Zhoushan Railway Station at a Glance
Zhoushan Railway Station (舟山站, Zhōushān Station) will be the first-ever railway station in the Zhoushan Archipelago — ending the islands’ status as the only prefecture-level city in the Yangtze River Delta without a rail connection. It’s currently under construction as the terminus of the Ningbo-Zhoushan High-Speed Railway. Once open, it will be the fastest way for travelers to reach Mount Putuo (普陀山), one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains.
- Chinese name: 舟山站 (Zhōushān Zhàn)
- Location: Baitian Town (白泉镇), Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province (浙江省舟山市定海区白泉镇)
- Expected opening: By end of 2028
- Platforms: 4 platforms, 7 tracks
- Line: Ningbo-Zhoushan High-Speed Railway (甬舟铁路 / Yǒng-Zhōu Tiělù)
- Design speed: 250 km/h
- Total stations: 7 — Ningbo East (宁波东), Yunlong (云龙), Qiu’ai (邱隘), Beilun West (北仑西), Jintang (金塘), Ma’ao (马岙), Zhoushan (舟山)
What Is the Ningbo-Zhoushan High-Speed Railway?
The Ningbo-Zhoushan High-Speed Railway (甬舟铁路) is the rail line that will finally put Zhoushan on China’s high-speed rail map. It’s a 77 km spur branching off the existing Ningbo railway hub, crossing the sea via a series of bridges and the record-breaking Jintang Undersea Tunnel before reaching Zhoushan Island.
When Will It Open?
Short answer: Expected by October 2028.
Here’s the construction timeline so you know what’s credible:
Early media reports once mentioned 2026 or 2027, but official sources have since consolidated around the end-of-2028 target. If you’re planning a trip for 2029 or later, you’ll likely be taking this train.
Why This Railway Matters — Especially for Putuo Mountain Visitors
Mount Putuoshan (普陀山, Pǔtuó Shān) is one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and the spiritual home of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). It attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually — but getting there has always been the hard part.
The current pain point: Putuo Mountain is an island. You can’t take a train there. The closest high-speed rail station is Ningbo Railway Station (宁波站), more than 100 km away. From Ningbo, you still need a 1.5–2 hour bus to Zhujiajian Pier, then a ferry. It works — but it’s a slog, especially with luggage.
After the HSR opens:
- Ningbo → Zhoushan in ~30 minutes: The first direct train to Zhoushan Island — down from 1.5–2 hours by bus today
- Hangzhou → Zhoushan in ~77 minutes: Seamless connection from the Hangzhou hub, which links to Shanghai, Beijing, and all major cities
- Shanghai → Zhoushan in ~2–2.5 hours: Via transfer at Hangzhou or Ningbo
- A planned light rail line (Line 1) will connect Zhoushan Station directly to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier (蜈蚣峙码头) — the ferry terminal for Putuo Mountain. Once this is in place, the entire journey becomes train + light rail + 15-minute ferry, no bus required.
For foreign tourists unfamiliar with navigating Chinese long-distance bus stations, the all-rail route is a massive usability upgrade. It also means access during typhoon season: buses get stuck in highway closures, but trains are far more resilient to Zhejiang’s summer storms.
What Travel Will Look Like After 2028
Here’s the expected post-opening journey to Putuo Mountain:
| Step | Mode | Duration | Notes |
| 1. Major city → Ningbo | High-speed train | Varies | Hangzhou (~1 hr), Shanghai (~2 hrs), Beijing (~6.5 hrs) |
| 2. Ningbo → Zhoushan Station | High-speed train | ~30 min | Direct train on the Ningbo-Zhoushan HSR |
| 3. Zhoushan Station → Zhujiajian Pier | Light rail / taxi / bus | ~30–40 min | ~20 km; light rail Line 1 planned; taxi ~¥50–70 |
| 4. Zhujiajian Pier → Putuo Mountain | Ferry | ~15–20 min | ¥30 one-way, departures every 15–30 min |
Estimated travel times to Zhoushan Station after 2028 (based on line routing and current Ningbo HSR connections):
| From | Estimated Duration | Likely Route |
| Ningbo (宁波) | ~26–30 min | Direct, Ningbo-Zhoushan HSR |
| Hangzhou (杭州) | ~77 min | Via Hangzhou East → Ningbo → Zhoushan |
| Shanghai (上海) | ~2–2.5 hrs | Via Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou/Ningbo → Zhoushan |
| Nanjing (南京) | ~3.5–4 hrs | Via Nanjing South → Hangzhou/Ningbo → Zhoushan |
| Beijing (北京) | ~7–8 hrs | Via Beijing South → Ningbo → Zhoushan |
| Wenzhou (温州) | ~2.5–3 hrs | Via Wenzhou → Ningbo → Zhoushan |
Note: These are estimates based on planned line speed (250 km/h) and current Ningbo connections. Actual schedules and fares will be confirmed closer to opening.
How to Get to Putuo Mountain NOW (Before the HSR Opens)
Don’t wait until 2028. Putuo Mountain is very much accessible today — you just need to transfer through Ningbo. Millions of pilgrims do this every year, and the route is well-established.
