Three hours from Shanghai and suddenly you’re in Santorini. Well, China’s Santorini. White-washed villas tumbling down cliffs and the East China Sea stretching beyond the sun kissed horizon. I went to Shengshan Island (嵊山岛) chasing a rumour and found the perfect weekend escape from the city.
This guide covers where to stay — including the Santorini-style villas — the best things to do, how to get there from Shanghai and the travel tips no one else tells you.
Skip to the bottom for the 3-day itinerary.
This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Stay
- Best for: Instagram obsessives, couples and friends
- Santorini style villas with white-washed walls, infinity pools and the insane sea views. These villas are built into the cliffs overlooking the fishing harbour and the abandoned village beyond.
- Best for: Beach lovers, people who want more infrastructure, slightly less isolation
- Connected to Shengshan by bridge, Gouqi has better beaches, more restaurants and actual shops. The villas here are less Santorini-more-China but the seafood is fresher and it’s a good middle ground if you want island vibes without full isolation.
- Best for: Budget travellers and catching early ferries.
- On the Zhoushan mainland, not the island. Cheap hotels, tons of seafood restaurants and the ferry port right there. If your ferry is at 7am, it’s a wise option.
My Pick: First trip? Santorini villas on Shengshan (嵊山岛). Want more action? Gouqi (枸杞岛). Early ferry? Shenjiamen (沈家门).
For the iconic hotels to budgets hostels, you can find my Top 10 Zhoushan Stays here!
5 Best Things to Do in Zhoushan
- The Abandoned Village 后头湾 (Houtouwan)
A fishing village abandoned in the 1990s, completely swallowed by ivy and green vines – on the map it’s literally called “the Emerald City in the Land of Oz” and it’s giving magic. Houses with trees growing through roofs, staircases to nowhere, and silence except for waves and birds. Go early for empty paths and mist. Wear comfy shoes — the paths are overgrown and the plants are aggressive. - The Fishing Harbour
Colourful boats, nets drying, old women repairing traps. This is still a working fishing village underneath the tourism. Eat at the harbour restaurants for the freshest seafood I’ve ever had. Order shengjian yu (生煎鱼) (pan-fried fish) and haixian mian (海鲜面) (seafood noodles). - Gouqi Island Beaches
Better sand than Shengshan, actual swimming spots and fewer cliffs. The water is green-blue and cold even in summer. Wangcun Beach (大王村沙滩) is the main one — facilities, food stalls and the classic beach day. - Dongya Cliff 东崖绝壁
Easternmost point of Shengshan, sheer cliffs dropping into the sea. The sunrise here is famous — orange light, fishing boats, and the feeling that you’re at the edge of the world. Go at 5am, bring a jacket, and watch China wake up. - Get Lost
I’m not joking. In fact I highly recommend it. It’s a tiny island made for exploration. Step out the villa and just keep walking until you reach the sea.
More fun ideas for activites in the islands can be found in my Zhoushand Top 20 Recommendations Guide!
5 Top Travel Tips for Zhoushan
- Getting There from Shanghai
Friday night: Shanghai South Bus Station (上海南站) to Shenjiamen (沈家门) — 4 hours by bus. Or bullet train to Ningbo (宁波), then bus to Shenjiamen. Sleep in Shenjiamen or catch a late ferry if the schedule allows. If logistics aren’t for you, get yourself a guided tour for the whole trip (driver inc) and relax instead! - Buy Sea Sickness Patches at the Port
Pick them up before you get on the boat! The sea is rough. The East China Sea doesn’t do calm. Sea sickness patches at the port are cheap and they work, I should know, I learned this the hard way so you don’t have to . Bonus tip: grab some travel insurance through SafetyWing before you set sail. - Register with Police as Soon as You Step Off the Ferry
Sightings of foreigners in a new remote location may occasionally cause authorities to panic. Tell them where you are, show your passport and they’ll all soon relax. Otherwise you’ll have a shadow following your fun. It’s just small-island protocol vibes. - Sunrise and Sunset
Plan your day around them, for example Dongya Cliff (东崖绝壁) for sunrise, I’d aim for 5am departure from the villas and The Santorini terraces for sunset at around 6pm. I’m a chronic sunset chaser so this is a must. - Supplies
ATMs are rare, card readers are suggestions and the convenience store closes early. Bring cash, bring snacks and please bring any medication you might need. The villa might have Wi-Fi but “have” is a loose term so be prepared and download offline maps, screenshot your bookings and embrace the disconnection.
Looking for the essential travel tips for China as a whole – the apps, the gadgets and everything else you’re gonna need to optimise your time? You can read my first-timer guide here.
3-Day Zhoushan Itinerary
Day 1: Friday Night Escape
Evening: Friday night bus from Shanghai to Shenjiamen (沈家门) — 4 hours, or bullet train to Ningbo (宁波) then bus. Sleep in Shenjiamen or catch a late ferry if the schedule allows. Don’t forget to buy sea sickness patches at the port. Grab yourself a return trip guided tour, if you’re lazy like me !
Day 2: Santorini & The Emerald City
Morning: Early ferry to Shengshan (嵊山岛) — 3-4 hours, sit outside if the sea is rough. Check into your Santorini villa and collapse into the view. Breakfast on the terrace, pool time and the white-washed paths.
Afternoon: Houtouwan (后头湾) — the abandoned village. The Emerald City in the Land of Oz. Houses swallowed by green, staircases to nowhere, silence and waves. Wear shoes — the paths are overgrown and the plants are aggressive.
Evening: Sunset from your villa terrace. Dinner at the harbour, look for shengjian yu (生煎鱼) and haixian mian (海鲜面) and enjoy a seafood feast.
Day 3: Sunrise & Return
Morning: 5am — Dongya Cliff (东崖绝壁) for sunrise. Easternmost point, sheer cliffs, fishing boats on the horizon. The edge of the world feeling. Back to the villa for breakfast, final swim, final photos.
Afternoon: Head to the beach for a final nap in the sand and sandcastle building session, before a last lunch in town. Grab some dried seafood snacks or souvenirs on your way out!
Evening: Ferry back to Shenjiamen (沈家门), bus to Shanghai. Arrive Sunday evening with the Sunday scaries in full effect .
Where to Next? Your China City Guides
To help you decide your next Chinese adventure, I’ve written detailed guides for every city I’ve loved and hated from my very own archives. Including where to stay, the best hotels, top things to do, eat and a 3 day itinerary, check them out below.
