The lotus lake in front of the Puji Temple in Putuo Mountain is lit up by lanterns and lights during the 15th South Sea Guanyin Cultural Festival, Nov 17, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Putuo is home to many temples and monasteries that attract monks and nuns from all over the country and abroad, who come to live and practice their religion. The mountain is the site of Puji Temple, Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple, which are the largest among more than 20 still-existing temples in China.

Buddhists from many areas, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as Malaysia and the Philippines, come to the mountain to seek blessings from Guanyin Bodhisattva. Every year on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth months of the Chinese lunar calendar, millions of people are welcomed to celebrate the birth of Guanyin. Up to October, nearly 8 million people had visited Putuo Mountain in 2017.