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Info going to Puto Shan

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w1ll14m09

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Joined: Sep 07, 2005
Posts: 13
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Nov 30, 2005 - 11:27 AM
Post subject: Info going to Puto Shan

Anyone has information to go to Puto Shan in Zhejiang from Shanghai?
By airplane or by boat is better...
Thanks a lot

Heidi_Singapura

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Posted: Nov 30, 2005 - 11:49 AM
Post subject: Info going to Puto Shan

Last edited by Heidi_Singapura on Nov 30, 2005 - 11:55 AM; edited 2 times in total

Heidi_Singapura

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Posted: Nov 30, 2005 - 11:51 AM

Went there four/five years ago by boat. Actually, I went there twice back then. Once I took the slow boat, arrived early in the morning, think it took 10 hours or so? Very memorable experience, since it was really foggy and we almost ran over a small fishing boat. Shocked

And the other time, I took the fast (really fast!) boat, which only took a few hours. I would recommend that one. You can buy tickets at the ferry at the Bund.

You can also check the Lonely Planet, think there is some detailed information in there how to get there...

w1ll14m09

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Posted: Nov 30, 2005 - 12:39 PM

Thanks a lot Heidi,
Anyway is there any reccomendation of good seafood restaurant in Putuo Shan?

Heidi_Singapura

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Posted: Nov 30, 2005 - 01:56 PM

No, sorry, no recommentations there. As I remember, the food was awful at the island (a fishy taste to everything...). Hope it has changed in the past few years....

Anyway, it's a nice island and you'll have a nice time. Enjoy!

Aaron

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Posted: Dec 01, 2005 - 08:27 PM

I visited Putuo Shan two months ago but I would recommend going by the overnight boat which is slow but comfortable and relaxing. You can go around and see the sea and islands on the boat.

The express boat takes you about 4 hours I think. You'd be closed in the stuffy cabin for these hours.

I went there by the overnight boat but came back to Shanghai by the express boat.
See my photos -
http://community.webshots.com/album/453932988hKFZIK/0

summer1720

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Posted: Dec 01, 2005 - 09:34 PM

I went to Putuo Shan few months ago. If you want to go there, it's better to take express boat. It take you about 4 hours. You can go to the travle company buy the ticket( about 180 RMB), then you will take boat at Lu Chao Gang.
When you arrived the Putuo Shan,you will pay 100 RMB for the ticket.

CFM

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Posted: Dec 20, 2005 - 08:57 PM

Slow boat or fast, it doesn't matter. Took the slow boat for National Day & it was ok - slept most of the way, & yes, we almost ran over a small freighter while going downriver. Nothing like a little excitement in the pitch black of the night! Seafood we had was very good, but expensive - dinner for two was close to usd30! Look for the small places near the large beach on eastern side of the island. Just stay away from the restaurants near the ferry landing - they suck!

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qus

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Posted: June 21, 2007 - 06:53 PM

did anyone go there since? cannot imagine 4 hours for a fast boat.. wonder if they have gotten faster

rider_on_the_storm

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Posted: June 23, 2007 - 07:09 PM

Need to know:

Putuoshan is a small island in the East China Sea and its mountain is one of the four sacred peaks in China. It covers an area of only 12.5 square km and sits just 297m above sea level. It's not impossible to walk the island's length in just a couple of hours, but most people choose to spend a few days relaxing on the beaches or visiting the numerous temples. Of Putuoshan's 3000 residents about 1000 are monks. The whole island has been declared a National Park and consequently there is an 110rmb entrance fee – although beware, this does not include some of the most popular or famous sites.

Need to go:
To the beach! The two most well-known beaches are the Hundred Step Beach and the Thousand Step Beach. The former charges 10rmb for entry but is supposedly equipped with sun loungers and parasols (albeit at a cost), as well as quad bikes and banana boats. At night it also occasionally has karaoke parties. Thousand Step Beach is free and bigger but has no facilities.

Puji Monastery is the most accessible and famous monastery on Putuoshan, sitting on the island's central axis. It costs 5rmb to enter. Expect the usual parade of tourist facilities in close proximity though: hotels, restaurants and grocery stores.

