Mount Lao (Laoshan)

崂山

Known as “the First Famous Mountain by the Sea,” Laoshan is home to Taiqing Palace, the ancestral temple of the Quanzhen school of Taoism, along with Yangkou Bay and the sea of clouds over Jufeng Peak. Mountains and sea meet here, making it a top destination for hiking and sea views.

Mount Lao (Laoshan) lies on Qingdao’s eastern coast. Its main summit, Jufeng Peak, rises to 1,132.7 m, making it the highest peak on China’s coastline. It is known as the “First Famous Mountain by the Sea” and is a Taoist mountain, where the Quanzhen school has several temples, including Taiqing Palace. It is a national 5A scenic area.

The scenic area is divided into several zones, each with its own ticket: Jufeng, Taiqing (south route), Yangkou (north route), Beijiushui (central route), and Huayan.

Highlights:

Taiqing Palace was founded in the Western Han dynasty and is one of the ancestral temples of the Quanzhen school. It has an ancient cypress tree and camellias, and legend holds that Pu Songling, author of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, wrote “The Taoists of Laoshan” here, and that he once lived on the mountain. In the Taiqing zone, a seaside boardwalk, the Eight Waters River, and Longtan Waterfall are worth seeing.

In the Yangkou zone, visit Taiping Palace, Mitian Cave (climb through the cave to the Tianyuan lookout), and Yangkou Bay beach. A cable car is available here.

In the Jufeng zone, take the cable car to the summit to see the sea of clouds and the horizon where the sea meets the sky. The mountain trails are steep, making this zone a favorite of hikers.

The Beijiushui valley and its pools are refreshingly cool in summer. Mountain guesthouse villages, such as Qingshan Fishing Village and Diaolongzui, offer sea sunrises and seafood meals.

Admission: In the Taiqing or Yangkou zone during peak season (April to October), tickets cost about 90 yuan, including scenic area shuttle transport. Jufeng costs about 80 yuan. A one-way cable car ride costs about 40 to 60 yuan. Each zone requires a separate ticket, which must be booked through the official WeChat account.

Getting there: Take Metro Line 11 to Beijiushui station or Yangkou station (for the Yangkou zone). For the Taiqing zone, take Metro Line 4 to the Dahedong visitor centre and transfer to a scenic shuttle bus. If driving, you also need to transfer at Dahedong.

Tips: Plan a full day. Spend the morning at Taiqing Palace and the Eight Waters River, and the afternoon at Yangkou or Jufeng. Alternatively, stay one night in a fishing village to see the sunrise. Wear non-slip shoes.

Notes: Sea fog can reduce visibility, so check the weather before you go. Expect mosquitoes and strong UV in summer. Food on the mountain is expensive, so bring your own snacks.

Mount Lao (Laoshan)

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby