Qingdao is well known for sailing and international beer festivals, but few know some of China’s best green tea is cultivated right here in Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province.
Laoshan Mountain in Qingdao
Situated just 30 kilometers east of ShiNan Central Business District, Laoshan Mountain Scenic Area is one of Qingdao City’s top tourists destinations. As the cradle of Taoism in China and known in traditional Qingdao folklore as the home of immortals, Laoshan mountain soars 1133 meters above sea level. Mount Lao is dotted with Laoshan green tea terraces at lower elevations that produce some of China’s finest teas. If you are coming to China’s Sailing City, you should set aside at least one day to visit mainland’s highest coastal mountain range. Popular attractions include: Temple of Supreme Purity (太清宮; Tài Qīng Gōng), Yakou Temple (垭口宮; Yā Kǒu Gōng), Temple of Great Purity (上清宮; Shàng Qīng Gōng), Longtan Waterfall (龙潭瀑; Lóng Tán Pù), Temple of Supreme Peace (太平宮; Tài Píng Gōng), Hualou Temple (华楼宮; Huá Lóu Gōng), Huayan Temple (华严寺; Huáyán Sì).
Laoshan Mountain Designated Scenic Areas
TàiQīng JìngQū (太清景区), QíPánShí JǐngQū (棋盘石景区), YǎngKǒu JǐngQū (仰口景区), JùFēng JǐngQū (巨峰景区), BěiJiǔShuǐ JǐngQū (北九水景区), and HuáLóu JǐngQū (华楼景区).
Laoshan Mountain Famous Scenic Views
Jùfēng Xùzhào (巨峰旭照, rising sun in the morning on the highest peak), Shīlǐng Héngyún (狮岭横云, clouds hung on the top of the peak), Hǎijiào Xiāndūn (海峤仙墩, seaside cliffs), Nàluō Yánkū (那罗延窟, rock cave), Tàiqīng Shuǐyuè (太清水月, bright moon in spring water of Taiqing Palace), Míngxiá Sànqǐ (明霞散绮, rays of sunshine), Wèizhú Míngquán (尉竹鸣泉, spring with sound), Yúndòng Pánsōng (云洞蟠松, pine tree on the rock), Yánpù Cháoyīn (岩瀑潮音, waterfall with sound of tide), Qípán Xiānyì (棋盘仙弈, megalith at Qipan), Huálóu Diéshí (华楼叠石, various stones), Lóngtán Pēnyǔ (龙潭喷雨, water flowing out of the dragon pool).
Laoshan Mountain Scenic Routes & Entrance Fees:
• Liuqing, Yangkou, Taiqing Entrance Fee: 90CNY (4/1 to 10/31), 60CNY (11/1 to 3/31).
• Yangkou Aerial Tramway: 60CNY (round-trip), 35CNY (one-way).
• Taiqing Aerial Tramway: 80CNY (round-trip), 45CNY (one-way).
• Sightseeing bus: 40CNY. (2) Beijiushui Entrance Fee: 65CNY (4/1 to 10/31), 40CNY (11/1 to 3/31).
• Sightseeing bus: 30CNY. (3) Jufeng Entrance Fee: 80CNY (4/1 to 10/31), 50CNY (11/1 to 3/31).
• Jufeng Aerial Tramway: 80CNY (round-trip), 40CNY (one-way).
• Sightseeing bus: 40CNY.
Popular Laoshan Attractions
Bellow is a list of the most popular attractions and local events at Qingdao’s Laoshan Mountain.
Mount Lao (Láo Shān 崂山) Scenic Area: As one of Qingdao’s top attractions and one of the cradle of Taoism in China, attracting pilgrims and tourists from home and abroad, Laoshan is accessible via three land routes (eastern, southern, and central).
Jufeng Peak (崂山巨峰) located in Mount Lao (Laoshan 崂山) scenic area is the highest coastal mountain range in China’s 18,000 kilometers of seashore. Mount Lao, along with Wudang Mountain, is one of the earliest cradles of Taoism in China. In 140 BC, during the Han period, Lianfu Zhang built the Mount Lao Taoist temple.
Mt. Lao Liuqing River Scenic Area is located on the southern boarder of Laoshan Scenic Area facing the Liuqing River Bay. Popular attractions include Baoyu Dao (Abalone) Island 崂山鲍鱼岛 which is a local breeding ground for abalone – one of Shandong regions seafood delicacies.
Mount Lao (Láo Shān 崂山) Jufeng Scenic Area covers 7.4 square kilometers and is the apex of the LaoShan mountain range. Must See Attractions include: Jufeng Peak, BaGua Gate, Shang ShiBaPan, WuZhi Peak, LingQi Mountain.
Lasting until July 20th, this year’s Qingdao Laoshan Blueberry Picking Festival promises to offer patrons lots of berries.
Every year at the end of May, BeiZhai hosts Mount Lao’s Cherry Festival. Local farmers open their orchards for a set fee where you can pick and eat as many cherries as you like. BeiZhai is located on the north-western side of Laoshan Scenic Area along the Bin Hai Expressway corridor.
Once the land of immortals and the home of Taoism in Shandong Province China, Mount Lao (Laoshan Scenic Area), also has its fair share of “bad air days.” Photograph of Liu Qing He Beach (流清河, 中国山东省青岛市崂山区) at the entrance of Mount Lao Scenic Area.