A great getaway from Shanghai and other coastal urban jungles, Putuo Shan (Mount Putuo), one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, is a truly beautiful island. There you'll find not an abundance of temples and shrines, all dedicated to Guanyin Pusa, goddess of mercy and bodhisattva of compassion. You'll also find breathtaking ocean views and a relative rarity in China—clean beaches, excellent for swimming.
The largest and most striking representation of Guanyin is the 33-meter-tall (108 ft.) golden Nanhai Guanyin, who looks out over the sea from the vantage point of Guanyintiao (Guanyin Leap) at the southern tip of the island. Visible from much of the island, this is the final destination for multitudes of pilgrims—and tourists—each year. The island offers many other attractions, from the carved stone murals surrounding the Nanhai Guanyin to various caves, grottoes and temples. As for those beaches, two of the more famous ones are One Hundred Step Beach and One Thousand Step Beach. Both are lovely, but they can be very crowded during the peak season.
In addition to throngs of tourists (assuming you come in the warm months), you'll see the island's resident monks. At one point in time, Putuo Shan was home to over 3,000 monks, though that number is smaller these days. They can be quite a friendly lot and are known to engage in lengthy conversations with anyone who cares to chat. Xiangyun Pavilion is a particularly good spot for meeting monks, and you can have tea there, too.
You'll find monks and tourists alike in some of the island's top sites. For sublime natural wonder, try the sea caves of Chaoyang, Xianren, Gufu and Shancai, where ocean meets land in often dramatic fashion. Climb or take a cable car up Foding Shan (Foding Mountain) for a spectacular view of surrounding islands. And, of course, there are the temples. All are worth visiting, from Huiji Si (Huiji Temple) near Foding Shan's peak, to the centrally located Puji Si (convenient to buses, restaurants, ticket booking and the Bank of China) to the serene Fayu Si. For more details and additional attractions, visit our growing listings of Putuo Shan Attractions, where you can add your own comments, reviews and even add new attractions.
Walking is the best way to get around and buses are available to the more remote areas of interest. Putuo Shan covers an area of about 12.5 square kilometers, so it's quite manageable by foot. For details on getting there and back (you'll have to go by boat, so don't forget your Dramamine) visit our Putuo Shan Transportation page. And for more information on things to do and places to stay, try the Isle of Mount Putuo site.
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History
Putuo Shan has a long history as a place of worship. In 916 AD the island became the primary site of worship for Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, who has also doubled as a protector of sailors, fishermen and other seafarers.
In later years, because of its importance as a maritime trading port, it drew the attention of Japanese pirates and Dutch traders, who periodically pillaged the island and destroyed many shrines and temples.
It is estimated that at one point Putuo Shan was home to more than 300 temples and shrines. Places of worship surviving damage by pirates were further decimated or destroyed by overzealous Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. Three of the main temples still remain today.
Climate
Putuo Shan has a humid climate with evergreen vegetation. Spring is cool and misty. During the summer the average temperature during the day is usually not more than 29 º C (84 º F), making it a popular getaway from nearby coastal cities' heat and humidity. Autumn is clear and crisp. The island can be visited in the winter; for some travelers, the relative lack of tourists is worth the chilly weather.
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Getting Around
Taxi
Scenic spots in Putuo Shan are scattered all about the island, so chartering a taxi is a decent option for a small group. Chartering a Santana taxi costs 600 RMB per day, negotiable during the off season
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Recommended route with a chartered taxi:
Huiji Temple – Fayu Temple – Puji Temple – South Sea Kwan-yin at Zizhulin – back to the wharf or hotel.
Tour Bus
Two tourist buses connect most scenic spots and run from early morning till 5:00 p.m., every 10-15 minutes. The rate from the wharf to front temple is 3 RMB and from One Hundred Step Beach to the cableway is 6 RMB per person.
Line 1: Baibusha (front temple), Baibuge, Zizhulin, Rusanmodi, Matou, Haifang Xincun, Seafood Garden, Baotuo Restaurant, Xitian Ferry.
Line 2: Baibusha (front temple), Chaoyang Cave, Dacheng'an, Fayu Temple, Feisha'ao, Baoyue'an, Gufo Cave, Cableway.
To and from Putuo Shan
Air
Zhoushan Putuo Shan Airport lies north of Zhujiajian Island, 1.2 km west to the Shenjiamen Fishing Port, connected by bridge. The airport is 2.5 km north of the officially designated Putuo Shan "Scenery Zone."
You can also go to Wusongzhi Wharf from the airport by taxi or bus and then go to Putuo Shan by speedboat (10-minutes/14 RMB).
Putuo Shan Airport serves flights to and from Beijing, Jinjiang, Xiamen, Shanghai, Nanjing, Qingdao and Shantou, among other destinations.
Inquiry hotline at airport: 0580-6260716
Inquiry hotline at Wusongzhi Wharf: 0580-6639345
Bus
There is no long-distance bus station in Putuo Shan. Visitors are advised to take a bus to Shenjiamen Putuo Bus Station; and then go to Bansheng Cave Port (2 RMB by bus and 9 RMB by taxi) to reach Putuo Shan by ferry.
Shenjiamen Putuo Bus Station
Add: Donghai Middle Road – Punan Road
Tel: 0580-3012011
Destination: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, etc.
Shanghai Xujiahui Jiaotong University – Shenjiamen Putuo Bus Station
Ticket rate: 132 RMB
Length: about 6 hours
Departure timetable: every 50 minutes daily, 7:20 a.m. – 19:30 p.m.
Hangzhou East Bus Station – Shenjiamen Putuo Bus Station
Ticket rate: 85 RMB or 90 RMB (depending on types of buses)
Departure timetable: every 30 minutes each day, 7:00 a.m. – 17:20 p.m.
Ningbo South (or North) Bus Station – Shenjiamen Putuo Bus Station
Ticket Rate: 24-30 RMB
Length: about 3 hours
Departure timetable: every 15 minutes each day, 5:40 a.m. – 17:30 p.m.
Boat
There is only one port in Putuo Shan, serving daily passenger boats to and from destinations including Shenjiamen Town (in Zhoushan), Shanghai and Ningbo.
Putuo Shan passenger transport port inquiry hotline: 0580-6091121
Shenjiamen Banshengdong passenger transport port inquiry hotline: 0580-3013775
Zhujiajian Wusongzhi port inquiry hotline: 0580-6639345
Car
Departing from Shanghai:
Shanghai – Shanghai/Hangzhou/Ningbo highway – Hangzhou east ring highway – Ningbo – Hangzhou/Ningbo highway – Beilun – Daxie Port or Baifeng Ferry – Putuo Shan
Departing from Hangzhou:
Hangzhou – Hangzhou/Ningbo highway – Ningbo – Beilun - Daxie Port or Baifeng Ferry - Putuo Shan
Putuo Shan guide | Putuo Shan attractions | Putuo Shan flights (Zhoushan)
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The temples are where the culture is on Putuo Shan, from ancient Buddhist art to annual festivals. If you're looking to bring a little something home, monk-produced calligraphy can be found for sale in the trinket stores attached to the temples.
You might be able to find a bar in your hotel, but the nightlife in Putuo Shan consists mainly of extend meals at places with outdoor dining areas. The April 3 (by the Lunar Calendar, so check ahead) Guanyin Festival is a good one to make, as thousands of devout Buddhists arrive to celebrate the goddess of compassion.
Putuo Shan guide | Putuo Shan attractions | Putuo Shan flights (Zhoushan)
Putuo Shan hotels | Putuo Shan on the China Travel Blog