Dongfushan Island

Dongfushan Island

• Witness the easternmost sea sunrise in China and feel the breathtaking moment when the first rays of sunlight touch the ocean.

Attraction Introduction

Dongfushan Island is located at the easternmost tip of the Zhoushan Archipelago and is the easternmost among the four inhabited islands in the Dongji Islands Scenic Area. Compared to the bustling Miaozihu Island, it offers more enchanting mountain and sea views and a more genuine fishing village atmosphere, making it the prime spot to watch the sunrise in the Dongji Islands.

Dongfushan Island isn’t very large, but due to limited ferry services, you’ll need to stay at least one night. Most visitors arrive around noon on the first day, settle accommodation and have lunch before starting their light exploration. Early the next morning, get up to witness the easternmost sea sunrise in China, rest briefly, then take the ferry to continue your adventure on Miaozihu Island before heading back.

The journey to Dongfushan Island is quite a winding one, but absolutely worth it. You’ll take a boat from Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf to Miaozihu Island, then transfer to a smaller vessel to Dongfushan Island (about 30 minutes, 30 RMB per person). Along the way, you’ll notice the scenery gradually changing—the water transitions from murky to clear blue. What’s even more fascinating is the distinct color line between different sea areas.

When disembarking, many inn owners will greet and try to attract guests at the dock. Most guesthouses on the island are within a 5–15 minute walk from the dock. It’s recommended to stay in an inn close to the sea and on higher ground for better views—you can see the ocean right from your room. Near the first light observation deck by the dock is a great place to watch the sunrise. The sea sunrise on Dongfushan Island is accompanied by a lighthouse on the rocks, with Xifushan (the "Reclining Buddha" of the sea) in the distance, and Qingbang and Miaozihu Islands nearby, their lights twinkling—truly a spectacular sight. There’s also a tent area near the viewing point where you can camp with your own gear.

There is currently no public transportation on the island. Apart from a cement road leading up to the military base on the mountaintop, most paths are stone stairways, so getting around Dongfushan Island is mostly on foot. Of course, you can certainly enjoy fresh seafood, stroll through the fishing villages,

watch the waves crash against the shore, but Dongfushan Island is truly a fantastic destination for a hiking loop around the island. It's known as a "stone island"—rocks are everywhere, and there are numerous abandoned stone houses, which are some of the island’s most unique features aside from the sea views.

The hike generally follows two main routes. One is to climb up along the cement road—after about 40 minutes, you’ll pass a small pavilion, then continue upward for another five minutes to reach the White Cloud Stone Cave. From there, take the adjacent stone path down for about five minutes to reach the White Cloud Palace. Keep following the stone path downward for another half hour to arrive at the Elephant Trunk Peak, the easternmost point of the island, where the views are most spectacular. The entire round-trip route takes roughly four hours.

The other route is more relaxed. Instead of going up the cement road, you head northward along a small path in front of Yunwu Mountain Villa, skirting the sea. In about half an hour, you’ll reach the Dashuwan Stone House Cluster. Continue for another 15 minutes or so to get to the Lin Biao Island Defense Cave—locals call it the “Troop-Hiding Cave”—where the surrounding scenery is also very beautiful. This route takes roughly two hours for a round trip.

Sea fishing is also one of the joys of visiting Dongfushan Island. Most amateur anglers rent fishing rods to fish from the dock or rocks—a pastime known as ji fishing—and typically catch a lot of tiger groupers. More serious fishing enthusiasts charter boats to go out to sea. To reach the fish-rich Four Sisters Islands, hiring a small boat can cost two to three thousand RMB. However, catching seafood isn’t as easy as it sounds—if you’re not a seasoned angler, it’s perfectly fine to just enjoy the seafood served at local fishing inns. If you do manage to catch something, you can pay a small processing fee and have the owner cook it for you. If you’re not into fishing at all, you can still head to the shore during low tide in the evening to collect shellfish or catch crabs—it’s quite fun too.

Special Tips

1. There are two beaches on Dongfushan Island—one at the entrance of Yunwu Mountain Villa and one at Dashuwan. But both are pebble beaches and not suitable for swimming.

2. Due to changeable sea weather, ferries to and from the island may be subject to sudden suspensions or delays. Be sure to check the weather forecast before departure.

3. During peak season and weekends, ferry tickets and accommodation are often in high demand—remember to book in advance. Some guesthouses on the island may close during the off-season, so it’s best to confirm with the owners ahead of time. Most inns offer dock pick-up services.

4. Hiking around the island is fairly strenuous, with some steep sections and overgrown paths. It’s best to wear long pants, comfortable shoes, and remember sun protection.

5. There’s a significant temperature difference between day and night on the island, and the sea breeze can be chilly at night—bring a windproof jacket.

6. Since all supplies on the island are transported from the mainland, food prices tend to be higher. A simple vegetable dish might cost around 20 RMB—but this isn’t a rip-off.

Address: Dongfushan Island, Dongji Island, Dongji Town, Putuo District, Zhoushan City

Type: Island/Peninsula

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:00

Ticket Information:

Free admission.