[2][3] Shangchuan Island was one of the first bases established by the Portuguese off the China coast, during the 16th century.
The Spanish (Navarrese) Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier died on the island on December 3, 1552, as he was waiting for a ship to take him to mainland China.
There is a small chapel that commemorates his death place, designed by Achille-Antoine Hermitte and completed in 1869.
Settlements on the island include: Shangchuan and Xiachuan have been established as a Tourism Open Integrated Experimental Zone (旅游开发综合试验区, pinyin: lǚyóu kāifā zōnghé shìyàn qū).
Shanzui Harbor provide ferry services between the islands and mainland.