South Putuo Temple is technically on the Xiamen mainland rather than on Gulangyu, but it is close enough to the ferry terminal that it can reasonably be combined with an island visit. One of the most important Buddhist temples in Fujian, it was founded in the Tang dynasty, destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, and currently operates as both an active monastery and a popular pilgrimage destination. The main temple complex climbs the hillside behind the gate, with increasingly significant shrines at each terrace.
The resident community of monks is large and the temple receives both serious pilgrims and casual visitors throughout the day. The Wanfo Tower behind the main halls contains a remarkable collection of Buddhist statuary and carved stone. The vegetarian restaurant operated by the temple serves excellent simple food at low prices — a predictable but consistently satisfying option for lunch before or after the Gulangyu ferry. The Xiamen University campus immediately adjacent is one of the most architecturally beautiful campuses in China and worth a walk through if time allows.