Mount Lao

Mount Lao
Laoshan
One of the mountains at the Laoshan scenic area (May 2004)
Elevation	1,132.7 m (3,716 ft)
Location
Mount Lao Qingdao-Shandong, China
Coordinates	36°11′30″N 120°35′30″E / 36.19167°N 120.59167°E / 36.19167; 120.59167Coordinates: 36°11′30″N 120°35′30″E / 36.19167°N 120.59167°E / 36.19167; 120.59167

A stone monument to Wang Lang, founder of Northern Praying Mantis boxing, is located on the mountain.

Laoshan (Chinese: 崂山; pinyin: Láo Shān, i.e., Mount Lao) is a famous mountain in Qingdao, Shandong province, China. It lies about 30 km east of the downtown of Qingdao, and is an important tourist destination. It is the highest coastal mountain in China, peaking at 1132.7m.^[1] It is known as one of the birthplaces of Taoism.^[2]

History

Laoshan has been an important center of Taoism in China for many centuries. In 412 the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Faxian landed at Laoshan on his return from India.

Tourism and culture

Many of the mountains' numerous palaces, Taoist temples, and nunneries have not survived to the present. Taiqing Palace Taoism Temple (or Xiaqing Palace Taoism Temple), built during the North Song Dynasty, is the largest. Sanhuang Palace, part of the Taiging complex, has two ancient Cypress trees, said to have been planted during the Han Dynasty.

Many gamblers visit Laoshan for the famous tree located in the mountain, as it is said that three pats of the tree's trunk will bring instant luck for those seeking money.

Tsingtao Brewery is made famous because its beer is said to be brewed with Laoshan spring water.

References

1. ^ (Chinese)崂山有了权威“身高”1132.7米 高度精确到石头尖
2. ^ "Qingdao: A City Profile". About.com. http://gochina.about.com/od/qingdao/a/Qingdao.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-14.