1 JUFENG is the highest peak of Laoshan Mountain, rising 1,133 meters above sea level. It is the highest mountain along the country’s 18,000-kilometer coastline.

    Jufeng is a popular scenic spot for sightseeing, with sunset scenes, and spending summer holidays, resting and recuperating.

    2 Taiqing Scenic Spot, in the southeast of Laoshan Mountain, is the site of Taiqing Temple. It is said to be the “Taoism Fairy Land” and the “little Jiangnan planting area.”

    With a 2,100-year history, Taiqing Temple was built in 140 B.C. and is the biggest Taoist palace and the oldest of all the temples and palaces on the mountain.

    Three sides of Taiqing Temple are surrounded by mountains and the other by sea. Its subtropical climate allows a wide variety of plants to grow.

    3 Qipanshi (Chessboard Stone) Scenic Spot is to the east of the Laoshan scenic area, with Taiqing and Shangqing scenic spots in the south, Yangkou Scenic Spot in the north, Jufeng Scenic Spot in the west and the sea in the east.

    It features such natural landscapes as Chessboard Stone, Naluo Yanku (natural cave) and a Ming Dynasty Taoist temple, the highest Taoism temple above sea level on Laoshan Mountain.

    There are 10 popular sightseeing spots in the area, including the Gate of Huazang, Faxian’s sculpture, Dizhu Stone and Huayan Temple.

    4 Yangkou Scenic Spot is in the northeast of the Laoshan scenic area. It faces the blue Yellow Sea with a background of fairy mountain peaks.

    It features steep ridges and peaks one after another with Taiping Temple hidden in green bamboo groves and pine trees. Wide and flat beaches, soft, fine sand and clear blue sea water make it ideal for bathing.

    It is also known for its sunset scenery. From the top of Lion Peak can be seen spectacular sunrises and clouds floating on top of the peak. A cable car in Yangkou takes tourists to a giant character “shou,” which means longevity in Chinese, carved on a boulder.

    5Beijiushui Scenic Spot is in the north of Laoshan Mountain. It is abundant in vegetation and stones of different shapes, making it a natural forest and sculpture park.

    Beijiushui was created by spring water running down from Laoshan Mountain. There are 18 ponds in the Beijiushui area.

    6Hualou Scenic Spot lies northwest of Laoshan Mountain and is well-known for its peculiar peaks, stones, natural mountain forest and the historical Taoist sites.

    Hualou Temple is on Hualou Mountain, 350 meters above sea level. Since the Yuan Dynasty, Hualou Mountain has been a must for senior officials and scholars to visit.

    (Jane Lai)