6 Days Zhejiang Tour with Ningbo + Putuoshan Scenic Area + Yandang Mountain + Xikou-Tengtou

This 6-day, 5-night guided tour takes you on an exciting journey through Ningbo, Zhujiajian, Putuo Mountain, Yandang Mountain, and Xikou-Tengtou Scenic Area. The itinerary includes exploring the historical and cultural sites, picturesque landscapes, and experiencing local delicacies in Ningbo and the surrounding regions. With visits to iconic Buddhist landmarks like Putuo Mountain and charming ancient streets, this tour offers a comprehensive glimpse into the beauty and cultural richness of Eastern China.

Tour Highlights

Putuo Mountain Scenic Area (普陀山风景区): Visit one of the four major Buddhist mountains in China, famous for its temples and spiritual significance. Explore scenic spots like the Guanyin Ancient Cave, the Xitian Scenic Area, and the 33-meter high Nanhai Guanyin Statue.

Yandang Mountain (雁荡山): Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, Yandang Mountain offers breathtaking views of unique rock formations, waterfalls, and serene landscapes.

Local Culinary Delights: Taste Ningbo’s famous local dishes, including Ningbo Tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings), Baixi Crab, and Fenghua’s thousand-layer cakes.

Traditional Architecture and History: Discover ancient streets like Nantang Old Street and historical temples like the Puji Temple (普济禅寺), showcasing Ningbo’s rich cultural heritage.

Leisure and Scenic Exploration: Enjoy peaceful moments while touring scenic areas, ancient temples, and Buddhist sites that are both tranquil and awe-inspiring.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Nationwide Arrival → “The Book Hides the Past, the Port Connects the World” → Ningbo (宁波)

Transportation

Choose a suitable train or flight to reach Ningbo (arrival time is flexible, as long as you arrive on the day). Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Check in at the front desk and request a breakfast takeaway for the following morning.

Reminder: The first day is free for activities, and the suggested attractions in the afternoon are to be visited independently by the guest. No transportation, meals, or guide services will be provided.

Suggested Attractions:

  • South Tang Old Street (南塘老街)
  • Ningbo Drum Tower (宁波鼓楼)

Ningbo Local Snacks Recommended (Available at South Tang Old Street):

  • Gong Ya Gou Restaurant (缸鸭狗餐厅): Ningbo Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) filled with black sesame, pork fat, and white sugar. It is served boiled and has a soft outer skin with a sweet filling inside.

  • South Tang Dou Su Sugar (南塘豆酥糖): A crispy sugar treat, which melts in your mouth and is a favorite among locals.

  • Fenghua Old Neighbor (奉化老邻居): Qian Ceng Bing (千层饼), a crispy layered pastry that is a specialty of Fenghua, with a history of over 200 years.

  • Cangqiao Mianjie (仓桥面结): A Ningbo-style noodle dish served with tofu and oil-fried tofu.

  • South Tang Youzanci (南塘油赞子): A small, fried dough pastry that comes in both sweet and savory options.

  • White Crab Stir-Fried Rice Cake (白蟹炒年糕): A local dish using Ningbo’s prized white crab and rice cake.

  • Tofu Skin-Wrapped Yellow Fish (腐皮包黄鱼): A classic Zhejiang dish, made by wrapping yellow fish in thin tofu skin and frying it.

Activity Time: About 3 hours


Day 02: Ningbo → Zhujiajian → Putuo Mountain → Zhujiajian → Ningbo

06:30 Transportation

Depart from Ningbo Hotel at 6:30 AM.

Locations:

  • Ningbo Hotel (251 Mayuan Road, Haishu District)
  • Yageor Sports Center, Yinzhou District (pick-up only, please wait in advance)
  • Jiao Chuan Expressway Exit, Zhenhai District (pick-up and drop-off available)

Travel Route:

Drive to Zhujiajian Pier via the Zhoushan Island Cross-Sea Bridge (about 2 hours).

Take a ferry to Putuo Mountain (about 30 minutes).

