Dongji Island

Dongji Island

There is the South Pole and the North Pole in the world, and in the East China Sea of China, there is also a dazzling pearl — Dongji.

The Dongji Islands enjoy a unique geographical location. Far from the main island of Zhoushan, they lie 45 kilometers from Shenjiamen and consist of 28 large and small islands and 108 reefs. Just 12 nautical miles beyond the islands lies the open sea. Dongji is not only the easternmost island of the Zhoushan Archipelago but also the easternmost border island of China’s maritime territory. “Dongji” is truly a fitting name.

It not only boasts a strong and simple fishing-village charm, but also offers breathtaking scenery, almost encompassing the true meaning of sunshine, blue sea, islets, reefs, and seafood. With a pleasant climate and crystal-clear waters, it is one of the rare pristine places. The sea here changes with the seasons — calm as Hangzhou’s West Lake, stretching out as far as the eye can see; yet fierce as the autumn tides of the Qiantang River, where waves crash against the shore. The Dongji Islands are known as the “Island of Clouds and Mists.” In spring and summer, the mountaintops are often shrouded in drifting clouds, while the coastline bathes in sunshine, creating a spectacular sight. Dongfushan and Yezi Mountain feature uniquely-shaped peaks and rocks, rivaling the craftsmanship of nature, majestic like Mount Tai, precipitous like the Two Sacred Mountains, strange as Huangshan, and exotic like Pando.

Dongji Island is not only famed for its azure seas and fantastic rocks, but also for its beautiful and moving legends. It is said that during the Qin Dynasty, Xu Fu led three thousand young boys and girls to the East Sea in search of the elixir of immortality for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and their landing place was Dongfushan. Writers and artists of modern times have also contributed, leaving behind many timeless verses for Dongji, further enriching its profound cultural heritage.

Main Attractions of Dongji

1. Miaozihu

Caibogong Temple, Dongji Fishermen’s Painting Exhibition Hall, Caibogong Statue, Memorial Monument for the Martyrs of the East China Sea Guerrilla Unit, Dongxiang Hall Tide Viewing, Soldiers’ Second Hometown, Guardians of the Sea Frontier Gate, First Watchpost of the East China Sea, Extreme Love Area (helicopter airport and filming site of “Extreme Love”).

2. Qingbang Island

Visit the Maritime Potala Palace, Xiaowan Cave (WWII memorial area), Hundred-Step Stone Dyke, Qingbang Fishing Village Old Street, etc. The Sleeping Buddha of Xifu Mountain is an uninhabited island located about 1.2 km southeast of Qingbang Island. Resembling a giant Buddha lying on the sea surface slowly emerging, it year after year, day after day, watches over the safe return of fishermen.

3. Dongfushan

View the Maritime Potala Palace, the Sleeping Buddha of Xifu Mountain, maritime bonsai, Dongji stone house clusters, Baiyun Temple, First Watchpost of the East China Sea, Elephant Trunk Peak, -Bao Island Cave, sites of two confronting islands, and other unique island rocks. Visitors can also participate in local fishing activities: pulling crab traps, sea fishing. Elephant Trunk Peak is located only at the eastern end of Dongfushan and is a wonder of polar scenery. When the boat approaches the peak’s cape, looking up at the summit, it resembles the playful long trunk of an elephant stretching out to the sea, teasing the tides. The view is extremely spectacular. On the western slope of Dongfushan, experts have confirmed that the “Fú Rú Dōng Hǎi (Fortune as Vast as the Eastern Sea)” in the saying “Fú Rú Dōng Hǎi, Shòu Bǐ Nán Shān (Fortune as Vast as the Eastern Sea, Longevity as High as the Southern Mountain)” refers to present-day Dongfushan Island. A peculiar rock on the slope rivals the “No. 1 Rock under Heaven” on Mount Putuo of the Buddhist Kingdom, and is hailed as the No. 1 Fortune Rock under Heaven. Legend has it that those who come here will gain added fortune and longevity.

Transportation

1. External Transportation

Currently, only Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf has ferries to Dongji Island. To reach Dongji Island, you must transfer via this wharf. “Dongji Ferry” ticket prices are divided into 3 tiers: lower deck 100 yuan one-way, middle deck 130 yuan one-way, upper deck 150 yuan one-way.

Schedule

Dongji Ferry (Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf – Miaozihu)

Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM departure from Shenjiamen to Dongji Miaozihu

Saturday: 8:30 AM, 9:10 AM, and 1:30 PM departures from Shenjiamen to Dongji Miaozihu

Sunday: 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM departures from Shenjiamen to Dongji Miaozihu

Return Trips

Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM departure from Dongji Miaozihu back to Shenjiamen

Saturday: 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM departures from Dongji Miaozihu back to Shenjiamen

Sunday: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM departures from Dongji Miaozihu back to Shenjiamen

2. Internal Transportation

1. Miaozihu – Dongfushan Island

After boarding the Dongji Ferry from Shenjiamen to Miaozihu, you need to queue in the upper deck hallway to buy a ticket for the “Dongfu Ferry” to Dongfushan Island. An announcement will be made shortly after departure, but you can also buy tickets in advance.

Ticket Price: 30 yuan, sold until supplies last.

2. Ferries to Other Islands

Traveling between the three Dongji Islands — "Miaozihu Island," "Qingbang Island," and "Dongfushan Island" — requires taking the small public ferryboat "Dongfulun." Of course, if you miss the ferry, you can also hire a fishing boat to go to the other two islands, but the cost is high. For around five people, the price starts at 100 yuan per person, so please pay attention to the sailing schedule of the "Dongfulun" and wait for the boat in advance.

Ferry Schedule Among the Three Main Islands: Miaozihu – Qingbang – Dongfushan

Route: Miaozihu – (20 mins) – Qingbang Island – (30 mins) – Dongfushan – (30 mins, around 8:15) – Qingbang – (20 mins) – Miaozihu

Schedule: Monday – Friday

Departures from Miaozihu: 7:30, 10:45

Returns from Dongfushan: 8:20, 11:30

Saturday and Sunday

Departures from Miaozihu: 7:30, 10:45, around 12:30, 16:00

Returns from Dongfushan: 8:20, 11:30, 13:20, 16:55

Fares: Miaozihu – Qingbang Island (20 yuan); Qingbang Island – Dongfushan (30 yuan); Miaozihu – Dongfushan (30 yuan)

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

Open all day

Location

Dongji Town, Putuo District, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province