Mount Lao (Laoshan) 崂山Láo Shān

Why go to Mount Lao (Laoshan)

Mount Lao rises directly from the Yellow Sea coast east of Qingdao, its highest peak, Jufeng, reaching 1,132.7 m. Granite ridges, waterfalls, forest paths and Taoist temples are spread across six scenic zones, so you can mix a coastal temple visit with a proper mountain walk. It is regarded as one of the cradles of Taoism and makes an easy day out from the city.

The story

Mount Lao is a birthplace of the Quanzhen school of Taoism, and at its height it is said to have held some 1,000 monks and nuns in nine palaces, eight temples and seventy-two nunneries. The Qing writer Pu Songling set his tale 'The Taoist Priest of Laoshan' here, in which a would-be student of magic walks into a wall.

What to see at Mount Lao (Laoshan)

• Taiqing Palace 太清宫: The largest Taoist complex on the mountain, near the coast below Pantao Peak, first built in the Northern Song with present halls from the Ming. Ancient cypresses in front of the Three Emperors Hall are said to date from the Han, and two old camellias stand before the Three Officials Hall.
• Longtan Waterfall 龙潭瀑: A waterfall of roughly 20 m south of Shangqing Palace, strongest after summer rain.
• Shangqing Palace 上清宫: A quieter Taoist palace on the south-east slope above Taiqing, founded in the Song and rebuilt in the Yuan, among the oldest surviving buildings on the mountain.
• Naluoyan Cavern 那罗延窟: A natural granite cave in the Huayan zone, about 7 m wide and over 10 m high, with a round opening in the roof that lets daylight in; one of the traditional 'twelve sceneries' of Mount Lao.
• Beijiushui 北九水: A river valley whose stream bends nine times, with pools and boulders along about 9 km of path and the Chaoyin Waterfall at the far end, loudest after rain.
• Jufeng 巨峰: The summit, at 1,132.7 m, with views along the coast on clear days; it has its own entrance and bus link.

How to visit Mount Lao (Laoshan)

Choose a zone rather than trying everything. Taiqing Palace pairs with the sea cliffs and suits a half day; Beijiushui is the best for a walk along a stream, and Jufeng is the climb for the summit view. Sightseeing buses and cable cars at Taiqing and Yangkou save legs, and a second day lets you add the Huayan zone with Huayan Temple (the mountain's only Buddhist temple) and Naluoyan Cavern.

How to get to Mount Lao (Laoshan)

Scenic zones lie 25–35 km east of central Qingdao. Metro Line 11 serves Beijiushui (and, with a bus change, Yangkou), while Taiqing and Jufeng are reached via Line 4 to the Dahedong visitor centre and a scenic bus; a taxi takes roughly 40 minutes to an hour. Bus numbers change, so check a current route planner.

Where to stay

Most visitors stay in Qingdao and make the trip by day. Laoshan district, near Taiqing and Yangkou, has guesthouses if you want an early start on the mountain.

What to eat

• Laoshan green tea 崂山绿茶: A local green tea grown around Qingdao, sold in the villages and at tea houses around the mountain.
• Spicy stir-fried clams 辣炒蛤蜊: Qingdao's signature seafood plate, clams wok-fried with chilli, garlic and soy, served in the villages and restaurants at the foot of the mountain.
• Spanish mackerel dumplings 鲅鱼水饺: Dumplings stuffed with minced mackerel, a Shandong coastal speciality.

Tips for visiting Mount Lao (Laoshan)

• Admission is sold per scenic zone, with sightseeing buses and cable cars linking parts of the mountain; decide which zones you want before you set out, and carry your passport.
• Weather on the summit can differ sharply from the city, so bring a windproof layer and sturdy shoes if you plan to climb.
• Temples are working religious sites, so dress modestly and ask before photographing worshippers or priests.

Nearby

• Qingdao Old Town & Seafront 青岛 30 km
  Red roofs, German-era villas, sea breezes and the home of Tsingtao beer

Also within 30 km: Huadong Vineyard 华东百利酒庄 (10 km), Old Stone Man Garden 石老人观光园 (20 km), Qingdao Horticultural Expo Park 青岛世界园艺博览园 (20 km), Maogong Mountain 毛公山 (20 km), Qingdao Polar Ocean Park 青岛极地海洋公园 (20 km), Qingdao Yinhai International Yacht Club 青岛银海国际游艇俱乐部 (20 km).

On the map

Open Mount Lao (Laoshan) on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)