Putuo Mountain (Putuoshan), Zhejiang, China

4Choo_Travel 5:00 PM Aug 6, 2014

Transport to Mount Putuo from Shanghai
Take the train to Metro station Line 4 Nanpu Bridge Station Exit 1 to Huangpu Tourist Station. I bought my tickets in advance. This is the most expensive route to go to Putuo Shan but it's the most comfortable and fastest. The bus leave the bus station at 8am, arrive at the Xiaoyangshan harbour about 10am. From the harbour take a speedboat to Putuo Shan. Total journey is about 3.5-4hours. Total cost is 258 yuan.

5Gabi R 5:00 PM Jul 30, 2019

Wonderful Weekend Trip: Temples & Beaches
I think I was the only foreigner on the island, which was quite surprising. One reason for this is probably that there's very little English information out there on it, so hopefully I can leave some info here that can help the next person! While it's by no means a destination that should land on foreign tourists' itineraries, expats living in nearby cities should definitely consider it for a weekend trip. Anyone who likes a mixture of culture and nature should check it out; the temples were lovely, and the beaches were very nice (especially by Chinese standards haha). I took a 4.5 hour bus from Shanghai South Station to Shinjiamen, Zhoushan on a Friday night, spending the night at a hotel only 10 minutes from the ferry dock. Ferries don't run very late into the night, so an overnight in town is probably necessary for most weekend trippers. One way is 140 RMB, there's one rest stop in the middle, and few quick stops along Zhoushan Island on your way in/out, and it was quite comfortable. You need your passport to get a ticket/board the bus. Foreigners aren't able to order online, so showing up in person to buy is unfortunately a must, though tickets likely don't need to be purchased in advance. The ferry there is 30 RMB and about 15-20 minutes. A one time fee of 160 RMB is required upon arrival to the island. Accommodation can be on the pricey end, especially on weekends, because of how popular the island is with Chinese tourists. I didn't book in advance and just showed up looking around Longwan Village where there are a number of cheaper guesthouses, but still was only able to negotiate down to 240 RMB for a very basic room. Online (ctrip,com) you'll see options for between 300-1000 RMB per night, depending on what you're looking for. This village area is where you'll find the most reasonably priced dinner options as well - outside of this area you'll be stuck at your hotel restaurant most likely. There are cheap tourist buses connecting the different temples and beaches around the island, but if you came to be outside, some long walks around the island can be quite nice. Most temples are 5 or 6 kuai max, and the beaches are free. Download maps.me for a more accurate map of the island (and no need for a VPN). Highlights: -Puji temple -Fayu temple (near where the hike up the mountain starts, but honestly the path is not very scenic and a LOT of steps in the heat, so maybe walk down instead of up haha and use the cable car instead - 40 RMB one way, 70 RMB two ways, pretty good views) -Huiji temple (serves a 10 RMB vegetarian lunch from 11-12, and the viewpoint at the exit is nice) -Guanyin Statue -**Baotuo temple** (I didn't see this anywhere on the internet before I went, and for me it was the highlight of all the temples there - it's a massive and very beautiful complex, free to enter, and barely anyoneee there (the others will be crazy crowded!), right by the cable car station!) -Wanfo pagoda (I honestly was too lazy and templed out to walk all the way up, but it looks nice haha) -100 Step beach (has showers/lockers for a fee and some small restaurants/snack shacks, and a designated swimming area (CLEAN!), but will have plenty of people on it of course) -1000 Step beach (no facilities, but totally empty! Swimming is at own risk) Follow some walking paths around and you're sure to find lots of little monasteries or good views of the coast. Ferries off the island go until 10 pm I was told, but the last bus to Shanghai Sunday night is at 6:10 pm. Hope this is helpful to someone!