Xiao Putuo in Ningbo, Zhejiang, also known as Xiayu, is located in the center of Dongqian Lake. It is one of the main scenic spots of Dongqian Lake Tourist Resort and has a profound cultural heritage.
The main scenic spots in the scenic area include: Butuo Cave Heaven, Qiandi Misty Waves, Tao Gong Fishing Rock, Fresh Breeze and Fragrant Osmanthus, Clear Lake with Bright Moon, Xia Island Locked in Mist, Mountain Monk Calling the Ship, and Two Spirits Glimpses
You can have tea at Yuebolou in the square, play real-life CS and have a barbecue at the paintball shooting center.
The Water Guanyin is the iconic landscape of Xiaoputuo Temple. There is a stone building called "Western Boat" in the temple. It is very nice to board the boat and enjoy the view of Dongqian Lake from a high altitude.
Every March and April, the peach blossoms in Taohuawu between Suolan Bridge and Shuishang Guanyin are in full bloom, making it the best time to visit Xiao Putuo.
Attractions Location: No. 41, Taogong New Village, Dongqian Lake, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province
Tickets: free
Opening hours:
08:00-17:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Official phone number: Ticketing Inquiry
0574-88490861
Time reference: More than 3 hours
Spend a day enjoying the beauty of Dongqian Lake, visiting Xiaoputuo Island, and experiencing the local culture and scenery.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at Dongqian Lake hotels or resorts such as Dongqian Lake International Resort. Recommended dishes: steamed fish, lake shrimp, local vegetables, and lotus-based dishes.
Souvenirs: Local teas, lotus products, handmade crafts, temple charms, postcards.
Two days allow a combination of boat trips, temple visits, and nature walks around Dongqian Lake.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at lakeside resorts or hotels. Recommended dishes: freshwater fish, shrimp, lotus root dishes, steamed crabs.
Souvenirs: Local teas, lotus root products, handcrafted souvenirs, temple charms.
Three days allow a leisurely pace combining temple culture, lake exploration, and relaxation.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at resort hotels around Dongqian Lake. Recommended dishes: freshwater fish, lotus leaf rice, steamed shrimp, local snacks.
Souvenirs: Temple charms, teas, local handicrafts, postcards, lotus-themed souvenirs.
Four days allow full exploration: Xiaoputuo Island, lake cruises, surrounding villages, and leisure walks.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at lakeside resorts or hotels. Recommended dishes: freshwater fish, shrimp, lotus root dishes, local tea.
Souvenirs: Local teas, lotus products, handicrafts, temple charms, postcards.
Five days allow a complete experience of lake scenery, cultural sites, villages, trails, and leisure.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at lakeside resorts or hotels. Recommended dishes: freshwater fish, shrimp, local snacks, lotus-based dishes, tea.
Souvenirs: Teas, lotus products, handicrafts, postcards, temple charms, local snacks.
Six days allow slower exploration with activities like boating, temple visits, cultural experiences, and relaxation.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at lakeside resorts or boutique hotels. Recommended dishes: freshwater fish, shrimp, local snacks, lotus-based dishes, tea.
Souvenirs: Local teas, lotus products, temple charms, handicrafts, postcards, local snacks.
A full week allows in-depth exploration of Xiaoputuo Island, lake cruises, temples, cultural sites, villages, nature trails, and leisure activities.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at lakeside resorts or boutique hotels. Recommended dishes: freshwater fish, shrimp, lotus root dishes, local snacks, tea, and dim sum.
Souvenirs: Local teas, lotus products, handicrafts, postcards, temple charms, local snacks.
Little Putuo Temple at Dongqian Lake in Ningbo is a water-based enchantment that instantly transforms working people into Buddhists. Guanyin Bodhisattva, center stage on the lake's heart island, performs a floating dance while stepping on a lotus pedestal. Xiayu Zen Temple is so popular that you could roast sweet potatoes there. The Butuo Cave Heaven Grottoes, excavated during the Song Dynasty, still bear the rosy wishes of ancient people. The long causeway spanning Dongqian Lake resembles a dried salted fish, creating a subtle "lightning steps" effect. When the sunset turns the lake a Fanta-like color, it could be a scene from the ending theme song of "Journey to the West." An old man's fishing rod competes with egrets for territory. A young woman in Hanfu poses on a stone arch bridge, nearly being overturned by the waves of a koi carp that has grown as large as a submarine. The owner of a lakeside noodle shop shouts louder than a bell, and the mung bean cakes at a vegetarian restaurant are so sweet they add 1 merit. The ticket is free but I suggest you rent a small electric scooter to chase the wind. The navigation directly tells you to "Little Putuo Scenic Area" and not to believe in wild ways. Although the mosquito bite can spell out Sanskrit mantras, considering that you can take over the wild photography studio of the entire sunset without having to fight with tourists, this wave of Zen recharge is worth it!
