Nanao Island Island Loop Self-Drive: A Non-Influencer Travel Guide from the Lighthouse to the Ancient Well

Nanao Island Island Loop Self-Drive: A Non-Influencer Travel Guide from the Lighthouse to the Ancient Well As a travel blogger deeply rooted in destination consumption, I have customized a deep route for you to avoid the crowds, connecting Nanao Island’s most historic lighthouse and ancient well, paired with a local’s secret food map to help you unlock the island’s mountain and sea secrets in two days. 🌟 Itinerary: Counterclockwise island loop, avoiding tour groups Day 1: West Peninsula Cultural Secrets - Morning: Enter the island via Nanao Bridge (bridge toll 96 RMB), first stop at Changshanwei Lighthouse. At 7 a.m., capture the lighthouse and red bridge in the same frame, shooting a “seascape oil painting” when the sea mist is still lingering. - Noon: Drive 15 minutes to Shen’ao Town, taste Chaoshan private dishes at Shuyejia Homestay (provincial gold-level inn), recommended dishes are black truffle fried rice and steamed pomfret with sour plum. - Afternoon: Walk to Shen’ao Ancient City Park to visit the Ma Well beside the Ming Dynasty city wall. This ancient well connected to a hot spring reveals the “Ma Well Morning Mist” spectacle at sunrise, with clear water drinkable directly. Visit the Guandi Temple on the way, touch the aerial roots of a 400-year-old banyan tree, and feel the historical weight of the “Min-Yue border.” - Evening: Navigate to Changshanjiao Lighthouse Stake, the entrance marker of the northwest waterway. This rarely visited cape is perfect for shooting the “lonely lighthouse” silhouette, and with little light pollution at night, you can set up a tripod to capture star trails. Day 2: East Peninsula Mountain and Sea Symphony - Early morning: Arrive at Qing’ao Bay before 5:30 a.m., wait for sunrise at the Tropic of Cancer Plaza at the Gate of Nature. When sunlight penetrates the sphere, the astronomical wonder of “no shadow standing pole” on the ground is worth waking up early for. - Morning: Drive 20 minutes to Qizipeng Windmill Hill, hike along the No. 42 windmill viewing platform. The 80-meter-high white windmill group and emerald bay form a scene straight out of a Studio Ghibli animation. Wearing a light-colored long dress is recommended for “walking on clouds” photos. - Noon: After descending, head straight to Huiji Seaside Restaurant. Must-try dishes are signature sea urchin fried rice and seaweed fish ball soup, achieving seafood freedom for about 50 RMB per person. - Afternoon: Go to Sancongya Lighthouse, avoid the main scenic area crowds, detour to the west side wooden boardwalk to climb the viewing platform. A telephoto lens can capture the “trio” of lighthouse, windmills, and waves in one frame. Visit Song Well nearby; this Southern Song Dynasty ancient well, though on the beach, has sweet spring water. The 12 RMB ticket includes the Prince’s Tower ruins and the “Chao Book Song Charm” pavilion, where the guide tells the legend of Lu Xiufu protecting the young emperor. - Evening: Stay at Huanchang·Xixili Sunset Sea View Homestay, with a 270° terrace facing Windmill Hill and Sancongya Lighthouse. The housekeeper thoughtfully prepares tide-catching tools, and you can catch crabs on the beach in front of the homestay at low tide. 🚗 Transportation Tips - Car rental: Electric cars (100 RMB/day) or SUVs (300 RMB/day) are recommended. The island loop road is fully paved, but some mountain road bends require cautious driving. - Refueling: Qianjiang Gas Station is the main supply point on the island. It is recommended to fill up before entering the island to avoid queues during peak season. 🍽️ Local Secret Food Map - Breakfast: Beef and egg rice rolls at Xiangyuan Rice Rolls in Houzhai Town, rice skin wrapped with freshly ground soy sauce, paired with a bowl of fish ball soup for only 12 RMB. - Lunch: Claypot seafood porridge at Alai Stir-fry in Yun’ao Fishing Port, shrimp, crab, and shellfish cooked until the rice grains bloom, plus a sea urchin steamed egg that’s so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows fall off. - Dinner: Raw marinated blood clams with white porridge at Nan’ao Xiaobei Seafood Restaurant in Qing’ao Bay, achieving Chaoshan poison freedom for about 80 RMB per person. - Dessert: Coconut milk hot pot dessert at Ranji Sweet Soup Shop, a combination of taro paste, duck mother dumplings, and shaved ice, a local summer cooling staple. 🌊 Pitfall Avoidance Guide 1. Avoid influencer traps: Qing’ao Bay main beach is crowded in the afternoon; you can walk 10 minutes to Zhuxidu Bay, an undeveloped crescent bay with fine sand, perfect for “exclusive beach” photos. 2. Consumption warning: Some seafood stalls may overstate weights. It is recommended to choose clearly priced “Mingji Restaurant” or “Jinlang Seaview Restaurant,” the latter’s bamboo rice sea urchin cup has won a creative flavor award. 3. Weather warning: Typhoon season from July to September may close the bridge. Check the “Nanao Bridge” official WeChat for real-time road conditions before traveling. 📸 Photography Tips - Lighthouse shooting: Use a wide-angle lens for panoramic shots of Changshanwei Lighthouse, a telephoto lens to compress space at Sancongya Lighthouse, and close-ups of red and white stripes and reef textures at Houjiang Lighthouse. - Ancient well composition: When shooting Ma Well with the ancient city wall in the frame, lower the camera position to highlight historical depth; for Song Well’s “well water reflecting ancient pavilion” shot, wait for windless water surface moments. This route connects Nanao Island’s “time code,” from Ming Dynasty coastal defense to Southern Song relics, from windmill sea clouds to lighthouse dusk. While avoiding crowds, you can touch the island’s soul. It is recommended to travel from April to June, with temperatures around 25°C, seafood is plump, and accommodation prices are only 60% of peak season. Prepare sunscreen and a telephoto lens before departure, and let’s measure every inch of this “Oriental Hawaii” by wheel.