Two-Day One-Night Travel Guide for Leisure Vacation at Xiapu Guanhai Guesthouse and Yushan Island | Eyes on the Starry Sea, Heart Full of Blooming Flowers

📍 Edinburgh · 👁 9806 reads · ❤️ 29 likes

Upon reaching the mountain top, the view was indeed fantastic. Since the guesthouse was still in its trial operation phase when we visited, many amenities were not fully complete. Additionally, there were no other shops nearby, so meals needed to be pre-ordered or brought from home.

As soon as I entered, I was captivated by the infinity pool in front of me. Opposite, the magnificent mountains and sea were fully visible, making it a must-visit photo spot for influencers. Behind the guesthouse, there was also a trendy swing, another great photo-taking tool, full of Instagram vibes.

Currently, only the second and third floors have guest rooms, each with a sea view. The two rooms facing east allow you to watch the sunrise while lying in bed—what an amazing feeling! I could lie here all day, accompanied by the mountains and sea, leaving my worries behind and enjoying the slow time.

On clear nights, you can also see the starry sky. It’s rare to see such beautiful starry skies nowadays. Lying on a deck chair by the pool, enjoying the cool breeze, gazing at the night sky, or chatting with a few friends is a very pleasant time. Photography enthusiasts are in luck—this is an excellent place to photograph the stars. The Milky Way is incredibly beautiful. I stayed for two hours to capture a starry time-lapse and it was absolutely worth it! Haha! However, there are many mosquitoes and insects on the mountain in summer, especially at night, so be sure to take protective measures. Also, insects may fall into the pool, making it dirty, so the pool is not suitable for actually swimming... This aspect needs improvement.

The sunrise on the second day is absolutely not to be missed. If you happen to encounter a sea of clouds, you can get great shots instantly. I found that no matter how you shoot, the sunrise combined with the pool and the scenery always looks beautiful!

The cloud layer was a bit thick, so I didn’t see the sunrise or the sea of clouds, only the morning glow, but it was still beautiful.

After breakfast, we headed to today’s destination, Yushan Island, one of China’s ten most beautiful islands. This island is still a relatively lesser-known destination. The island offers mountains, sea, lakes, grasslands, and celestial bodies to satisfy your eyes. The Big and Small Tianhu are must-visit spots, and the scenery along the island’s coastal road is uniquely charming.

There are currently two docks to enter the island:

1. Yujing Pier

2. Sansha Pier

Ferry schedules are as follows:

During peak season, additional trips will be added.

Accommodation on the island: Mazu Village has the most lodging options and is also the location of the ferry terminal. If you want to watch the sunset, there is a nice observation deck near Luzhu Village. In Yuniao Village, there is a guesthouse called Sunrise Hotel, and not far in front of the hotel, there are trendy tube houses on the cliff edge. Mangdang Village is very close to Moon Bay Beach, which is where we stayed this time. At Fisherman’s Leisure halfway up the mountain, you can see a vast sea view from the balcony. There is also a wooden house hotel on the shore of Moon Bay. Peach Blossom Valley has tube-style accommodation. Zao’ao Village is said to be the best place to watch the sunrise. Additionally, there are many camping spots on the island, and most accommodations offer tent rentals, so you can ask if needed.

This is the Fisherman’s Leisure where we stayed, especially the rooftop terrace, which offers a great view.

We entered the island from Yujing Pier, taking the 9:00 AM ferry. After arriving, we headed straight to the hotel (there are buses and private cars on the island).

Day 1: Island loop tour—Moon Bay, Dongjiao Village Glass Walkway, Peach Blossom Valley, Zao’ao Village, Yangguwei Military Base.

Day 2: Watch sunrise—Big and Small Tianhu—take the 1:20 PM ferry off the island.

Dashiao and Moon Bay only reveal their beaches at low tide. These are very natural beaches, and the collision of rocks and the sea can produce great photo opportunities. You can enjoy the coolness of the sea by wading and swimming.

The loop road from Moon Bay to Dongjiao Village is very beautiful. I suggest walking, as it feels very artistic, reminiscent of Kenting. I wanted to use a drone to film a follow-shot video here, but due to the strong wind on the island, the drone almost couldn’t handle it. I’m still nervous thinking about it now...

Dongjiao Village Glass Walkway Observation Deck: This 270° glass observation deck offers a full view of Dongjiao Village and the opposite Yuanyang Island. The seamless sky and sea background is incredibly beautiful.

The observation deck at Zao’ao Village is an excellent spot to watch the sunrise on the island.

Yangguwei was a former military base, with bomb shelters, trenches, and bunkers still remaining. There is also a camping platform in front, a perfect spot to enjoy the night sky.

This island lighthouse is great for taking moody photos.

We watched the sunrise from the rooftop of the guesthouse. I excitedly ran to the rooftop at around 4:00 AM to fly the drone and wait to capture the sunrise...

Before dawn, the sun and moon appeared together.

We visited the Tianhu on the sea and the vast grasslands, which were magnificent. I loved the view of the Small Tianhu the most—a lake on one side and the sea on the other, as if we had arrived on a fairy island.

Regarding meals: We had lunch and dinner on the first day at the guesthouse. The landlady’s cooking was quite good. Seafood is a must on Yushan Island; it’s fresh and rich, and the vegetables are homegrown, with a taste reminiscent of childhood! Also, the seaweed cakes made by the landlady were really good! There are also a few restaurants in Mazu Village with reasonable prices, no arbitrary pricing. Thinking about it, I recall the plump and delicious mantis shrimp...

I was too busy eating to take photos!!!

Yushan Island is also a great place to escape the summer heat. The breeze is gentle, so come and enjoy that touch of coolness. Here, you can temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of the city, daydream, wander around, take photos of your favorite scenery, and treat yourself to a memorable summer experience!

Travel Diary Directory:

1. Day 1: Xiapu Guanhai Guesthouse

2. Day 2: Yushan Island Loop Tour

3. Day 3: Island Sunrise and Tianhu Scenic Area

4. Conclusion