2025 Stop 5 - Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo, here we go...
Due to flight price considerations, we opted to fly to Ningbo instead of direct to Zhoushan. This also gave us a chance to explore Ningbo.
Booked Hanting Hotel (Tianyi Square branch) located downtown, close to Tianyi Square and the Bund.

Day 1
No.1 Tianyi Pavilion
Ticket: 30 RMB/person. This courtyard-style mansion belonged to a book collector, with a very pleasant environment worth exploring.

No.2 Dongqian Lake
Take metro to Dongqian Lake Station, then transfer to shuttle buses to the scenic area. The vast area offers electric cart rides to Little Putuo, Wetland Park, or e-bike rentals to visit Academician Center, Jianshe Village (featuring a "Ningbo" mural), and Limin Village (known as "Little California").

No.3 Moon Lake
A lakeside park near Tianyi Pavilion, perfect for an evening stroll after dinner.

No.4 The Bund
Beautiful night views with a stunning church, illuminated fountains, and great atmosphere.

Day 2
Mount Putuo
Pre-book tickets and round-trip ferry via "Putuo Shan Yimatong" mini-program on WeChat.
From Ningbo South Bus Station (next to Ningbo Railway Station), take 2-hour bus to Zhujiajian Wharf.
15-minute ferry ride to Mount Putuo.
Multiple shuttle buses (5-10 RMB/ride) available at the pier to various temples.
Free incense sticks at Puji Temple and Nanhai Guanyin entrance.

Hiking Route:
Pier → Shancai Cave → Huiji Temple (mountain top, hike or cable car 40 RMB one-way) → Fayu Temple (via 1088-step descent from Huiji) → Puji Temple → Nanhai Guanyin → Pier

Bus Route:
Pier → Puji Temple → Fayu Temple → Huiji Temple → Shancai Cave → Nanhai Guanyin → Pier

Day 3
Return flight from Hangzhou. 1-hour train from Ningbo to Hangzhou East Station (luggage storage available).

1. Zhejiang University Zijingang Campus (advance reservation required via official account/Alipay "Zheda Tong", open evenings Mon-Fri 19:00-21:00, all day weekends). Some canteens accept mobile payments. The beautiful campus may require full day to explore.

2. West Lake remains wonderfully serene. Early June lotus flowers weren't fully bloomed yet, but peach blossoms, lotuses and willows around Broken Bridge created perfect scenery.

3. Airport transfer - another journey completed! Looking forward to the next trip.
Zhoushan · Zhejiang Zhejiang · China