Sea and Sky Buddhist Kingdom - Pilgrimage to Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo is a sacred place for blessings, attracting worshippers all year round. This time, I planned a 2-day trip and, to avoid the crowds, adopted a top-to-bottom pilgrimage route. It turned out to be incredibly smooth and saved a lot of queuing time!

First Stop: Huiji Temple
Take a car from the pier to the cable car station, then ride the cable car up to Mount Foding. In the morning, there’s almost no queue for the cable car, making it easy to visit Huiji Temple. Don’t forget to check in at the "Coming Up is Good" stone here.

Second Stop: Fayu Temple
Highly recommend walking down the "1088 Steps" from Huiji Temple to Fayu Temple. The scenery along the way is stunning, and you can also check in at the "Sea and Sky Buddhist Kingdom" stone. While enjoying the views and taking photos, you’ll reach Fayu Temple before you know it, just in time for the vegetarian meal. After eating, continue your sincere worship.

Third Stop: Shancai Cave and Fanyin Cave
From the entrance of Fayu Temple, there’s a car to Shancai Cave. By noon, the queues have significantly reduced, allowing for a smooth visit to pray for wealth. Fanyin Cave is nearby, so you can visit it conveniently.

Fourth Stop: Puji Temple
As the largest temple on Mount Putuo, Puji Temple has nine grand halls. Free incense is available at the entrance. After worshipping, check in at the "Coming Here is Good" stone at the entrance. This marks the end of the first day. Have an early dinner and return to the guesthouse to rest.

Fifth Stop: Luojia Mountain
A pilgrimage to Mount Putuo is incomplete without visiting Luojia Mountain. On the second morning, take a boat to the "Reclining Buddha on the Sea" at Luojia Mountain. Board the boat at Duangu Pier; the journey takes about half an hour, and you should allocate around 2 hours for the island.

Sixth Stop: Nanhai Guanyin, Purple Bamboo Forest, and Unwilling-to-Leave Guanyin
After returning to Duangu Pier, you’ll see a row of food stalls. Grab a bite before heading towards Wugongzhi Pier to take a yellow minibus to the Purple Bamboo Forest. The 33-meter-tall Nanhai Guanyin is truly awe-inspiring. As the final stop, it gives a sense of fulfillment. Afterward, visit the Purple Bamboo Forest and the Unwilling-to-Leave Guanyin.

Finally, take a minibus from the Purple Bamboo Forest back to the pier. Check in at the "Getting Better and Better" stone here. This allows you to avoid the crowds disembarking from the boats, making it easier to take photos.

The entire pilgrimage route was incredibly smooth. Staying at a guesthouse near the pier was a wise choice, greatly enhancing the convenience of the pilgrimage. Everyone left satisfied and embarked on their journey home.