Dongtou Scenic Area in Wenzhou

Dongtou Scenic Area, Wenzhou: Discover the Pearl of the East China Sea Without Taking a Ferry
Just off the mouth of the Oujiang River in Wenzhou lies Dongtou, a remarkable island destination made up of 302 islands scattered across the East China Sea.

Known as the “Pearl of the East China Sea,” Dongtou is Wenzhou’s only island district. Yet compared with better-known coastal destinations such as Gulangyu and Dongji Island, it remains surprisingly low-key.

Even better, you do not need to take a ferry to reach the main island.

From downtown Wenzhou, you can drive across the Lingni North Causeway, a spectacular sea-crossing embankment, and arrive in Dongtou in about one hour. Along the way, blue-green seawater stretches beyond the car window while sea breezes roll in from the coast.

If you are looking for somewhere in Zhejiang where you can see clear blue water, feel the sea breeze, eat freshly caught seafood, and still reach the coast by car, Dongtou is an excellent choice.

Take photos beside the blue-and-white seawall of “Little Erhai Lake,” walk along the cliffside trails of Xiandieyan, wander through the pastel-colored houses of Colorful Fishing Village, and finish the day with an enormous bowl of seafood noodles in Dong'ao Fishing Village.

“Little Erhai Lake” and Xiandieyan: Dongtou’s Most Photogenic Spots

One of Dongtou’s most popular photo spots is “Little Erhai Lake” in Zhongyu Scenic Area.

With its blue-and-white wave-breaker embankment, colorful windmills and a piano facing the sea, the scene has an almost Mediterranean or Korean-island feel.

You could easily take a photo here and make your friends think you have traveled overseas.

The area is free to enter, with parking costing around RMB 10 for unlimited time.

For photography, before 10:00 AM on a sunny day is ideal. A light-colored dress and a straw hat work particularly well against the blue-and-white coastal background.

Xiandieyan: A Coastal Landscape of Rocks and Cliffs

Xiandieyan is one of Dongtou’s signature attractions.

Huge natural rocks are stacked dramatically along the coast, giving rise to legends that they were piled up by immortals. The area is often described as a “bonsai garden on the sea.”

The highlight is the coastal cliff walkway, built directly along the rugged shoreline.

As you walk, waves crash against the rocks below while several viewing platforms offer different perspectives over the sea. When you get tired, simply stop at one of the pavilions, sit down and enjoy the sea breeze.

The trail eventually connects with Dasha'ao Beach, where the sand is unusually fine and soft—almost like flour.

It is one of the better sandy beaches in Zhejiang for families with children, especially for playing in the sand and shallow water.

Banping Mountain and Wanghai Tower: Waves Below, Islands Above

Banping Mountain: The “First Screen on the Sea of China”

Banping Mountain is perhaps Dongtou’s most legendary natural landmark.

A huge wall of rock rises dramatically from the sea, resembling a giant screen. Along its eastern coast, the cliffs are steep and sharply carved, earning it the nickname “The First Screen on the Sea of China.”

According to local legend, Banping Mountain was once a single enormous mountain. An immortal split it in two, with one half flying all the way to Taiwan.

This gave rise to the famous local saying:

“One half of Banping Mountain is in Dongtou, and the other half is in Taiwan.”

Standing beneath the cliffs while waves crash against the rock face is an impressive experience. White spray bursts high into the air, creating a sense of scale that no camera filter can reproduce.

Wanghai Tower: A Panoramic View of the Hundred Islands

Wanghai Tower is one of the best viewpoints in Dongtou.

The tower was first built in AD 434 and was added to the China Association of Famous Towers in 2012.

Climb to the top and you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Dongtou archipelago.

Fishing harbors lie below, wind turbines turn in the distance, and the sea stretches toward the horizon in shades of blue and green.

Arrive after around 4:00 PM for the best chance of catching sunset, when the setting sun can turn the entire sea golden.

