舟山市
The Buddhist island of Putuoshan and China's largest fishing port
Why this place
Zhoushan is an archipelago off Ningbo, and its Putuo Mountain is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China — the island of Guanyin, goddess of mercy, where pilgrims come all year. The city is also the biggest fishing port in China, which means famously good seafood.
What to see
- Putuoshan — temples, the 33-metre Guanyin statue, and the beach at Qianbu Sha
- The Zhoushan fishing port and the seafood markets, best seen early morning
- Dongji Island and the other outlying islands, with quiet beaches and fishing villages
What to eat
- Zhoushan seafood is the best in the region — crab, yellow croaker, prawns, shellfish
- Salted and dried fish, the local preservation tradition
Best time
April–June and September–November; Putuoshan is crowded for the Guanyin festivals in lunar February, June and September
Practical tips
- Putuoshan is a pilgrimage island: dress respectfully and expect crowds at festival times
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