Dongji Island is located on the eastern side of the Zhoushan Archipelago, known for its quaint fishing village charm. It is an ideal place for a vacation with friends and family, offering sunrise viewing, seafood tasting, and sea fishing. The island gained public attention after being featured in Han Han’s film ‘The Continent of the End’. The term ‘Dongji Island’ is a collective name for four inhabited islands and numerous uninhabited islets.
The main island, Miaozihu Island, is where the local government is based. To the west lies Huangxing Island, which is almost uninhabited and inaccessible by ferry, thus rarely visited by tourists. To the east is Qingbang Island, known as the ‘Seaside Potala Palace’ due to its buildings clinging to the mountains, making it a suitable spot for distant viewing. Dongfushan Island is the place in China where one can witness the first rays of sunlight over the sea, making it a popular choice for sunrise viewing. To reach Dongji Island, one must take a boat from Shengmen Half-Rise Cave Wharf, with a daily departure at 8:30 AM to Miaozihu Island and a return trip around 11:00 AM. During peak travel seasons and weekends or holidays, additional boats are available, with a one-way journey taking approximately 2 hours. It is recommended to stay in Shengmen the night before and catch the early boat the next morning. If you miss the boat on a weekday, you would have to stay an extra day. A typical visit lasts about 2-3 days. A suggested itinerary includes departing from Half-Rise Cave Wharf at 8:30 AM on the Dongji Ferry, arriving at Miaozihu around 10:40 AM, purchasing a ticket for the 11:00 AM boat to Dongfushan Island at the waiting hall, and then transferring to the Dongfu Ferry. After checking into the hotel and enjoying a bowl of seafood noodles, you can start your light exploration in the afternoon. Dongfushan Island boasts beautiful scenery and is considered cost-effective among the Dongji Islands. An in-depth exploration can be achieved by hiking around the island, which, although physically demanding, is well worth the effort. Heading north along the coastline, the Dashuwan Stone House Cluster not only displays the unique stone houses of the area but also offers a view of the blue sea with a distinct color boundary. Heading south, you can visit the wind farm, Baiyun Palace, Meteorite Waterfall, and Elephant Trunk Peak along the island’s cement road, all boasting beautiful scenery. On the southwest side, there is a rock carving that reads ‘Fu Ru Donghai’, which also offers a pleasant view and a place to rest on the rocks. Be prepared for a 2-4 hour hike, and some areas can be quite steep; a comfortable pair of shoes will make the journey much easier. The highlight of the trip is the early morning, where you should head to the First Ray of Sunlight Observation Deck around 3-4 AM to witness the sunrise over the sea, which is both beautiful and ceremonial. There are boats returning to Miaozihu Island at 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM daily. If your schedule is tight, you can return after the sunrise; otherwise, you can continue to explore or take a nap, just be mindful of the ferry schedule.The two ferry services pass by Qingbang Island, which is relatively dilapidated but also quiet and pristine. If interested, you can visit the island and then proceed to Miaozihu Island for a leisurely stroll before taking the 11:00 ferry back to Shenjiamen. Miaozihu Island is more commercialized, with a sightseeing vehicle that goes around the island (50 yuan per person). Near the stone pier on the island, there is a stone tablet inscribed with ‘Dongji’, where many people take photos.
Additionally, on the eastern hill, there is a statue of Caigong Gong holding a torch, which is also one of the landmarks. This statue appeared in the movie ‘The Continent’ and is affectionately known as the ‘Goddess of Liberty’. Regarding dining: Dongji Island’s cuisine mainly features seafood, and it is recommended to eat and stay at fishermen’s homes or guesthouses, which are more cost-effective. Just make sure to agree on the price beforehand. Generally, a vegetarian dish costs around 20 yuan, and seafood is 50-60 yuan per serving. Seafood noodle shops scattered around the island are also worth trying, with a bowl costing around 20 yuan. You may not be accustomed to the taste, but it is one of the ways to experience the local culture. For those who want to enjoy the feeling of eating seafood at a night market, you can visit the seafood barbecue near Miaozihu Stone Pier. However, during the fishing ban from June to September, there are few wild seafood, and the so-called ‘authentic wild seafood’ kept in plastic basins is mostly artificially bred and more expensive. Regarding accommodation: Accommodation on Dongji Island is concentrated on Miaozihu Island and Dongfushan Island. Compared to Miaozihu Island, which has more accommodation options, Dongfushan Island is recommended for those who want to experience a more authentic island atmosphere. You can stay at Tata Youth Hostel, which was converted from a primary school and features a spacious playground and spectacular sea views. The cost for a sea view double room on weekdays is 160 yuan. Upon arrival at the pier, the owner can pick you up.
The entire area is open throughout the year, with full-day access. Essential tips for a visit: 1. Due to various sudden situations such as weather, ferry schedules may be delayed or suspended. During peak tourist seasons, there may be additional ferries; specific schedules should be confirmed with the pier before departure. 2. During peak seasons and weekends, tickets and accommodations are often in high demand, so remember to book in advance.
7. Swimming at the seaside here is not like being in a supervised swimming area, and due to the strong waves and numerous reefs, it is advised against swimming in the ocean.