Fishing Villages: From Pastel Fairytales to Traditional Stone Houses

The fishing villages of Dongtou each have a distinct character.

Colorful Dongtou Village

Colorful Dongtou Village climbs up the hillside above the sea.

Pastel-colored houses are layered across the slope, while murals depicting fishing life cover the walls.

The combination of colorful buildings, blue water and bright sky makes the village look like a giant artist’s palette.

You do not need to spend much time searching for a perfect viewpoint. Almost every corner has a photogenic composition.

Look for pink stairways and blue doors and windows, then use a wide-angle lens to emphasize the contrast between the colorful buildings and the surrounding sea.

Huagang Fishing Village

Huagang Fishing Village offers a completely different atmosphere.

The village is filled with traditional houses built from distinctive tiger-skin stone, stacked along the hillside at different heights.

Every turn reveals another small scene worth photographing.

There are also stylish little cafés in the village. Sit by a window with a latte and watch sunlight shimmer across the sea below.

Photography enthusiasts may find it surprisingly difficult to leave.

Dong'ao Fishing Village

For the strongest sense of everyday coastal life, head to Dong'ao Fishing Village.

Narrow lanes wind between old houses, green vines climb the walls, and fishing boats return to the harbor in the evening.

The air around the small harbor carries the unmistakable scent of the sea and fishing boats—a reminder that this is still a working fishing community.

Find a small restaurant at the end of one of the lanes and order a bowl of seafood noodles.

The portions are famously generous.

Travel Tips for Dongtou

Best Time to Visit

The best period to visit Dongtou is generally May to October.

• Summer: The sea is at its brightest blue and is ideal for swimming and beach activities.
• September–November: Cooler weather and excellent seafood.
• Sunny mornings before 10:00 AM: Best for blue-and-white coastal photography.
• After 4:00 PM: Softer light and better conditions for sunset photography.

Admission and Opening Information

Several popular places are free to visit, including:

• “Little Erhai Lake”
• Colorful Dongtou Village
• Dong'ao Beach
• Huagang Fishing Village

Typical admission prices for major attractions are:

• Xiandieyan + Dasha'ao: around RMB 25
• Wanghai Tower: around RMB 30
• Banping Mountain: around RMB 30

From September 1–30, 2026, newly enrolled university students with valid admission letters can bring up to two companions for free admission to three major state-owned attractions: Wanghai Tower, Xiandieyan and Banping Mountain.

From September 5–13, 2026, teachers nationwide with valid teacher qualification certificates can also enjoy free admission under the applicable promotion.

Tickets can be purchased through the “E-Travel Hundred Islands” mini program.

How Long to Stay

Two days and one night is a comfortable amount of time for a first visit.

This allows you to combine coastal viewpoints, fishing villages, beaches, cliff walks and seafood without having to rush.

How to Get to Dongtou

By Car — Recommended

From Wenzhou, navigate to Dongtou Island and drive across the Lingni North Causeway.

The causeway is free to use, and the journey takes approximately one hour.

Because attractions are spread across different parts of the island, driving is the most convenient option.

Once there, you can also rent an electric scooter for around RMB 80 per day or arrange a private vehicle.

By Bus

From Wenzhou South Railway Station, buses run to Dongtou New Town Station.

The journey takes around 1.5 hours and costs approximately RMB 25.

From Dongtou New Town Station, you can transfer to Dongtou Tourist Line 1 for the main attractions.

From Wenzhou Longwan Airport

Wenzhou Longwan International Airport operates an airport bus connection to Dongtou New Town Station, making it possible to continue directly from the airport without first entering downtown Wenzhou.

Island Ferries

You only need a ferry if you want to explore some of Dongtou’s outlying islands.

For destinations such as Luxi Island and Damen Island, ferries depart from Yuanjue Wharf or Yanshan Wharf.

Ferry schedules and tickets can be checked through the “Dongtou Ferry” mini program.

