Lao Shan 崂山 basically are rocky mountain ranges by the side of Yellow Sea. Its unique stone formation, hundred species of rare botanical trees and plants, historical position and never ending legends of Taoism, made it up into a scenic yet interesting spot to visit in Qing Dao. More than 10 small islands scattering around, green pine trees, white stone formation, blue sky, little boats, laid up a picturesque piece of landscape painting along the way up to Lao Mountain.Three sided surrounded by sea, Mt Lao is the only well-known mountain in China that is arisen from sea level. Scenery is marvelous！
There are about 200 scenic spots at Laoshan Mountain but attracted people most was the legend about emperors seeking efficacious pills for immortality and the wandering visit of famous poet Li Bai 李白 and musician Li Jun 李筠. It was said that Taoism assembly chanting musical rhythm practiced today was transferred by Li Jun and further improved by two princess nun of Song Dynasty in 12th century.
Laoshan is the second largest retreat monastery of Taoism in China.
The registration office where you obtain your admission ticket.
The teaching of Master Lao Zi 老子, founder of Taoism, emphasizes very much on nature as you can observe from those phrases left in Taoist monastery or temples. The importance of nature was again carved on this piece of stone wall. Dao Fa Zi Ran 道法自然 reminding his disciples to imitate which is natural unnecessary to imitate any other things else. He believed that way to attain immortality was to go harmoniously with nature not against it.
The blossom rosy Peach flowers
Mongolia flowers welcome the arrival of spring
Nan Tian Bamboo plant 南天竹, an unique plant only found in China and Japan, looks very extraordinary and elegant with its spare leaves, scattering thin branches holding with it, bundles of red fruits in winter season. It's a pretty little plant. On the other side a large round heads of green Hydrangea 绣球花 which commonly in white, blue or pink when blooming.
Lao Shan Tai Chin Gong 崂山太清宫 was first built at 140B.C. in Tang Dynasty. Initially it was a small temple and gradually expanded into a group of dwellings with more than 80 buildings of temples, shrines and living cottages, covering a circumference of 200km, accommodate more than 1000 priests. The only complete set of Taoism classic sutra treasure specially protected by Qing Dao City Government during cultural revolution is under custody of this monastery.
A thousand old tough tree that never surrendered to its environmental fate, though strike by thunder, never gave up but continued its life span till today.
Camellia flower plant 山茶花树 is an ever green shrub with white, red, pink rose-like flowers and dense shinny leaves, normally grown at places like China and Japan. Its able to stand severe coldness and has a life-span of more than 400 years. Trees normally grow up to few meters high, and flowers blossom during winter and spring. Camellia 山茶花 is the city flower of Qing Dao. Multi pedals snow white camellia flower is a very rare species among all.
A tree of white Camellia flower
A tree of red Camellia flower
Another old tree that had survived for more than 700 years.
Many buildings and artifacts at Mt Lao Tao monastery were destroyed and damaged during war time and cultural revolution. Though the scheme today is not as big as the past, complete buildings left behind were only about 20-30 units but most of them were in quite a good shape and of course most important was of original construction. One of them is the shelter where Pu Song Ling 浦松龄, the author of Chinese famous spiritual novel Liao Zhai 聊斋, created and wrote some of his ghost stories. Immersed in such an exquisite nature atmosphere, under such quiet environment, induction of subtle influences from great nature , power was not surprising.
Mt Lao Monastery is a cultural heritage.
The hut where where Ghost writer Pu Song Ling 浦松龄 completed his famous spiritual love novel Liao Zhai 聊斋 that influenced many of youngsters in the past.
The beautiful cottage with little ventilation roof windows at the foot of rocky mountain hiding in wide ranges of plants and trees, an ideal place for meditation, indeed.
A serene and comfortable site!
There are too many historical trees and plants. The husband and wife embraced tree had also been thousand of years.
Compared to the serene mountain top, the foot of Laoshan Mountain is rather bustling and noisy.
Its not any sweet snack but fruits!
The rock formation at the bank of Yellow Sea.
Enjoy a splendid view of Yellow Sea while driving up to the mountain top.
Picture #18 look like Viburnum. From the leaves and branches is not hydrangea.
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