Taohua Island (Peach Blossom Island), Zhoushan

Giant Buddha Rock is the iconic landmark of Peach Blossom Island, renowned for its imposing presence and the visual illusion it creates, appearing equally grand from both afar and up close. This colossal rock formation stands at 72 meters high with a base circumference of 268 meters, covering an area of 6,239 square meters and reaching an elevation of 287 meters. Climbing Giant Buddha Rock is an enjoyable adventure; though not particularly difficult, it involves navigating through vines, trees, and narrow crevices.

Within Giant Buddha lies the fascinating Qingyin Cave. This natural rock cave features an inscription reading “清音洞” above its entrance. Inside, a narrow stone fissure, approximately 10 centimeters wide and over 20 meters long, extends to the top of the rock, allowing sunlight to stream through in a striking effect known as “One Line Sky.” The cave also runs straight to the rock’s base, where sounds travel clearly from one end to the other, thus earning the name “Qingyin Cave” or “Clear Sound Cave.”

Located on the eastern coast of Peach Blossom Island, the Taohuayu Scenic Area boasts the island’s most beautiful natural environment. The area is characterized by its dramatic cliffs and intricate rock formations, providing spectacular views of the sea and sunrise from the mountain tops. Key attractions within Taohuayu include:

• Peach Blossom Village: Nestled in the heart of the Taohuayu Scenic Area, Peach Blossom Village covers approximately 2 square kilometers. The village is shaded by lush trees and traversed by clear streams and quaint bridges, creating a tranquil setting perfect for relaxation. The ambiance, enhanced by elements like apricot-yellow flags, red lanterns, and heroic tunes, immerses visitors in the world of martial arts culture.
• East Sea Divine Pearl: Situated on Dragon Pearl Beach within the Tawan Scenic Area, this natural marvel is an 80-centimeter diameter stone sphere formed by prolonged wave action. Known as the “East Sea Divine Pearl,” this stone ball resides in the Dragon’s Throat, where it rolls back and forth with the tide, producing a resonant echo that adds to its mystique.
• Finger Flick Peak and Sacred Eagle Rock: Other notable sites include Finger Flick Peak and Sacred Eagle Rock, named for their resemblance to the martial arts gestures and legendary creatures from Jin Yong’s novels, enriching the cultural tapestry of the island.

The Tawan Golden Sands Scenic Area, located on the island’s southeast coast, boasts the stunning Qianbu Beach. This beach stretches 1,370 meters in length and 500 meters in width, making it the second-largest beach in the Zhoushan Archipelago. The beach features gentle slopes, pure and fine sand, making it an ideal spot for sea bathing, sand bathing, sunbathing, and leisurely strolls along the shore. The beach is flanked by two capes that extend into the sea, creating a sheltered bay that resembles a lake. During certain times, the waters here are calm and clear, offering a beautiful azure hue.

The bay is home to a variety of marine life, including natural rockfish, tigerfish, sea bream, flatfish, and swimming crabs, making it perfect for water sports, fishing, and crabbing. In the summer and autumn, as the stars fade and the sun rises over the horizon, the seamless blend of sea and sand creates a breathtaking panorama.

• Baique Temple: One of the island’s most significant cultural sites, Baique Temple is renowned as the place where the Bodhisattva Guanyin is said to have taken monastic vows and practiced. Visitors can listen to the unique “Guanyin Sutra” and learn about the experiences of Guanyin’s ascetic life. Baique Temple also stands as a testament to the historical friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples, marked by the story of the ship “Chunri Maru” that occurred here over 240 years ago. This historical event led to the establishment of sister-city relations between Zhoushan City and Kesennuma City in Japan.
• Tawan Mingjing Lake: Covering an area of 3 square kilometers, Mingjing Lake is usually calm, with clear blue waters and a gentle seabed, making it ideal for various water activities. Visitors can swim in the lake, enjoy the sea view, and engage in fishing and other traditional fishing practices, experiencing the life of ancient fishermen.

Located northeast of Peach Blossom Island, Xuangu Gorge Island covers only 0.78 square kilometers, with its highest peak reaching an elevation of 139.6 meters. The island is densely forested with trees, reeds, and grasses, and is rich in shellfish and other marine products. It features a diverse landscape of beaches, rocks, caves, and reefs, making it an ideal spot for activities such as sea cliff viewing, shellfish harvesting, fishing, camping, and hunting.

• Notable Attractions: Key highlights include Longya Qingtian, a dramatic rock formation, Ludang Litan, a scenic reed beach, Qianchengyan, a multi-layered rock formation, Wugui Cave, a turtle-shaped cave, and Haibao Reef, a rocky outcrop popular for seal watching.
• Dinghai City: Situated on the Bugu Gate Back Beach, Dinghai City was a primary filming location for the movie “The Opium War.” The city wall stretches 230 meters in length, 12 meters in width, and reaches a height of 12 meters at its tallest point. The wall is equipped with ancient facilities such as city towers, cannon placements, arrow slots, and flagpoles, presenting an impressive and grandiose structure with flying eaves, black tiles, and red walls.

The Anqi Peak Scenic Area is distinguished by its towering peaks and intriguing rock formations, with temples and caves as central attractions. The area’s centerpiece is Anqi Peak, standing at an impressive 540 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in the Zhoushan Archipelago.

• Anqi Alchemy Cave: Located at an altitude of 482 meters, this natural stone cave is steeped in legend. It is said that during the Qin Dynasty, a hermit named An Qi Sheng fled to this cave to escape the tyranny of the Qin regime. He practiced Taoism and alchemy in seclusion, eventually becoming a revered figure. According to historical accounts, successive emperors, including Qin Shi Huang, sent envoys to find An Qi Sheng. Some reportedly saw him as an elderly man with white hair, calling him “Thousand-Year Old Man,” while others saw him eating giant dates and living a life of seclusion.
• Shengyan Temple: Initially built in the fourth year of the Tongzhi era during the Qing Dynasty (1865), Shengyan Temple is another key attraction in the Anqi Peak Scenic Area. The temple, situated at an elevation of 482 meters, occupies a natural stone cave that has a history of over 400 years. Originally located within the “Anqi Alchemy Cave,” it is believed that An Qi Sheng practiced his alchemy and Taoism in this very cave. The temple still houses a stone Buddha shrine from the 27th year of the Guangxu era (1894). In 1986, the temple was separated from the Alchemy Cave and rebuilt, resulting in the present-day Shengyan Temple. Known as the “First Temple of the Thousand Islands” due to its high elevation, it is the highest temple in the Zhoushan Archipelago.

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