Located in the middle of Zhejiang’s Zhoushan Archipelago, Putuoshan, also known as Mount Putuo, is one of China’s four famous Buddhist mountains and a place deeply connected with Guanyin worship (Guanyin is the Bodhisattva of Compassion in East Asian Buddhism).
Putuoshan is different from many other famous mountains in China because it has a little bit of everything – temples, forests, and the sea all come together in one place. As such, you don’t really need to be Buddhist to enjoy what Putuoshan has to offer.
For first-time visitors, the most important things to figure out are: how many days to spend, which temples are worth visiting, how to get to the island, and whether to stay on Putuoshan island or Zhujiajian.
Our recommendation is to plan for two days and one night. Some may prefer a one-day tour, which is enough for most attractions on the island, though it depends on where you’re staying. A same-day round trip from Shanghai or Hangzhou can be tight, so we’d advise against it.
Putuoshan Quick Facts
- Chinese Name:普陀山
- English Name: Mount Putuo / Putuoshan
- Location: Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China
- Recommended Stay: 1–2 days
- Top Attractions: Nanhai Guanyin, Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, Huiji Temple, Zizhu Forest, and Bukenqu Guanyin Temple
- Best For: Buddhist culture, temple architecture, island scenery, and photography
Content Preview
- Must-Visit Attractions
- 1–2 Day Itinerary
- How to Get to Putuoshan
- Where to Stay
- Best Time to Visit
- Local Experiences and Travel Tips
- Is Putuoshan Worth Visiting for Your Trip?
- Add Putuoshan to Your China Trip
Must-Visit Attractions on Putuoshan
Putuoshan has plenty of temples, but you don’t need to visit all of them on your first trip. Start with the main sights, then add a beach stop or a temple that’s popular with local worshippers if you have time.
1. Nanhai Guanyin 南海观音
The 33-meter-tall Nanhai Guanyin statue is one of Putuoshan’s most iconic landmarks. Overlooking the sea on the island’s south coast, it draws worshippers who come to offer incense and prayers. The surrounding gardens and ocean views also make it a popular photo spot.
2. Puji Temple 普济寺
Puji Temple is the one worth prioritizing on your visit. It’s one of the best places to get a sense of Putuoshan’s temple culture. Being surrounded by old trees, ponds, and traditional halls, it’s also a lively area with various places to eat and stay, plus buses to other parts of the island.
3. Fayu Temple 法雨寺
Quieter than Puji, Fayu Temple is nestled among lush greenery. Here you’ll find multiple worship halls while strolling along stone stairways. It’s ideal for a reflective visit or photography. We strongly suggest you combine it with a hike to Shancai Cave or a shuttle to Huiji Temple. Speaking of which…
4. Huiji Temple 慧济寺
Huiji Temple is right at the top of Foding Mountain, which is also the highest point of Putuoshan. The 1,088 steps up from Fayu Temple are rewarding but not exactly easy, so keep the cable car in mind as an option.
The temple is smaller than Puji and Fayu, but the views over the island and the sea make it a popular stop. If you’re on a flexible schedule, also take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature well preserved on Foding Mountain.
5. Unwilling-to-Go Guanyin Monastery (Bukengqu Guanyin Temple) 不肯去观音院
Literally meaning “Unwilling-to-Go Guanyin Monastery”, this little temple by the sea is worth a stop if you’d rather avoid the crowds in busier temples. Here you can embrace a change of pace and take a short time to look around the traditional worship halls, small incense areas, and stone steps carrying memories of countless people from the past to the present.
6. Purple Bamboo Forest 紫竹林
Purple Bamboo Forest, near Nanhai Guanyin, is a nice spot to enjoy Putuoshan’s natural side. There are shaded paths winding through the bamboo and small pavilions along the way; it’s perfect to take a break from the temples and enjoy a bit of the mountain’s greenery.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Putuoshan Visit
- See the Guanyin sights together: Nanhai Guanyin, Unwilling-to-Go Guanyin Monastery, and Purple Bamboo Forest are all near each other. It’s easy to visit all three in one go for a comprehensive understanding of the island’s Guanyin culture.
