Mount Putuo 普陀山Pǔtuó Shān

Why go to Mount Putuo

One of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism, Putuo is a small island of about 12.5 km² where dozens of temples and nunneries sit among camphor groves, rocky headlands and sandy beaches. It is the holy site of Guanyin, and pilgrims, monks and day-trippers share the same lanes. Come for the combination of sea air, incense and temple architecture, which feels quite unlike the inland Buddhist mountains.

The story

Pilgrims have come to Putuo for over a thousand years, and it grew into the centre of Guanyin worship after the Tang dynasty. Its three great monasteries are Puji, Fayu and Huiji, and the 33 m bronze Nanhai Guanyin was consecrated in 1997. Crowds peak around Guanyin's festival days, on the 19th day of the 2nd, 6th and 9th lunar months.

What to see at Mount Putuo

• Nanhai Guanyin statue 南海观音: The 33 m bronze Guanyin looks out to sea from the island's eastern tip, with Zizhulin (the Purple Bamboo Grove) and Bukenqu Guanyin Yard close by.
• Puji Temple 普济寺: The island's principal temple, with a sequence of halls beside a lotus pond; it is the usual first stop for pilgrims.
• Fayu Temple 法雨寺: Climbs the hillside in terraces with the sea behind it, and is a little quieter than Puji.
• Foding Shan and Huiji Temple 佛顶山慧济寺: The island's summit at about 300 m, reached by cable car or a long stone stairway, with Huiji Temple and views over the surrounding islands.
• Hundred-Step Beach and Thousand-Step Beach 百步沙与千步沙: Two sandy beaches on the east side, good for a walk when the temples tire you out.

How to visit Mount Putuo

Land at the ferry wharf and work in one direction rather than doubling back: Nanhai Guanyin and Zizhulin first, then Puji, then Fayu, then up Foding Shan and back down by cable car or steps. The shuttle buses connect the main stops, but the lanes between temples are walkable and the most pleasant part. A day trip covers the main three temples and the statue at a hurried pace; staying overnight lets you see the island at dawn and dusk and add the beaches.

How to get to Mount Putuo

Take a fast ferry of roughly 15–30 minutes from Banshengdong pier in Shenjiamen, or from the pier at Wugongzhi on Zhujiajian Island (near Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport). Shenjiamen and Zhujiajian are linked by bridges to the mainland, so long-distance buses run there from Ningbo, Hangzhou and Shanghai; confirm current schedules before travelling.

Where to stay

Staying on the island itself, in guesthouses near the temples, lets you see the lanes after the day-trippers leave. Zhujiajian and Shenjiamen on the mainland side offer more choice and are convenient for early ferries.

What to eat

• Vegetarian temple meal 素斋: Meat-free dishes of tofu, mushrooms and vegetables served at temple dining halls and island restaurants.
• Zhoushan seafood 舟山海鲜: Fish, shrimp and shellfish from the surrounding fishing grounds, usually steamed or stir-fried, found in the restaurants of Shenjiamen and Zhujiajian.

Tips for visiting Mount Putuo

• Ferry tickets and entry are sold on real names, so carry your passport; ferries are suspended in rough weather, especially during typhoon season, so keep a day of slack.
• Private cars are not allowed on the island; a few shuttle bus lines run along the main road, but on festival days walking is often quicker.
• Avoid the three Guanyin festival days if you want a quiet visit; crowds are heaviest then, and many pilgrims bring incense, so expect smoke in the halls.

Nearby

Also within 30 km: Puji Temple 普济寺 (under 10 km), Fayu Temple 法雨寺 (under 10 km), Nansha Beach, Zhujiajian 朱家尖南沙 (10 km), Shenjiamen Fishing Port Town 沈家门渔港小镇 (10 km), Taohua Island 桃花岛 (20 km), Nandong Art Valley 南洞艺谷 (30 km).

On the map

Open Mount Putuo on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)