Play the Game of Life
Ryan Petersen's Blog

Just off Zhejiang province's Pacific edge lies Putuoshan, a gorgeous island completely enveloped in luxuriant greenery, intermixed with deserted beaches and ancient Budhist temples. Despite the swarms of Chinese tour groups, it's a wonderful place for a getaway. And in fact, on an island like Putuoshan, the tour groups are nothing to fear at all. They cling together like strawberry jam on a black lab, so the rest of the island is yours to discover without disturbance of any sort. Great hiking abounds, with lots of unique, sacred destinations spread around the island. Bring a swimsuit, a good book, and a healthy appetite for sea food, as there's not much else to keep you busy out here.

The clingy Chinese tour group phenomenon is best observed on the Thousand Steps beach, where you can walk for 1000 meters believing you are completely alone in the world. Continuing a bit further, you suddenly notice a massive body of people crowded into a tiny stretch of sand at the far end of the beach. Where westerners would fan out across the entire strip to obtain more personal space, the Chinese prefer to stick together in a large group. Indeed, few places reveal the difference between Chinese and western culture so clearly as the beach. Chinese women are often seen wearing "Michael Jackson" masks and long-sleeved clothing to protect from the sun's rays. Only a few brave souls enter the sea, and none would venture beyond the point where you can stand. In fact, if you do attempt such a brazen manuever as to actually swim beyond this depth, you will surely be greeted by a lifeguard who will request that you return to the beach.

Getting to Putuoshan: From Shanghai you can take a night-boat, which a friend says is only for lovers of the sea--evidentally its a rough ride. Or you can take a train or bus to Ningbo, China and then catch a fast boat for the 2 1/2 hour trip to the island. And the last, and possibly the best option, is to catch a bus all the way to Shen Jia Men (you can do this direct from Shanghai and Hangzhou as well as nearby Ningbo). Shen Jia Men is located on its own island which your bus will reach by a ferry from the mainland. If you have the time, be sure and spend a night or two in Shen Jia Men (see above) and then catch a 30 minute speed boat ride out to Putuoshan.

Labels: china