The main peak of Dongmenyu is like a huge bonsai. The peaks stacked with rocks are craggy and towering at the strategic point where Dongshan Port goes out to sea. A stretch of expansive water and a突兀 peak complement each other interestingly. Climbing up the stone path shaded by trees, and reaching the main peak of Tayu at an altitude of 91 meters, you can see Wenfeng Tower. The tower is a solid octagonal multi-eaved building with seven floors and is made of granite.
It was built by Cai Chao, the Fujian maritime inspection official, in the 5th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (526). Dongmenyu is not large nor high. It only covers an area of 1 square kilometer, and the highest peak is only 91 meters above sea level. Due to its unique coastline and numerous strange rocks, coupled with beautiful natural scenery, it has attracted batches of film and television workers. So far, more than 20 films and TV dramas have been filmed here. The ‘Dr. Mata’s Island’ in China’s first science fiction film ‘The Death Ray on Coral Island’ is Dongmenyu. Films and TV dramas such as ‘Journey to the West’, ‘Love of the Sea’, and ‘Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea’ also use Dongmenyu as an outdoor shooting base. What attracts television and film artists to Dongmenyu is its natural landscape, a natural beauty with a charm that is naturally formed without any adornment. Therefore, Dongmenyu is also known as a ‘natural studio’. The whole island of Dongmenyu is in the shape of a ‘工’ character and is divided into three parts: the southern section, the middle section, and the northern section. The southern section of Dongmenyu is composed of several small hills and is the section with rich and concentrated landscapes on the island. The strange rock and cave landscapes formed by natural reefs in various shapes are scattered among them. Every step brings a different view, and everywhere is beautiful. There are many cultural landscapes dotted among them, rich in connotations. The greening rate on the island is very high. The trees are verdant. When the sea breeze blows, it brings a faint smell of soil, refreshing. The main natural landscapes include Eagle Beak Rock, Fisherman Fishing, Divine Tortoise Greeting Guests, Gecko Playing with Elephant, Toad Looking at the Sky, Mandarin Ducks Teasing Monkeys, etc. The main cultural landscapes include Dongming Temple, Wenfeng Tower, Yunshan Stone Chamber, Wenchang Pavilion, Zhongde Residence, etc. The middle section of Dongmenyu is the link connecting the southern and northern sections. It is mainly a strip-shaped beach about 200 meters long. A windbreak forest belt in the middle divides the beach into two parts, the east and the west. The beach on the east is called ‘Beiaowei’, and the beach on the west is called ‘Da’ao Di’. Both the east and west beaches are good places for swimming and playing in the waves. The beige beach is slightly curved, arching a bay of clean seawater, just forming a huge ‘X’ shape. When it is windy, elsewhere there are surging waves, but here there are only gentle ripples. When there is a breeze, elsewhere there are meandering small waves, but here the water surface is as smooth as a mirror. It is a good seaside bath. The windbreak forest belt in the middle has been opened up into a forest farm, and a large number of fruit trees such as citrus have been introduced; various flowers such as bougainvillea and oleander have been cultivated.After enjoying the sea, tasting fruits and admiring flowers is also a pleasant experience. The northern section of Dongmenyu is called ‘Fo’ao’. Along the coast are reefs and small beaches. In the middle are several small hills. The mountains are covered with green vegetation, mainly windbreak, sand-proof and alkali-resistant tree species such as casuarina and acacia. On the south coast of this section, there is Dongming Temple, which was originally a small temple built in the Ming Dynasty.
In recent years, believers at home and abroad have raised huge funds for expansion. Temples such as the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall and the Reclining Buddha Altar have been built, covering a total area of more than 6,000 square meters, forming a fairly large-scale Buddhist temple complex. To the south of the temple are small beaches, reefs, caves, and many stone inscriptions and steles are dotted among them. The surrounding natural scenery is beautiful, the mountains and forests are lush and quiet and pleasant. Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 17:00. Preferential policies: Children: Free for those under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters in height (inclusive); Half price for minors aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 (inclusive) with valid certificates. Elderly: Free for those aged 60 or above with valid certificates. Students: Half price for full-time undergraduate and below students with valid certificates. Teachers/labor models/moral models/military martyrs’ families: Half price with valid certificates. Disabled people/active servicemen: Free with valid certificates. Supplementary note: The above preferential policies are for reference only. The specific policies are subject to the announcements on the spot at the scenic spot on the day. Service facilities: Parking lot: [Dongmenyu Parking Lot]. Reference price: ¥15/time; Address: Opposite the ticket office; Number of parking spaces: 600; Medium-sized bus ¥20/time (13 to 24 seats); Large bus ¥30/time (more than 25 seats).
