Pay homage to Goddess of Mercy at Putuo Mountain, walk the ancient pilgrimage trail atop Foding Mountain, listen to ocean waves at Qianbu Beach, and enjoy peaceful vegetarian meals in this sacred island of sea and Buddhism.
Head to Zhujiajiao Island to relax on the golden Ten-Mile Sand Beach, take creative photos at the International Sand Sculpture Festival, and chase stunning sunsets along the Grand Green Mountain coastal ring road.
Itinerary Schedule
Day 1：Putuo Mountain Scenic AreaDay 2：Zhujiajiao Scenic Area
Day 1 Zhoushan | Putuo Mountain Scenic Area
Putuo Mountain is the sacred Buddhist sanctuary of Goddess of Mercy, widely known as the Buddhist Kingdom on the Sea.It features three major ancient temples: Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, and Huiji Temple, plus the iconic 33-meter-tall South China Sea Guanyin Statue — must-see highlights for pilgrims and travelers alike.
Besides religious culture, Putuo Mountain boasts breathtaking coastal mountain scenery. Stroll along Qianbu Beach and admire the natural silhouette of the reclining Buddha mountain across the sea for ultimate relaxation.
Putuo Mountain sits east of Zhoushan Main Island. No road connects to the mainland; visitors can only reach the island by ferry to Putuo Mountain Pier.The island is long and narrow, around 7 kilometers in length. Attractions are scattered 2 to 10 kilometers apart.
- Close spots: Easy to explore on foot
- Far spots: Take official island shuttle buses near the pier
- Foding Mountain: Accessible by cable car
- Luojia Island (5 km east of Putuo Mountain): Only reachable by boat from Putuo Mountain, part of the Putuo Mountain Scenic Area
The scenic area is divided into three main sightseeing zones, each taking about half a day to explore. You can arrange your route based on your hotel location and arrival time.
Zone 1
Centered around Puji Temple — the main worship temple of Guanyin on the whole island. Next to it stands the Multi-Treasure Pagoda, one of Putuo Mountain’s Three Treasures.The Western Heaven Scenic Area nearby features iconic spots like Pan Tuo Rock, Heart Character Stone, and Meifu Temple.
Zone 2
Southern attractions: South China Sea Guanyin Statue, Purple Bamboo Forest, Unwilling-to-Go Guanyin Temple, and South Heavenly Gate.The giant Guanyin Statue is the island’s landmark, while Unwilling-to-Go Guanyin Temple carries legendary local folklore.
Zone 3
Centered around Foding Mountain, with Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple nearby.The other two of Putuo Mountain’s Three Treasures are located here:
- Nine-Dragon Caisson Ceiling inside Fayu Temple
- Yangzhi Guanyin Stele at Yangzhi Courtyard next to Fayu Temple
If your schedule allows, take a half-day boat trip to Luojia Island for a complete pilgrimage experience.
For beach lovers, two coastal bathing beaches lie on the east side:
- Qianbu Beach: Close to Fayu Temple
- Baibu Beach: Near Purple Bamboo Forest
Perfect for walking, wave chasing, and seaside leisure.
Address: No.1 Meichen Road, Putuo District, Zhoushan, Zhejiang ProvinceOpening Hours: 06:30 – 21:50 (Last entry: 21:50)Visitor Review:Overall a wonderful experience. Enjoy the natural scenery and pay respects to Guanyin. Even on rainy days, many travelers come to pray and make wishes. Book tickets in advance, then you can enter directly by scanning your passport or ID.
Day 2 Zhoushan | Zhujiajiao Scenic Area
Zhujiajiao Scenic Area is located in the southeastern part of the Zhoushan Archipelago, famous for its soft, golden beach sand.The annual Zhoushan International Sand Sculpture Festival is held here every September, attracting visitors worldwide.
The island consists of four major scenic spots: Black Pebble Beach, Guanyin Culture Garden, South Sand Beach, and Grand Green Mountain.
- East Sand Beach: Perfect for watching sunrise
- South Sand Beach: The most lively coastal resort, with shallow water for wading, seaside walks, and various water entertainment activities
Address: Zhujiajiao Island, Putuo District, ZhoushanOpening Hours: Open 24 hours all year roundVisitor Review:The dome and the first-floor Guanyin exhibition are absolutely stunning with strong visual impact and a solemn spiritual atmosphere. The upper exhibition halls are also well worth visiting; you can easily spend over 5 hours exploring slowly.