09:30 Scenic Area:

  • Putuo Mountain Scenic Area (普陀山风景区)

    Visit the Western Heaven Scenic Area, Guanyin Ancient Cave, Ergui Listens to the Dharma Stone, Pan Tuo Stone, Mei Fu Zen Monastery, and the famous Heart-Shaped Rock.

Activity Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes

12:00 Lunch:

Lunch at Putuo Mountain Tu Wei Mountain Villa (普陀山图崴山庄)

Sample Menu: Braised Pork with Cabbage, Steamed Fish, and more.

Reminder: The menu is for reference; the restaurant will adjust according to seasonal availability.

13:00 Scenic Area:

  • Puji Temple (普济禅寺): A large temple famous for its unique architectural design, known as one of the “Three Major Temples of Putuo Mountain.”

Activity Time: About 1 hour

14:00 Scenic Area:

  • 33-meter-high South Sea Guanyin Statue (南海观音): A grand, outdoor statue of Guanyin, standing 33 meters tall.

Activity Time: About 1 hour

15:00 Transportation:

Return to Zhujiajian Pier by ferry (about 30 minutes).

16:00 Transportation:

Drive back to Ningbo (about 2 hours).

19:00 Hotel Arrival:

Return to your hotel in Ningbo.


Ningbo Cuisine Restaurant Recommendations:

  • Old Ningbo 1381 Restaurant (老宁波1381餐厅): Famous for Ningbo snacks like Tangyuan and seafood, with fresh deliveries from Xiangshan.

  • Yong Shang Waipo Bridge (涌上外婆桥): Known for dishes like dancing chicken and white crab stir-fried rice cake.

  • Tie Ge Bi Restaurant (宁波贴阁碧餐厅): A peaceful restaurant serving local Ningbo dishes such as sweet and sour smoked fish, and signature fried rice cakes.

  • Zhuangyuan Lou Restaurant (状元楼餐厅): Offers elegant Ningbo dishes, including Ningbo-style grilled vegetables and stir-fried fish.

Activity Time: About 1 hour

Day 03: Ningbo >>> Yandang Mountain

08:30 Breakfast

  • Breakfast: Begin your day by enjoying a breakfast at the hotel restaurant. This is a great time to try a mix of local specialties and continental options.
  • Meal time: Approximately 30 minutes.

09:00 Transportation

  • Departure from Hotel: Gather at the hotel for departure to Ningbo Station. From there, you’ll board a high-speed train or bullet train to Yandang Mountain (雁荡山), a renowned scenic area.
  • High-speed train ticket included in your tour package.
  • Duration: The train journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

11:30 Transportation

  • Arrival at Yandang Mountain: You will arrive at Yandang Mountain Railway Station (雁荡山高铁站), where a private transfer will take you to the Yandang Mountain Scenic Area.
  • Duration: The transfer time is approximately 20 minutes.

12:00 Lunch

  • Lunch: Free time for lunch on your own. You may wish to explore local eateries offering a variety of Chinese and regional cuisines.
  • Meal time: Approximately 1 hour.

13:00 Attractions

  • Dalongqiu Scenic Area (大龙湫景区): Explore one of Yandang Mountain’s most famous scenic areas, known for its breathtaking waterfalls and rugged terrain.
  • Scissors Peak (剪刀峰): Admire the dramatic landscape, with towering rock formations that resemble a pair of scissors.
  • Activity time: Approximately 1 hour at each attraction.

14:30 Attractions

  • Lingyan Scenic Area (灵岩景区): Visit one of the most beautiful spots in the area, known for its majestic mountain views, temples, and rock formations.
  • Xiaolongqiu (小龙湫): Another famous waterfall in the area, offering tranquil views.
  • Activity time: Approximately 1 hour at each attraction.

