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The Xiushan Island Scenic Area, an integral part of the Daishan Scenic Area, is situated in the eastern part of Daishan Island. It encompasses 35 islands, both large and small, with Xiushan Island at its core. According to legend, Xiushan Island is one of the three fairy mountains on the sea, also known as ‘Abbot Island’, and is celebrated as the ‘Shangri-La on the Sea’.
The main attractions of the area include:
– Mud Skiing Theme Park
– Lanxiu Culture Museum
– Xiushan Beach Group
– Jiuzi Buddha Islet
– Seaside bath
– Changshou Zen Temple
– Ancestral halls of the Li ethnic group
– The five main houses of the Li family
– Lion Rock
The Xiushan Island Mud Skiing Theme Park is positioned at the northwest end of Xiushan Island. It overlooks thousands of mu of gentle tidal flats and is backed by a provincial wetland nature reserve. The park is segmented into large, medium, and small activity function areas, focusing on tourism projects themed around ‘mud’. It offers a variety of activities such as windsurfing mud skiing, wooden barrel mud skiing, mud competitions, modern mud slimming, mud climbing sports, mud bathing, mud therapy, and mud fishing, ensuring a rich, interesting, and thrilling experience for visitors.
The Lanxiu Culture Museum, located in Beipu, Xiushan Township, Daishan County, is housed in a renovated old house dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Originally known as ‘Tianqu Garden’, it was an art gallery for root carving and bonsai exhibitions. The museum now features a quadrangle courtyard with a civil structure and an antique ambiance. It boasts a collection of over 200 pieces of celebrity calligraphy, paintings, and handwriting, including works by Xu Zhikang, Yang Jianwei, and Ni Zhuqing. Additionally, it displays wooden furniture, bonsai, and root carvings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
—The Xiushan Beach Group is located in the east of the scenic area and is composed of three beaches connected end to end. The beach group is crescent-shaped with a gentle slope. The sea area here has gentle tides and many reefs, and there are abundant marine algae. In this sea area and among the reefs, there live and inhabit many kinds of fish, crabs and shellfish such as swimming crabs, copper basin fish, and tiger head fish. At the turn of summer and autumn, groups of fish such as tiger head fish and jig fish spawn on the beach and among the reefs. Tourists can catch them by themselves and then barbecue by themselves. It is extremely enjoyable and fun.
The Changshou Zen Temple is a religious holy place of a certain scale on Xiushan Island and is well-known in eastern Zhejiang. Near the entrance of the scenic area, a group of simple buildings with green tiles and yellow walls set off by green mountains are the ‘Changshou Ancient Nunnery’. The Zen temple is not large, with a total area of about more than 3,000 square meters. It is three consecutive courtyards. On the central axis are three front and back halls. The front hall is the Heavenly King Hall. The main hall is the Mahavira Hall. The worship pattern is the same as in other halls. The main Buddha is Sakyamuni, with Amitabha Buddha and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha on the left and right, all standing statues. Behind the hall are three stupas.
It is a true portrayal of the local conditions and customs and historical changes of Xiushan.Xiushan Island Scenic Area, nestled under the cover of green mountains and trees, is a spiritual and solemn destination where the relics of the three generations of patriarchs of the Changshou Nunnery are housed in stupas made of Wenling fluorite. These stupas are not tall, but their round shape with a pointed top gives them a delicate and elegant appearance.
Visiting the scenic area typically takes half a day to a whole day, but for those who wish to immerse themselves in the experience, wandering on the island for a few days is a possibility. Xiushan Island provides a range of accommodations, including fishing homestays and hotels, all at affordable prices. Staying in a fishing home and savoring the local seafood is an incredibly pleasant experience.
The entire area is open all year round, with operating hours from 09:00 to 17:30. For additional information on preferential policies, please inquire at the local visitor center or check the official website.
