In this latest edition, we intend to take you abroad for some adventure, and this time, our destination is Penang, Malaysia.
Since the visa-free policy was enacted, Malaysia has consistently remained a hotspot. However, our fan trips won’t take you down the conventional routes. Malaysia is recognized as one of the top producers of durian, with Penang being the best among them. This time, we’ve seriously gone all out—we’ve booked an entire durian orchard, so everyone can eat durians to their heart’s content until they’re full!
If you’re a “durian lover,” you’re in for a treat! You will find yourself basking in 1000 points of happiness in Penang. Besides durians, Penang is also incredibly vintage, leisurely, and charming. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, and we want to explore various well-preserved historical buildings and neighborhoods with you, savoring Penang’s street food!
👉 Official announcement on visa exemption! This place, abundant in “grateful durians,” is calling to us right now!
What do we offer for this Penang trip?
We will select two lucky shareholders (who can bring one friend, and that friend must also participate in this lottery) to enjoy 4 days and 3 nights of hotel accommodation (including the durian orchard), with a little assistant there to take photos. 📷
What do you need to do?
Follow our WeChat public accounts “Xiyou” and “Xiyou Travel Guide,” and add “Xiyou Travel Handbook” to “My Mini Programs”; long press the mini program code below to participate in the lottery, then just wait for luck to hit you!
Next, let’s get into the main content of today’s message.
Who understands? Once summer comes, I can’t help but crave seeing the sea!
There are plenty of places to see the sea in our country. From Dalian to Sanya, coastal cities along the coastline are all captivating, and we have written numerous guides on seaside getaways. But perhaps because we’ve been traveling too much this year, I currently just want to gaze at the sea right at my doorstep. Conveniently, Zhejiang is coastal, and Zhoushan, which is not far from Hangzhou, can directly satisfy my longing.
Zhoushan, the Sanya of Zhejiang people.
No need for ✈️, no need for leave; just a weekend or a short vacation is enough to enjoy the joy of seaside vacationing.
Zhoushan is indeed a genuinely reputed city of a thousand islands. As the fourth largest island in China and the second largest in Zhejiang, it boasts 58 islands each spanning over one square kilometer. The well-known Dongji Island, Huaniao Island, and Putuoshan are all part of Zhoushan.
When visiting Zhoushan, most travelers usually depart from Shenjiamen Pier or Zhujiajian Pier and engage in island-hopping adventures.
However, with so many islands in Zhoushan, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices. So, I’ll start with a guide on how to choose islands for observing the sea in Zhoushan, so that when time permits, a spontaneous trip can happen!
Here’s a list of the relatively popular islands in Zhoushan in recent years, along with selection tips:
🔹 Zhujiajian, Putuoshan: A must-visit for temple enthusiasts
🔹 Daishan Island, Xiushan Island: Accessible by car, making it convenient
🔹 Qushan Island: Beautiful offshore windmills
🔹 Huaniao Island: Full of an anime aesthetic with opportunities to see blue tears; limited daily visitors make it less crowded
🔹 Gouqi Island: Pristine blue waters with an abundance of seafood after fishing season
🔹 Shengshan Island: “The Wizard of Oz” vibe; stunning sunrises
🔹 Dongji Island: The bluest waters, chances to see blue tears
🔹 Main Island of Zhoushan and the Main Island of Shengsi Islands: More suited for eating and drinking; worth visiting if time allows
If categorized by ease of transportation:
Islands without boat rides: Zhujiajian, Daishan Island, Xiushan Island
Islands that require a shorter boat ride: Putuoshan, Qushan Island, Sijiao
Islands needing over 2 hours of boat ride from the main island or Zhujiajian: Huaniao Island, Gouqi Island, Dongji Island
Here’s a simplified summary of travel routes in Zhoushan:
Pilgrimage route: Zhujiajian, Putuoshan
Classic & not overly hectic route: Shengsi Islands (Sijiao, Huaniao Island, Gouqi Island, Shengshan Island)
Classic & more adventurous route: Dongji Island (Miaozihu Island, Dongfushan Island)
Niche route: Xiushan Island – Daishan Island – Qushan Island
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A must-visit for temple enthusiasts
Zhujiajian
Many people are familiar with Putuoshan, but few know that Zhoushan also hides a “treasure gate” to the three major Buddhist scenic areas.
This is the Guanyin World, a theme exposition park on Zhujiajian Island, which incorporates countless Guanyin statues and embodies a profound culture of Guanyin.
The Guanyin World scenic area is extensive, rich in Buddhist culture, and I recommend hiring a guide for your visit to avoid confusion afterward.
A major highlight is the nine-story Guanyin Holy Altar, accessible from the 1st to the 7th floors.
The first floor of the Round-Through Hall is stunning. It is said to have the largest dome space of any Buddhist building in the world. When you look up, you will see hundreds of Guanyin statues.
On the fourth floor, there’s a light show called “Guanyin Welcoming Xumi,” with performances held each afternoon; don’t miss it!
In addition to Guanyin World, Zhujiajian Island itself is also worth visiting. Attractions like Daqingshan, Nansha, and Wushitang are all worth seeing.