16:30 Hotel

  • Accommodation: You will stay at a local guesthouse or homestay in the area, rated Nongjia Sanxing (农家三星). These accommodations provide an authentic rural experience and are designed to offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

17:30 Local Wenzhou Cuisine Recommendations

Here are some local dishes to try during dinner:

  • Steamed Sea Crab (清蒸海蟹): A classic Wenzhou dish, offering fresh, sweet crab meat. It’s served with a dipping sauce made of yellow wine, sugar, vinegar, and minced ginger.
  • Beautiful Yellow Fish (美丽黄鱼): A dish made with fresh yellow fish and served with green peas, cucumbers, green cherries, and carrots. A final touch of chicken broth adds to the flavor.
  • Green Shrimp (碧绿虾仁): A refreshing dish of shrimp and spinach, lightly seasoned to highlight their natural flavors.
  • Yandang Mountain Stone Frog (雁荡山石蛙): A delicacy of the region, the stone frog has tender meat and is known for its deliciously rich flavor during the summer and autumn.
  • Clam Tofu Soup (蛤蜊豆腐汤): A well-known dish in Yandang Mountain, it’s made with fresh clams and tofu. It’s simmered with simple ingredients like ginger, salt, and cooking wine to bring out the natural sweetness of the clams.

Restaurant recommendations: Zuixianlou, Zuiaicai Restaurant, Xiangpengpeng Hotel, Longqiu Farmhouse, etc.

  • Meal time: Approximately 1 hour.

Day 04: Yandang Mountain >>> Ningbo

08:30 Breakfast

  • Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast near your hotel at a local restaurant or hotel dining facility.
  • Meal time: Approximately 30 minutes.

09:30 Attractions

  • Lingfeng Scenic Area (灵峰景区): This area is home to a collection of peaks and scenic spots such as:
    • Tian Guan Peak (天冠峰)
    • Guohe Three Peaks (果盒三景)
    • Fighting Rooster Peak (斗鸡峰)
    • Five Rats Competing for Hole (五鼠争洞)
    • Guanyin Cave (观音洞)
    • Hezhang Peak (合掌峰)
  • Activity time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to explore this remarkable scenic area.

11:30 Lunch

  • Lunch: Lunch on your own. You can enjoy some local specialties or traditional Chinese cuisine at one of the area’s restaurants.

12:30 Transportation

  • Departure: After lunch, a transfer will take you to Yandang Mountain Station (雁荡山站) for your return trip to Ningbo.
  • Duration: The transfer time is about 30 minutes.

13:30 Transportation

  • Train Ride: You will take a high-speed train or bullet train back to Ningbo.
  • Duration: The journey is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

14:50 Transportation

  • Arrival at Ningbo: Once you arrive in Ningbo, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

15:30 Hotel

17:30 Ningbo Cuisine Recommendations

Here are some famous restaurants in Ningbo to enjoy dinner:

  • Old Ningbo 1381 Restaurant (老宁波1381餐厅): Known for serving authentic Ningbo snacks and seafood, including local dishes such as Ningbo Tangyuan (汤圆) and Yellow Fish with Tofu.
  • Yongshang Waipoqiao (涌上外婆桥): Try dishes like Dancing Chicken, Fenglou Oil Residue Taro, and Secret Oil-Fried Shrimp.
  • Ningbo Tiegebi Restaurant (宁波贴阁碧餐厅): A cozy, western-style restaurant offering delicious Ningbo-style dishes like Sweet-Sour Smoked Fish and Pan-Fried Buns.
  • Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant (状元楼餐厅): Known for serving classic Ningbo dishes such as Ningbo-style Baked Vegetables and Snowflake Beef Fillet.

Note: The listed restaurants are for reference only.

Day 05: Ningbo >>> Fenghua Xikou >>> Ningbo

06:30 – Breakfast

  • Check-out from the hotel and enjoy breakfast (if the hotel restaurant is closed, breakfast will be packed the day before).
    • Ensure that you have your belongings packed and ready for departure.
    • Time allocated for breakfast: approximately 30 minutes.

07:30 – Transportation

  • Gather at the hotel entrance for a transfer to Ningbo Hotel, where the group will begin the day’s journey.
    • Travel Time: approximately 30 minutes.

08:00 – Transportation

  • Depart for Fenghua Xikou (奉化溪口), the birthplace of historical figures Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo.
    • Travel Time: approximately 60 minutes.
    • During the ride, you’ll have an opportunity to relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape.