- Give Puji Temple an afternoon: If you’re staying on the island for two days, consider spending an entire afternoon (preferably the first one) at Puji Temple. It’s the best way to fully enjoy its grandeur and understand its significance in Putuoshan without having to squeeze it in between other stops.
Planning a 1–2 Day Putuoshan Itinerary
It’s possible to explore the main sights in a day, but staying one night makes the trip a lot less rushed. If you’re mainly here to sightsee, two days should be fairly enough.
Length of Trip |
Suggested Route |
Who It Suits |
1 Day |
Pier → Nanhai Guanyin → Zizhulin / Bukengqu Guanyin Yard → Puji Temple → Ferry back |
Those staying in Zhoushan or Zhujiajian, or short on time |
2 Days, 1 Night |
Day 1: Nanhai Guanyin → Zizhulin / Bukengqu Guanyin Yard → Puji Temple.
Day 2: Fayu Temple → Foding Mountain → Huiji Temple |
First-time visitors who want to see the main sights at a comfortable pace |
- Only have one day?
Stick to the main sights. It’s better not to add Fayu Temple, Huiji Temple, Shancai Cave, and Luojia Mountain to the same day, otherwise, you’ll likely be ending with a rush.
- Staying for two days and one night?
Spend the first day around Nanhai Guanyin and its nearby sites, and also Puji Temple. Then stay overnight on the island.
With a much more flexible schedule, your day 2 can be dedicated to Fayu Temple, Foding Mountain, and Huiji Temple. Whether you take the cable car depends on how much walking you’re up for. If Shancai Cave is on the top of your list, fit it in along the way.
- Have three days?
Add Luojia Mountain, or take your time at each temple and beach, though two days is plenty for a fulfilling sightseeing tour – there’s no need to tack on another day just to squeeze in a few more temples.
Visit Putuoshan, one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, to explore ancient temples, bamboo groves, and the towering Nanhai Guanyin Statue on an island sanctuary.
How to Get to Putuoshan: Ferries, Routes, and Tickets
Getting to Putuoshan takes a little planning, since there’s no high-speed train straight to Putuoshan. Whether you’re coming from Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Ningbo, you’ll need to get to Zhoushan first, then take a ferry to the island.
Route: Shanghai / Hangzhou / Ningbo → Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier → Ferry to Putuoshan
From Shanghai to Putuoshan
Firstly, take a car ride to Wugongzhi Pier, which takes about 4–5 hours, then hop on a ferry to the island. A long-distance bus is also a feasible option, but you’ll have to work around its schedule and the ferry times.
A same-day round trip from Shanghai is a lot to squeeze in, so it’s better to stay overnight on the island. If you also plan to visit Hangzhou, the following route is the most convenient: Shanghai → Putuoshan → Hangzhou.
From Hangzhou to Putuoshan
As with Shanghai, traveling from Hangzhou also needs a car ride to Wugongzhi Pier first. That takes around 3-3.5 hours, which is then followed by a ferry to the island. A long-distance bus costs less, but again, you’ll need to make sure the bus schedule works with your ferry schedule.
From Ningbo to Putuoshan
Ningbo is closer to Zhoushan than Shanghai or Hangzhou. Driving to Wugongzhi Pier takes about 1.5–2 hours, making it the easiest of the three cities to travel from. If Ningbo is already planned as a stop, setting off from here makes the whole journey more efficient.
Getting Around Putuoshan Island
The easiest way to get around Putuoshan is to combine shuttle buses, walking, and the cable cars. Scenic buses are particularly convenient, connecting major areas, including Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, and Nanhai Guanyin, and if you’re visiting Foding Mountain and Huiji Temple, taking the cable car will save you a tiring uphill climb.
