Hidden for hundreds of millions of years by National Geographic! This volcanic island in Ningbo is incredibly wild

Once you see Hua'ao Island, you won’t be able to look away—National Geographic’s certified "No.1 Sea Stone Forest" is actually hidden in the East China Sea off Xiangshan, Ningbo! After personally exploring for two days and one night, my phone storage was completely full. Here’s a heartfelt guide you need to save👇 🌋 Shocked at first sight! This must be Earth’s "geological code" Heading straight to the core Stone Forest area upon landing, I gasped as soon as I crossed the wooden bridge! Basalt columns formed from volcanic eruptions 120 million years ago densely crowd the coastline. The hexagonal pillars look as if carefully arranged by a god, and from afar, they resemble Godzilla’s dorsal fins rising from the sea. It’s even more stunning on rainy days! Mist swirls around the stone pillars, instantly giving off the same vibe as the filming locations of "Black Myth: Wukong." Every casual shot looks like a movie poster. But be sure to wear non-slip shoes! The rocks are covered in moss, and I almost slipped into a meme-worthy fall. The popular photo frame in the scenic area is under the stone bridge; crouch at the right angle to capture both the pillars and the waves. 🦀 How to truly enjoy the island: Be a wild islander for a day 1. Salt field fun: Touch a millennia-old heritage Zhejiang’s last traditional salt field is incredibly picturesque! Thousands of acres of salt fields mirror the sky like a giant mirror, and salt farmers waving bamboo rakes create stunning silhouettes against the "salt flowers." For just 30 yuan, you can try salt harvesting yourself—turn seawater into coarse salt by hand and take a small bottle home as a meaningful souvenir. 2. Mudflat tide hunting: Snag gifts from the sea Check the tide times in advance on "Xiangshan Tides"! Bring a small bucket and shovel; the mudflats are full of little crabs and razor clams. If you’re lucky, you might find sea duck eggs, with their sandy, fragrant yolks. Remember to wear tide-hunting shoes, or you’ll get stuck in the mud and can’t walk. 3. Sunrise and sunset exclusives: Chase island romance Watch the sunrise from the Great Buddha Mountain viewing platform as the black stone forest turns golden red; in the evening, head to Guzhang Beach, where a 2,000㎡ sandy beach appears after the tide recedes, with ancient camphor tree roots winding through the mudflats, creating a poetic scene. Visiting in May or June might even let you catch the "blue tears"—bioluminescent waves glowing like a dream. 🍤 A must for foodies! Fresh island flavors that never disappoint All the food on the island is freshly caught and cooked. Don’t miss the Loach Tribe! Stone Pu fish rice noodles cooked with mountain spring water have fish balls that are bouncy and chewy; salt field grilled shrimp baked with traditional coarse salt bursts with sweet juice. You can eat your fill for just 60 yuan per person, and there’s no fear of being overcharged—locals are very honest. 🚢 Transportation and accommodation tips (pay attention!) ✅ Getting to the island - Self-driving: Navigate to Jingaoyi Wharf (parking fee 20 yuan/day), ferry costs 70 yuan per vehicle including driver, 10 minutes to the island - Backpackers: Take a bus from Ningbo South Station to Shipu, then transfer to a bus to Gaotang and take a taxi to the wharf; ferry costs 30 yuan per person round trip - Avoid pitfalls: Arrive before 7:30 AM to avoid queues; last ferry back is at 5:00 PM—miss it and you’ll have to stay overnight on the island ✅ Accommodation choices - Book at least 5 days in advance during peak season! There are very few places to stay on the island ✅ Essentials checklist Non-slip hiking shoes (a must for the Stone Forest), sunscreen (sea breeze tans quickly), mosquito repellent (mosquitoes are fierce at dusk), snacks (few shops on the island), raincoat (island weather changes suddenly) Hua'ao Island has no trendy cafes or commercial hustle, only billion-year-old stone forests, millennia-old salt fields, and flickering fishing lights. When the sea breeze blows your worries away and the sunset dyes the sea orange, you suddenly understand why National Geographic loves this place. Before it gets overcrowded, set off now✨