Through Cedric's viewfinder

Trip Report from Cameron Wilson

Overall I would say this trip is not reccomended unless you have someone in your party speaks reasonably Chinese, or if you don’t mind a totally random and unpredictable trip. However, its a small and quiet Island and hard to believe this place is just three hours away from Shanghai – its relatively quiet and peaceful.

Location: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.722949,122.43782&spn=0.406107,0.878906&z=11

Tickets: Basically to get tickets is the same way you describe on your site for trips to Zhoushan, Putuoshan, etc. Goto the station at Nanpu Bridge (line 4 metro station.). You can only buy tickets two days in advance. For the fast boat, the ticket gets you on a bus from Nanpu Bridge bus station to Yangshen Port, then its a one-hour boat trip to Shengsi.

Boat times: Are here: http://www.ziubao.com/jtxx34.html (in Chinese only – this page also has a list of hotels and guest houses on the island on the right)

Arrival: There are plenty of taxis around the portside.

Accomodation: South beach is sutable for camping (Nan Fang Sha tan (south beach). Although there is an army prescence on Shengsi Island, so be mindful of that before you go exploring off-road.

If you aren’t taking a tent, there are loads of guest houses on the Island. You can try Mr and Mrs He on 13575602895 / (0580) 5586335, but they dont speak English.

Sightseeing: The island is fairly small and can be explored in one weekend on foot. South beach seems to be the best one. There is a bit of litter on it but

Be sure to go for some seafood in the small town on the Island. There is also a decent hotpot restaurant, and a nightclub with a bouncy dancefloor. Happy days!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Always check with the ferry company on the weather forecast – sometimes the ferry is cancelled when its windy. You don’t want to get stuck on the Island on a Sunday and not get back to Shanghai in time for work next day.