Plan at a glance
Island scope and access
Matsu Island sits at the mouth of Shantou Port in Longhu District, beneath Haiwan Bridge. Get off at the Matsu Island Visitor Centre or the pier to enter; the island is free and accessible throughout the day, its loop is about 2–3 km and can be completed on foot, while some shops and Matsu Blue Bookstore may require a reservation or a purchase for entry.
How to fit it into your trip
Allow 2–4 hours for an easy coastal walk within a city itinerary; light from 15:00–18:00 is particularly suitable for the sea and sunset. On a first visit, allow 3–4 hours to combine the painted fishing village, two Mazu temples, the waterfront boardwalk and Taozhu Pavilion in one route.
Ready to book?
Use the standard admission package for the core shuttle route; confirm the visit date and current opening hours before checkout.
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Around 2 hours: island highlights
Enter from the visitor centre, see the colourful mural walls, then walk the waterfront boardwalk, Matsu Blue Bookstore and Taozhu Pavilion before leaving the island. The walking distance is short, so this route works well from the city centre and can finish before sunset.
3–4 hours: a first half-day visit
Start with the mural walls and the old and new Mazu temples, continue to Matsu Blue Bookstore, then walk slowly along the wooden boardwalk to Taozhu Pavilion and finish with seafood on or near the island. This keeps the architecture, religious culture, bay views and meal time in one outing without rushing around the island.
Afternoon tea and a slower visit
Begin at Matsu Blue Bookstore or No. 8 Seaside Road, then go to Ka Tea Café for sunset and finish with a beach walk. This is better for visitors who do not need to photograph every stop; adjust it to each venue’s entry and opening arrangements that day.
Build your day
Afternoon: fishing village, temples and boardwalk
After entering the island, turn left to see the colourful fishermen’s houses and mural walls, then visit the Yuan-dynasty Old Mazu Temple and the Qing-dynasty New Mazu Temple in turn. Continue to the wooden waterfront boardwalk for views of Haiwan Bridge, anglers and fishing boats returning to harbour; you do not need a vehicle to move around the island.
Evening: pavilion views and dinner
Reach Taozhu Pavilion before sunset for a view over the whole island and Haiwan Bridge, then return to the waterfront or eat on the island according to the time available. If you stay until the light fades, leave enough time for transport off the island rather than leaving the last bus or return vehicle until the final minute.
Get there
Bus and taxi
From platform 5 at Shantou Railway Station, take the Matsu Island special line; the listed fare is CNY 2 and the journey takes about 30 minutes, but services are infrequent, so confirm the return time first. A taxi or ride-hailing car can take you directly to the visitor centre; walking is the main way to get around the island, so there is no need to hire another vehicle.
Driving and leaving the bridge
When driving onto the island via Haiwan Bridge, keep right after the bridge and take the dedicated exit lane; if you miss it, you will need to loop around. The listed bridge charge for entering the island is CNY 15 and holiday arrangements may differ; use the Ecological Park car park, the car park in front of the Matsu neighbourhood committee, or parking spots near the beach.
Know before you go
Coastal conditions and tides
There is little shade on the island, and UV exposure and sea winds are strong, so bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and insect repellent. If you want to explore the rocky shore at low tide, make the tide part of your plan; do not approach the outer rocks or cliff faces at high tide.
Crowds and spending
Weekdays are usually quieter, while weekend and public-holiday afternoons are busier and can bring traffic controls. Bookshops, cafés and seafood restaurants each have different spending and access rules, so confirming prices and your return plan before entering or ordering is the steadier approach.
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