Mount Putuo

Mount Putuo is a significant island located in the Putuo District of Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China.

Situated in the East China Sea, the island is characterized by its unique combination of mountainous terrain and coastal scenery. In the tradition of Chinese Buddhism, Mount Putuo is recognized as a sacred site. Specifically, it is considered the bodhimanda of the bodhisattva Guanyin. A bodhimanda is a place where a person achieves enlightenment. Because of this status, it is one of the four most sacred mountains in Chinese Buddhism. The other three sacred mountains are Mount Wutai, Mount Jiuhua, and Mount Emei.

The island functions as a major center for religious pilgrimage and practice. Millions of people travel to the island each year to participate in celebrations. These visitors arrive on the 19th day of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months of the Chinese calendar. These specific dates are used to celebrate the birth of Guanyin. The religious infrastructure of the island is extensive and organized. All temples and monasteries on the island operate under the direction of the Buddhist Association of China. This includes the Institute of Buddhism, which is one of the largest academic institutes for Buddhist studies in China.

Religious life on the island is centered around numerous temples and monasteries. Today, there are more than 30 major temples located across Mount Putuo. Historically, three main temples served as the primary centers of worship. The Puji Temple was founded in the 10th century. The Fayu Temple was established later, in 1580 CE. The Huiji Temple was founded in 1793 CE.

Many monks and nuns travel from both China and abroad to live and practice on the island. The island has also hosted many notable visitors throughout its long history.

History shows that Mount Putuo has been a site for pilgrimage for over a thousand years. Following the Tang dynasty, the island became a primary center for the worship of Guanyin. The island has attracted many famous individuals over the centuries. In 1612, a 20-year-old man named Yinyuan Longqi visited the site. He was searching for his father, who had disappeared fifteen years earlier. Later, the figure Taixu lived for several years in a solitary retreat at a small hermitage on the island. These historical connections highlight the enduring spiritual importance of the location.

Beyond its religious significance, the island possesses a diverse biological environment. There are 238 different species of natural trees and shrubs growing on Mount Putuo. This includes 63 species of rare and precious ancient trees that are more than 100 years old. These ancient trees belong to 37 different families and 53 genera. The island contains a total of 282 ancient trees.

Notable species include the Podocarpus macrophyllus, an evergreen tree, and the Ginkgo biloba. There are 10 large ginkgo trees on the island, a species known for living over a thousand years. There are also 67 maple trees, known as Liquidambar formosana, that are more than 100 years old.

Some of the vegetation on the island is extremely rare and requires protection. The plant Carpinus putoensis is found only on Mount Putuo. One surviving specimen is located on the west side of Huiji Temple on Foding Mountain. This plant is about 12.5 meters tall and is over 200 years old. In 1999, it was listed as a national key protected wild plant. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) classifies it as a critically endangered species (CR). Another important plant is the Neolitsea sericea, an evergreen tree found under the hillside of Foding Mountain. This species is currently listed as an endangered plant in China.

The island's geography and climate also shape how people experience it. Mount Putuo has an Asian warm-temperate moist climate, known as Cfa. This climate features four distinct seasons with plenty of rain and fog. The island also experiences typhoon seasons during July, August, and September.

Because the island is small and has only one main road, private cars are not allowed. This rule prevents traffic congestion and protects the air quality from vehicle emissions. Instead, visitors rely on public transport like buses and cable cars. This specialized transportation system helps preserve the natural environment and the sacred atmosphere of the island.