The most beautiful aspect of Daqingshan is its coastal highway, accessible by self-driving or the scenic area bus. Nansha is great for beach activities, with its comfortable sands.
How to get there:
Zhujiajian is connected to the main island, and you can drive or take a bus to get there.
Moreover, Zhoushan’s only airport—Putuoshan Airport—is located on Zhujiajian, making it accessible for those traveling from further away.
Putuoshan
For those like us who choose to light incense between work and progress, Putuoshan is an absolute must-visit.
Putuoshan is one of the four major Buddhist mountains in China, a well-known Guanyin holy ground, and is always bustling with visitors during the beginning and the fifteenth day of each month.
Although it doesn’t sound like it, Putuoshan is a real island, reachable only by boat.
The whole island is a 5A scenic area with admission costing 160 yuan per person.
Here’s a map of the Putuoshan scenic area for reference:
A recommended travel route here: Nanhai Guanyin Giant Buddha – Zizhulins (Chao Yin Cave, Not Going Temple) – Pujisi – Fayusi – Huijisi (Foding Mountain).
Tips: Pujisi, Fayusi, Huijisi, and Nanhai Guanyin all require incense flower vouchers.
Pujisi is the largest temple on Putuoshan, hosting the only statue of true form Guanyin in the nation—Pilu Guanyin. A visit to Putuoshan wouldn’t be complete without stopping here.
Visitors can participate in early morning prayers at Pujisi, where you can recite scriptures and pay respects alongside the monks; just make a reservation a day in advance at the temple’s library.
I also recommend visiting Luojia Mountain. After all, as the saying goes, “You haven’t fully worshipped Putuoshan until you’ve been to Luojia Mountain.” The entire island resembles a reclining Buddha, bathed in light that resembles the Western Paradise in the heavens.
How to access the island:
Boats depart from Zhujiajian Pier, and you can choose between regular and speedboat tickets, taking about 20 minutes. The mini program “Putuoshan One Code Pass” offers combined boat and entry tickets.
Alternatively, boats can be taken from Shenchangmen Haisengdong Pier, though services from here are less frequent; tickets can be purchased via the “Zhoushan Haixing Ferry” WeChat account.
Tips: Private cars aren’t allowed on the island.
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Islands suited for self-driving enthusiasts
Both Xiushan Island and Daishan Island are conveniently accessible via the cross-sea bridge.
Daishan Island
For those prone to seasickness, Daishan Island is definitely worth considering. It’s accessible by car, taking just about three hours from Hangzhou.
You can also drive there early in the morning, making it a perfect getaway for families.
Daishan Island is the second largest island in Zhoushan, boasting the longest beach in East China along with stunning coastal roads, as well as mountains, ancient towns, salt fields, museums, and varied scenery.
The main attractions can be seen in the map below:
A one-day travel route could be: Salt Field – Lighthouse Museum – Moxin Mountain – Deer Parking Sunny Beach – Cape Park – Dongsha Ancient Town – Shuanghe Shibi.
For panoramic views of the island, visit Moxin Mountain, where the “Jade Buddha Pagoda” is the highest point on Daishan, allowing you to drive up.
How to reach Daishan Island:
❶ Drive directly over the Zhoushan-Daishan Bridge, making it convenient for friends from Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo. Additionally, there are also long-distance buses from these three cities to Daishan Island.
❷ Take the ferry from the Zhoushan “Sanjiang Pier,” which will take less than an hour; tickets can be bought from the “Zhejiang Provincial Daishan Transportation Service” WeChat account.
Xiushan Island
Like Daishan Island, you can also drive onto Xiushan Island, which connects to Daishan, making it easy to explore both islands together.
Although its waters may not be as clear as those of Dongji Island, it’s still quite good for a nearby island, featuring 13 crescent-shaped beaches that promise much fun.
There are numerous spots to visit on Xiushan Island; check out the map below for references:
A recommended travel route might include: China Sliding Mud Theme Park – Lanxiu Museum – Jiuzishatan – Sanjiao Beach – Honghu Sand Beach. If you plan to stay overnight, consider finding accommodations near any of these three beaches.
This island is also a great place for family outings; children enjoy activities such as beachcombing, sliding mud, mud baths, and playing in the mud.
How to get to Xiushan Island:
❶ Friends from nearby cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo can drive there;
❷ At Zhoushan Sanjiang Pier, you can take a ferry to the island, taking about 20 minutes; friends from Shanghai can also board at Xiaoyangshan Passenger Terminal, with a trip lasting around 3 hours.
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Super-romantic anime-themed island
Qushan Island
Situated between Daishan Island and the Shengsi Islands, Qushan Island features very blue waters, especially beautiful on sunny days.
It can be explored alongside Xiushan Island and Daishan Island, due to their close proximity.
However, there are no cross-sea bridges here; access requires a ferry to the island.
It’s highly recommended to drive onto the island, as the transportation costs might be a bit high; thus, self-driving becomes much more cost-effective for larger groups.
