Population: 965,800

Land Area: 1,440 square kilometers (556 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Dinghai, Putuo); 2 counties (Daishan, Shengsi)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0580-2280727
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0580-2068005

Location: Located south to the mouth of the Yangtze River, Zhoushan is in the coastal area of eastern Zhejiang in the fringe of Hangzhou Bay. It is the only city established on the basis of a group of islands, the Zhoushan Archipelago. The city backed on the Yangtze River Delta megalopolis is an important pass to the opening up of the Yangtze River Basin and the delta area. Floating on the East China Sea, Zhoushan is listed in the World's four largest fishing grounds.

History: According to the historical relics discovered in Zhoushan, it reveals that human beings dwelled here as early as 5,000 years ago. During the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), it was well known as the place where one of the three celestial islands locates. Some explorers visited the island seeking for a longevity drug. Administrative unit began to be established here in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Physical Features: Zhoushan Main Island is the fourth largest island second only to the Hainan, Taiwan and Chongming islands, and the whole city consists of some one thousand islands of all sizes with ninety-eight of them inhabited. Further more, it has a vast sea area over twenty thousand kilometers (about 7722 miles).

Climatic Features: Strongly affected by the sea, Zhoushan has a humid and temperate climate without winter chilliness and summer heat. The annual average temperature is about 16.1¡æ (61F). Typhoon may concentrate on the period from July to September.

When to Go: The best time to tour the Zhoushan Islands is during June to October. During the typhoon period, weather forecast and marine information should be followed closely.

Local Highlights: Fishery, Taoist culture and seashore are the advantages to the development of the city. Centered by the three main features, Zhoushan holds several festivals yearly.
Zhoushan Seafood Festival: in Shenjiamen Port, Zhoushan Main Island, during July to October
Putuo Mountain Nanhai Kwan-yin Cultural Festival: in Putuo Mountain during November
Zhoushan International Sand-sculpture Festival: in Nansha Scenic, Zhujiajian Town (Zhujiajian is the fifth largest island southeast of Zhoushan), during July to October

Special Local product: shell carving, fisherfolk tapestry, Putuo Buddha tea, sea product (eel, crab, jellyfish, mud snail and yellow croaker)

Scenic Spots:
Mt. Putuoshan Scenic Spot : Reputed as the Buddhist kingdom on the sea, Putuo Mountain, together with the Mt. Emei in Sichuan, Mt. Jiuhua in Anhui and Mt. Wutai in Shanxi, are known as China's four famous Buddhist mountains. The Puji Temple, Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple constitute the major sceneries of the mountain. Every year, several Buddhist ceremonies will be held, gathering numerous devotees from far and near.

Zhujiajian: Through the sea-crossing bridge, Zhujiajian is connected with the Zhoushan Main Island, and it is only ten minutes' drive south of the Putuo Mountain by yacht. The island is famous for sand and rocks, comprising nine beaches stretching 5,000 meters. They are undoubted perfect places for sand sculpture.

Taohua (Peach Blossom) Island: Located in the southeast of the Zhoushan Archipelago, the Taohua Island boasts the highest peak, the deepest port and the number one rock among all the islands of Zhoushan.

Dinghai: Dinghai is the head of the islands of Zhoushan, where the city government is seated. It is a historical and cultural town with rich relics, including ancient battlefield, complex of old buildings. Dinghai Old Town is specially the highlight of the region.

Other Scenic Spots: Daishan Island: famous for pleasant weather as well as charming and gentle sceneries of mountains, harbors, sand, rocks and old buildings
Shengsi Archipelago: famous for the amorous scenes of fishing ground and mirage

Tourist Tips: 1. Zhoushan Zhujiajian Airport stands on the north of Zhujiajian Island. From the airport, there are airport buses to Zhoushan Main Island, Dinghai and Shenjiamen. Flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Mt. Wuyi are available.
2. Zhoushan Main Island is linked by cross-sea bridges with Zhujiajian Island and the Mainland Zhejiang, and it has mainly three bus stations connecting them: the central bus station in Ring Road (South), Putuo bus station in Donghai Road (Middle) and Banshengdong bus station in Bingang Road. Several buses shuttle from Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou daily.
3. Ship is the main vehicle in Zhoushan City. Docks link the island together. In addition, Zhujiajian Island has bridge connecting with the Zhoushan Main Island. Buses from the main island will arrived at Zhujiajian for about thirty minutes. Then, visitors can easily get to the airport or to the Putuo Mountain from the Wugong Dock north of Zhujiajian. In the Putuo Dock, visitors can take ships not only to Zhoushan Main Island or many other islands in Zhoushan, but also to Shanghai and Ningbo.