Despite the fact that Putuo Shan is an island and should seemingly be surrounded by beaches, there are actually only four designated swimming beaches. One Hundred Step Beach and its big brother One Thousand Step Beach to the north are the more popular of the four. There are of course other beaches to be swum at, but the sands are often strewn with unbecoming clumps of seaweed, plastic bags, shards of broken glass and other assorted refuse.
One Hundred Step Beach (Baibu Sha) is a pleasant, clean and well patrolled beach, albeit crowded with tourist floundering in the shallows during the hotter months. Contrary to the habits to many Westerners, Chinese people will do almost anything to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and the resulting tan, so the shadeless beach is usually covered in bright sun umbrellas. A pretty picture to be sure.