Dongqian Lake is the largest (natural) freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province, four times the size of West Lake. Like Putuo Mountain, it houses a water-based Guanyin Bodhisattva, earning it the nickname "Little Putuo." While Dongqian Lake lacks exceptional scenic spots, a stroll along its shores, surrounded by rippling waters, a gentle breeze, blue skies, white clouds, and verdant mountains, creates a soothing experience. A levee, modeled after West Lake, bisects the lake like a rainbow, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of West Lake. While not breathtakingly beautiful, it's a perfect spot for leisure, recreation, and relaxation.
A flat alternative to Mount Putuo in the Zhoushan Islands. Tourists interested in Buddhist culture can visit it.
I went with a tour group, it was boring, and it rained heavily.
Ningbo Tour during May Day
Duke Zhan
Playing with kites on Dongqian Lake
Green mountains and clear waters illuminate the newlyweds
Take the wife and mother across the river on a boat
Bathed in sunlight and gentle breeze, the heart is intoxicated
Little Putuo, a place that looks like the sea but is not the sea
Glancing left and right, millions of households
Who is the most beautiful in the world?
Yongzhou East Lake rivals West Lake
In the Dongqian Lake Scenic Area, there is a statue of Guanyin for worship.
If you have a chance, you must go and see it. I think it's quite nice.
The scenery is very good. It seems that there is an entrance fee, and it must be paid in cash.
The scenery is amazing. It was misty and rainy when I went there, and the photos I took were all great~
Dongqian Lake is a well-known tourist attraction in Ningbo. The lake area is more than twice that of West Lake. It has a beautiful environment and is surrounded by mountains and forests. Ningbo's high-end villas are all there. Only rich people can afford to live there.
A very good scenic spot in Dongqian Lake. Although the outer part of the temple was under construction when I went there, the scenery is nice and it is quiet and peaceful. It is worth a visit to Dongqian Lake.
This is my second time here. The first time was during the Qingming Festival in 2013, and the second time was during this year's holiday. It's true that different ages bring different moods. Back then, before I started working, I felt free and carefree. Now, in my third year of work, I've aged a lot... Coming to Dongqian Lake early in the morning, there were few people, and the air was fresh. Although the wind was strong, it allowed me to relax and enjoy the scenery and the quiet moments. Overall, I really like Ningbo.
Ask:
Can I buy tickets to Xiao Putuo on the same day?
We walked a long way on the island of Dongqian Lake, where people also burned incense.
A very nice place, worth visiting with the family.
It has the flavor of Little West Lake, but is more quiet and relaxing.
The scenic spot is clean and has a quiet and leisurely feel. Walking in the light rain is very pleasant. I heard that it was free before. I suggest that the fee can be lowered to attract tourists to visit East Lake.
You need to take a boat to get there, 40 round trip is not bad. That willow road is really romantic, you can enjoy it for a whole day if you walk slowly
It is a very peaceful scenic spot, known as the Little West Lake, but on the road leading to Xiao Putuo, there are waterside villages such as Taozhu Village and Qianjin Village, which are even more beautiful.
It's nice to walk around casually, and it's very comfortable to take a boat tour on the lake after buying a ticket.
Both Bus No. 906 and Bus No. 906 (within major stops) can reach the Dongqian Lake Tourist Service Center, a journey of about one hour. Transfer to Bus No. 901 or Bus No. 907 at the same station to reach the core scenic area, Xiao Putuo. Alternatively, you can walk about four kilometers or take a boat from the boat dock next to the tourist service center.
The ticket price for Xiao Putuo is 30 yuan, half price for students and no half price for senior citizens.
There is a self-service machine at the gate for taking hand-drawn maps. You need to look carefully at the door, otherwise it is easy to overlook it. I saw it when I left the scenic area. Follow Dongqian Lake WeChat, scan it, and the machine will automatically print out the map.
The scenic area is like a huge ink painting, extremely beautiful, especially suitable for the elderly to travel, haha.
There seems to be no catering service in the scenic area. The restaurant I found according to the sign was closed. I don’t know whether it was closed from the beginning or closed because the Chinese New Year was approaching.
It is not too far from the city center of Ningbo. Although the scenic area is not big, it is quiet and peaceful. It is a good place for friends who like to burn incense. There are some good seafood restaurants nearby.
Dongqian Lake is very large, and its area seems to be 2 to 3 times that of West Lake.
Don't be fooled by the name. It's a small scenic spot.
I didn't go to Xiao Putuo, but Dongqian Lake is worth a visit. The cycling around the lake is a great experience. The Dongqian Lake Scenic Area is the largest freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province. Comprising Guzi Lake, Mei Lake, and Wai Lake, it is four times the size of Hangzhou's West Lake and is known as the "First Lake on the Chinese Coast."
