Shengsi Archipelago

Shengsi Archipelago

The Shengsi Archipelago is a national scenic area.

The Shengsi Archipelago is a national scenic area. Located in the northern part of the Zhoushan Archipelago at the confluence of the Yangtze River Estuary and Hangzhou Bay, it faces the open sea to the east, stands opposite the Buddhist holy site of Mount Putuo to the south, looks toward Shanghai’s Jinshanwei to the west, and borders the Yellow Sea to the north. It guards the gateway of the Yangtze and Qiantang rivers and is the only national-level archipelagic scenic area in China. It features a stunning seascape and mountainous beauty, characterized by vast seas, beautiful reefs, excellent beaches, unique rocks, and steep cliffs. The archipelago boasts expansive waters with islands scattered like stars. The sea views are dazzlingly diverse, the mountain scenery changes with the seasons, and there are countless peculiar rocks and stones. Towering cliffs add to the scenic splendor, while golden sands stretch endlessly between green mountains and blue seas. Mysterious caves, steep cliffs, and towering peaks add to its charm. The fishing grounds are vast, with fishing harbors spread throughout, where thousands of boats gather, their masts standing densely like a forest. At night, fishing lights illuminate the area in reds, greens, yellows, and whites, creating a brilliant spectacle resembling a starry sea. The area is rich in fishing culture, with spectacular seascapes. Among its islands, 16 are inhabited, covering a total sea and land area of 8,824 square kilometers, with a land area of 86 square kilometers and a total population of over 86,000. The Shengsi Archipelago enjoys a subtropical marine monsoon climate, with no severe cold in winter and no extreme heat in summer. Beautiful and uniquely charming, it is known as the “Fairy Mountains on the Sea,” making it an ideal destination for tourism, sightseeing, vacationing, leisure, sea fishing, tasting and purchasing seafood, and engaging in marine activities.

Suggested Duration

1–2 days

Transportation

Transportation to and from the islands:

1. From Shanghai to Shengsi: Purchase a combined bus and ferry ticket under the Nanpu Bridge. Wait in the waiting hall, then take a bus to Shengjiawan or Luhu Port (approximately 1.5 hours). Wait at the Xiaoyangshan ferry terminal for the boat (40 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes) directly to Shengsi.

Departure times from Nanpu Bridge:

7:30, 8:30, 8:40, 9:30, 10:40, 11:20, 11:30, 12:10, 14:00 (two buses)

There are daily ferries between Shengsi and Shanghai’s Xiaoyangshan Shengjiawan Terminal. Departure times from Shengsi:

8:20, 8:45, 9:00, 9:30, 11:30, 12:00, 13:00, 13:50, 14:40, 14:50, 15:30

Corresponding arrival times:

9:00, 10:05, 10:40, 10:10, 12:10, 13:20, 13:40, 14:30, 15:20, 15:30, 17:10

2. From Hangzhou to Shengsi: 1) Take a long-distance bus from the Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center (Jiubao) departing at 8:00 (approximately 3 hours) to reach Shanghai’s Xiaoyangshan Terminal, then purchase a ferry ticket upon arrival.

2) Take a bus from Hangzhou South Bus Station departing at 10:30 (approximately 3 hours), cross the Donghai Bridge, arrive at Xiaoyangshan Terminal, wait briefly in the waiting hall, then take a speedboat (about 1 hour) to Liuzhushan Terminal. From there, take any bus and ask if it goes to Caiyuan—show your free ride voucher to the driver.

3. From Zhoushan Dinghai to Shengsi:

Boats to Shengsi depart from Sanjiang Terminal in Zhoushan Dinghai, going directly to Liuzhushan Terminal.

Ferries from Shengsi: There are four passenger ships departing from Liuzhushan Terminal, all high-speed ferries.

Departure times from Liuzhushan: 7:50 / 8:35 / 12:05 / 14:40

Departure times from Sanjiang Terminal: 10:30 / 14:00 / 14:50 / 8:30

4. From Ningbo to Shengsi: Boats to Shengsi depart from Zhenhai Terminal in Ningbo, going directly to Liuzhushan Terminal. Ticket prices range from 106 to 160 RMB.

5. From Daishan to Shengsi: Boats to Shengsi also depart from Gaoting Town and Qu Shan Town in Daishan, usually available on a walk-in basis, going directly to Liuzhushan Terminal.

Departure time from Gaoting: 15:25

Departure times from Qu Shan: 11:30 / 16:00

Ferries from Shengsi: There are four passenger ships departing from Liuzhushan Terminal, all high-speed ferries.

Departure times from Liuzhushan: 7:50 / 8:35 / 12:05 / 14:40

Departure times from Sanjiang Terminal: 10:30 / 14:00 / 14:50 / 8:30

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

Open all day

Location

Shengsi County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of National Scenic Areas