Putuoshan Island neighboring the city of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Putuoshan is located at the mouth of Hangzhou Bay. It is one of the larger islands among a group of in all some 1400 islands belonging to the Zhoushan Archipelago.
The surface of Putuoshan is around 12 square kilometers, most of which is pristine nature. From Putuo Mountain there are fantastic vistas of the surrounding seascapes.
At Putuoshan, there are many beaches. The Hundred Step Beach (600 meters long) and the Thousand Step Beach (1700 meters long) are the two major ones. The facilities such as deckchairs, parasols and water activities are equipped for visitors.
Putuoshan is one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Guanyin is the Goddess of Mercy and the patron saint, as it were, of seafarers. Putuoshan is also home to the most famous Guanyin Temple in China. At Zizhulin, there is the 33m tall statue of the Guanyin.
There are a number of temples on Mount Putuo. During the best time in the history of the mountain, there were 3 main temples, 88 monasteries, and 128 thatched houses for other persons engaged in support of the temples and monasteries on the island. There were more than 4000 monks in active service on the mountain. Putuoshan Mountain is recognized to be the "First Buddhist Kingdom in Zhendan", and is understandably a place of great reverence.
Putuoshan Island enjoys the fame as "A Botanical Garden on a South Sea Island". The mountain receives numerous tourists every year. Many visitors come in search of rare mountain beauty and tranquil walks among historical and religious relics. Putuoshan has very beautiful and serene scenery. There are luxuriant trees everywhere on the island - especially a large number of ancient camphor trees - filled with a host of singing birds. The ground is covered with fragrant flowers.