If you are from Tibet, you might think it is beautiful... Extremely disappointed.
Xiayu Zen Temple is actually a "Little Putuo" (small Putuo Mountain). Legend has it that during the Southern Song Dynasty, the temple and Guanyin Cave (Putuo Dongtian) were already located here. There's a story: the mother of an official from the Southern Song Dynasty wanted to go to Putuo Mountain to burn incense and worship Buddha. Considering her advanced age, blindness, and mobility issues, the official ordered his subordinates to dig a cave there to establish a Guanyin temple. Once the cave was completed, he welcomed her aboard a boat, which drifted on Dongqian Lake for three days and three nights. The sound of the lake's waves evoked a feeling of sailing on the sea. Three days later, they reached Xiayu Island, fulfilling her mother's wish. From then on, Xiayu Island earned the name "Little Putuo" (small Putuo Mountain).
The best and only scenic spot in Dongqian Lake.
I didn't expect it to be quite big. There are not many attractions. I usually go there.
It is a very peaceful scenic spot, known as the Little West Lake, but on the road leading to Xiao Putuo, there are waterside villages such as Taozhu Village and Qianjin Village, which are even more beautiful.
So beautiful, this photo was taken at the boat ride. Great!!
It is mainly dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the incense is very popular. It is said that it is very effective in praying for children.
Dongqian Lake Little Putuo is not big, but the scenery is great, suitable for spring outings or weekend trips
The scenery is great, there are too many tourists, and the weather is different.
Those who cannot get what they want are always in turmoil, while those who are favored are fearless
Dongqian Lake, with its vast and majestic surface, is a breathtaking sight and perfect for cycling.
Dongqian Lake is a recommended place to visit in Ningbo. First of all, it is large and has beautiful scenery. It is worth visiting.
Free admission. Admission to the Dongqian Lake Tourist Area is free, but some attractions along the lake have admission fees. Admission to Xiaoputuo Temple is 30 yuan, Fuquan Mountain is 40 yuan, Taogong Island is 30 yuan, and the Southern Song Stone Carving Park is 55 yuan.
Very suitable for cycling, the scenery is also beautiful, it is worth a visit
After entering Dongqian Lake and walking inward, you'll see a row of imposing temples. This is Xiayu Zen Temple, known as the Little Putuo Temple. Legend has it that it was built by Shi Hao, a local nobleman, to honor his mother. However, the current building appears to be newly constructed, while the stone carvings in the "Putuo Dongtian" grottoes are said to be original. (Speaking of Shi Hao, although he served as a teacher to Emperor Xiaozong of Song and twice as prime minister, he may not be well-known. However, anyone familiar with Southern Song history will undoubtedly recognize his third son, Shi Miyuan, who reigned for twenty-five years.)
It is a very peaceful scenic spot, known as the Little West Lake, where you can take a boat tour or walk.
A small scenic spot in Dongqian Lake, which requires a ticket. The Guanyin statue on the lake is not very large, but you can come and worship it.
The time to go was not good, it was so hot ~ the whole scenic area was like a steamer ~
I really hope that many believers seeking marriage and having children will go there.
It is worthy of being called Little Putuo, the scenery is pleasant and worth a visit.
It's quite interesting to walk along the long causeway in Xiao Putuo. If the weather is good, the scenery is quite nice.
This is really a small Putuo, it's just average, but since you are there, you can go and have a look
In the golden autumn of October, with beautiful weather and gentle breeze, it is a pleasant experience to visit Dongqian Lake.
There are not many people and the scenery is as good as West Lake. It’s a good place to go!
This place is really a beautiful place we found unexpectedly. We originally planned to spend a night in Ningbo and then go to Zhoushan. We just wanted to walk around the city, but we didn't expect to book a youth hostel in the suburbs. It is really beautiful. Most of the houses here are two-story single-family tiled houses built by the water. It should be very comfortable to live in. The lake is also very large, and the surrounding greenery is very good. It is really beautiful.
The weather was scorching, and there was only a statue of Guanyin a few meters from the lake and a small temple on the island.
Ningbo people's back garden. Beautiful scenery, many couples take wedding photos here.
The three days passed quickly, mainly spent on burning incense and praying to Buddha.
Although it is a small Putuo Temple, the incense is still quite strong. Dongqian Lake is more beautiful than West Lake in summer. It takes more than ten minutes to get here by boat.
Don't believe these, just go to visit the natural scenery is not bad
You don't need to go to see the scenery, you can go to worship Buddha
Nice environment, not too many people, nice to take a walk
You don't need to buy a ticket if you take a speedboat in. There are not many people and the environment is very good.
