How to Get to Putuoshan & Get around Putuoshan

The closest airport to Putuoshan is named Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport (IATA: HSN). It runs flights to/from Shanghai (1 h), Beijing (3 hrs.), Guangzhou (2 hrs.), Shenzhen (2 hrs.), etc.

Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport is not located on Putuoshan Island, but another larger island near Putuoshan.

The airport is only 3.6 kilometers and 10 minutes away from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Wharf (朱家尖蜈蚣峙码头) by car, which is the closest wharf to Putuoshan. From the wharf, visitors can find frequent ferries to Putuoshan during the day and also at night. The ferry journey needs merely 10~20 minutes.

Both Putuoshan and Zhoushan City have no train stations or railway lines. Therefore, they are currently inaccessible by train. The closest train stations to Putuoshan are settled at the nearby Ningbo City, where you can find frequent bullet trains to/from Shanghai (2~2.5 hrs.), Shenzhen (7.5 hrs.), Xiamen (5 hrs.), Fuzhou (3.5 hrs.), etc.

From Ningbo, you can take a ferry at Baifeng Wharf to Putuoshan. Baifeng Wharf (白峰码头) is about 1~1.5 hours from the railway stations by car. And every day there are 2 ferries scheduled to Putuoshan. In addition to the direct ferries, you can also take a car or bus to Zhoushan to catch a ferry to Putuoshan.

Ferry is the only choice to get to Putuoshan directly. Zhoushan, Shanghai and Ningbo are all operate Putuoshan ferries. Zhoushan is the most popular option, because its Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Wharf and Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf are the closest wharfs and have the most frequent ferries to Putuoshan. Shanghai has 1~3 ferries to Putuoshan every day, including 2 ferries departing in the day and one at night. The ferry trip from Shanghai to Putuoshan take about 4~12 hours. Ningbo has 2 daily ferries to Putuoshan. The entire trip needs 70 minutes around.

Check more about Putuoshan Ferry >>

☛ 2 Days Putuoshan Buddhism Tour

If you want to get to Putuoshan from its nearby cities like Hangzhou and Jiaxing, private cars must be the best choices. Going with the help of private car, you can get from the airport, train station, tourist site or your hotel in Hangzhou or Jiaxing to the wharfs in Zhoushan in only about 3~3.5 hours. And from the wharfs, it takes only 10~20 minutes to Putuoshan. We China Discovery also offer warm private car service. If you are in need, please feel free to contact us!

In Shanghai, and the cities in Zhejiang Province, like Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, there are also buses to Zhoushan. However, it will waste a lot of time to find the right bus station and to go from the bus station to the wharfs.

☛ 2 Days Putuoshan Classic Tour from Shanghai

☛ 4 Days Hangzhou Putuoshan Brief Tour

Putuoshan is under the jurisdiction of Zhoushan City. Zhoushan is also the closest place to visit Putuoshan. From Zhoushan, you can take a ferry to Putuoshan. The ferry trip takes only 10~20 minutes. There are two wharfs in Zhoushan for you to choose. The Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Wharf is the most popular one, because it enjoys the closest distance to Putuoshan and it has better facilities. Besides, only Zhujiajian Wharf provides luxury speedboats and night ferries. Another wharf is called Shenjiamen Banshengdong Wharf, which also operates frequent ferries to Putuoshan in the day.

For most visitors, they prefer to get from Shanghai to Zhoushan first, and then catch a ferry to Putuoshan. Both flights and private cars are good choices to get to Zhoushan. Besides, visitors can also get from Shanghai to Putuoshan by ferry. Luchaogang Wharf (芦潮港码头) and Wusong Wharf (吴淞码头) have one ferry in separate. One departs in the early morning, while another departs at night. The ferry ride needs 4~12 hours.

Check more about Shanghai to Putuoshan >>

☛ 2 Days Putuoshan Classic Tour from Shanghai

☛ 5 Days Buddhism Tour to Mount Putuo & Mount Jiuhua from Shanghai

The best way to go from Hangzhou to Putuoshan is by private car, which can directly escort you to the wharfs in Zhoushan from anywhere in Hangzhou, like your hotel, airport, train stations and so on. After arriving at the Zhoushan wharfs, you can easily ride a ferry to Putuoshan.

If you looking for the warm private car service, we China Discovery are always glad to help. We have experienced local drivers with licensed private cars. And during the entire trip from Hangzhou to Putuoshan and on Putuoshan Island, we will pick a professional English-speaking guide accompanying you all the way. If you are in need, please contact us!

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☛ 4 Days Hangzhou Putuoshan Brief Tour

Ningbo has the closest train stations to Putuoshan. By taking a high speed train, you can get to Ningbo from Shanghai (2~2.5 hrs.), Shenzhen (7.5 hrs.), Xiamen (5 hrs.), Fuzhou (3.5 hrs.), etc. Ningbo City also has an irrational airport - Ningbo Lishe International Airport. Therefore, sometimes Ningbo is also chosen as the landing city for a Putuoshan tour.

From Ningbo, you can take a ferry to Putuoshan from its Baifeng Wharf (白峰码头). However, every day there are 2 ferries available. The more popular way is getting to Zhoushan first, and then riding a ferry to Putuoshan. Driving from Ningbo to the wharfs in Zhoushan takes 1.5~2 hours around. Need helps of private cars? Please feel free to contact us!

A classic Putuoshan Buddhist tour takes about 2 days. The first is for Putuoshan arrival and the exploration of the southern part of Putuoshan, including the landmark site - the Goddess of Mercy Statue. The next morning is to get up close to the soul heart of Putuoshan, including its most significant temples like Fayu Temple, Huiji Temple, etc.

☛ 2 Days Putuoshan Buddhism Tour

Since there is no flight or train to Putuoshan, seldom tourist visits Putuoshan directly, but goes with its popular nearby tourist cities. Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Zhoushan are the top picks.

Top 1: Putuoshan Tour from Shanghai

Touring Putuoshan and the metropolis Shanghai in one go is the hottest choice. Such a tour takes 2~5 days.

☛ 2 Days Putuoshan Classic Tour from Shanghai

Top 2: Putuoshan Tour from Hangzhou

Visiting Hangzhou West Lake and Putuoshan together is also a good choice. About 3~5 days are needed.

☛ 4 Days Hangzhou Putuoshan Tour

Top 3: Putuoshan Tour from Ningbo

Ningbo has an airport with frequent international and domestic flights and also has the closest high speed railway stations to Putuoshan. A Putuoshan and Ningbo tour needs about 3 days around.

Top 4: Putuoshan Tour from Zhoushan

If you are going to visit Putuoshan by flight or from the nearest wharfs, Zhoushan City is always the best gateway city. Therefore, taking short Zhoushan tour before heading to Putuoshan is also great. A Zhoushan Putuoshan tour takes about 2~3 days.

Some visitors also prefer to extend their Putuoshan tour to other famous Buddhist places in China, such as Mount Wutai, Mount Emei, Mount Jiuhua, etc. If you like, please feel free to tell us your preferences, and let our experienced travel consultant customize a tour for you!