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Many people have heard that there are many routes to Laoshan, and choosing one can be confusing. Here's a Laoshan guide for your reference. Laoshan is the only mountain on China's coastline with an altitude of over 1,000 meters. Known as the "No. 1 Mountain on the Sea," Laoshan's stunning combination of mountain and sea scenery is rich in Taoist cultural heritage.
The east is high with cliffs beside the sea, while the west is gentle with rolling hills. The mountainous area covers 446 square kilometers. For the larger Laoshan, you must first sort out the main tour line and then choose which route to take.
As shown in the picture, Laoshan is divided into 6 areas, and there are 3 traditional routes: South Line, Central Line and North Line.
The southern route is more conventional, offering mountain and sea views, as well as temples and Taoist temples. The main attractions are Yanhua Temple and Taiqing Palace, as well as the Yangkou sea view. There's plenty to see and do.
For those traveling from other places, I generally recommend taking the first route, from Liuqing to Yangkou. This route offers a truly stunning experience of the sea and sky blending into one, and the mountains and sea towering above the clouds. This is unmatched by other routes.
It is the location of the Taoist Taiqing Palace.
The location of the Buddhist Huayan Temple.
The mountain and sea landscapes blend perfectly here.
Ticket prices:
The off-season fee is 100 yuan (60 yuan for the entrance ticket and 40 yuan for the sightseeing bus); the peak season fee is 130 yuan (90 yuan for the entrance ticket and 40 yuan for the sightseeing bus).
transportation:
In downtown Qingdao, take bus No. 104 or No. 304. No. 304 can be taken near the train station and the city government, while No. 104 can be taken near the city government. Get off at Dahedong Customer Service Center Station (the same ticketing center as the Central Line).
Line advantages:
The southern route is more conventional, with mountains, sea, temples, and Taoist temples, offering a wealth of tourist resources. Tickets can be purchased at the Dahedong Customer Service Center. It usually takes less than 1.5 hours by bus from the city center, making it a relatively convenient route.
Line Disadvantages:
1. You can't reach the highest peak. Although the southern route offers a variety of scenic spots, the only thing you won't have the opportunity to climb is the main peak of Jufeng, which is 1,132 meters above sea level.
2. Traffic conditions are problematic during both the off-season and peak season. If you drive during peak season, traffic jams are common, and waiting times are long. During peak season (July/August), there are long queues for the Yangkou Cableway and Mitian Cave.
Beijiushui is relatively flat, making it suitable for elderly and children with limited hiking skills. Summer is the best time to visit Beijiushui, when the trees are lush and the air is abundant. The springs are abundant and gurgling, and the water is exceptionally cool. The scenic area is pleasant, with a gentle breeze, making it a very enjoyable experience.
Tickets:
70 yuan in the off-season (40 yuan for the ticket and 30 yuan for the sightseeing bus); 95 yuan in the peak season (65 yuan for the ticket and 30 yuan for the sightseeing bus).
transportation:
You can get there by taking Metro Line 11 and getting off at Beijiushui Station. In downtown Qingdao, take Bus No. 365 or Bus No. 619 (Bus No. 365 can be taken at Lijin Road in Taidong, and Bus No. 619 can be taken at the East Bus Station in the city) and get off at Wolong Village Station.
Line advantages:
Beijiushui has a relatively flat terrain with a gentle slope, making it suitable for elderly people and children with poor climbing abilities or tourists who enjoy easy climbing.
During the rainy season, when the water level is high, the Beijiushui River crisscrosses and the waterfalls soar overhead. When there are not many people, you can go swimming in the water, which is very interesting. During the hot summer season, the scenic area is cool and pleasant with a gentle breeze.
Line Disadvantages:
1. The beauty of Beijiu Water lies in its water supply. The water level is generally good during the rainy season of July and August, and is not very stable during the rest of the year. It is recommended to confirm the water level in the scenic area before visiting.
2. No ocean view. This is the starting point for many people: since Laoshan is a famous mountain on the sea, it would be a shame if you couldn't even see the sea. Beijiushui is located in a valley north of Laoshan's main peak, and the scenic area is blocked from the sea by the high peaks, making it completely impossible to see the sea.
Jufeng is the top of Laoshan Mountain. Those who like mountaineering can choose this route to reach the top of Laoshan Mountain. It takes about 3 hours to climb the mountain and the physical exertion is also relatively large.
From the top of Jufeng, you can see the city and the sea. When the weather is good, you can even see a sea of clouds in the morning or evening. The view from the top of Jufeng is quite wide and you will be shocked by the beautiful scenery.
Tickets:
90 yuan in the off-season (50 yuan for the ticket and 40 yuan for the sightseeing bus); 120 yuan in the peak season (80 yuan for the ticket and 40 yuan for the sightseeing bus).
transportation:
In downtown Qingdao, take bus No. 104 or No. 304. No. 304 can be taken near the train station and the city government, while No. 104 can be taken near the city government. Get off at Dahedong Customer Service Center Station (the same customer service and ticketing center as the South Line).
Line advantages:
1. The top of Laoshan Mountain is the highest point on the coastline of our motherland.
The most original goal of mountain climbing is actually to reach the summit. Whether the climbing is hard or not, what the scenery along the way is like, and the moment when you reach the top and look down on all the other mountains, they are just embellishments of the satisfaction of successfully reaching the summit.
2. The mountain and sea scenery is magnificent.
Laoshan's coastline stretches over 800 kilometers, so there are numerous places to enjoy the sea. Yangkou, Taiqing, and Jufeng are the three main locations. From Lingqi Peak, facing the sea, the ocean stretches far ahead. The azure waters and the mountains of varying heights and shapes are clearly demarcated, creating a seamless whole. The view is incredibly expansive, and the beauty is truly breathtaking. This awe is completely different from the subtle and tranquil beauty of Taiqing and Yangkou. It is a kind of majestic beauty that requires no further elaboration. This is Jufeng.
Line Disadvantages:
The only drawback of Jufeng is that it has been designated as a separate tourist route and has its own ticket. Therefore, although you can appreciate the wonderful scenery of the blue sea and blue sky of Laoshan, there are no Taoist temples to visit. Although the scenic area has also set up Taoist elements such as the so-called "Bagua Gate" along the way to climb the mountain, it is still impossible to deeply visit and experience Laoshan as a famous Taoist mountain and its Taoist cultural connotations.
In fact, it cannot be considered a tourist area. There are fewer attractions here and it is free to enter.
China-TravelNote related routes
If you want to hike all of Laoshan's major scenic areas, we recommend purchasing an annual pass at the Laoshan Scenic Area Management Center on Meiling Road near Shilaoren. Individual annual passes generally cost 220 yuan, while family annual passes are 360 yuan. Tickets purchased online will be mailed to your home, but you can pick up your pass at the Scenic Area Management Center. If you want to explore all of the routes, an annual pass is a great value.
