Located in Qingdao City in Shandong Province, Laoshan Scenic Area is 1,133 meters above sea level, adjoins the Yellow Sea, with an area of about 300 square kilometers.
It abounds in exotic rocks and grotesque stones, as well as luxuriantly green trees. With peaks rising one upon another and gullies with streams flowing through and the adjacent sea to the south-east, it is gifted with a great number of fascinating scenic spots and historical sites. There are Taoist Temples built in the Song Dynasty, the stone chessboard of players Beidou and Nanji, two Immortals according to the legend, the Huayan Temple constructed in the Ming Dynasty, White-Cloud Cave, Mingxia Cave, Shangqin Temple, Taiqin Temple as well as Yulinshi Waterfall, Waterfall of the Bashui River etc.
Chaoyin Waterfall: The Neijiushui River, 3 kilometers long, drops over a precipice, throwing up sprays like fish-scales, hence the Chaoyin Waterfall is known also as Fish-scales Waterfall. The Waterfall has three tiers and dashes upon two pools: the higher pool named, "Diangangwan", 4-7 meters deep, in the shape of a rainbow, filled with indigo-blue water and the lower pool, a bigger one with a circumference of over 30 meters. By its side stands a pavilion of stone pillars, with a cliff at the back inscribed with a poem depicting the Waterfall.
Huayan Temple: First constructed in the Ming Dynasty, the existing buildings were renovated in the Qing Dynasty. It has magnificent halls and pavilions along with clear pools springs and exquisite rocks. The Grand Hall houses at its center a clay statue of Sakaymuni, flanked by carved wooden statues and pagoda of Buddha and a bronze statue of arhat casted in the Ming Dynasty. The Temple keeps a great amount of cultural relics, such as large volumes of Buddhist sutra, the calligraphies of many scholars.
Jufeng (Great Peak): Known also as Top of Mt. Lao, and 1,133 meters above sea level, it's surrounded by numerous peaks in sword or spear shapes such as Lingqi Peak, Meiren (Beauty) Peak, Xiaojufeng Peak. On top of Jufeng is a small stone terrace, of several square meters encircled with iron-rails. Ascending to the top, one sees only the vast sea and the blurred line joining the sky and water.
