Jihu Beach

Jihu Beach

Known as the "North戴河 of the South," Jihu Beach is located in the core area of the Shengsi Archipelago Scenic Zone. Stretching 2,300 meters in length and 300 meters in width, it is the largest beach in East China. It has become one of the best coastal tourist destinations in the region. Since its official opening in 1987, it has successfully hosted coastal sports events including the first National Sailing Sports Competition and the National Beach Volleyball Championship. In 2006, the opening ceremony of the 3rd Shengsi Mussel Culture Festival was also grandly held here.

Nestled against the mountain and facing the sea, Jihu Beach is shaped like a slightly tilted crescent moon, covering an area of 0.4 square kilometers in a long and narrow form. The beach has solid sand, clean grains, and gentle underwater terrain with depths ranging between 0.2–0.4 meters.

The beach features a seaside bathing area equipped with recreational facilities such as surfing, sailing, sea bathing, sand bathing, bonfire parties, jet skiing, camping, beach volleyball, and barbecue. Small clams, sandworms, and tiny crabs can occasionally be found among the sand and pebbles—catching crabs at night with a flashlight has become another highlight of the Jihu Beach experience.

Near the shoreline within the beach area lie two small hills, inner and outer. The inner hill is an elevated spot on the beach, covered with weeds and some small pine trees. Its rocky cliffs feature man-made caves, and the hill is climbable to the top. The summit is flat and has a small pavilion, offering an excellent vantage point to gaze at the blue sky and sea.

Not far from the inner hill, across shallow waters, lies the outer hill, which is inaccessible to visitors. Viewed from a distance, the outer hill shimmers in the vast blue waters, creating another captivating sight.

Comparison of the Two Major Beaches:

Compared to Nanchangtu Beach, Jihu Beach has softer sand that is whiter and finer. Due to more developed infrastructure, the water cleanliness is relatively better. In contrast, Nanchangtu Beach is slightly more remote, offering a quieter atmosphere with a stronger local fishing-village charm.

Address: Caiyuan Town, Shengsi County, Zhoushan City

Type: Seaside / Beach

Recommended Visit Duration: 2 hours

Phone: 0580-5586267

Transportation

Public Transport: Shengsi Tourism Shuttle from Taikelong (Caiyuan) to Jihu Beach, fare 3 RMB; taxi from Lizhushan costs 20 RMB, or 10 RMB from Caiyuan Town.

Ticket

Peak Season (May–October): Daytime 60 RMB, Nighttime 20 RMB; Off-Peak Season (November–April): Daytime 40 RMB, No nighttime ticket (prices may be slightly higher if performances are scheduled). Some family-run guesthouses offer government-subsidized coupons for a 10 RMB discount. Jet Ski (motorcycle): 50 RMB/20 minutes; Jet Boat: 150 RMB/10 minutes; BBQ (self-service), one plate per person with over ten mostly meat and seafood items, approx. 40 RMB/person; Bonfire: 100 RMB/pile

Opening Hours

Peak Season (May–October): 7:30–22:00, nighttime entry allowed from 18:00; Off-Peak Season (November–April): 8:30–18:00