Recommended Two-Day Dongtou Itinerary

Day 1

Little Erhai Lake → Huagang Fishing Village → Wanghai Tower → Colorful Dongtou Village → Dong'ao Beach

Start with photographs at the blue-and-white seawall of Little Erhai Lake.

Continue to Huagang Fishing Village for traditional stone houses and a coffee break, then climb Wanghai Tower for a panoramic view of the island landscape.

In the afternoon, wander through Colorful Dongtou Village before heading to Dong'ao Beach for an evening walk and sunset.

Day 2

Xiandieyan → Dasha'ao Beach → Banping Mountain → Jiucai'ao Beach

Spend the morning walking along the cliffside trails of Xiandieyan.

Continue to Dasha'ao for some time on the sandy beach, then head to Banping Mountain to experience the dramatic sea cliffs.

Finish at Jiucai'ao Beach, which may host summer fireworks shows and bonfire parties depending on the seasonal event schedule.

Photography Tips

Dongtou is particularly easy to photograph because its major attractions each offer a different visual style.

Little Erhai Lake: Wear white or light-colored clothing with a straw hat. Shoot before 10:00 AM and avoid strong backlighting.

Colorful Dongtou Village: Look for pink stairways and blue doors. A wide-angle lens works well for capturing the colorful architecture against the sea.

Xiandieyan: Photograph yourself walking sideways along the cliff trail while waves crash against the rocks below to create a stronger sense of movement.

Huagang Fishing Village: Traditional stone houses combined with bougainvillea are particularly attractive in the late afternoon.

Practical Tips

• Use plenty of sunscreen. Coastal sunlight can be surprisingly intense.
• Wear comfortable, non-slip walking shoes for the cliff trails.
• When ordering seafood, ask for the price before ordering, especially at casual seafood stalls and restaurants.
• During summer, bring a change of clothes if you plan to play in the water.
• For water activities, stay within designated safe areas and avoid undeveloped beaches or rocky shorelines.

Dongtou Seafood: From the Sea Straight to the Table

Seafood is an essential part of the Dongtou experience.

Popular local dishes include:

• Scallion-oil swimming crab
• Salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp
• Braised water eel
• Surf clam soup
• Seaweed meatballs

For a wider selection, head to Shuanglong Village Seafood Food Street, located close to Dongsha Fishing Port.

Fishing boats move in and out of the harbor, and freshly landed seafood can go directly from the market into the kitchen.

You can choose your seafood and have it cooked to order.

For a more immersive experience, Dong'ao Ding Village offers a local “Fishing Woman Culinary Small Group” experience.

For around RMB 200 per person, the package includes food and accommodation. At around 5:00 AM, local fishing women head to the harbor to purchase the day’s catch. Cooking is combined with stories about fishing, going out to sea and the traditional process of drying seafood.

You are not simply eating a meal—you are experiencing a slice of fishing-village life.

The Pearl of the East China Sea

From the blue-and-white seawall of Little Erhai Lake to the cliffside trails of Xiandieyan, from the pastel houses of Colorful Dongtou Village to the enormous bowls of seafood noodles in Dong'ao Fishing Village, Dongtou brings together the sea, fishing villages, fresh seafood and local hospitality across its 302 islands.

And unlike many island destinations, you do not need to take a ferry to experience its main attractions.

There is no expensive entrance ticket to the entire island. Instead, Dongtou gives visitors something much simpler: an easy one-hour drive from Wenzhou, a full day of sea breeze, colorful fishing villages, dramatic coastal cliffs and a bowl of seafood noodles overflowing with fresh ingredients.

If you are looking for a place in Zhejiang where you can see blue-green water, feel the sea breeze, eat freshly caught seafood and still arrive by car, come to Dongtou. Here, the sea is blue and green, the fishing villages are colorful, and you are standing at the heart of the “Pearl of the East China Sea.”