Plan at a glance
Start with the island's scope
Dongshan Island is the main island of Dongshan County in Zhangzhou, not far from Xiamen and the Chaoshan area. A cross-sea bridge connects it to the mainland, so no ferry is needed. The island's bays, old town, beaches, and mountain roads sit in separate areas, with no single main gate and no universal ticket. Stops such as Dongshan Windstone Scenic Area and Caidie Bay Scenic Area each charge or open independently; arriving on the island does not mean you have entered one scenic area.
Most stops are ticketed on site or open directly, with no unified reservation. When sunrise, a tide-dependent stop, or a boat trip is part of the plan, check the times and tides first. The exact rules follow each attraction's page and the conditions on the day.
How many days to allow
If time is tight, follow the one-day highlights route. The full version takes about 8-10 hours: watch sunrise at Jinluan Bay Beach in the morning, spend the day around Nanmen Bay and Ding Street, visit Nanyu Double-Sided Sea and its lighthouse in the late afternoon, and finish at Tongling Night Market. First-time visitors should plan two days: one for Tongling old town and Nanmen Bay, another for Jinluan Bay Beach and the Sufen Mountain coastal road, adding Caidie Bay Scenic Area or Aojiao Village if time allows. If you want to cover Dongshan Windstone Scenic Area, the Dongshan wind-farm area, Aojiao Village, and Xipu Central Market in depth, three days and two nights gives a more relaxed pace.
Off-island sights are not part of this route
Volcano Island, Zhangzhou Old Town, Zhangzhou Puppet Art Performance Hall, Zhangzhou Museum, Daimei Ancient Village, and Lingtong Mountain are not on Dongshan Island. They are about 1.5-2 hours' drive from it. Plan them as part of a wider Zhangzhou route and do not add them to the island's one-day itinerary.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Types of island experiences
Dongshan Island suits visitors who want coastal old towns, bays, beaches, a coastal drive, and fishing-village life. Nanmen Bay is good for walking and seeing colour-washed old houses and the seawall; Jinluan Bay Beach works well for an early-morning sunrise and the sand; the Sufen Mountain coastal road is good for riding between mountain and sea; whether Nanyu Double-Sided Sea works depends on the day's tide window. Photographers, couples, families with children, and slow-paced visitors are all suited to parts of the island, but the stops are not close together.
How to choose
With only one day, choose either the old-town coast or the bay-and-beach direction; do not try to cover every stop across the eastern and western parts of the island. If old buildings and a seaside old town matter most, give priority to Nanmen Bay, Ding Street, and the Windstone area. If more beach and road time matters, give priority to Jinluan Bay Beach, Sufen Mountain, and Caidie Bay Scenic Area. With two or more days, split the two directions and adjust more easily when weather or tides are poor.
Build your day
One-day highlights route
Start at Jinluan Bay Beach for sunrise, then go to Nanmen Bay and Ding Street, arrange the Nanyu Double-Sided Sea crossing and lighthouse around the tide in the afternoon, and return to Tongling Night Market in the evening. The whole day takes about 8-10 hours. Check the tide and sunrise times before leaving. Nanyu Double-Sided Sea is passable only during a low-tide window; high tide covers the crossing, so the crossing must happen before the tide rises.
Two-day classic route
Day 1 focuses on Tongling Town: Nanmen Bay, Ding Street, the Wengong Shrine viewing platform, and Nanyu Double-Sided Sea, with dinner at Tongling Night Market or a nearby old-town block. Day 2 starts early at Jinluan Bay Beach, then rides or drives the Sufen Mountain coastal road, adding Caidie Bay Scenic Area or Aojiao Village according to energy and time, then returns. The two-day, one-night plan suits first-time visitors who want both the old town and the bays.
Three-day deeper self-drive route
Use the first two days as above. On Day 3, visit Dongshan Windstone Scenic Area, the Dongshan wind-farm area, and Aojiao Village, buying seafood at Xipu Central Market on the way. This route covers the island's farther stops and suits self-drivers or a chartered car, not visitors in a hurry. Calculate the driving time for each day separately; the bays are not one continuous walking area.
Get there
High-speed rail to Yunxiao Station
Take high-speed rail to Yunxiao Station (云霄站), then take Bus 15 (CNY 10) or a shared ride/taxi (about CNY 30-50) to the island, a journey of about 30-40 minutes. Before boarding, confirm whether the destination is Tongling Town or a specific bay; the remaining journey time varies a lot by area.
Driving and the cross-sea bridge
Drivers can navigate directly to Tongling Town or a specific bay; a cross-sea bridge links the island to the mainland, so no ferry is needed. Most bays and scenic areas have paid parking, commonly with a cap around CNY 10-15. Nanmen Bay's lanes are narrow and parking is tight. Do not park at roadside spots where people solicit drivers.
Getting around the island
Electric scooters are the most common way to get around. Daily rental is commonly CNY 50-80, and prices vary by shop. Before riding, confirm the battery range and return point, and calculate the electricity carefully for farther stops such as Sufen Mountain or Aojiao Village. Driving is also possible, but Nanmen Bay's lanes are narrow and some sections around Sufen Mountain have restrictions or congestion; check the day's traffic rules before setting out.
Know before you go
Tides and weather decide several stops
Tide-dependent stops such as Nanyu Double-Sided Sea can only be visited within a safe low-tide window; high tide covers the crossing, so check the day's tide table before leaving. Coastal weather changes quickly, and strong wind, rain, and waves can affect boat trips, beaches, and the coastal road. Leave room to adjust. Sunrise, reflections, and sunset colours depend on the weather and should not be treated as guaranteed views.
Seafood and meals
Seafood stalls near scenic areas may charge more; confirm the price and unit before ordering. Xipu Central Market is a common place to buy seafood, and nearby shops can cook it for you. Tongling old town and Xipu Town offer more local restaurant choices. If someone offers processing, parking, or pick-up service on the street, confirm the price before deciding whether to use it.
Sun protection and gear
UV is strong by the sea, so a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and sun sleeves are practical. On longer scooter rides, carry enough water and check the battery; do not park on steep slopes or sand. For sunrise around Jinluan Bay Beach, plan an early start and arrange transport and breakfast the day before.
Where to stay
Stay near Jinluan Bay Beach if you want the early-morning beach, or around Nanmen Bay or Tongling Town if you want the old town and night market. Some guesthouses around Jinluan Bay are in older high-rise buildings; check recent photo reviews and the exact room type before booking. Prices and parking are tighter in peak season, so arrange early.