Plan at a glance
A hillside temple with the Nine-Dragon Caisson
Fayu Zen Temple is in the central area of Putuo Mountain and is often called the “Rear Temple.” The entrance is at the temple gate, with a Nine-Dragon Wall nearby. The complex follows the hillside, with terraces rising one level after another, so the visit combines architecture with uphill and downhill walking.
Allow about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. The short route focuses on the Nine-Dragon Wall, the Nine-Dragon Hall, the Jade Buddha Hall, and the Mahavira Hall. With more time, continue through the other halls or connect to Xiangyun Road toward Huiji Zen Temple.
Reservations and entrance arrangements
To visit Fayu Zen Temple, first take a ferry from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Wharf to Putuo Mountain. Visitors use the WeChat mini program “普陀山一码通” (Putuo Mountain One-Code Pass) to make a real-name reservation for island admission and the return ferry. Fayu Zen Temple currently does not charge the separate incense-and-flower ticket used previously.
Fayu Zen Temple generally opens from about 06:00 to 17:30, with a possible extension to 18:00 in summer. Confirm the island ticket product shown at reservation and the temple entrance arrangements for the day. Plan earlier on weekends and public holidays.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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The Nine-Dragon Wall, Nine-Dragon Hall, and rising courtyards
The Nine-Dragon Wall stands in front of the temple gate and gives you a sense of the entrance and the scale of the complex. The Nine-Dragon Hall is the main reason many visitors come; view the caisson ceiling and the glazed-tile architecture quietly, and follow the rules for indoor photography.
The temple follows the mountain through several terraces, with yellow walls, old camphor trees, and stone steps throughout the grounds. Walking slowly through the courtyards gives a clearer sense of the layout than seeing only one hall, but the steps may be slippery after rain.
Who this suits
Fayu Zen Temple suits visitors interested in traditional buildings, history, and photography, as well as those who prefer a slower temple visit. Visitors comfortable with walking and queues can choose the full route. If your knees are weak or your time is limited, stay near the gate, the Nine-Dragon Hall, and the principal halls.
Fayu Zen Temple also works as the endpoint of the downhill route from Huiji Zen Temple. If you arrive after the 1,088-step descent, assess your group's energy before adding the temple's multi-level courtyards.
Build your day
A short route of about 30 minutes
Start at the temple gate and Nine-Dragon Wall, follow the central axis to the Nine-Dragon Hall, then continue to the Jade Buddha Hall and the Mahavira Hall before leaving beside the Dizang Hall. This route concentrates the visit on the entrance architecture and principal halls, which suits a multi-stop Putuo Mountain day.
If there is a queue at the entrance, first confirm which areas are open and where the exit is. The short route does not require a stop in every courtyard, leaving more time for the next shuttle transfer or temple.
A complete route of about 1–1.5 hours
Enter by the Nine-Dragon Wall and continue through the Great Compassion Pillar, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Jade Buddha Hall, the Nine-Dragon Hall, the Pumen Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Guandi Hall, the Three Saints Hall, and the Dizang Hall. Follow the on-site signs when leaving. The halls sit at different levels, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for queues and photos.
From the exit beside Fayu Zen Temple, you can join Xiangyun Road and climb 1,088 steps to Huiji Zen Temple on Foding Mountain. This turns the visit into a continuous mountain route. Confirm the cableway's operation and your return plan before choosing it.
Get there
Reach Putuo Mountain first, then Fayu Temple
After taking the passenger ferry from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Wharf to Putuo Mountain, you can take a yellow scenic bus to the “Fayu Temple” stop. The fare is charged by section. You can also walk about 3 km from Puji Zen Temple.
You can reach Fayu Zen Temple by descending 1,088 steps on Xiangyun Road from Foding Mountain. This direction involves a steep and demanding stair section. Confirm the scenic shuttle and cableway operations for the day, and leave enough energy for the walk.
External transport connections
From Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport, take the airport bus or a taxi to Wugongzhi Wharf. From Ningbo and other cities, take a bus to the wharf and then the ferry to Putuo Mountain. Fayu Zen Temple has no separate mainland wharf, so count the external journey, island ferry, and scenic shuttle as separate stages.
Know before you go
Morning timing, crowds, and the entrance
Early morning, around 06:00–08:00, is usually better for a slower visit, but it must fit the first ferry and island shuttle. Weekends, public holidays, and Guanyin festival periods bring larger crowds. The Nine-Dragon Hall may have a queue, so reduce the number of stops if the day is busy.
Food near the temple and on the island can be expensive. Bring drinking water and a small amount of food. If supplies are running low, take a break rather than rushing for the next bus. Choose the steps between Fayu Temple and Foding Mountain according to your actual energy.
Steps and weather
The temple has several levels of stone steps, and Xiangyun Road adds another 1,088 steps. After rain, in strong sea wind, or in low light, the steps and coastal sections can be harder to walk. Do not cross guardrails for photos or enter closed areas for a better view.
Fayu Zen Temple and Huiji Zen Temple can form a practical one-way combination, but their entrances, opening arrangements, and ticket conditions are separate. Confirm the next section before leaving the temple to avoid an unnecessary return.
Visiting etiquette
The Nine-Dragon Hall and the other halls remain active worship spaces. Follow the rules for photography and time spent inside. Incense, donations, and religious-goods counters follow the temple's instructions, and there is no need to buy extra services recommended by people outside.