The Zhoushan where dreams come true

If anyone wants an escape from rat race then I suggest getting an exciting and thrilling experience of islands. You will be dazzled by explicit natural beauty, sketches of paradise, velvety green hills, shiny glow of sand patch and serene blue sea. It can captivate connoisseurs with tantalizing scent of fresh air, crystalline clarity and coral kingdoms. You will closely feel fantasy and reality intertwine in towering mountains and cultural jewels. Whether its stunning landscapes, sublimes beaches or exotic cultures, islands will bring you away from stressed workaday clamor and put you in the lap of mother nature.

I am Ha Ha, PhD Marine Scholar at Ocean College, Zhejiang University and here I will reveal Zhoushan Island where nature has its own world. The first thing which I remember like a massage of aroma as I stepped off the plane in 2017 was the sweet moist air and panoramic view of Zhoushan Island. At that moment, I was fully lost in the art of these creature's landmarks. Till now, my soul is still wandering somewhere in Mount Putou, Nandong Art Valley, Da Qing Shan, Zhujiajian and Moon Bay Scenic Area etc.

It has been an exciting endeavor and daunting challenge for me to spend these four years in Zhoushan. The thing which is worth mentioning is the transformation of DiDi drivers about my Chinese language skills from "Ting bu dong" to "Ni de zhongwen tai bang le". I will never forget early days when I have been wearing Pakistani traditional dress (Shalwar, Qameez) and heavy winds of Zhosuhan did not show any mercy to present me like a walking jet on streets. It is another joy to feel like a celebrity around where Chinese kids want to take pictures with me. Either they will delete or put it on WeChat moments, lets continue to share this story journey.

In early days, I was so exuberant to submerge myself in this wonderland. Before coming to Zhoushan, I was not well prepared about what kind of life journey, mysteries and opportunities this city is going to offer. After spending almost four years here, now I can find Zhoushan is a talent hub offering a collaborative approach to communication, globalization, and resource stewardship along with its delicious sea food and astonishing beaches. Especially sea food is an important rationale for national recognition of this site. Through Zhoushan government's planning, community members, volunteers and marine researchers have built a synergy which presents it as an integrated visitor experience. Zhoushan government can implement new strategies to retain new volunteers to help address changing visitor expectations and attract foreign tourists.

I am always enthralled by its rapidly growing development. I have witnessed lots of new infrastructures including parks, buildings and bridges which were not on the map once I landed first time in Zhoushan in 2017. I believe government will necessitate steps to preserve its natural beauty and ecosystem too along with this vigorous development.

The artistic talent here in Zhoushan is incredibly notable. The island's several creative forces always keep me entertained. Chinese festivals, traditional music and original artwork always give me goosebumps. I have participated in several activities including dragon boat festival, chorus singing, marathon, hiking and beach volleyball competitions. I have visited ship building lab in Zhejiang Maritime College and several shipyards in Zhoushan. It was an amazing experience to be a part of first international young scholars forum. After listening valuable talks from renowned researchers, I expect Zhoushan will bring a remarkable boost in maritime economy of China through its largest bunkering port, Pilot Free Trade Zone, innovative research ideas, integrate tourism, intangible cultural heritage, pitch projects and collaborative opportunities. Zhoushan has been ranked 1st in industrial investment by leading companies in 2021 in Zhejiang province. It also offers maritime services into Yangtze River Delta YRD in terms of regional cooperation.

Zhoushan is envisaged to put an alliance with cities along the Yangtze River to strengthen its coordination in public services, sci-tech innovation, YRD infrastructure as well as to reinforce its capacity of river-ocean transportation. Zhoushan Green Petrochemical Base has topped the list of industrial parks of its kind with the most potential in the country in June 2021. Its production activities have been playing a vital role to develop transportation industry and expand industrial chains. The 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the industrial park's refining-chemical integration project, with an annual processing capacity of 40 million tons, will be put into operation.

Rural in nature, rich in beauty, this island offers a variety of lodging possibilities, from spectacular bays to inns and cherry-blossom to delicious sea food. Whether you're wandering on hiking trials in green mountains or getting divine spirits in Mount Putou, enjoying scenic view of Moon Bay or lying down on Zhujiajian Nansha beach, Zhoushan always offers you with a variety of year round activities. I must recommend to visit Nandong valley which provides attractive features for the architecture enthusiasts, avid skiers and history buffs.

It is mesmerizing to look at vast ocean which never stops kissing the shoreline. Monotonous falling of waves always nourishes my soul and stirs my heart eternal glee. Fragrance of the sand, marine birds playing with sea waves, kids rolling down in beach mud and aged silently sitting on beach gives an immeasurable panorama of peace. Adventure on the edge of an ecological treasure will be a great challenge and blessing too. The travelers must protect web of life and mundane beauty.

Remember that, either you're on a hilltop, mudflat or sandy beach, cherish every moment. The moment you land on Zhoushan island, your adventure begins. Several activities are available to make your journey memorable. Feel, enjoy and relax as it's your time to explore Zhoushan Island.

"Your footprints on the beach will be washed soon but your memories will last forever."

I am Ha Ha (Chinese name) from Pakistan. I am currently enrolled in PhD at Ocean College, Zhejiang University. I have been living in Zhoushan from last four years. I have got myriad leadership skills by working as vice-president of International Students Union at Ocean College, ZJU. I have organized several study tour, sports and cultural events for international students. I always feel joy in sharing the excitement of culture and traditions with my peers, as well as motivating them to share their voice and thinking with others too. That is why I have decided to share my thoughts and amazing experience while spending four years in Zhoushan Island. I feel that my commitment for self discovery and life experiences will be an interesting story for its readers.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.