Sculpture "South Sea Guanyin" (88trip.com)Putuo
Mountain, a small island in Zhoushan Islands, is located 100 sea miles east of
Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang Province. The whole island covers an area of 12.5
square kilometers. The highest peak, Fodingshan, is about 300 meters above sea
level. It is said to be where followers of Guanyin once held rites. In its prime
there were more than 300 temples. There are now mainly three big temples, Puji,
Fayu and Huiji and a good deal of scenic spots.
With mountains and sea, the scenery here is beautiful and an atmosphere of a
Buddhist Kingdom in the sea has brought the area a mysterious color. Climbing to
the top of the mountain and looking afar, one will feel his hearts overflowing
with fervor.
Transportation:
One can arrive
directly at Zhujiajian, a neighboring island of Putuo Mountain, or neighboring
cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo, by air or train or bus, and then
take a ship or motorboat to get on the island.
Shanghai - Putuo
Mountain:
Take a ship at Shiliupu, at 17:30 and 19:00 and arrive at Putuo
Mountain the next morning. The prices are from 60 yuan to 300 yuan for a
five-grade cabin to a top cabin. There are also motorboats at Shiliupu, but one
must take a two-hour bus ride before changing to a motorboat. Buses start at
8:00 each day. You will arrive at Putuo Mountain at 12:00. The price for this
route is 160 yuan.
Hangzhou/Ningbo - Putuo Mountain:
Take a bus
at the East Bus Terminal of Hangzhou to Shenjiamen (about a one-hour run
beginning from 7:30). Arriving at Shenjiamen four hours later by express bus,
changing to a motorboat to Putuo Mountain at Banshengdong Dock. Another choice
is taking a bus from Hangzhou to Ningbo's Baifeng and then changing to a
speedboat to Putuo Mountain. The price for it is 52 yuan/per
person.
Zhujiajian - Putuo Mountain:
From Zhujiajian Airport by
shuttle bus to Wugongzhi Dock, then to Putuo Mountain directly by speedboat. It
is fast and convenient.
Accommodation:
One
would better to make a reservation for the hotel on the island before setting
off in case one cannot get tickets for the return boat or a hotel room. There
are not many boats returning from the island each day. In case you are unable to
leave the island, you may ask for a night's lodging in a temple where they
usually have some empty rooms prepared for visitors stranded on the island. But
remember to leave some money to the temple to express your thanks for the
hospitality of the monks there.
(Source: Women of China English Monthly March 2004)
