7 Days in Putuoshan

A 10-to-15-minute ferry from Zhujiajian's Wugongzhi wharf onto the 12.5-sq-km island; Puji, first recorded in 1080, posts its 5-yuan incense ticket at the gate.

1. putuoshan puji temple
2. putuoshan nanhai guanyin

Fayu dates to 1580; the Xiangyun stairway climbs 1,088 steps (cable car available) to Huiji on 291-m Foding Mountain. On the big incense days - the 19th of the 2nd, 6th and 9th lunar months - start before eight.

1. putuoshan fayu temple
2. putuoshan huiji temple

The Tang-era Guanyin story at Zizhulin, then a slow afternoon along Baibusha's sand; the temple keeps posted hours and the 5-yuan ticket - nothing else is asked of visitors.

1. putuoshan zizhulin
2. putuoshan baibusha beach

The short-line boat takes about 30 minutes to the outcrop island; sailings are fixed and sell out on incense days, so queue early and keep the return ticket handy.

1. putuoshan luojiashan

Bridge-linked Zhujiajian holds the Nansha sand-sculpture grounds (festival since 1999) and the Daqingshan headlands; from Wugongzhi wharf it is a short bus hop.

1. putuoshan zhujiajian beaches

One of China's busiest fishing ports, a 15-minute ferry away on the Zhoushan mainland; the quayside seafood market peaks in the late afternoon when the boats land.

1. putuoshan shenjiamen port

Dinghai keeps its Ming-era walls and the 1840s Opium War memorial park; a 30-minute bus ride, then continue from Zhoushan's bus terminals toward Ningbo.

1. putuoshan dinghai old town