In addition to the Water Guanyin, Xiao Putuo Scenic Area also has Xiayu Zen Temple, Butuo Dongtian, Erling Temple, Erling Pagoda, Wanghu Pavilion, Crescent Moon Wave Tower and other landscapes. Among them, Xiayu Zen Temple and Guanyin Cave (Butuo Dongtian) are the most famous scenic spots in Xiao Putuo.
"The grandeur of Taihu Lake and the charm of Xizi Lake" is perfect for a weekend getaway... Take the bus after lunch and you can be back in time for dinner...
Dongqian Lake is the back garden of Ningbo. Guanyin is well-known here and many believers come here to worship the deity. The incense is quite popular.
You need to buy a ticket to Xiao Putuo~ It's relatively nice inside~ A long clean road~ There is the sea on both sides~ You can participate in some water activities such as speedboat at your own expense~ It's quite exciting~ Recommended
Dongqian Lake is beautiful and suitable for self-driving, public transportation, and cycling around the lake. Xiao Putuo requires an entrance fee, but if you're not going to burn incense, there's no need to go inside. The scenery outside is also beautiful. Parking is charged, and on weekends, it gets incredibly crowded, making parking difficult and traffic jams a common occurrence. So plan your arrival and departure times accordingly. Taogong Island is also nearby.
It's worth a visit. You don't need to rent a bicycle. You can just walk there.
Although it is a lake, it felt very big when I went there, and there were waves, but the scenery was still good.
The environment is pretty good. Suitable for leisure and vacation
If you come to Dongqian Lake, Xiao Putuo is a must-visit. The incense in front of the Water Guanyin is still very popular. There are not many people in the scenic area and the air is good. It takes about half an hour to walk there.
The entrance fee is 30 yuan, and the path leading to the lake is very long and straight. It was freezing cold that day, with the temperature dropping and the wind gusting, so it was incredibly cold... The area was practically deserted. On the bus, we were surprised to see everyone wearing thick clothing like down jackets and coats. So smart! Dongqian Lake is located in the suburbs of Ningbo, and it was cold! It's truly enormous; we only visited a small area; it was too cold to explore the rest of the area.
It is more suitable for couples to walk around. There is a temple inside where you can burn incense and worship Buddha.
From the parking lot, you can take a speedboat (with various price ranges) directly to the Water Guanyin inside. Alternatively, you can walk a short distance to the main gate and take an electric car (8 yuan) to the Water Guanyin. The Water Guanyin is magnificent and very popular. Nearby is a wishing tree festooned with red ribbons and bells. When the wind blows, the chimes sway beautifully, creating a truly beautiful and spectacular scene. Overall, the 25 yuan ticket price is a great value for the scenery and the value for money.
A scenic spot in Dongqian Lake Scenic Area. The ticket is not expensive. The scenic area is a straight road. If you can't walk, you can take a sightseeing bus.
Xiao Putuo is located in the beautiful Dongqian Lake. As a tourist resort in Ningbo, Dongqian Lake has a quiet environment and is very suitable for weekend trips.
Xiao Putuo has always been quite famous. My father, who is a Buddhist, has been there several times. The scenery is indeed beautiful and very suitable for self-cultivation.
When you come to Ningbo, you must go here. Although it is very big, you won’t feel tired if you walk, play and chat.
The entrance fee to Xiao Putuo is 30 yuan, and the boat ticket from the service center to Xiao Putuo is 20 yuan. It feels more suitable for parent-child and leisure travel. The characteristics are not obvious. It is nice to walk along the lake embankment. There are some children's amusement facilities and farm dishes.
I took my family directly to the lakeside scenic area of Dongqian Lake, which is the Xiaoputuo scenic area.
There are two entrances to the Xiao Putuo Scenic Area. The southern one, located in Shashan Village, is actually the back gate, closer to Xiayu Island. It's also marked as "Xiao Putuo" on maps. It leads directly to the Qianhu Hotel, but visitors rarely enter or exit through this gate. The northern one, located in Taogong Village, is closer to the city and has a bus stop (at the Lake Center Scenic Area Station), making it the most popular entry point. The two entrances are approximately 2 kilometers apart, or about 15 kilometers apart if you take the Ring Road. Therefore, if you're driving, you'll need to return the same way. Alternatively, you can take an electric car.
Xiao Putuo, located in the center of Dongqian Lake, is essentially a long dike called Qiandi that divides the lake in two. In the middle of Xiao Putuo, there's a small island called Xiayu, which houses a temple. As for what it's like, it's essentially a larger-than-life copy of West Lake's Su Causeway, but it surprisingly charges admission! The waterside villages surrounding Xiao Putuo are even more interesting.
There are three paths along Qiandi Causeway. The central asphalt path is used by electric tour buses and is also accessible on foot. There are cobblestone paths on either side. A row of willow trees line the shore, and the paths are separated by green belts of shrubs and flowers. The breeze on the lake was strong and refreshing.