Just south of Shanghai, you will find one of the most beautiful spots in Zhejiang Province. Putuoshan is part of the Zhoushan Archipelago and the most incredibly beautiful island you could imagine. It is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Putuoshan is the China that we all dream about – the misty waters, the hazy mountain tops, divine temples, pagodas and graceful arches.
Putuoshan is also home to some of the finest beaches, and with its wonderfully fresh air, it is the perfect island destination. On the weekends it gets extremely busy, so the best time to go is during the middle of the week.
Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of Mercy, is the most popular deity on the island and you will find her image everywhere you go. There is a beautiful 33 meter tall golden statue of the goddess which overlooks the waves on the southernmost tip of the island. As you sail towards the island, it will be the very first thing you will see.
There are some wonderful temples and shrines to visit on Putuoshan. Puji Temple (Puji Chansi) is situated in the centre of the main square of the village. It is not sure when it first erected but it has been around from at least the 17th century.
On the highest point of the island is Foding Mountain where you will find Huiji Temple. A cable car will take you up the side of the mountain (at a cost of Y70) and there are stone steps which will lead you down to Fayu Temple. This is an incredibly beautiful location, the temple being surrounded by sumptuous camphor trees. After a long day of walking, you can relax at the nearby Xiangyun Pavilion.
There are two beautiful beaches to visit when coming to the island. These are One Hundred Step Beach (Baibusha) and One Thousand Step Beach (Qianbusha), both located on the eastern side of Putuoshan. You will have to pay to come here (Y15) but the beaches are well worth it.
Fanyin Cave (Fanyin Dong), on the top of the eastern side of the island, has a beautiful temple dedicated to the goddess of mercy. It is nestled between two cliffs, with the waves crashing below.
It is said that the sounds of the crashing waves in Chaoyang Cave (Chaoyang Dong) mimics the Buddha’s chanting. You can also visit Shancai Cave, Gufo Cave, Xianren Cave and Xitian Cave, all wonderful natural beauty locations.
As Putuoshan is an island you will need to catch a ferry here. You can get one from either Shanghai or Ningbo, but the latter is recommended. The ride takes about two and a half hours and costs around Y60. When you arrive you will have to pay a Y110 entrance fee onto the island, but once you step foot on Putuoshan you will agree that it is well worth the cost.
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