by Jade Li

Created on: July 16, 2010   Last Updated: July 21, 2010

Head south from Shanghai and you will soon come to one of the most beautiful places located within the entire country. A two hour ferry ride will transport you to Putuoshan. This island is so beautiful, so divinely heavenly, that you may think that this is the home of the immortals, waiting for you to discover them eating peaches and drinking nectar.

Putuoshan is one of the four sacred mountains in Buddhism, as well as being the idea of rural China that many Westerners have in their heads. Divine temples, pagodas, graceful arches, bridges, misty waters and hazy mountain tops wait for you here, ready to wow you into falling in love with her.

Putuoshan can easily boast some of the best beaches, especially with the pre fresh air making it easier to relax in. At the weekends, however, the beaches can get pretty busy so if you are after a more relaxed atmosphere, it would be best for you to visit during the week. One Hundred Step Beach (Baibusha) and One Thousand Step Beach (Qianbusha) are two beautiful beaches to visit and can be found on the eastern side of the island.

When you draw closer to the island the very first thing you are likely to see is a giant statue of Guanyin. She is the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion. The statue of her is 33m tall and overlooks the southern tip, watching the boats come in safely with their passengers, drawing you safely into her waiting arms.

Putuoshan possesses some exquisite temples from different periods. One temple that is a must see is Puji Temple (Puji Shansi) which can be found in the main square of the village. It dates to the 17th century and is a great place for some photos.

If you climb up Foding Mountain, the highest point of the island, you will discover the Huiji Temple which will dazzle you with magnificent views and beautiful architecture. To get town the side of the mountain, you can take the cable car, enjoying lovely views as you go. At the bottom, you will come to the charming Fayu Temple. The air is rich with the scent of camphor trees and then you can relax in the nearby Xiangyun Pavilion.

Putuoshan is very important in Buddhism, as you can tell by the stories told here. One tells how the crashing waves are meant to copy the Buddha’s breathing.

The entrance fee to Putuoshan may be steeper than the hike up the mountains, but it is well worth every yuan. The memories here are priceless and will last as long as the mountains and the oceans do.

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