the cliffside hotel or camping are excellent choices.