Dongji Island 2025 Ultimate Guide: From the "Sea Potala Palace" to the First Ray of Sunrise's Ultimate Romance

I. Core Experiences: Four Islands' Charms & Ultimate Adventures 🔥Top 5 Must-Do Activities 1. **Qingbang Island · Sea Potala Palace** The stone houses built along the mountain slope create a layered spectacle at dawn. The best photo spot is at Xifeng Bay gravel beach—arrive before 7 AM with a telephoto lens to capture the mist-shrouded "island version of Potala." New in 2025: Drone rental (¥150/hour) for 360° panoramic videos. *Tips: Wear anti-slip shoes (some steps are wet); bring bottled water as freshwater is scarce.* 2. **Dongfushan Island · Chasing the Sunrise** Hike 1 hour to the New Millennium First Sunrise Observatory (free). Summer sunrise is around 4:50 AM—bring a tripod for time-lapse shots. Descend via the "Elephant Trunk Peak–White Cloud Temple" trail (4 hours) through primal forests and cliffs, where wild macaques may appear. *Free entry; hiking poles rent for ¥20 each.* 3. **Miaozihu Island · "The Continent" Film Pilgrimage** Visit the free Caibogong Statue Road and the stunning sunset-lit red-and-white lighthouse. New in 2025: A *The Continent* theme museum (¥30, converted from an old schoolhouse) displays film props and behind-the-scenes footage. The ¥88 island shuttle allows hop-on/hop-off stops—silhouette photos at the "Freedom Statue" are a must. 4. **First-Time Sea Fishing** Book a fishing boat at Miaozihu Pier: group trips (¥398/person, 2 hours, gear included) or private charters (¥2000/boat, up to 6 people, 5 hours). Target species like tigerfish and eel; pay ¥20/jin for on-site cooking. 5. **Bioluminescent Sea Wonder** From May–September, Qingbang Island’s Shapu Beach occasionally glows with "blue tears." Visit on moonless nights and use a flashlight to trigger the glow. *Yuxi Homestay* offers alerts and free glow sticks for guests. --- II. Food Guide: East China Sea Feast 🍴Top-Rated Restaurants 1. **Xiaolin Noodle House (Miaozihu)** Seafood fried rice noodles (¥35) packed with ingredients—pair with oil-braised crab (¥68). Budget ¥50/person. Their free "Dongji Spicy Sauce" is a must-try. 2. **Ajun Seafood Stall (Dongfushan)** Fresh mussels (¥38/plate) and gooseneck barnacles (¥88/jin) shine in their seafood hotpot (¥128). Book 1 hour ahead for ocean-view seats (¥80/person). 3. **Qingbang Memory Restaurant (Qingbang)** The only spot serving seafood sashimi—thick-cut salmon (¥68) with wasabi. Drop a postcard in their "Worry Mailbox" after dining (¥70/person). 🍢Street Eats - *Fish-Dried Flatbread* (Qingbang Pier, ¥10): Crispy with umami; limited supply. - *Seafood Dough Drop Soup* (Miaozihu, ¥25): Chewy dough with clams, shrimp, and more. - *Chilled Bayberry Juice* (Dongfushan, ¥15): Made with local Zhoushan berries. --- III. Stays: Cliffside Homestays to Stargazing 🏨Budget Picks 1. **Miaozihu · Lanyun Blueness Homestay** New in 2025, 5 mins to pier. Sea-view rooms (¥598/night) feature smart controls and bathtubs. Free pier pickup + breakfast (seafood congee). 2. **Qingbang · Dongwan Homestay** New in 2025, the only stay with a home theater (family room ¥498). 3 mins to "Sea Potala." Books inter-island ferries to skip lines. 3. **Dongfushan · Tata Hostel** Dorms (¥80/bed) or private rooms (¥260). Free BBQ grill on the terrace (bring ingredients). 🌟Luxury Picks 1. **Fanyu Boutique (Miaozihu)** 270° sea-view rooms (¥880) with freestanding tubs. Complimentary photoshoot (3 edited shots; book 3 days ahead). 2. **Stargazing Camp (Dongfushan)** Tents (¥150, includes gear) with shared bathrooms. Summer offers Milky Way + lighthouse views (check weather via homestay). --- IV. Pitfalls to Avoid 🚫Attraction Warnings - *Huangxing Island*: No regular ferries (¥500 private boat); no food—experts only. - *Water sports*: Overpriced (¥300/ride); try Zhujiajian’s Nansha Beach instead. - *Lisbon Maru wreck*: Underwater site closed; just a pier memorial. 🚫Shopping Tips - *Seafood market*: Avoid short-changing at Miaozihu Pier; opt for fixed-price *Dongji Pearl Restaurant* or homestay purchases. - *Scalpers*: Book official ferry tickets 7 days ahead via *Zhiyou Haixing* WeChat (12 PM release). - *"Sea-view" rooms*: Some only have side windows—request live videos before booking. 🔧Essentials - *Packing list*: SPF50+, windbreaker, waterproof phone case, motion sickness pills. - *Ferries*: Book Shenjiamen→Miaozihu (¥100 mid-deck) 7 days early; inter-island tickets sold same-day (queue by 8 AM). - *Signal*: Limited 4G on Qingbang/Dongfushan—download offline maps. --- V. Itinerary: 3D2N Deep Dive 🗓️Day 1: Sea Potala + Bioluminescence - AM: Ferry to Qingbang (¥130+30)→check in at Dongwan→shoot "Sea Potala." - PM: Hike Kid’s Cave→Xifeng Bay→dine at Qingbang Memory→hunt "blue tears." - Night: Homestay terrace with grilled squid (¥20). 🗓️Day 2: Sunrise + Island Trek - Dawn: Ferry to Dongfushan (¥20)→sunrise hike→Ajun’s seafood noodles (¥35). - AM: Loop hike (Elephant Trunk Peak→White Cloud Temple)→nap at Tata. - PM: Sea fishing (¥398)→sunset at Caibogong→return to Miaozihu. - Night: Xiaolin Noodles→bar live music (drinks from ¥30). 🗓️Day 3: Film Tour + Departure - AM: Shuttle (¥88) to *The Continent* sites→theme museum→buy fish flatbread (¥10). - PM: Ferry back to Shenjiamen. --- VI. 2025 Bonus 1. *Dongji Island Movie Locations*: Lisbon Maru memorial + Qingbang’s fisherman art gallery. Watch for post-July themed tours. 2. *Music Festival*: Mid-Aug in Miaozihu (¥380, includes ferry). Stars like Silence Wang + Joey Yung. 3. *Helicopter Tours*: 10-min (¥580) or 20-min (¥980) flights—book 3 days ahead. Dongji’s magic lies in its cliffs, starry camps, and fishing villages. Use this guide to dodge crowds and unlock its romance!