Yangzhi Chan Temple on Mount Putuo

Yangzhi Chan Temple on Mount Putuo

Yangzhi Chan Temple is commonly known as "Yangzhi Nunnery." It is located behind and to the west of Fayu Temple, nestled among a grove of podocarpus trees. Compared to the bustling Fayu Temple next door, this place feels more like a serene and tranquil paradise. The temple is not large, but the Yangzhi Guanyin Stele within it, along with the Duobao Pagoda and the Nine-Dragon Caisson Ceiling, is one of the three most treasured relics on Mount Putuo and is definitely worth seeing.

Walk straight through the small gate next to the parking lot of Fayu Temple, and in less than five minutes, you will see the mountain gate inscribed with the words "Yangzhi Chan Forest." Walk up the steps, pass through the courtyard gate engraved with "Relics of Three Calamities," and continue forward to reach the Heavenly King Hall. Inside the hall sits a bare-chested and barefoot statue of Maitreya. At the back of the hall, there is a horizontal corridor with arched gates at both ends. The western gate is labeled "Wo Yang Tang" and serves as the Mount Putuo Monks’ Sanatorium; the eastern gate is labeled "Yuan Tong," leading to the Western Guanyin Reception Hall and the Fayu Universal Pagoda.

Further inside is the Yangzhi Guanyin Hall, which enshrines a standing statue of the Goddess of Mercy holding a pure water vase. Behind the hall stands a stone stele over two meters tall—the famous Yangzhi Guanyin Stele. The front of the stele is engraved with the "Record of Yangzhi Nunnery," while the back features a rubbing of the "Yangzhi Guanyin Painting" by Yan Liben of the Tang Dynasty. The bodhisattva is depicted holding a willow branch in her right hand and a precious object in her left, with smooth and flowing lines. Its value lies first in the rarity of authentic Yan Liben works, especially single-figure paintings of bodhisattvas. The original painting has been lost, leaving only this stone engraving. Even more magical is that no matter where you stand, it feels as if the Goddess of Mercy’s eyes are gazing directly at you. Be sure to walk around the stele and view it from different angles to experience this astonishing effect for yourself.

Address: Within the Mount Putuo Scenic Area, Putuo District, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Admission is included in the Mount Putuo Scenic Area ticket. Mount Putuo Scenic Area ticket: Off-season (December–January) 140 RMB, peak season (February–November) 160 RMB, 200 RMB during Spring Festival, Labor Day, and National Day holidays

Transportation

There are two dedicated tourist bus lines connecting most of the major attractions on Mount Putuo

Line 1: Puji Temple East (Baibu Sha) – Baibu Ge – Zhuzhulin (South Sea Guanyin Outdoor Statue) – Enter Sanmodi (Nantian Gate) – Ferry Terminal – Haifang Xincun (Xishan Xincun Zone 1) – Seafood Park (Xishan Xincun Zone 2) – Baotuo Restaurant – Puji Temple West (Xishan Scenic Area Entrance)

Line 2: Ferry Terminal – Enter Sanmodi (Nantian Gate) – Zhuzhulin (South Sea Guanyin Outdoor Statue) – Baibu Ge – Puji Temple East (Baibu Sha) – Immortal Well (Chaoyang Cave) – Dacheng Nunnery – Fayu Temple (Qianbu Sha) – Feisha’ao – Xianghui Nunnery – Fan Yin Cave – Baoyue Nunnery – Ancient Buddha Cave – Cable Car Station

In addition to the two dedicated tourist bus lines, there are also point-to-point tourist buses operating between major scenic spots on Mount Putuo. Staff use radios to dispatch vehicles based on passenger flow.

How to get there

Take the Line 2 tourist bus and get off at Fayu Temple (Qianbu Sha). The temple is right there.