Complete Guide to Dongshan Island｜A Hidden Gem Island with Half the Tourists of Xiamen

🌊 **Complete Guide to Dongshan Island｜A Hidden Gem Island with Half the Tourists of Xiamen** 🏝️ ✨ **Why Choose Dongshan Island?** ✅ Only one-third the tourists of Xiamen ✅ Seafood prices 40% cheaper ✅ Preserves the original fishing village charm ✅ 7 stunning bays all free to visit --- 🚗 **Transportation Guide** 🚄 **High-Speed Rail Option** - Xiamen North → Yunxiao Station (40 minutes / Second class seat 28 RMB) - Carpool from Yunxiao Station to Tongling Town (30 RMB/person, look for blue and white taxis) 🚌 **Island Transportation** - Rent an electric scooter (60 RMB/day, recommended "Xiao Dian Lv" rental shop) - Red tricycle (5-10 RMB/trip, remember to bargain) --- 📍 **Must-Visit Spots** 🌅 **[Nanmen Bay] Rainbow Fishing Village Like Zuo Er** - Best time: 7 AM / 5 PM - Activity: Walk along the dike, photograph colorful houses reflected in the water - Secret spot: Wengong Temple rooftop (free panoramic view) 🏖️ **[Jinluan Bay] Mirror Beach** - Feature: Beach looks like a mirror at sunrise (fewer people than Sanya) - Activity: Beachcombing for shells (best 2 hours before low tide) - Tip: Bring empty bottles to collect seawater as souvenirs 🐠 **[Aojiao Village] Cliffs and Fishing Harbor** - Hidden gem: White lighthouse (navigate to "Aojiao Fishing Harbor") - Experience: Go out to sea with fishermen (bargain to 80 RMB/person) - Note: Steep mountain roads, wear non-slip shoes 🌴 **[Sufeng Mountain Island Loop Road] Fujian’s Most Beautiful Coastline** - Recommendation: Rent an electric scooter for a 1.5-hour loop - Parking spot: Blue Bridge viewing platform - Tip: Visit at dusk for backlit photos --- 🏡 **Accommodation Recommendations** 💰 **Best Value** - Tongling Town homestays (150-200 RMB, convenient for meals) - Jinluan Bay sea view apartments (off-season 180 RMB, direct sea view) 🌟 **Unique Experiences** - Aojiao Village fishermen’s homestay (authentic fishing family stay 100 RMB/night) - Nanmen Bay tent camping (equipment provided 200 RMB/set) --- 🦀 **Seafood Foodie Guide** 🍴 **Market Shopping** - Tongling People’s Market (cheapest when fishing boats return at 4 PM) - Recommended purchases: small squid (15 RMB/jin), balang fish (8 RMB), conch (market price) 🍜 **Must-Try Eateries** 1. **Chen Ji Meatballs**: seaweed fried rice + meatball soup (25 RMB) 2. **Old Theater Cat Congee**: freshly cooked seafood porridge (20 RMB) 3. **Zhongyi Oyster Omelette**: loaded with oysters (15 RMB) ⚠️ **Avoid Pitfalls** ❌ Ask prices first if the street stall marks "market price" ✅ Buy seafood yourself and have it cooked (restaurants charge 10 RMB/jin) --- 📅 **3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary** **Day 1**: Nanmen Bay → Wengong Temple → Tongling Night Market **Day 2**: Jinluan Bay sunrise → Sufeng Mountain island loop → Aojiao Village **Day 3**: Yugu Sandbar (visit at low tide) → Return trip --- 💰 **Budget Control (2 people, 3 days)** | Item | Cost | Money-saving Tips | | Transportation | 400 RMB | Carpool + rent electric scooter | | Accommodation | 400 RMB | Choose non-premium sea view rooms | | Food | 500 RMB | Buy seafood at market and cook | | Tickets | 0 RMB | All natural attractions free | | Others | 200 RMB | | | **Total** | **1500 RMB** | Only 750 RMB per person! | --- 📸 **Photography Tips** - Clothing: light-colored dresses + straw hat - Props: locally bought shell wind chimes (10 RMB) - Golden hours: 1 hour after sunrise / 2 hours before sunset --- ⚠️ **Important Notes** 1. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! (Strong UV on the island) 2. May-June is peak "Blue Tears" season (but don’t trust paid tours blindly) 3. Typhoon season (July-September) check weather in advance 4. Limited medical facilities on the island, bring common medicines --- Dongshan Island awaits you with the charm of Xiamen 20 years ago. Before it becomes too popular, come be an islander for a few days! 🌊 (For more real-time tide and carpool info, feel free to leave a message)