Zhoushan is an archipelago at the southern mouth of Hangzhou Bay, off the mainland city of Ningbo. The prefecture's built-up core is made up of two urban districts, Dinghai and Putuo, and most visitors base themselves on Zhoushan Island or on the smaller islands nearby.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. Dinghai is the city proper on Zhoushan Island. Putuo District covers the south-eastern part of the same island, including the Shenjiamen and Donggang sub-districts, plus the Zhujiajian and Putuoshan areas. Beyond these, the counties of Daishan and Shengsi spread north and east across the archipelago. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation you find at each level.
Best areas to stay in Zhoushan
1. Donggang (Putuo District)
Donggang is a sub-district of Putuo District, described as a new town and a downtown area. It sits close to the sea and has a concentration of tourism, shopping, catering, entertainment and business facilities, which makes it convenient for a first visit.
It suits visitors who want to be within reach of restaurants, seafood stalls and shops, and who value easy transport connections. Accommodation here ranges from mid-range hotels to larger properties, some with family facilities such as children's play areas. If you want a base where the practical side of a trip is straightforward, this is the most useful starting point.
2. Shenjiamen (Putuo District)
Shenjiamen is a sub-district of Putuo District on Zhoushan Island. It is part of the built-up urban area alongside Donggang, so it shares the same access to the island's roads and services.
It suits travellers who want to be in the Putuo side of the city, closer to the crossings and boats that serve the smaller islands to the east. Expect the usual mix of urban accommodation and local food, with seafood a particular feature of the area.
3. Dinghai District (Zhoushan Island)
Dinghai is the prefecture's city proper and gives its name to one of the two urban districts. It contains a number of sub-districts, including Jiefang, Changguo, Huannan, Chengdong, Yancang, Lincheng, Qiandao, Xiaosha, Ma'ao and Cengang, as well as the towns of Baiquan, Jintang and Ganlan.
It suits visitors who prefer a more established urban setting with government offices and central business districts within reach. Accommodation here is largely urban and practical, and it works well if your plans centre on Zhoushan Island rather than the outlying islands.
4. Putuoshan (Putuo District)
Putuoshan is a town within Putuo District and is also one of the archipelago's inhabited islands. It has long been a destination for visitors and pilgrims, and the source notes that a statue of Guanyin was placed at Chaoyin Cave here in the ninth century, a site that later became a popular destination.
It suits travellers whose main reason for coming is to spend time on the island itself, including those interested in its cultural and religious sites. Staying here means you are on the island rather than travelling to it, and the accommodation available includes properties that integrate culture and architecture into their setting.
5. Zhujiajian (Putuo District)
Zhujiajian is a sub-district of Putuo District and an island in its own right, connected to the Zhoushan Island area. It sits close to Putuoshan and the Shenjiamen and Donggang urban area.
It suits visitors who want an island setting with reasonable access back to the city's services and to onward boat connections. It is a practical choice if you plan to combine time on the coast with visits to Putuoshan.
6. Daishan County
Daishan is one of the prefecture's two counties, made up of islands to the north of Zhoushan Island. Its divisions include the towns of Gaoting, Qushan, Changtu, Dongsha, Daidong and Daixi, and the township of Xiushan.
It suits travellers who want to slow down and stay on the smaller northern islands rather than in the main urban area. Expect a quieter base with fewer urban conveniences, and plan around the ferry connections that link the islands.
7. Shengsi County
Shengsi is the other county, covering islands further to the north-east. Its divisions include the towns of Caiyuan, Yangshan and Shengshan, and the townships of Wulong, Huanglong, Gouqi and Huaniao.
It suits visitors who are specifically heading for the outer islands and are comfortable organising their trip around boat schedules. This is the least urban of the options here, and the one where you should plan your transport before you book.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Look for simpler local accommodation in the urban sub-districts of Dinghai and Putuo, where the concentration of services makes it easier to keep costs down. On the smaller islands, choice is more limited.
- Mid-range: The Donggang area has the widest range of mid-range hotels, several of them aimed at families and equipped with facilities such as gyms, table tennis rooms and children's play areas, with seafood stalls and restaurants nearby.
- Splurge: Higher-end properties are found in the Donggang and Putuo area and on Putuoshan, including larger hotels with views towards Putuo Mountain and properties built around a specific architectural or cultural theme.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in Donggang in Putuo District. It combines a seafront location with the most convenient concentration of tourism, shopping, catering and transport, which makes it easy to get your bearings. It also puts you within reach of both the Putuoshan and Zhujiajian areas without committing you to staying on a smaller island.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Zhoushan is the main urban area?
The built-up area consists of the two urban districts of Dinghai and Putuo. Dinghai is the city proper on Zhoushan Island, while Putuo District covers the south-eastern part of the island and the islands beyond it.
Where should I stay if I want to visit Putuoshan?
You can stay on Putuoshan itself, which is a town within Putuo District, or base yourself in the Donggang or Zhujiajian areas and travel across. Staying on the island suits visitors whose main focus is the island's cultural and religious sites.
Do I need to take a boat to reach the islands?
Zhoushan is an archipelago, and while Zhoushan Island and Zhujiajian are connected to each other, the counties of Daishan and Shengsi are made up of separate islands reached by water. Plan your base around the connections you need.
Where can I find seafood and local food?
Seafood stalls and restaurants are concentrated in the Donggang area, where the surrounding catering is described as convenient. Seafood night stalls are also within a short walk of some of the larger hotels in the Putuo area.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.