09:10 – Transportation

  • Upon arriving in Xikou, transfer to an environmentally friendly bus for the journey up to Snowy Dou Mountain (雪窦山) Scenic Area.
    • The mountain is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and historical sites related to the Chiang family.

09:30 – Scenic Spots

  • Snowy Dou Mountain (雪窦山): Explore the scenic area and historical sites, including:
    • Qianzhang Rock (千丈岩): Known for its breathtaking views.
    • Miaogao Terrace (妙高台): A serene spot offering panoramic views of the area.
    • Zhang Xueliang’s First Place of Imprisonment (张学良将军第一幽禁地): Visit the historical location where General Zhang Xueliang was first detained during the Xi’an Incident.
    • Activity Duration: approximately 1.5 hours.

11:00 – Scenic Spots

  • Open-air Maitreya (露天弥勒): This large outdoor Maitreya statue is a prominent feature of Snowy Dou Mountain.
    • Activity Duration: approximately 40 minutes.

12:00 – Transportation

  • Return by environmentally friendly bus to the Xikou Transfer Center, then transfer to a tourist bus for a short ride to Xikou Ancient Town for lunch.
    • Travel Time: approximately 20 minutes.

12:30 – Lunch

  • Enjoy lunch in Xikou Ancient Town (溪口古镇). This picturesque town is famous for its traditional architecture and local culture.

13:00 – Scenic Spots

  • Chiang Kai-shek’s Former Residence (蒋氏故居): Visit the house where the Chiang family lived during their time in Xikou. The residence is rich in history, especially in relation to Chiang Kai-shek and his family’s legacy.
    • Wenchang Pavilion (文昌阁) (Wuling West Road 武岭西路): A historic building originally constructed in the Qing Dynasty, which served as Chiang Kai-shek’s private villa and library. It was rebuilt in the 1920s after being destroyed during the war.
    • Activity Duration: approximately 20 minutes.

13:20 – Scenic Spots

  • Small Western-style House (小洋房): This small but significant Western-style house is where the Chiang family resided during their time in Xikou.
    • The house is surrounded by scenic views and holds cultural importance due to its association with the Chiang family.
    • Activity Duration: approximately 20 minutes.

14:00 – Scenic Spots

  • Fenghao House (丰镐房): A more elaborate residence associated with the Chiang family. This house was expanded by Chiang Kai-shek in 1929 and served as a significant part of the family’s heritage.
    • The house is a classic example of a traditional Chinese manor with a Western influence in its design.
    • Activity Duration: approximately 40 minutes.

15:00 – Scenic Spots

  • Xikou Tengtou Tourist Area (溪口滕头旅游景区)Yutai Salt Shop (玉泰盐铺): This historic salt shop, which was established by Chiang Kai-shek’s grandfather, is a unique site to explore. The shop was later managed by Chiang’s father and became a symbol of the family’s legacy.
    • The shop contains three buildings, including a traditional workshop and kitchen, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
    • Activity Duration: approximately 20 minutes.

16:00 – Transportation

  • After visiting Xikou Tengtou, end the day’s journey with a bus ride back to Ningbo Hotel.
    • Travel Time: approximately 60 minutes.

18:30 – Hotel

  • Arrive at one of the following hotels for the night.

Day 06: Ningbo >>> Home

09:00 – Breakfast

  • Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at the hotel restaurant.
    • Meal Duration: approximately 30 minutes.
    • The morning will be free, allowing you to relax and prepare for the journey home.

10:00 – Free Time

  • You have free time until it’s time for your flight.
    • Depending on your flight schedule, the tour operator will pick you up 3 hours before your flight departure time.
    • Note: Flight times may differ for each traveler, so please ensure your luggage is packed and you are ready to depart.
    • Reminder: If your flight is early and the hotel restaurant is closed, you may request a packed breakfast a day prior. Please note the packed breakfast will be cold.

Before you check out, make sure to double-check your belongings to avoid leaving anything behind.

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.