Huaniao Island is located in Huaniao Township, Shengsi County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province. It is a beautiful outlying island. The following is a detailed introduction about it:
Basic Overview
• Geographical environment: Located in the northernmost part of Zhoushan Archipelago, it is located at 122°40′ east longitude and 30°50′ north latitude, 25.9 kilometers away from Shengsi Island, in the international waterway, surrounded by the sea. It consists of Huaniao Island and its surrounding 11 islands, with a land area of 3.28 square kilometers and a coastline of 17.16 kilometers.
• Climate characteristics: It belongs to the subtropical marine monsoon climate, with distinct four seasons, no severe cold in winter, no scorching heat in summer, sufficient sunlight, and small temperature difference. There are many sea fogs in spring, many cyclones in summer, dry autumn, frost in winter, and more precipitation in spring and summer than in autumn and winter.
• Historical culture: There were residents in the Southern Song Dynasty. In the early years of Chunxi in the Southern Song Dynasty, the sand bank of the island was set as the Confucian Academy of Qingyuan Prefecture. In the ninth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty, the construction of Huaniao Lighthouse was planned. Development and construction started in 2013, it was rated as a 4A scenic spot in 2020, and was selected into the list of "Harmonious Islands" in 2023.
Natural Landscape
• Fluorescent Sea: Also known as "blue tears", it is stimulated by luminous organisms such as Noctiluca and fireflies to produce light blue light. From March to June each year, the best time to watch it is at night when the temperature is 21-30 degrees, the weather is clear, the tide is high, and there is southwest or northeast wind on the sea.
• Buddha's Hand Stone: Located at the outermost end of the northeast side of the island, it is shaped like a palm and has a wide field of vision. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset.
• Qiankengding: It is the highest peak in Shengsi. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can overlook the entire island and the surrounding waters and enjoy the magnificent mountain and sea scenery.
Human Landscape
• Flower and Bird Lighthouse: Built in 1870, it was the largest lighthouse under the jurisdiction of the customs at that time. It was also one of the earliest lighthouses built in China and was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit. The lighthouse is cylindrical in appearance, black on top and white on the bottom, with a total of 4 floors and a height of 16.5 meters. It is an important gateway for Chinese and foreign ships to enter ports such as Shanghai, Zhoushan, and Ningbo.
• Mazu Temple: Located on the side of the Buddha's Hand Stone, the temple enshrines the statue of Mazu, which is a symbol of the island residents' faith and spiritual sustenance, and also provides tourists with a window to understand the local marine culture and folk customs.
• Flower and Bird Village: The village buildings on the island are mainly blue and white, staggered and full of Mediterranean style. It is known as the "Chinese version of Santorini". There are many characteristic homestays, restaurants and small shops in the village.
Transportation Guide
• Direct Ship: You can take a ship directly to Flower and Bird Island from Shanghai Shenjiawan Wharf, and the journey takes about 2 hours. You need to book a homestay through Ctrip first, and then let the homestay owner book a round-trip direct ship ticket.
• Indirect: First go to Shengsi, then take a taxi to Xiaocaiyuan Wharf and buy a boat ticket to Huaniao Island. There are two boats a day, at 7:30 and 12:20 respectively.