Qushan Island is relatively small; the main attractions can be found in the map below:
You can book accommodations in Liangzhi Village, and a travel route might look like this:
Day 1: Liangzhi Village → Shalong Beach → Coastal Boardwalk → Windmill Viewing Platform for sunset
Day 2: Shalong Beach for sunrise → Guanyin Mountain → Abandoned Village → Return trip
The highlight is definitely the Windmill Viewing Platform! It’s basically the shining icon of Qushan Island. Almost every recommendation showcases images of windmills against the sea.
Additionally, it’s a great spot for viewing both the sunrise and sunset over the ocean.
How to get to Qushan Island:
❶ Take a ferry from Yanzhouwu Mountain Pier in Daishan, which takes about 40 minutes;
❷ For friends from Shanghai, take a boat from Xiaoyangshan, which will take about 2 hours.
Tickets can be hard to come by during peak seasons, so remember to buy in advance from the “Zhejiang Daishan Traffic” WeChat account.
Shengsi Islands
Sijiao, Huaniao Island, Gouqi Island, and Shengshan Island all belong to the Shengsi Islands. Visitors can either choose to go to just one island or combine them as they prefer for island-hopping.
Typically, Gouqi Island and Shengshan Island are visited together, as they are connected by a road, making it convenient. Alternatively, Sijiao-Huaniao Island and Sijiao-Gouqi Island-Shengshan Island can also be grouped.
Sijiao
Let’s start with the main island, Sijiao, where many visitors use it as a transit point to jump to other islands—this is quite unfortunate.
It’s a little island with almost no downsides except that the sea isn’t as blue, allowing leisurely exploration along the coastal road on electric bikes. The coastal roadway offers expansive views, with the sea breeze being quite pleasant.
Check out the main attractions on Sijiao:
For activities, we once proposed a two-day itinerary that goes as follows:
Day 1: Jihu Beach – Lingyin Zen Temple – Bianjiao Village – Huichengao Village – Left Bank Road (sunset view) – Donghai Fishing Village
Day 2: Donghai Fishing Village – Liuqingtan – Monk’s Kit – Return trip
The recommended highlights include the largest beach in East China—Jihu Beach, known as “Zhejiang’s Most Beautiful Road,” Left Bank Road, and the village where “the village ends at the sea”—Bianjiao Village.
Finally, how to get to Sijiao:
❶ Take a ferry from Ningbo Sanjiang Pier, which takes about 1.5 hours;
❷ Ferry from Zhoushan Shenjiaban Pier, with the car boarding available.
Tickets can be purchased from the “Shengsi Ferry” WeChat account; sales open at 7 AM; remember to buy tickets at least 5 days in advance during peak season!
Gouqi Island
Gouqi Island is located offshore and boasts very blue waters.
It is the second largest island in Shengsi, only second to Sijiao, and is called Gouqi Island due to the abundance of goji shrubs on it. Gouqi Island sits atop one of China’s largest fishing grounds and is renowned as China’s home of mussels.
It’s a little island that’s both delicious and fun. Visitors can come during Zhoushan’s fishing season to enjoy an abundance of fresh seafood!
We previously listed the main attractions on Gouqi Island:
Except for Dawang Beach, which requires a 25 yuan ticket, the rest of the attractions on the island are free! Visitors can take a stroll along the coastal line and enjoy the beaches.
Your travel route mainly follows a single coastal line. Following the Rainbow Road will lead you to Dawang Beach, Miao Gan Beach, Si’ao Beach, Wusha Beach, and Daking Beach.
For enjoyable rankings, you might consider: Longquan Beach = Dawang Beach > Miao Gan Beach > Wusha Beach > Si’ao Beach.
Earlier in March, we created an Xmind chart on how to access the island, which I’ll share here:
Shengshan Island
Shengshan Island today is the easternmost inhabited island in China.
Many years ago, it became famous for its “Wizard of Oz Abandoned Village” and is a go-to choice for many who visit Zhoushan.
There’s a cross-sea bridge connecting it to Gouqi Island, and visits generally involve both islands. A potential route might look like this:
Day 1: Stay on Shengshan Island → Stroll along the South Shore Road → Watch the sunset at Dayu Bay Beach & Xiyang Bay (optional trip)
Day 2: Watch the sunrise at Dongya Cliff → Breakfast in Shengshan Town → Experience the “Wizard of Oz” at the Abandoned Village → Shengshan Seafood Market → Duxie Village Viewing Platform (Gouqi Island) for sunset → Stay on Gouqi Island
Day 3: Watch the sunrise at Beian Shore Road → Walk the beach → Return trip
For places to explore on Shengshan Island, refer to the map with marked attractions below:
The “Wizard of Oz” vibe popular on the internet leads visitors to a village called Houtouwan, facing the sea, shrouded in ivy and green plants, exuding a fairytale atmosphere.
It charges an entry fee of 50 yuan per person, which is absolutely worth it.
How to get to Shengshan Island:
❶ After reaching Gouqi Island, you can take a bus or taxi to Shengshan Island;
❷ You can take a ferry from Zhujiajian Pier to Shengshan Island, with tickets available through the “Zhoushan Haixing ferry” account.
Huaniao Island
Initially dubbed as “Little Santorini,” Huaniao Island has charming blue and white houses that transport many visitors to a Greek-inspired experience.
