Island Adventure with Children
【Introduction】: Dongji Island, located at the easternmost tip of the Zhoushan Archipelago in Zhejiang, is one of the first places in China to welcome the sunrise. With its azure waters, rugged reefs, pristine island scenery, and simple fishing village charm, it's perfect for family trips. Bring your children to feel the sea breeze, chase the waves, explore fishing villages, and enjoy a leisurely island getaway!
🕘【Opening Hours】:
Open year-round, but the best time to visit is from May to October (summer has bluer water, ideal for water activities).
💴【Ticket Prices】:
Dongji Island itself requires no admission fee, but some attractions charge separately:
Miaozi Lake Island: Free (Island tour bus costs about 50 yuan/person).
Dongfushan Island: Free (mainly for hiking tours).
Qingbang Island: Free (photo spot for the "Maritime Potala Palace").
Ferry tickets: Must be purchased in advance. Tickets are in high demand during peak season (July-August), so it's recommended to book 3 days ahead through the "Zhoushan Xinghai Ferry" WeChat official account.
⛺【Activities】:
Island Tour (Miaozi Lake Island):
Take a sightseeing bus around the island, visit filming locations from "No Man's Land," the Financial Uncle statue, and the popular lighthouse.
Family Tips: Children love taking photos at the lighthouse, and can collect shells and observe seabirds along the way.
Dongfushan Island Hiking:
China's easternmost island, suitable for light hiking (about 4 hours around the island), with stone houses, Elephant Trunk Peak, and Dashuwan Stone Beach along the route.
Family Tips: Recommend walking only the first half (up to Dashuwan Stone Beach), letting children play in the water and stack stones.
Qingbang Island Exploration:
See the "Maritime Potala Palace" stone houses, and take children to watch the sunset near Xiaohai Cave in the evening.
Fishing Village Experience:
Go fishing with fishing boats (about 100 yuan/person), check crab traps, feed seagulls – children will be thrilled!
Beach Activities:
Hou Beach on Miaozi Lake Island (artificial beach, high safety factor), Dashuwan Stone Beach on Dongfushan Island (natural reef beach, suitable for exploration).
🚌【Transportation Guide】:
How to reach Dongji Island?
Step 1: Get to Zhoushan
By air: Fly to Putuoshan Airport, then take a taxi to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier (about 20 minutes).
By high-speed rail: To Ningbo Station, then transfer to a bus to Zhujiajian Passenger Center (about 2 hours).
Step 2: Take a ferry
Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier → Miaozi Lake Island (about 2 hours, ticket prices: lower deck 100 yuan/middle deck 130 yuan/upper deck 150 yuan).
To reach Dongfushan/Qingbang Island, pay an additional fare on the boat (about 30 yuan cash) and transfer to a small boat after arriving at Miaozi Lake.
Island Transportation:
Miaozi Lake Island has sightseeing buses (50 yuan/person for island tour), other islands rely on walking or renting small fishing boats.
👉【Itinerary】:
Day 1: Miaozi Lake Island Experience
Morning: Take a ferry from Zhujiajian to Miaozi Lake, check in at a fishing village homestay.
Afternoon: Island tour by sightseeing bus (lighthouse, Financial Uncle statue, play in the water at Hou Beach).
Evening: Dinner in the fishing village, take children to watch fishing boats return to the harbor.
Day 2: Dongfushan Island Adventure
Morning: Take a boat to Dongfushan Island, hike to Dashuwan Stone Beach (play in water, collect shells).
Noon: Enjoy seafood noodles at a local restaurant, rest.
Afternoon: Light hike to Elephant Trunk Peak (decide whether to climb to the top based on children's energy levels).
Evening: Return to Miaozi Lake Island, take a walk by the sea after dinner.
Day 3: Qingbang Island Leisure Tour + Return
Morning: Take a boat to Qingbang Island, explore stone houses, take photos at Xiaohai Cave.
Noon: Return to Miaozi Lake, buy dried fish and shell souvenirs.
Afternoon: Take the ferry back to Zhujiajian.
🧡【Preparation】:
Documents: ID card, child's Household Registration (Hukou) (required for boat travel).
Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses (UV rays are strong on the island!).
Clothing: Quick-dry clothes, sandals, light jacket (cool mornings and evenings), swimwear (for water activities).
Motion sickness medicine, insect repellent, band-aids, digestive medicine (lots of seafood).
Others:
Cash (some places on the island only accept cash).
Snacks (for the long boat ride, bring small cookies for children).
Portable toys (small bucket, shovel, fishing net).