Mount Lao, or Laoshan (simplified Chinese: 崂山; traditional Chinese: 嶗山; pinyin: Láo Shān;German: Lauschan[1]) is a mountain located near the East China Sea on the southeastern coastline of the Shandong Peninsula (German:Schantung-Halbinsel) in China. The mountain is culturally significant due to its long affiliation withTaoism and is often regarded as one of the "cradles of Taoism". It is the highest coastal mountain in China and the second highest mountain in Shandong, with the highest peak (Jufeng) reaching 1,132.7 metres (3,716 ft).[2]The mountain lies about 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the northeast of the downtown area of the City ofQingdao and is protected by the Qingdao Laoshan National Park that covers an area of 446 square kilometers.
The populated sections of the city are relatively flat while mountains spur up within city limits and nearby. The highest elevation in the city is 1,133 metres (3,717 ft)
Lying across the Shandong Peninsula and looking out to the Yellow Sea, it borders Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west and Rizhao to the southwest. Qīng (青) in Chinese means "green" or "lush", while dǎo (岛) means "island".
Qingdao ([tɕʰi̯ə́ŋtàu̯]; Chinese: 青岛; also spelt Tsingtao) is a city in eastern Shandong Province on the east coast of China as well as one of the largest city in Shandong province
Living standards are among the highest of leading Chinese cities due to the strong export economy and relatively high family wages.
Internationally, Qingdao is perhaps best known for its Tsingtao Brewery, founded by a German-British joint venture in 1903
There is a large number of German-style buildings in Qingdao city centre, remarkable considering the German colonial period only lasted 16 years (1898–1914). The unique combination of German and Chinese architecture in the city centre, combined with German demographic roots and a large Korean expatriate population, gives Qingdao a distinct atmosphere. An old saying described Qingdao as a city of "red tiles green trees, blue sky and blue sea."
Qingdao is one of the few cities in northern China where surfing is possible. The best surfing season is during the typhoon season (June–October). The south oriented beaches of Qingdao are the most appropriate to receive swells. Shinan and Laoshan districts are reported to have the best wave and wind orientation.
Photos by Benoit Florencon