Putou Shan 普陀山 Travel Guide

Easily accessible by boat from either Shanghai or Ningbo, Putuo Shan is perhaps the closest you might find to the China that many Westerners have in their minds with its mountain peaks, temples, pagodas, fishing villages, artisans and monks. Putuo mountain is the highest peak and also one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Attracting large numbers of visitors from mainland cities such as Shanghai it is best visited during weekdays rather than weekends.

As a contrast to Shanghai. This island is perhaps the closest you will get in Eastern China to the China of Western imagination.

Wandering the island’s many paths with stops at temples and views tends to be the way to approach a visit. The main peak is not high in comparison with other sacred mountains not even topping 300 meters. There are many temples to visit throughout the island but some of the more popular ones are Fayu, Huiji and Puji. All have small entrance charges. The island also has some decent and clean beaches if the weather is good.

Putuoshan can be fitted into any trip that visits Shanghai and if you have time is worth the two or three days ideally required to make the most of the visit.

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By Phil Stanley & Headseast – TCTC Destination Expert.