An archipelago city of over 1,390 islands, home to the sacred Buddhist Mount Putuo and China largest fishing port.
Zhoushan is China only archipelago-based prefecture-level city, consisting of 1,390 islands scattered across the East China Sea off the coast of Zhejiang Province. It is the largest fishing port in China and a rapidly growing hub for maritime trade, shipbuilding, and petrochemical storage.
The city heart is on Zhoushan Island, the fourth-largest island in China, which is connected to the mainland by the Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge — a 50-kilometer engineering marvel. The archipelago enjoys a mild maritime climate, making it a year-round destination for seafood lovers and Buddhist pilgrims alike.
Mount Putuo, rising from a small island south of Zhoushan, has been a sacred Buddhist site for over a thousand years. It attracts millions of pilgrims annually who come to worship Guanyin at the island dozens of temples, monasteries, and pagodas. Beyond its religious significance, Zhoushan offers pristine beaches, rugged coastal cliffs, charming fishing villages, and some of the finest seafood in China.
Zhoushan has a rich maritime history dating back millennia. During the Tang dynasty (618-907), Mount Putuo emerged as a major Buddhist pilgrimage site dedicated to Guanyin, attracting devotees from across East Asia. The archipelago served as an important fishing and trading post throughout Chinese history.
During the Ming dynasty, Zhoushan was a key naval defense position against Japanese pirates (wokou). The Qing dynasty later established the Zhoushan Maritime Customs office. In 1840, the British occupied Zhoushan during the First Opium War, using it as a military base.
After the founding of the People Republic in 1949, Zhoushan developed rapidly as a fishing and shipbuilding center. In 1987, it was upgraded to a prefecture-level city. The completion of the Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge in 2009 transformed the city accessibility, linking the islands to mainland Zhejiang and driving a tourism and economic boom. In 2017, the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone was established, with Zhoushan as its core area for oil and petrochemical trade.
Zhoushan economy is built on three pillars: fishing, shipping, and petrochemicals. It operates China largest fishing fleet, landing over 1 million tons of seafood annually. The Shenjiamen Fishing Port is the epicenter of this industry, supplying seafood across China.
The Zhoushan Port is one of the busiest in China, handling bulk cargo, containers, and crude oil. The Zhoushan Free Trade Zone, established in 2017, has made the city a national hub for oil storage, refining, and bunkering. Major oil companies including Sinopec, PetroChina, and international traders operate large storage facilities here.
Shipbuilding is another major industry, with several large shipyards producing container ships, oil tankers, and offshore platforms. Tourism, centered on Mount Putuo pilgrimage and island-hopping, adds billions annually to the local economy.
Discover the culinary treasures of Zhoushan, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport (HSN) on Zhujiajian Island, with flights to major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xiamen.
Zhoushan is not yet connected to the high-speed rail network (under construction). Visitors can take a high-speed train to Ningbo, then transfer by bus or taxi to the Zhoushan Cross-Sea Bridge (about 1.5 hours).
No metro. Public buses and taxis serve Zhoushan Island. Ferries connect the main island to the outer islands including Mount Putuo, Taohua, and Dongji.
Mar - May
Mild and often foggy. Cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom across the islands. Good for temple visits and coastal walks.
Jun - Aug
Warm with occasional typhoons. Peak season for beach activities and seafood. The fishing moratorium (May-Aug) means less fresh catch.
Sep - Nov
The best season — clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and the fishing season is in full swing. Crabs and fish are at their fattest.
Dec - Feb
Cool and windy but still relatively mild. Fewer tourists and lower prices. Some ferry routes may be reduced due to weather.
Discover more cities, food guides, and travel inspiration.
