Putuo Shan Island, Zhejiang

Destination Guide:Putuo Shan (Mount Putuo) Island is a small, beautiful and peaceful island. Mount Putuo is one of China's Buddhist Sacred Mountains, and so an array of temples and pagodas are featured and many of the residents and visitors are monks and pilgrims. It is a very tranquil place to escape to for a weekend (if you live in Eastern China), and a place where you can enjoy the haven of blue sea, golden beaches and stunning views. The island is lush in vegetation and you can easily just stroll around the island and climb (or cable car!) to the top of the hill. The main site is a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, who is said to look after the fisherman and guide the boats in safely. And with it being an island, sampling the fresh seafood dishes is an indispensable part of any visit.
Why visit? To treat yourself to a relaxing weekend on China's paradise island, where you can enjoy the sun, sea, beaches and breathtaking views.
Where: Putuo Shan Island is part of the Zhoushan Archipelago, which is part of Zhejiang Province in the East China Sea The island is approximately half way between Shanghai and Ningbo.
Getting there: You can get a ferry from Shanghai or from Ningbo, Zhejiang Province.There is the option of a fast boat or an overnight boat between Shanghai and Putuoshan.
Cost: General Island admission is RMB110 (October 2003), which you pay when you arrive at ferry pier. Scenic spots each have their own small entrance fee.
Accommodation: There are several hotels on the island, varying from four star to ordinary standard rooms, but all can be quite expensive. They advertise themselves to you as you disembark from the boat, so you can bargain and try to get yourself a good deal. However, if you visit in peak season or weekends it is recommended you make a reservation, as the hotels get very busy. If you visit during a weekday you should expect to get a 30-50% discount off the stated price.
My Itinerary:I went for a long weekend, 3 days, and to just relax and enjoy the weather.Day 1 - Visited the Puji Temple in the morning and spent the afternoon on Hundred-Step beach and enjoying the view at Chaoyang Pavilion (Sunrise Pavilion). Dinner at one of the beachfront seafood restaurants and then spent the evening sitting on the beach listening to the waves.Day 2 - Visited Fayu Temple and the Guanyin Statue in the morning and then walked around the island, and explored the coastal rocks. In the late afternoon caught the cable car up Foding Hill and walked back down the other side.Day 3 - Strolled around enjoying the sun and doing some shopping. Got a fast boat back to Shanghai in the early afternoon.
Puji TempleThis is the islands biggest temple and is set in a very peaceful environment with a beautiful lake in front. There are some small shops and teahouses nearby.
Fayu TempleThis temple is famous for its ancient architecture, delicate woodcarvings and inscribed calligraphy by ancient emperors.
Hundred Step beach and Thousand Step beachThese beaches are fine-grained and ideal for sunbathing. They both lie on the eastern edge of the island, separated by a rocky hill with the famous Chaoyang Pavilion on top. There are good facilities close by for your convenience.
My recommendation: Bring a torch (flashlight) because when the sun goes down there are very few streetlights on the island and you may need a torch to help you get back to your hotel, or go for an evening walk.