I just returned from Mount Putuo, sisters planning to go should consider carefully.
🌊"The Buddhist paradise between sea and sky, with lingering Sanskrit chants, Mount Putuo is like a pearl embedded in the East China Sea, captivating hearts with its ethereal and serene beauty✨. Stepping into this sacred land feels like embarking on a wonderful journey of dialogue with your soul. Let's unveil the mysterious face of Mount Putuo in April together!"
🎐First Impressions of Mount Putuo
Upon arriving at Mount Putuo, the April breeze carrying a hint of sea saltiness 🌬️ gently caresses your face. Looking up, lush trees 🌳 complement temples with golden roofs and red walls, while in the distance, waves 🌊 crash against reefs, creating pleasant sounds. The air is filled with the scent of incense, and occasional distant bell rings 🔔 instantly calm inner restlessness, leaving only reverence and longing for this pure land.
📅2-Day Travel Guide
Day 1: Classic Temple Pilgrimage Tour
- 🌅In the early morning, take a boat 🚢 from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier to Mount Putuo. Once on the island, first visit the South Sea Guanyin. From a distance, the 18-meter-tall Guanyin statue stands majestically, gleaming with golden light, compelling visitors to stop and look up in admiration 🙏. Walk around the statue, make beautiful wishes, and feel the solemnity and sacredness.
- 🚶♂️Walk to the Purple Bamboo Grove, where bamboo forests flourish in a serene environment 🎋. The "Unwilling to Leave" Guanyin Temple is located here, telling the story of Guanyin Bodhisattva's journey east. The ancient architecture and devout believers immerse you in a strong Buddhist atmosphere.
- 🍚Enjoy a light and delicious vegetarian meal 🥗 at a nearby vegetarian restaurant for lunch, experiencing the pure Buddhist diet.
- 🏯In the afternoon, visit Puji Temple, one of the three major temples on Mount Putuo. The temple is magnificent with heavy incense burning. Pay respects at each hall in sequence, listen to the monks' chanting 📿, and pray for blessings for family and friends.
- 🌇In the evening, stroll along Hundred Step Beach. The April beach lacks summer's hustle and bustle. Walk barefoot on the soft sand 🏖️, watching the sunset slowly sink into the sea as the evening glow paints the sky in brilliant colors—comfortable and romantic.
Day 2: Journey of Nature and Culture Integration
- 🌄Rise early and head to Buddha's Peak. You can choose to take the cable car 🚡 up the mountain or challenge yourself with the 1,088 steps of the "Fragrant Cloud Path" on foot. At the top, visit Huiji Temple, the highest temple on Mount Putuo. Standing in front of the temple looking down, you can see the beautiful mountain and sea views 🌄.
- 🚶♀️On the way down, tour Fayu Temple. Fayu Temple is grand in scale, with the Nine Dragon Hall's ceiling being an artistic treasure. Ancient trees reach toward the sky, creating a peaceful atmosphere 🌳.
- 🍜For lunch, taste the local specialty seafood noodles 🍤. The noodles are chewy, the seafood fresh—a feast for the taste buds.
- 🏖️In the afternoon, go to Thousand Step Beach. Unlike Hundred Step Beach, Thousand Step Beach is longer and wider. Here you can fully enjoy the fun of beach and waves, and also visit the nearby Sanskrit Sound Cave to experience nature's masterful craftsmanship and the mystery of Buddhist culture 🎏.
🏠Accommodation Guide
- Temple Stay: If you want to deeply experience Buddhist life, you can choose to stay at temples like Puji Temple or Fayu Temple 🛏️. Prices are affordable, generally a few dozen yuan per night. You can join monks for morning lessons and meals, experiencing the atmosphere of pure cultivation, but must follow temple rules and schedules.
- Guesthouses: Mount Putuo has many characteristic guesthouses 🏡 distributed near various attractions. For example, guesthouses near Puji Temple offer convenient travel and cozy environments. Room prices range from 200-800 yuan depending on decor and location. You can book in advance on major travel platforms, choosing highly-rated guesthouses with good reputations.
- Hotels: There are also some mid to high-end hotels 🏨 on the island with complete facilities and attentive service, suitable for tourists seeking comfort. Hotels like Radisson Manor are relatively expensive, over 800 yuan, but offer high-quality accommodation services and beautiful environments.
⚠️Tips
- 🎫Purchase Mount Putuo tickets and round-trip boat tickets online in advance to avoid wasting time in lines.
- 🚗Private cars are not allowed on Mount Putuo Island. Island transportation mainly relies on tourist buses 🚌. You can purchase bus passes according to your itinerary for convenient travel.
- 🍃Temperature differences between morning and evening are significant in April on Mount Putuo. It's recommended to bring a light jacket 🧥 for unexpected needs.
- 🧴UV rays are strong on the island. Take sun protection measures by bringing sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses 🕶️.
- 🙏When entering temples, observe etiquette, dress appropriately, avoid loud noises, and respect Buddhist culture and customs.
🌅Every scene on Mount Putuo contains a unique charm, and every visit can bring spiritual touch. Here, time seems to slow down, allowing people to truly calm down and feel the power of nature and faith✨. Come start your own Mount Putuo journey!