Here’s the step-by-step:
Step 1: High-Speed Train to Ningbo
Ningbo Railway Station (宁波站, Níngbō Zhàn) is a major HSR hub on the Hangzhou-Ningbo-Wenzhou corridor. Direct trains are available from:
- Hangzhou East (杭州东站): ~1 hr, frequent departures, ~¥71 (2nd class) — Check Hangzhou to Ningbo trains
- Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥站): ~2 hrs, frequently, ~¥144 — Check Shanghai to Ningbo trains
- Nanjing South (南京南站): ~2.5 hrs, ~¥189 — Check Nanjing to Ningbo trains
- Beijing South (北京南站): ~6.5–7 hrs, ~¥596 — Check Beijing to Ningbo trains
Check Live Train Schedule to Ningbo
Since Zhoushan Station hasn’t opened yet, your gateway is Ningbo. Use Trip.com to check real-time schedules, prices, and seat availability for trains to Ningbo — it’s the most foreigner-friendly booking platform for China trains, with full English interface and international credit card support.
| Shanghai to Ningbo Train | Hangzhou to Ningbo Train | Beijing to Ningbo Train |
| Nanjing to Ningbo Train | Xiamen to Ningbo Train | Wenzhou to Ningbo Train |
| Search all Ningbo trains at www.trip.com/trains/china/ | ||
Step 2: Bus from Ningbo to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier
Exit Ningbo Railway Station and walk to Ningbo South Bus Station (宁波汽车南站), which is directly adjacent to the railway station’s South Square — follow the signs, you don’t even need to go outside.
- Buy a ticket to Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier (朱家尖蜈蚣峙码头) — this is the main ferry terminal for Putuo Mountain
- Bus fare: ¥60–78 (larger coach ¥78, minibus ¥60)
- Duration: ~1.5–2 hours
- Operating hours: First bus ~05:50, last bus ~18:20, roughly every 30–60 minutes
- Tip: Choose the ¥78 coach if you’re on a schedule — minibuses wait to fill up before departing. Buy tickets at the counter or via Trip.com/Ctrip.
- For cash-paying travelers: Ticket counters accept cash. If you can’t use WeChat/Alipay, buy in person at the counter (arrive early during holidays).
Alternative: Flying into Ningbo Lishe Airport (NGB)
If you fly into Ningbo, skip the train station entirely — there’s a direct airport bus from Ningbo Lishe Airport to Zhujiajian Pier (~2–2.5 hours, ~¥70).
Step 3: Ferry from Zhujiajian to Putuo Mountain
Zhujiajian Wugongzhi Pier is hard to miss — it’s the massive building that looks like a miniature Potala Palace.
- Regular ferry: ¥30 one-way, ~15–20 minutes, departures every 15–30 minutes (~6:30–21:50)
- Speedboat (business class): ¥100 one-way, ~10 minutes, limited hours but less crowded boarding
- Combined ticket (recommended): Round-trip ferry + Putuo Mountain entrance fee, ~¥220 total
- Entrance fee: ¥160/person (peak season, Feb–Nov), ¥120–140 (off-peak, Dec–Jan)
Booking for foreign tourists: The official ticket platform is the WeChat mini-program “Zhiyou Haixing” (智游海星) or “Putuo Mountain One-Pass” (普陀山一码通), but these require a Chinese phone number and WeChat Pay. If you don’t have those, you have two options: book Putuo Mountain tickets on Trip.com (English interface, international cards accepted), or buy in person at the pier counter with cash. Either way, arrive early on weekends and holidays to avoid sellouts.
| Route | Mode | Duration | Cost (¥) |
| Ningbo Station → Zhujiajian Pier | Bus | 1.5–2 hrs | 60–78 |
| Ningbo Airport → Zhujiajian Pier | Airport Bus | 2–2.5 hrs | ~70 |
| Zhujiajian Pier → Putuo Mountain | Ferry | 15–20 min | 30 (one-way) |
| Putuo Mountain Entrance Fee | — | — | 160 (peak) / 120 (off-peak) |
What to See on Putuo Mountain
Putuo Mountain is sacred, but it’s also a genuinely beautiful island with ocean views, ancient temples, and serene walking paths. You can book Putuo Mountain entrance tickets and ferry combos on Trip.com — the easiest option for foreign travelers since it accepts international cards and shows everything in English. Here are the highlights:
- Puji Temple (普济寺): The main temple complex, largest and busiest. The incense here is said to be the most powerful. Entry: ¥5 (cash only for temple incense vouchers).
- Nanhai Guanyin Statue (南海观音): The 33-meter golden bronze Guanyin standing on the coast — Putuo Mountain’s defining landmark. Entry: ¥6.
- Fayu Temple (法雨寺): Built into the hillside with a stunning Nine-Dragon coffered ceiling. Quieter and more atmospheric than Puji Temple. Entry: ¥5.
- Huiji Temple (慧济寺): At the summit of Foding Mountain (佛顶山). Take the cable car up (¥40 one-way, ¥70 round-trip) or hike the 1,088 steps. Panoramic sea views.
- Zizhulin (紫竹林) & Bukenqu Guanyin Temple (不肯去观音院): The bamboo grove and small temple where the Putuo Guanyin legend began.
- Shancai Cave (善财洞) & Fanyin Cave (梵音洞): Sea caves on the island’s eastern tip. Fanyin Cave is known for the booming sound of waves echoing inside.
For the smoothest experience, grab your Putuo Mountain tickets on Trip.com before you go — it saves you the hassle of queuing at the pier counter, especially on weekends and holidays when tickets regularly sell out by mid-morning.
Related Articles
- How to Get from Ningbo to Putuoshan — Full bus + ferry guide
- Getting from Shanghai to Putuoshan via Ningbo — Step-by-step from Shanghai
- Getting from Hangzhou to Putuoshan via Ningbo — Quickest route from Hangzhou
- Getting from Xiamen to Putuoshan via Ningbo — Route from southern Fujian
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
