Plan at a glance
Departure ports and transport scope
Nanji Islands are off Nanji Island in Pingyang County, Wenzhou. The common departure ports are Aojiang Port Passenger Terminal and Ruian Port Passenger Terminal. They belong to different boat systems, so do not combine their departure times or switch between the ports at the last minute. Confirm both the departure and return ports when buying tickets.
A taxi from high-speed rail Pingyang Station to Aojiang Port takes about 15-20 minutes. Drivers can park at Aojiang Port or Ruian Port for about CNY 50 per day, but private cars cannot go onto the islands. Once there, use the island bus, a chartered vehicle or other local transport.
Boat tickets, packages and time needed
The crossing takes about two hours. Buy tickets in advance through the Nanji Passenger Tourism WeChat account. The island package usually includes the boat ticket, CNY 80 island admission and a CNY 45 island-bus package. Cabin fares are about CNY 130 for standard class, CNY 145 for middle class and CNY 160 for upper class; return boat tickets are about CNY 130-160, depending on the service and seat.
In the peak season, tickets may need to be arranged about three days ahead. Boats usually include a morning service and a last service in the afternoon, but the season, waves and typhoons can change the schedule. A same-day return is tight and suits visitors comfortable with a long boat trip who already have a matching return service; an overnight stay makes it easier to leave time for the islands.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Sanpanwei, Dasha'ao and Mazu'ao
Sanpanwei is known for coastal grassland, rocks and a shore path, making it suitable for sunrise or an early-morning walk. Dasha'ao is a shell beach for beach views and water activities within the area allowed by local management. Mazu'ao is a fishing port where you can watch fishing boats and the harbour in the evening.
Clear skies, waves and the season affect the water colour, grassland condition and sunrise visibility. A particular sea colour, sunrise or grassland view may not appear when the weather changes, so leave room to adjust the plan.
Rainbow Road and slower island travel
Rainbow Road follows the coast and works as a series of short stops when travelling by island bus or chartered vehicle. Island buses are limited, and a chartered vehicle should be arranged in advance through your accommodation or a legitimate local channel. Do not estimate waiting time from map distance alone.
Supplies, accommodation and mobile signal are more limited than in the city. Nanji suits visitors with a clear plan for boats, lodging and supplies. Families and campers should confirm drinking water, toilets, weather and campsite access before arranging long outdoor activities.
Build your day
A same-day return route
After arriving on a morning boat, visit Dasha'ao Beach first, then continue to Mazu'ao for the harbour view and return to the mainland on the purchased service. The timing is tight: the boat trip alone takes about four hours round trip. This suits visitors who only want a short look at the sea and are not planning camping or long-distance walks.
Confirm the exact return time and boarding point before departure, then arrange the island bus around it. Return services are affected by weather and passenger numbers. If the waves become stronger, follow any suspension or revised arrangement first.
A two-day route
On the first day, visit the shell beach at Dasha'ao and Mazu'ao after landing, then stay at accommodation that you have already confirmed. Before sunrise on the second day, go to Sanpanwei for the sunrise and coastal grassland. After that, fit Rainbow Road or another coastal stop around the boat schedule and reach the port early for the return.
The early Sanpanwei visit requires you to consider the bus schedule, walking distance and weather together. If sea fog, rain or waves reduce visibility, shorten the wait for sunrise and use the time for safe shore paths and return preparations.
Camping and water activities
If the campsite, water supply, toilets and weather all allow it, camping near Dasha'ao can form part of a two-day route. Camping, barbecues, outdoor activities and water sports depend on local management and the weather; arrange them only after confirming that they are open that day.
Swimming, tidal-flat activities and walking on rocks must follow the day's sea conditions. When the tide rises, waves strengthen or visibility drops, leave the rocks and water's edge immediately. Do not enter sea caves or deep water.
Get there
Aojiang Port
After taking high-speed rail to Pingyang Station, take a taxi for about 15-20 minutes to Aojiang Port Passenger Terminal. Aojiang is one of the departure points commonly used by visitors from outside the area, but the actual boats still follow the day's ticketing system. Leave time for parking and boarding.
Ruian Port
Ruian Port uses a separate departure system. Its boat services, tickets and parking arrangements cannot be taken directly from Aojiang Port. If you choose Ruian, use the ticket page to confirm the departure time, return port and whether you need separate transport to the terminal.
Island transport and mainland parking
On the islands, use the island bus or arrange a chartered vehicle in advance. The island-bus package costs about CNY 45 and can be used six times; confirm the price and number of chartered trips locally. A private car must remain at the mainland port and cannot travel by boat to Nanji Island.
Know before you go
Boat services, waves and typhoons
Boat services change with the season, waves and typhoon conditions. If a service is suspended or changed, you cannot continue with the original island plan. After buying tickets, confirm the day's boarding and return arrangements before leaving. Visitors prone to seasickness can prepare motion-sickness medicine and a neck pillow, and choose a cabin based on their own needs.
A same-day visit must match a specific return service; do not rely only on the scheduled last boat arriving on time. After landing, confirm the return port and meeting time. Leave extra time for buses and walking to remote coastal spots.
Beaches, grassland and weather
Rain, a recent typhoon or strong waves can make the water cloudy and the grassland, rocks and beach slippery. Even clear weather does not guarantee a clear sunrise or a particular sea colour. Photos and promotional images cannot replace a judgment based on the day's sea conditions.
Accommodation, food and water
Transporting supplies to the islands costs more, and food prices and availability may differ from the city. Arrange accommodation, drinking water, simple food and phone charging in advance. When booking a room, confirm that it is actually operating and ask about hygiene and water supply.
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