Mt. Laoshan

With its religious position in China natural spot, Mt. Laoshan is located by the seaside of East China Sea along the coastline, about 40 kilometers from downtown Qingdao. It is called the No.1 religious mountain because Mt. Laoshan is one of the "Cradles of Taoism". At the peak of Taoism, there were nine palaces, eight Taoist temples, and 72 nunneries that housed nearly 1,000 Taoist priests and nuns on the mountain. At present, the Taiqing Palace is the largest and oldest among the preserved Taoist establishments.


The entire mountain covers 446 square kilometers and has 218 places of interest, big and small. It is a famous Taoist mountain boasting both mountainous and coastal scenery. The highest peak of Mt. Laoshan is the 1,133-meter Jufeng, the highest one along the 18,000-kilometer coast of China and the second highest mountain in Shandong province. In ancient times, the emperors of Qin and Han dynasties climbed the mountain to seek immortals. Emperor Tang Minghuang also sent people to make pills of immortality here.

The natural scenery also makes Mt. Laoshan as a perfect place for sightseeing, holidays, recreation, recuperation as well as cultural and patriotism activities. Towering cliff, deep abyss and rocks of untold shapes are so common in Laoshan that they can be seen everywhere. To top all this, the internationally - marketed Tsingtao beer is brewed using the water at Laoshan.

Mt. Laoshan is known for its oddly shaped rocks, ancient trees, and crystal-clear springs. Among the most famous springs are the Tianyi Spring on the mountaintop, the Shenshui (Immortal Water) Spring in the Taiqing Palace, and the Shengshuiyang (Ocean of Holy Water) Spring in the Shangqing Palace. People say the mineral water produced here can cure chronic diseases.

Main Sites to See in Mt. Laoshan

One of China's most celebrated scenic areas, Laoshan presents a panorama of mountains, cliffs, waterfalls and temples, showing visitors not only the breath-taking natural view but also unique religious culture of this place. The mountain is divided into a few scenic areas for it is quite large. There are some site you must visit when you ge there, including Taiqing (太清景区), Chessboard Stone (棋盘石景区), Yangkou (仰口景区), Jufeng(巨峰景区), Beijiushui (北九水景区), and Hualou (华楼景区).

【Temple of Supreme Purity】
Temple of Supreme Purity, or known as Tai Qing Gong in Chinese, is the largest and oldest Taoist temple complex on Mount Laoshan. It is a Taoist temple that was first built during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) with the present structures dating to the reign of the Wanli Emperor in the Ming dynasty, having a history of nearly 1,000 years. It features a simple architectural style. And it is surrounded by countless scenic spots and is the center of the entire tourist area. In addition, it is a perfect place to enjoy sunrise at sea.

【Jufeng Peak】
Jufeng Peak is the main and highest peak in Mount Laoshan area. Sea cloud & sunrise are two wonders on the peak.

【Temple of Great Purity】
It is also known as the Upper Temple, located on the southeastern slope of Mount Laoshan above the Temple of Supreme Purity. As one of the oldest extant structures on Mount Laoshan, it was originally established during the Song Dynasty and then rebuilt during the Yuan Dynasty, during the years 1297 to 1307. It is Like the Temple of Supreme Purity, the Temple of Great Purity features a spring, "Shengshuiyang (Ocean of Holy Water) Spring".

【Longtan Waterfall】
The Longtan Waterfall has a height of about 20 meters and is located to the south of the Temple of Great Purity. If you come in summer, you will catch a grand sight.

Except for the above sites, Yakou Temple, Temple of Supreme Peace, Temple of Supreme Peace, Huayan Temple, are also must see attractions in the mountain area. 

Travel Guide

【Chinese name】: 崂山
【How to get there from Qingdao】: taxi or private car is the most convenient way to visit there. There are also public bus routes going directly to different points of interest. There is Bus 104 from Taidong to Liuqing River, Bus 113 from Licun to Liuqing River, as well as Bus 301 from Tuandao to Shazikou, Bus 311 from Tuandao to Beijiushui, Bus 107 from Licun to Beijiushui, Bus 110 from Taidong to Beijiushui, Bus 312 from Tuandao to Yangkou, Bus 106 from Licun to Yakou, Bus 112 from Licun to Daglaoguan, Bus 304 from the Ferry Port to Yakou, and others.