Guanyin Statue is a 33 metre high bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy. She sits on the south-east corner of Putuoshan by the sea and views the surrounding hills. She's reputed to protect fisherman and islanders, but who doesn't like big shiny things anyway?

Mount Putuo may sit at less than 300 metres above sea level but it's a fairly strenuous climb up approximately 1000 steps. The views across the island are great though, especially if you can pick out Guanyin, glinting in the sun. A 40rmb return cable car is available.

The island of Putuoshan is a five hour journey from the centre of Shanghai, but with the sun blazing and the pollution levels rising during a recent hot spell it looked like an attractive escape. The ferry there was surprisingly comfortable, although it might have been different had it been full. There's room for about 300 people, but not even a third of the seats were taken the day I went, so there was plenty of space. Beware if you get seasick though – on the way back the boat rocked back and forth at alarming angles. If you think the Chinese are good at spitting then let me tell you, they’re even better at retching.

I decided to explore Putuoshan on foot – the island's not very big and I can't stand tour groups. Anyway, I fancied myself the intrepid explorer. The first thing I came across was the Hundred Step Beach, which you have to pay to get on. I’m not sure what I paid for exactly, but I did have the place almost to myself. What bliss compared to Shanghai! I wrenched off my shoes and tore off my socks – ah, there it was: the warm sand beneath my feet and the sea lapping at my toes. I strolled along the beach and then lay on a rock in the sun, feeling like a lizard but hoping I wouldn’t end up looking like one.

What I hadn't expected was the difference between this beach and those in Europe. Perhaps thankfully, no one here was reclining on a sun-lounger wearing a bikini smaller than Barbie's. In fact, the few people I did see hadn't even taken off their shoes. There was no swimming either, but I guess it's hard to get excited about water the colour of cappuccino.
I think walking rather than going from site to site by bus was one of the best decisions I made. For one thing, I was undisturbed for the most part, just drifting across the island's roads by myself, except for the occasional passing minibus. And it wasn't difficult either – the signs at every crossroads enabled me to navigate my way around the island.

As I went along, my curiosity took me up some steps, to find out what was at the top. I stumbled upon a temple. Sitting in the afternoon sunlight of the courtyard was just one other person, but in the temple itself a group of red-robed monks were chanting prayers, ringing bells and striking drums. I sat there for some time listening to their singing and feeling calm and peaceful. Just as I was leaving, thinking to myself what a magical place this was, I heard the crackle of a megaphone. My feeling of harmony was shattered by the arrival of a herd of yellow-capped tourists clutching bouquets of bright pink incense – but I guess that’s the reality of any holiday destination.

In the end, despite my aversion to seafood, I found myself having dinner in one of Putuoshan's many seafood restaurants. I had crab, shrimps and celery with squid, which set me back 130rmb. The food was good, but it was frustrating wrestling with the shells. I have to say I couldn't see any other kinds of restaurants, although perhaps if I'd moved away from the sea front I would have had more luck. After that, I had to retreat to the hotel – I couldn’t face any sort of nightlife after walking all day.

I really enjoyed my time on Putuoshan. To go somewhere that's not inhabited by several million people was great, but I feel more than 1000rmb was expensive for a day trip. I think two nights, or one night and the overnight ferry home, would be better value. Two whole days would also give you more time to relax on the beaches and explore the island at a leisurely pace. Returning an overnight would give you the opportunity to see the sun rise over the Bund too. Then again, if you go when the weather’s hot and sunny, you might find you don’t care when or how you come back – so long as it's not for a very long time...

waingro

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Posted: June 25, 2007 - 09:11 PM

yes, the fast boat is still 3.5-4hrs, but the price is now 220rmb last time I checked. The slow boat is no longer a viable option because they leave from Wusong harbor, 1 hr north from city center, and not the Bund like they used to.

You can also fly there. Airport is called Zhoushan. One way ~500rmb with rare discounts.

The above post is correct. Putuoshan is one big rip off like most sites in China. 110rmb to get in and everything else is a separate charge. Hotels are so overpriced it's not even funny. You decide if it's worth it.