Zhoushan & Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo, the bodhimanda of Guanyin, plus Zhujiajian, Dongji Island and Peach Blossom Island: a blend of sea pilgrimage and island vacation, with Zhoushan seafood famous nationwide.

Zhoushan is an archipelago city off Hangzhou Bay in northeastern Zhejiang, made up of over a thousand islands. Centered on Zhoushan Main Island (Dinghai and the Lincheng New District) and Putuo District (Shenjiamen and Zhujiajian), it is linked to Ningbo by land via the Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge. This destination covers Zhoushan Main Island and surrounding islands such as Mount Putuo, Zhujiajian, Peach Blossom Island, Dongji Island, Daishan and Xiushan; the Shengsi Islands to the north (Gouqi Island, Huaniao Island, etc.) are listed as a separate destination. Tourist resources fall into three categories: first, the Buddhist holy site of Mount Putuo, the bodhimanda of Guanyin and one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains, with the three major temples of Puji, Fayu and Huiji and the 33-m standing Guanyin of the South Sea, as well as Zizhulin, Chaoyin Cave, Fanyin Cave and Thousand-Step Beach scattered across the island, and the large Guanyin Dharma Realm on Zhujiajian across the water; second, island vacations: Nansha Beach and Wushitang on Zhujiajian, Daqingshan, Peach Blossom Island of Jin Yong's novels, Dongji Island, one of the easternmost inhabited islands of mainland China, and Daishan's Dongsha Ancient Fishing Town and Lulan Qingsha; third, seafood and fishing-port culture: the night seafood stalls at Shenjiamen fishing port, fishing-village homestays and sea angling on Baisha Island, and Dinghai Ancient City and the Opium War sites for island history. The climate is subtropical oceanic monsoon, best in April–June and September–November; July–August is the island high season but with frequent typhoons, so always check for ferry suspensions. Coaches run directly from Ningbo, Hangzhou and Shanghai to Zhujiajian's Wukezhi Pier, from which a boat to Mount Putuo takes about 10–15 minutes; to Dongji Island, boats leave from Shenjiamen's Banshengdong Pier and take about 2–2.5 hours, and tickets must be bought in advance in peak season. Allow 3–4 days: 1.5 days on Mount Putuo (stay a night on the island to see the sunrise), 1 day for Zhujiajian and Shenjiamen, and 1–2 days for Dongji Island or Peach Blossom Island. Check official sources for Mount Putuo ticket and ferry prices; outside vehicles are not allowed on the island.

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Where to eat

Itineraries