Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo is a national scenic area and a AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

The national key scenic area of Mount Putuo is located at the mouth of the Qiantang River and in the southeastern waters of the Zhoushan Archipelago. It is one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. The scenic area includes Mount Putuo, Mount Luojia, and Zhujiajian, covering a total area of 41.95 square kilometers. The main island of Mount Putuo itself spans 12.5 square kilometers, with its highest peak, Foding Mountain, reaching an elevation of 292 meters. With both a long-standing Buddhist culture and rich island scenery, ancient people called it the "Buddhist Kingdom on the Sea" and the "Foremost Serene Realm Under Heaven."

Embraced by the sea, with golden sands stretching along its shores, Mount Putuo boasts beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate. Famous attractions include the Tide-Listening Cave, the Sound-of-Buddha Cave, the Sunrise Cave, the Pando Rock, the Two-Tortoise Listening-to-the-Sutra Rock, Hundred-Step Beach, Thousand-Step Beach, Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, Huiji Temple, the Guanyin of the South Sea, and the Great Mercy Temple.

Since the reform and opening-up, the Mount Putuo Administration has led the local community through hard work to establish the mountain as a national model of civilization, safety, and sanitation. Transportation is convenient both within and outside the island, and the tourism environment is well-maintained. The island comfortably accommodates up to 10,000 visitors per day. The annual lunar dates of the 19th of February, June, and September are peak times for Guanyin worship and pilgrimage, attracting throngs of pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

The name “Mount Putuo” originates from the Buddhist scripture Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), specifically from volume 68, where it is referred to in full as “Potalaka” or “Potala,” transliterations from Sanskrit meaning “the beautiful white flower.” Because successive Chinese dynasties built their capitals in the north, the mountain has been commonly known as “South Sea Putuo” since the Yuan Dynasty. Mount Putuo is also honored with the phrase “Beloved by Five Dynasties, Unequalled in Grace; Revered Across the Seas, Foremost Among Mountains.”

Sea and Sky Scenery

The sea and sky views on Mount Putuo make one feel the vastness of the ocean and the openness of the sky, no matter which scenic area or spot you’re in. Although there may be roaring sea winds and towering waves, they do not evoke fear—instead, these spectacular sights are uplifting. As a sacred Buddhist destination, Mount Putuo once had up to 82 temples and 128 hermitages, housing more than 4,000 monks and nuns. Visitors walking along the island’s small paths often encounter monks in robes. The stunning natural landscape combined with the strong Buddhist atmosphere adds a layer of mystique, which is part of the mountain’s strong allure for tourists.

Mount Putuo impresses not only with its expansive seas and skies but also with the depth and serenity of its mountains. When hiking and taking in the views, you can gaze upon the blue sea, with islands dotting the water and white sails drifting between them—a truly moving sight. Past visitors have spoken highly of Mount Putuo, saying, “For a mountain that also has the charm of a lake, West Lake is the best; for a mountain that also has the beauty of the sea, Mount Putuo is unrivaled.” Comparing Mount Putuo to the heavenly West Lake is, arguably, an objective praise.

Mount Putuo stands out not only for its grand sea and sky vistas but also for its profound mountain beauty.

Scenic Attractions

There are many scenic spots and attractions on Mount Putuo, the most prominent being the three major temples: Puji, Fayu, and Huiji. These are the largest among the over twenty temples and monasteries still preserved today. Puji Temple was first built during the Song Dynasty and serves as the main shrine for Guanyin on the island, with a total construction area of about 11,000 square meters.

Fayu Temple was established in the Ming Dynasty, built along the mountainside and terraced for stability, surrounded by ancient trees and enveloped in tranquility. Huiji Temple is located on Foding Mountain, also known as Foding Mountain Temple. The area features peculiar rocks and stones, including notable formations such as Pando Rock, the Two-Tortoise Listening-to-the-Sutra Rock, and the Sea-and-Sky Buddhist Kingdom Rock—over twenty such sites in total. Near the meeting point of mountain and sea, there are many scenic caves, the most famous being the Tide-Listening Cave and the Sound-of-Buddha Cave.

Beaches. The island is home to many beaches, but the main ones are Hundred-Step Beach and Thousand-Step Beach. Thousand-Step Beach is a crescent-shaped stretch about 3 li (1.5 km) long, with fine, soft sand, a gentle slope, and a broad, smooth surface—making it an excellent spot for sea bathing. In summer, visitors can bring swimsuits and enjoy a swim here.

Trees. The island is lush with vegetation, featuring serene forests and beautiful valleys. Tree species include camphor, podocarpus, ginkgo, and silk tree, with over 1,000 large camphor trees. Among them is a thousand-year-old camphor tree with a trunk circumference of 6 meters, shading several acres. There is also a “Putuo Hornbeam,” a rare and unique plant species native to China—only one mother tree remains, making it a nationally protected endangered species. Numerous folk tales related to Buddhism are passed down on Mount Putuo.

Address: No. 85-1 Meicen Road, Mount Putuo, Zhoushan City (Mount Putuo Main Gate Tourist Service Center, next to the ticket window)

Type: National Park, Seaside/Beach, Island/Peninsula

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 days

Phone: 4006608690; 0580-3191919

Official Website: http://www.putuoshan.gov.cn/

Opening Hours:

6:30-21:00

Transportation

Bus

Mount Putuo is connected by two tourist shuttle bus lines that link most of the major attractions. These shuttles run every 10–15 minutes and operate until 17:00. After 17:00, all vehicles gradually cease operation, so visitors should return to their accommodations before then. The fare from the dock to the Front Temple is 4 yuan, and from Hundred-Step Beach to the cable car station is 8 yuan.

Line 1: Hundred-Step Beach (Puji Temple), Hundred-Step Pavilion, Purple Bamboo Forest, Enter Samadhi Land, Dock, Haifang New Village, Seafood Garden, Baotuo Restaurant, West Heaven Ferry (suspended during pilgrimage season and special holidays)

Line 2: Hundred-Step Beach (Puji Temple), Sunrise Cave, Great Mercy Temple, Fayu Temple, Feisha’ao, Baoyue Temple, Ancient Buddha Cave, Cable Car Station

Taxi

The attractions on Mount Putuo are quite scattered, so renting a private van is more cost-effective. A 12-seat domestic Toyota minivan costs 400–600 RMB per day, while a 20-seat domestic Toyota minibus costs 800–1000 RMB per day. Mount Putuo has distinct peak and off-peak tourist seasons, and prices can be negotiated during the off-season.

Admission Tickets

1. December is the off-peak season, with tickets priced at 140 RMB per person; February to November is the peak season, with tickets at 160 RMB per person. From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, during Labor Day (May 1–3), and National Day (October 1–7), ticket prices rise to 200 RMB per person. Insurance is optional (5 RMB, but you must actively decline if you do not want it).

The admission ticket to Mount Putuo Scenic Area does not include the entrance fees for temples or the Luojia Mountain attraction.

Further Reading:

· One of the first batch of National Scenic Areas