Guanyin's Leap

Guanyin's Leap

The Guanyin's Leap scenic spot is located on the southeastern seashore of Longwan Hill in Mount Putuo, consisting of the "Guanyin’s Leap Sea Stone" and the Western Pure Garden (also known as Western Nunnery), facing the renowned Mount Loha across the sea. The Guanyin’s Leap Sea Stone is huge and flat, precariously lying beside the cliff, swaying in the wind yet seemingly never to fall. Legend has it that this stone was the stepping stone used by Guanyin Bodhisattva when she first blessed Mount Putuo as a sacred land, leaping from Mount Loha; it is also said to be the stone where the Bodhisattva stood while gazing at the sea, reflecting upon herself, and attaining spiritual enlightenment, hence it is also called the "Guanyin Sea-Gazing Stone." To this day, the stone still bears an indentation in the shape of a Bodhisattva’s footstep on its summit (see photo), which is considered highly sacred and is one of the must-visit holy sites for pilgrims coming to Mount Putuo.

Exiting the Bamboo Grove and walking south along the Incense Path, you’ll pass expanses of bamboo and scattered pines and cypresses. The path winds along the mountain and leads you closer to the sea, gradually immersing you in a serene atmosphere. At a fork in the road stands a stone stele over a meter tall, pointing the way to the South Sea Guanyin and the Guanyin's Leap scenic area. After walking another hundred steps or so, the path suddenly turns left to the entrance of the Western Pure Garden. The gate is simple and rustic, built into the cliffside, with the name “Western Pure Garden” inscribed above.

Upon entering the gate, you’ll come to a small courtyard. The yard is not large; passing through a moon gate, you’ll see a screen wall on the right inscribed with “Namo Amitabha Buddha”; on the left is the Heavenly King Hall, housing a white marble statue of the Laughing Buddha (Maitreya), who holds a prayer bead in his right hand and a treasure bag in his left, smiling serenely and radiating peace. Flanking him are white marble statues of the Four Heavenly Kings in Japanese style. Beyond the Heavenly King Hall lies the Yuantong Hall, which enshrines a white marble seated statue of Guanyin, solemn and majestic, as if listening and responding to the cries for help. Beside her are exquisitely carved white marble statues of Sudhana and the Dragon Girl; to Guanyin’s left is a white marble statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva, and to her right, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. On the walls are large horizontal hand-painted scrolls of the Eighteen Arhats, rendered in fine brushwork, vivid and dynamic, with a grand and imposing presence.

On either side of the Yuantong Hall are wing rooms: the east side is the Guest Building, and the west side is the “Master Hui’e Memorial Hall.” This memorial hall was built in September 1993, covering a construction area of 100 square meters. In addition to a statue of Master Hui’e, the hall displays portraits of the hermit Mei Fu and the patriarch Zhenxie on its walls. Around the hall are 37 copper statues of Guanyin from Japanese temples such as Onishi Temple and Kikuji Temple, all consecrated and transported from Japan to Mount Putuo by the Japanese Guanyin Sacred Site Association, as well as 37 bags of soil from various Japanese temples and calligraphy and paintings by notable Japanese figures. Passing through the memorial hall, you’ll enter the Chanting Hall, where colorful lotus patterns shimmer under glass flooring. In the center of the hall stands a 2.2-meter-tall statue of Amitabha Buddha. Outside the hall is a Seven-Treasure Lotus Pond, spanned by an exquisitely carved white marble arched bridge that seems to float mid-air with ornate railings. To the southwest is a covered walkway, with its walls inlaid with four large relief carvings of the “Twenty-Four Parables of Contemplation,” meticulously crafted from bluestone and white jade.

Returning through the moon gate, you’ll find a side door nearby. Push it open, and a refreshing sea breeze greets you, with landscapes unfolding before your eyes. Mount Loha lies serenely in the blue waves, its undulating peaks stretching into view. Below, the winding stone steps descend alongside a zigzagging railing. At the very end, there is an inclined rock with a flat bedrock base, topped by a huge, flat stone about two meters high, perched precariously on the edge. On its summit is a footprint indentation, approximately 42 cm long, 15 cm wide, deeply embedded in the stone, with clear toe and heel marks, vividly displaying the force and direction of the step. Inscriptions on the rock face read “Guanyin’s Leap,” “Sacred Ancient Relic,” and “Here the Heart Turns Kind.” Another inscription praises: “The Bodhisattva Guanyin cultivated wisdom through hearing, thinking, and practicing; she attained enlightenment on Mount Loha and sailed the compassionate boat. Amidst auspicious clouds, she revealed her traces, forever preserved through the ages.” Standing atop the giant Guanyin’s Leap Sea Stone and looking out in all directions, you’ll be greeted by the enchanting scenery of Guanyin’s Leap and the unceasing chants from the Western Pure Garden. The sea mirrors drifting clouds, boats glide between heaven and earth. Mount Loha stands afar, while Mount Putuo’s ridges layer the horizon. The Western Pure Garden is indeed an ideal place for spiritual practice; Guanyin’s Leap is truly a sacred site for pilgrimage.

It is said that every pilgrim who comes here to pay homage will worship the Guanyin’s Leap Stone. The footprint of Guanyin Bodhisattva on its summit allows every devout visitor to connect spiritually with the Bodhisattva, receiving mystical blessings, just as the thousand-spoked wheel footprints of Shakyamuni Buddha possess extraordinary and mystical power. I believe the indentations on this stone carry the essence and energy of Guanyin Bodhisattva, as well as her boundless compassion and empathy.

Address: No. 201, Zhuzhi Road, Mount Putuo, Putuo District, Zhoushan City

Type: Geological Landform & Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–10 minutes

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Mount Putuo admission fee.

Transportation

Transportation in Mount Putuo

There are two dedicated shuttle bus lines connecting most major attractions on Mount Putuo

Line 1: East of Puji Temple (Baibu Sha) – Baibu Pavilion – Zhuzhilin (South Sea Guanyin Outdoor Statue) – Enter Samadhi (Nantianmen) – Ferry Terminal – Haifang Xincun (Xishan Xincun Zone 1) – Seafood Park (Xishan Xincun Zone 2) – Baotuo Restaurant – West of Puji Temple (West Mountain Scenic Area Entrance)

Line 2: Ferry Terminal – Enter Samadhi (Nantianmen) – Zhuzhilin (South Sea Guanyin Outdoor Statue) – Baibu Pavilion – East of Puji Temple (Baibu Sha) – Immortal Well (Chaoyang Cave) – Dacheng Nunnery – Fayu Temple (Qianbusha) – Feisha’ao – Xianghui Nunnery – Fanyin Cave – Baiyue Nunnery – Ancient Buddha Cave – Cable Car Station

In addition to the two dedicated tourist shuttle bus lines, point-to-point shuttle buses operate between major scenic spots on Mount Putuo, with vehicles dispatched based on passenger flow using two-way radios.

How to Get to Zhuzhilin

Take Line 1 from the parking lot at the Mount Putuo Ferry Terminal and get off at “Zhuzhilin.”