Dongji Island is stunning, but I honestly don’t recommend going in October because.........
Dongji Island Travel Guide: Unlock the East China Sea Secret Starting at 1500 RMB per Person
Dongji Island, located at the easternmost point of China, consists of three main islands: Miaozihu, Dongfushan, and Qingbang. It is famous for the "First Ray of the New Century" observation point, the sea-side Potala Palace stone houses, and as a filming location for the movie "The Continent." The best travel season is autumn 2025, when the sea is as blue as a gem and there are relatively fewer tourists, perfect for photography, hiking, and island therapy. Below is a practical 3-day, 2-night itinerary starting at 1500 RMB per person, covering transportation, accommodation, food, and must-visit attractions.
1. Transportation Breakdown: 300-500 RMB per person
Main transport: Taking Hangzhou as an example, the high-speed train to Ningbo Station takes about 1 hour, costing 71 RMB; then transfer to a bus to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier in Zhoushan for about 2 hours, costing 60 RMB. If driving, parking at the pier costs 50 RMB/day.
Island ferry tickets: Book 3 days in advance on the "Zhoushan Haixing Ferry" WeChat official account, tickets released daily at 5 AM. Cabin options: lower cabin (100 RMB/person, poor view but good for seasickness), middle cabin (130 RMB/person, best value), upper cabin (150 RMB/person, great view but can be shaky in rough seas). The ferry ride takes about 2.5 hours. Inter-island transport requires cash tickets: Miaozihu to Dongfushan Island 30 RMB/person, to Qingbang Island 20 RMB/person.
Return ferry tickets: Book 1 day in advance on the "Dongji Shipping" WeChat official account, middle cabin tickets cost 130 RMB/person. Set an alarm to grab tickets quickly.
2. Accommodation Recommendations: 200-600 RMB per night per person
High-end options:
Fanyu Boutique Homestay (Miaozihu Island): 270° sea view room 880 RMB/night, equipped with floor-to-ceiling window bathtub and smart toilet, free travel photography service provided.
Dongji Haiyu Sheep House Homestay (Dongfushan Island): Large balcony sea view room 680 RMB/night, 10-minute walk to the sunrise viewing platform, ideal for couples or families.
Cost-effective options:
Tata Youth Hostel (Dongfushan Island): Bed 80 RMB/night, standard room 260 RMB/night, public terrace with free barbecue grill.
Dongwan Homestay (Qingbang Island): Family room 498 RMB/night, 3-minute walk to the sea-side Potala Palace, can book inter-island ferry tickets on behalf.
Unique experience:
Starry Sky Camping (Dongfushan Island): Tent rental 150 RMB/tent, includes moisture-proof mat and sleeping bag, campsite has public restrooms and showers, summer offers opportunities to photograph the Milky Way and lighthouse together.
3. Must-visit Attractions and Activities: 200-500 RMB per person
Miaozihu Island:
Caibogong Statue: Free entry, hear the legend of the "Sea Guardian God."
Red and White Lighthouse: Buy lighthouse ice cream for 15 RMB each for photos, soft light at sunset perfect for silhouette shots.
Island sightseeing bus: 88 RMB/person, passes 6 spots including Dongxiang Pavilion and Original Stone Beach, can get off midway to explore.
"The Continent" Theme Museum: 30 RMB entrance fee, exhibits movie props and behind-the-scenes footage.
Dongfushan Island:
First Ray of the New Century Observation Deck: Free entry, sunrise around 4:50 AM in summer, 1-hour hike to the top, bring a tripod for time-lapse photography.
Elephant Trunk Peak Hiking: 4-hour loop through rocky grasslands, ends with the "Elephant Trunk Drinking Water" natural wonder, may encounter wild macaques along the way.
Sea Fishing Experience: Group fishing 398 RMB/person (2 hours), private boat 2000 RMB/boat (up to 6 people, 5 hours), catch can be processed on site (processing fee 20 RMB per jin).
