I'm back from Dongshan, and I'm going to tell some harsh truths

Dongshan Island August Fun Guide🌊 | Three Days and Two Nights to Explore the 'Little Maldives,' Eat Seafood Until You Can't Walk! Geographical Location Dongshan Island, a treasure island in Zhangzhou, Fujian, is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer and boasts mirror-like beaches, colorful fishing villages, and a rooftop featured in the movie 'The Left Ear'~ It's quieter than Xiamen, cheaper than Sanya, and in August, the sea is so clear you can see small fish brushing against your feet! 🚀Three-Day Super Detailed Itinerary | Fun Until You Drop Every Day Day 1: Artsy Nanmen Bay + Chasing the Sunrise • 5:30 AM Rush to Jinluan Bay to watch the 'Sky Mirror' sunrise 🌅. The beach looks like spilled orange soda, and wearing a white dress gives you a natural filter for photos! • 12:00 PM Indulge in seafood on Tuanjie Road, Tongling Town. Recommend 'Old Theater Cat Porridge' • 4:00 PM Check out the colorful houses at Nanmen Bay, overlook the bay from the 'Left Ear' rooftop. • 7:30 PM Must-try 'Zhongyi Oyster Omelet' at Tongling Night Market. Crispy crust wrapped around plump oysters. Day 2: Mountain and Sea Adventure + First Snorkeling Experience • 8:00 AM Rent a scooter (60 RMB/day) and ride along Sufeng Mountain Ring Road. The blue bridge with sea views feels like stepping into a Miyazaki anime! • 12:00 PM Take 'cliff blockbuster' photos on the reefs of Yanya Village. A red long dress looks amazing, but be careful not to slip (don't ask me how I know). • 2:00 PM Snorkel at Aojiao Village 🤿. For 200 RMB per person, touch corals and chase fish. If you're afraid of water, there are one-on-one coaches. The underwater world is breathtakingly beautiful! • 6:00 PM Listen to the waves at a beach bar in Maluan Bay, order a mojito and stargaze. The ambiance is perfect~ Day 3: Sandbar Adventure + Slow-Paced Fishing Village Life • 9:00 AM Rush to Fish Bone Sandbar at low tide! Take a boat (100 RMB) for aerial photos of the 'fish bone in the sea.' Remember to check the tide table to avoid a wasted trip! • 12:00 PM Buy seafood at Xipu Market for processing. Salt and pepper stir-fried mantis shrimp, steamed crabs. Achieve seafood freedom for 50 RMB per person! • 3:00 PM Take photos with flower hairpins in Dingjie Old Street. The Southern Fujian charm is strong. Also, buy some seaweed cakes as souvenirs~ 🌟Must-Visit List | Missing These Means You Came for Nothing 1. Jinluan Bay Sunrise: Free! The mirror-like beach reflects the morning glow. Get your spot ready before 5:30 AM. 2. Nanmen Bay Night Market: Oyster omelet + roasted tendon. The night market's lively atmosphere is super healing. Opens after 6:00 PM. 3. Sufeng Mountain Blue Bridge: Free! Ride an electric scooter for stunning half-mountain, half-sea road photos. Best light in the afternoon. 4. Fish Bone Sandbar: A unique spectacle only visible at low tide. Aerial views are absolutely stunning (boat fee 100 RMB). 5. Aojiao Village Snorkeling: Crystal clear waters + coral reefs. Even beginners can have a blast. 🏨Accommodation Recommendations | Trip.com High-Rated Picks • Zhangzhou Dongshan Yuehua Hotel: Yunan Bay sea view rooms. Step out to the beach. Features an infinity pool and kids' club, perfect for families! • Nanmen Bay Island Language B&B: Designer-style artistic vibe. The rooftop is perfect for 'The Left Ear'-style sunset photos, instantly making your social media feed pop~ • Jinluan Bay Nuan Yang Seaview B&B: Around 200 RMB per person. 3-minute walk to the beach. Watch the sunrise from your bed! 🚌Transportation Guide | Scooters Are the Best • Day 1: Take a taxi from Yunxiao Station to Jinluan Bay (approx. 100 RMB). Rely on walking + tricycles for the rest of the day (remember to bargain!). • Day 2: Rent an electric scooter for island hopping. Sufeng Mountain → Yanya Village → Maluan Bay, smooth sailing all the way. • Day 3: Take a taxi to Fish Bone Sandbar Pier. In the afternoon, take a bus back to Tongling Town, super cheap~ 📸Private Photo Spots • Nanmen Bay Embankment Backlight: Shoot side profiles at 4 PM, your hair will glow! • Sufeng Mountain Third Observation Deck: Overlook the blue bridge and the sea-sky line. Denim shorts look super cool. • Yanya Lover's Reef: Sit on the cliff edge with your legs dangling, pretending to be at the end of the world~ 🍤Food Attack | 5 Must-Eats 1. Small Squid (Calamari): Blanched and dipped in mustard soy sauce. So sweet and crispy, like chewing on ocean jelly! 2. Oyster Omelet: Crispy sweet potato flour with bursting oysters. Any shop in Tongling Night Market is delicious~ 3. Xiaomi: Thin-skinned, generously filled steamed dumplings. The filling is shredded radish + dried sole fish. So fresh it'll make your eyebrows fall off! 4. Four Fruit Soup: Taro + mung beans + sea moss. 10 RMB for a refreshing, cooling treat, more addictive than milk tea. 5. Ginger Duck: Duck stewed with old ginger. Rich and savory sauce. The 30-year-old shop in Tongling Town is the most authentic! 💰Three-Day Spending List | Budget Travel Can Still Be Awesome • Two Nights Accommodation: Yuehua Hotel sea view room 1580 RMB (790 RMB per person), expensive but worth it! For a tighter budget, Jinluan Bay B&B for 400 RMB. • Dining: Seafood feast around 80 RMB/meal per person, snacks 10-20 RMB. Three days of food and drinks around 500 RMB, you'll be stuffed! • Activities: Snorkeling 200 RMB + Fish Bone Sandbar boat ticket 100 RMB, total 300 RMB. Feeling: Half the price of Sanya, with seafood freedom + all the beautiful scenery. My wallet is very pleased~ ⚠️Hard-Earned Tips 1. Sunscreen + physical sun protection clothing! August UV rays are like Grandma Rong's needles, getting three shades darker is not a dream. 2. Check the Fish Bone Sandbar tide table in advance. At high tide, you'll see nothing. Personal Musings While daydreaming on the Nanmen Bay embankment, I suddenly understood why they say "Dongshan Island is perfect for wasting life"~ Chasing the sea during the day, devouring seafood at night – this is the right way to spend summer! Any other wild ways to play, everyone? Share them in the comments, I'll unlock them next time! 🌴