Fanyin Cave (梵音洞, Fanyindong, Sanskrit Sound Cave), located opposite Chaoyin Cave to the north, is one of the key attractions of Mount Putuo. From Fayu Temple, you can reach it by passing through Feisha’ao and Xianghui Nunnery, arriving at Qinggulei Mountain on the easternmost part of Mount Putuo. This mountain juts into the Putuo Sea, and the crashing waves against its cliffs create a continuous roaring sound reminiscent of drumbeats, hence its other name, “惊鼓擂” (Resounding Drum). At the southeastern end of Qinggulei Mountain is a natural cave, Fanyin Cave. The cave’s entrance is shaped by cliffs, standing about 60 meters high and 50 meters deep. The steep, imposing cliffs on both sides form a natural gate, making the cave particularly majestic and awe-inspiring compared to other famous grottoes on the mountain.
The surrounding scenery of Fanyin Cave is both serene and striking. Midway up the cave wall, a horizontal stone bridge appears like a jewel in the mouth of a dragon. Between the two cliffs, a stone platform supports a double-story shrine called “Guanfo Pavilion” (Buddha Viewing Pavilion), which offers views of the sea in front and the cave behind. It is believed that this was a holy site where Guanyin Bodhisattva manifested. Visitors wishing to explore Fanyin Cave must first descend from the cliff top along a winding stone staircase, eventually arriving at Guanfo Pavilion. The cave’s depth and its rocky interior, illuminated by sunlight and shaped by the tides, present an ever-changing array of forms. It is said that those who meditate here see different images of the Buddha, which change with each glance, adding to the cave’s mystical allure.
Fanyin Cave is also the best spot on Mount Putuo to observe the tides. Below the Buddha Viewing Pavilion, the sea surges into the cave, and the waves crashing against the cliffs produce a thunderous sound akin to a thousand galloping horses or the roaring of dragons and tigers. The continuous roar is both awe-inspiring and soul-stirring. Devotees often pray at the cave’s entrance, hoping to witness the manifestation of Guanyin.
In 1699, the Kangxi Emperor inscribed “梵音洞 (Fanyin Cave)” and had the plaque hung at this site. The cave’s Guanfo Pavilion enshrines the Thousand-Handed Guanyin. This Bodhisattva statue not only has two hands and two feet but also features twenty additional hands on each side, each with an eye in the palm. The forty hands and eyes, multiplied by the “twenty-five existences,” symbolize the infinite power of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin to save all sentient beings.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Included in the ticket for Mount Putuo |
| Opening Hours | 6.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0580-3191919 0086-0580-6091414 |
Location and Transportation
Fanyin Cave is situated within the Mount Putuo Scenic Area in Putuo District, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province. To reach Fanyin Cave after arriving on the island, visitors can take the No. 2 bus from the Ferry Terminal and get off at the corresponding stop.