Qingbang Island:
Sea-side Potala Palace: Stone house cluster built on the hillside, best to shoot with a telephoto lens before 7 AM, new drone rental service available in 2025 at 150 RMB/hour.
Xiaohai Cave Beach: Collect shells and catch crabs at low tide, water is crystal clear.
Bioluminescent Sea Observation: Blue tears occasionally appear from May to September, must visit Shapusha Beach on moonless nights, homestay "Yuqi" offers observation alert service.
4. Food Map: 50-100 RMB per meal per person
Must-try restaurants:
Xiaolin Noodle Shop (Miaozihu Island): Seafood fried rice noodles 35 RMB/serving, generous toppings, recommended to add scallion oil crab for 68 RMB/serving, owner’s unique "Dongji spicy sauce" free to add.
A Jun Food Stall (Dongfushan Island): Fresh mussels 38 RMB/plate, Buddha hand conch 88 RMB/jin, seafood hotpot 128 RMB/pot, outdoor seating facing the sea, reserve 1 hour in advance.
Qingbang Memory Restaurant (Qingbang Island): The only restaurant offering seafood sashimi, thick-cut salmon 68 RMB/serving, after meal you can drop postcards in the homestay’s "Worry Mailbox."
Street Snacks:
Dried Fish Grilled Cake (Qingbang Island Pier): Handmade by an elderly lady, 10 RMB each, crispy with fresh fish flavor, limited supply, luck needed.
Seafood Noodle Dumplings (Miaozihu Commercial Street): 25 RMB/bowl, handmade chewy noodle dumplings with razor clams, shrimp, clams, and 8 kinds of seafood.
Iced Fresh Bayberry Juice (Dongfushan A Xing Milk Tea Shop): 15 RMB/cup, freshly squeezed from local Zhoushan bayberries, chilled and sweet-sour to beat the heat.
5. Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
Ferry ticket traps: Tickets are tight in peak season, do not buy from unofficial channels, follow "Zhoushan Haixing Ferry" WeChat official account to book early.
Cash is a must: Some island vendors (like fishermen’s homestays and small shops) only accept cash, prepare small change.
Sun protection gear: Strong UV on the island, bring SPF50+ sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses.
Travel light: Many stone steps on the island, some homestays built on hills, recommend backpacks instead of suitcases.
Network signal: No 4G signal in parts of Qingbang and Dongfushan Islands, download offline maps in advance.
6. 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary
Day 1: Sea-side Potala Palace and Bioluminescent Sea
Morning: Take ferry from Zhujiajian Pier to Miaozihu Island (middle cabin 130 RMB), then transfer to Qingbang Island (20 RMB).
Afternoon: Photograph the sea-side Potala Palace panorama, hike Xiaohai Cave and West Wind Bay pebble beach.
Evening: Dinner at Qingbang Memory Restaurant, wait for bioluminescent sea at Shapusha Beach, listen to waves on the homestay terrace.
Day 2: Dongfushan Sunrise and Island Wilderness
Early morning: Qingbang to Dongfushan Island (20 RMB), hike to sunrise viewing platform, seafood noodles at A Jun Food Stall.
Morning: Island hike to Elephant Trunk Peak, White Cloud Temple, and Big Tree Bay stone houses.
Afternoon: Sea fishing experience (398 RMB/person), sunset photos at Caibogong Statue roadside.
Evening: Late-night noodles at Xiaolin Noodle Shop on Miaozihu Island, live music at the bar.
Day 3: Movie Tour and Return
Morning: Sightseeing bus to "The Continent" filming locations, buy dried fish grilled cakes (10 RMB each) as souvenirs.
Afternoon: Ferry from Miaozihu to Zhujiajian Pier (130 RMB), end of trip.
The charm of Dongji Island lies in its ability to let you freely switch between cliff edges and blue skies, find healing in fishing village life and starry sky camping. Keep this guide handy, avoid the crowds, and unlock the ultimate romance of this East China Sea secret with great value!