2-Day Putuoshan Buddhist Pilgrimage & Scenic Discovery from Shanghai
Tour Overview
Embark on a 2-day Putuoshan Buddhist culture tour from Shanghai, where sacred traditions and island serenity converge. It is a UNESCO-endorsed Buddhist sanctuary and one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. Located 160 km southeast of Shanghai in the Zhoushan Archipelago, this island paradise blends profound spirituality with coastal beauty.
Over two days, discover ancient temples steeped in millennia of history, wander through whispering bamboo groves, and trace the footsteps of pilgrims at 千年古刹 (millennium-old temples). From sunrise views on Huiji Temple to the Statue of Standing Nanhai Guanyin, this journey blended with spiritual reflection with natural wonder. Don’t hesitate to join us if you’re looking for cultural immersion, scenic hikes, and moments of serenity away from bustling urban life.
Travel Destination: Putuo Mountain, Shanghai
Suitable for: Family, History Enthusiasts, Buddhist culture enthusiast
Tour Type: Private
- Dive into Buddhist Heritage: Explore Puji Temple’s Song Dynasty architecture and Fayu Temple’s imperial relics, each offering insights into Buddhist artand Bodhisattva Guanyin worship.
- Coastal-Nature Fusion: Walking along theThousand-Step Golden Beach at sunset and hike through Purple Bamboo Forest, capturing breathtaking vistas from the Sky Lamp Stage.
- Iconic Landmarks: Spend time in appreciate the33-meter Nanhai Guanyin Statue, then ascend Mount Putuo to visit Huiji Temple via cable car or a scenic hike.
- Local Flavors: Try island-specialty Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and fresh seafood at beachside eateries.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Shanghai to Putuoshan | Temples, Beaches & Bamboo MystiquePuji Temple, Thousand-Step Beach, Buhui Temple, Purple Bamboo Forest, Nanhai Guanyin Statue
Your guide and your private driver will meet you at your Shanghai hotel at 7:30 AM for a 3-hour transfer to Zhujiajian Wharf. Board a 25-minute ferry with sea views en route to Putuoshan, where salty sea breeze welcomes you to this car-free island. Then check into your hotel near Puji Temple, the spiritual heart of Putuoshan.
Puji Temple on Putuoshan In the afternoon, begin your pilgrimage at Puji Temple, putuoshan’s oldest temple, a sanctuary dates back to the Tang dynasty. This sprawling complex features a famous Yongle Bell (cast in 1430) and an 18-meter bronze Guanyin statue which is said to bless safe voyages. If interested, watch monks chanting in the Grand Yuantong Hall, a place adorned with intricate lotus carvings which symbolize purity.
Next, take a 10-minute shuttle to Thousand-Step Beach, a crescent-shaped golden sands stretching 1.5 km. Walk barefoot along the tide line, or climb the Guanyin Jump Viewing Platform for Instagram-worthy shots of the sea merging with distant islands.
One Thousand-Step Beach at Putuoshan Visit Unwilling-to-Leave Temple - a lesser-known gem with a poignant story. Legend tells of Japanese Rinzai master Huì’è, who journeyed to China in search of Buddhist teachings and to venerate Guanyin. After marveling at a radiant white-jade Guanyin statue at Wutai Mountain, he set sail with it bound for Japan. Yet as his ship cleared the shore, sudden gales and swirling iron-lotus blossoms refused to let him pass—driving the vessel back to Putuoshan’s cove. Interpreting this miracle as the Bodhisattva’s wish to remain, Huì’è and local devotees consecrated a small shrine here, giving rise to the “Unwilling-to-Leave” name.
As light softens, continue your journey to Purple Bamboo Forest, a tranquil grove where bamboo stalks shimmer with a purple hue at dawn. Follow the stone path to Tidal Sound Cave, where crashing waves create a rhythmic "Buddhist chant" - a phenomenon called as "the voice of Guanyin."
Cap the day at the Nanhai Guanyin Statue, erected in 1997. The 33-meter bronze figure glows against the twilight sky, facing three directions, offering a powerful symbol of compassion as Guanyin’s vow to liberate all beings.
Overnight: Putuoshan 4-star hotel
Statue of Standing Nanhai Guanyin on Putuoshan - Day 2: Mountain Ascension & Return to ShanghaiFayu Temple, Huiji Temple, Sky Lamp Terrace
After a temple-style vegetarian breakfast, you can hike or take the shuttle to Fayu Temple. This Ming-Qing era complex is founded in 1088, famous for the Nine-Dragon Caisson - a carved ceiling relocated from the Nanjing Imperial Palace. Don’t miss the Jade Buddha Hall, where a 1.2-ton white jade Guanyin comes from Myanmar radiates the whole serenity.
Fayu Temple on Putuoshan Ascend Mount Foding (286m) via stone steps or a 5-minute cable car ride to Huiji Temple. Known as the "Buddha’s Summit Temple," its Sky Lamp Terrace offers unobstructed views of the Zhoushan Islands. Many visitors will burn incense at the 10,000-Buddha Pagoda, then enjoy a lunch of braised tofu and bamboo shoots at the temple’s vegetarian canteen.
Huiji Temple It’s time to go down the mountain and board the 1:30 PM ferry back to Zhujiajian. Your driver will return you to Shanghai by 5:00 PM, with drop-off at hotels, airports, or train stations.
