General Information

Duration:

3 Days

Location Start:

Shanghai

Location Finish:

Shanghai

Phone:

01273 322048

Fax:

01273 732 791

Payment Types:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Cheque
• Travellers cheque
• Paypal
• Wire Transfer

We Speak:

English

Last updated: 03/18/2009

Itinerary

Day 1

Shanghai - Putuoshan

Today you may have to settle for a cup of coffee as breakfast; you’ll be picked up at 7:00 for your transfer to the bus station at the southern side of the Bund. A public bus will drive you for three hours along neatly maintained factory properties and growing highways to Luchao, where you’ll catch a boat to Putuoshan. Bring along some food for in the bus (on the way back as well); the boat only has a simple bar. Around 12:30 the 35m high statue of Guanyin will come into view.

You’ll stay in a comfortable 3.5 star hotel with all necessary facilities. Have some lunch at your hotel, rest up for a bit and then head out sometime at the end of the afternoon to see the statue of Guanyin. At this time of day it will be beautifully lit by the setting sun. The best way to explore the island is by foot; the island has been cultivated for pedestrians and there are signs everywhere to lead you in the right direction. Putuoshan is small (approximately 6km in circumference) and you can easily walk around it in a day. You’ll walk along neatly kept walking paths in the shadow of tropical trees and plants that are maintained by an army of gardeners.

Day 2

Putuoshan

Wake up early this morning and enjoy the charm of the island before the rest of the world awakens. Delight in the many delicately carved rooftops and arches mirrored in the ponds of the Puji temple. Stroll through the temples, along the pagodas and well-kept gardens. More than 500 monks live on the island; however you won’t see many of them during your stay. You’ll have a better chance of seeing them mid-February, June and in September due to several important ceremonies, such as the festival of the goddess.

Bring along your towel and lay it down on the official “100 steps” beach or head down a little further to the "1000 steps” beach. Around noon you’ll start to see people with buckets and garden hoses in them; it’s time for lunch and these are the catches of the day for the Putuo fish restaurants. In true Putuo style just point out what you’d like to eat and enjoy a delicious meal at an affordable price. In the afternoon you can head back to the beach or take in some Chinese culture, for instance you can visit Fayuchan temple. The temple lies on top of a mountain and pilgrims climb hundreds of stairs to reach it. Every three steps they kneel and bow down with their hands on the ground.

Day 3

Putuoshan - Shanghai

At 13:30 the boat from Putuoshan will head back to the mainland, so you’ll have some time in the morning to take another dive into the sea or to visit one of the temples. You’ll be back at the Shanghai bus station at around 18:00, where this module ends. You can catch a taxi cab at the pier to your hotel in the city or if you’re travelling on, to the station or airport.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Transport and accommodation

Exclusions -

Meals and drinks, entrance fees (island 110 Yuan, temples, beach)