As high temperatures grip Zhejiang province — with cities like Hangzhou, Huzhou, and Jiaxing seeing highs above 35 degrees — Zhoushan is a rare coastal retreat.

Thanks to the moderating effect of the ocean, the city maintains temperatures about 5 degrees cooler than surrounding areas. While midday heat is still noticeable, the sea breeze in the morning and evening creates a far more comfortable atmosphere.

Zhoushan is now drawing visitors seeking a refreshing summer by the sea, offering stunning coastal scenery and local cuisine. Travelers can enter via the Ningbo-Zhoushan Expressway, which winds past ocean vistas, lush hills, and the dramatic Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge — composed of five major spans stretching 46.29 kilometers across the water.

A view of Xihoumen Bridge through the observation deck at Jintang Island, Zhoushan. [Photo/Tide News]

One highlight is the Xihoumen Bridge observation deck on Jintang Island. The viewpoint offers sweeping views of the sea and bridge, which gleams under sunlight like a golden dragon across the waves.

Xihoumen Bridge stands above the blooming rape flowers in spring. [Photo/Tide News]

Other popular destinations include Yueliang Bay on Cezi Island, known for its crescent-shaped beach and walking trails, and Shuanghe Stone Cliffs on Daishan Island, where rugged rock formations meet expansive sea views.

Mamu Windmill Campground in Dinghai district is another favorite, where white turbines dot the hillside and the sea offers the perfect sunrise and sunset.

Mamu Windmill Campground in Dinghai district, Zhoushan. [Photo/Tide News]

In Zhoushan, nature's breeze offers not just relief, but a slower, scenic way to enjoy summer.