Putuoshan (literally means Mount Putuo) is an island at the east part of Zhoushan Archipelago - consisting out of more than 1000 islands - about half way between Shanghai and Ningbo. It is one of the four buddhist mountains of China. Others are Wutaishan, E'meishan and Jiuhuashan. The four Chinese Buddhist Mountains are each believed to be dominated by a major buddha; Putuoshan is regarded as the sacred mountain of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and so statues of Guanyin are a dominant theme here.

Putuoshan covers an area of only 12.5 km2. Its circumference is only 33 km. It has 3000 to 4000 inhabitants of whom about 1000 are monks and nuns. The largest buildings are four storeys tall. Most are two storeys and in old architecture.

The island is famous for its old religion culture and unique island scenery. There are many wonderful scenic sites on the island, including temples, nunneries, beaches, exotic rocks, etc. The island is known for its rugged terrain and exquisite landscape, featuring an array of temples, pagodas, arched pidges, narrow alleys, fishing boats, and artisans' shops. "Putuo" is a Chinese name for "Potalaka," the place where Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) resides according to the Buddism.

The major sites to visit on the island are:

Puji Temple: This temple dates from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and covers 11,000 square meters (2.7 acres).

Fayu Temple: Construction commenced during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the buildings hug the mountainside in the seclusion of lofty and ancient trees.

Huiji Temple: This is known also as the Buddhist Hilltop Temple (Fodingshan) on account of its elevated position.

The centre of the island is covered with rich green forests that form a tranquil setting appropriate to a place of quiet religious contemplation. It is here that magnificent and protected hornbeams grow as well as the famous one-thousand-year-old camphor tree, a particularly fine tree species with a circumference measuring 6 meters (20 feet).

The sandy shores of the island are also special features and particularly attractive to tourists are the bays known as "The Thousand-Step Sands" with its 1.5 kilometer (0.9 mile) beach and the smaller "Hundred-Step Sands". These fine beaches are very popular with bathers and also have entertainment facilities.

It is small wonder that this island is famed for having such a delightful combination of mountain scenery and seascapes.