Mount Putuo is an island in the Zhoushan archipelago, reachable only by boat. The main ferry routes run from Ningbo's Beilun passenger terminal and from Zhoushan city, with the Ningbo crossing taking about ninety minutes and running multiple times daily. High-speed ferries from Shanghai's Lujiazui terminal also serve the island, though less frequently. All entry to the island includes a mandatory scenic area fee paid on the pier before boarding.
The island imposes a limit on private vehicles, which means there are no private cars; visitors travel by local bus, electric shuttle, or on foot. The road network is small enough that the entire island is walkable, though electric shuttles connect the main sites for those who prefer not to walk.