Zhoushan, Maritime prefecture in East China
Zhoushan is a port city on China's east coast spanning around 1,390 islands in the East China Sea, making it the country's largest archipelago city. The terrain features varied coastal landscapes and marine environments distributed across its numerous islands and settlements.
The region served as a pirate base in the 16th century before becoming a major commercial port during the Qing dynasty. It gained its current administrative status as a prefecture-level city in 1987.
Mount Putuo on Putuo Island hosts several Buddhist temples including Puji and Fayu, which function as active pilgrimage sites where visitors observe religious ceremonies and rituals. These sacred locations reflect the spiritual traditions that have shaped the local identity for centuries.
The city connects to mainland China via bridges and ferries, with Dinghai District serving as the administrative hub and main transportation center. Most services and connections for exploring the islands are concentrated in this central district.
The Shengsi archipelago within the territory contains numerous fishing villages where maritime traditions have persisted through generations. These remote communities maintain age-old practices and ways of life that travelers frequently overlook.
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