Ferry Tickets for International Travelers
Ferry tickets are issued under real-name booking, so be sure to bring your physical passport – not a copy or digital edition. Booking online with a foreign passport can sometimes be tricky, though, and sorting it out at the last minute during peak season could throw off your plans. If you need a hand, contact our travel advisor to help arrange ferry tickets, transportation, and anything else you need on your trip.
Where to Stay in Putuoshan
Many first-time visitors to Putuoshan aren’t quite sure whether they should stay on the island or in Zhujiajian – here’s our advice.
If you arrive in Zhoushan late or only have one day for Putuoshan, staying in Zhujiajian is the best bet. You won’t have to rush for a ferry, and there are more kinds of accommodation available. Plus, it’s more convenient for travelling to your next stop when you leave.
If you’re spending two days on Putuoshan, however, stay on the island. That way, you can visit Fayu Temple and Foding Mountain early the next morning without catching another ferry. Plus, most day-trippers leave by the evening, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy the island’s peaceful atmosphere.
If you do choose to stay on the island, Bihai Shanzhuang Hotel is worth checking out. Our previous guests have liked its quiet setting and seaside location, making it a great choice for an overnight stay.
Best Time to Visit Putuoshan
The best time to visit Putuoshan is April–May or September–November, when the weather is comfortable for walking around. If your dates are flexible, November is a good pick since the summer and National Day crowds will have dissipated.
July and August bring on more of a summer island feel, but they’re also peak travel season, and while winter is quieter, it gets pretty windy by the sea.
Visiting during peak season? Get an early ferry and head to Nanhai Guanyin and Puji Temple first, before the crowds build up. You can leave Fayu Temple, Foding Mountain, or a walk by the sea for later.
Local Experiences and Travel Tips for Putuoshan
If you get the chance, grab a simple vegetarian meal at one of the temples. The food is simple, usually just vegetables and rice with light seasoning, but that offers a feel for a side of Putuoshan that you wouldn’t find on a typical island trip.
You’ll also find souvenirs featuring Guanyin, lotus flowers, temples, and island scenery, like fridge magnets, bookmarks, and pendants. There’s no need to go out of your way to shop, though, as you can find most things in the major temples like Puji Temple. Just pick it up when you visit, or make a quick trip back before you leave the island.
4 Things to Know Before Visiting Putuoshan
- Bring your passport. You’ll need the original passport for ferry tickets and boarding.
- Sort out payment. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the most convenient, but keep a little RMB cash on hand for small expenses at temples.
- Save the Chinese names. Keep 普陀山(Putuoshan/Mount Putuo), 朱家尖 (Zhujiajian), 蜈蚣峙码头 (Wugongzhi Pier), 普济寺 (Puji Temple), 法雨寺 (Fayu Temple), 慧济寺 (Huiji Temple), and 南海观音 (Nanhai Guanyin) on your phone. They’ll come in handy when asking for directions or getting a taxi.
- Pack light and leave a buffer. An overnight stay doesn’t call for much luggage. However, if you’re with large suitcases or heavy bags, look for a left-luggage office on either Wugongzhi Pier or Putuoshan Pier. If you’re catching a train or flight afterward, leave yourself plenty of time to get off the island.
Is Putuoshan Worth Visiting for Your Trip?
You don’t have to be Buddhist to enjoy Putuoshan. The mountain is a good fit for anyone into temple architecture, Buddhist culture, island scenery, or photography. That said, if it’s your first trip to China and you only have 7–10 days, you may want to go to major cities like Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and Hangzhou first. However, if you have already been to those classic destinations, Putuoshan offers something quite different and worth looking forward to.
Add Putuoshan to Your China Trip
Don’t want to sort out transport, ferry tickets, and hotels yourself? China Xian Tour can help fit Putuoshan into your China itinerary.
What makes Putuoshan special is its mix of temples, wooded hills, and sea views on one island. Stay a night, enjoy the sea breeze, and take your time exploring. It’s a different feel from rushing around to snap a few photos and move on.
