Laoshan

One of the mountains at the Laoshan scenic area. (May 2004)

Laoshan (ch. 崂山; pinyin Láoshān) is a famous mountain in Shandong province, China. It lies about 30km east of the city of Qingdao, and is an important tourist destination.

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.

One of the main reasons that both locals and tourists visit Laoshan is because of two specific temples located in the mountain. In one temple resides a female god that is said to send a wife from heaven for any man that kneels before the alter and prays for one. The other temple contains the same general concepts except that instead of a female deity this one contains a male god that caters only for hopeful females wishing to seek a husbands. As a side note a person's presance is not nessicarly required in order to pray for a future mate. Many hopeful mothers have been known to secretly visit the female god in hopes of finding the perfact daughter-in-law for her son.

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

Another popular tourist area is a pond located near the very center of the mountain. It's said that if a person is able to place a paper dollar in the water and have it float on the surface of the water the owner of the money will be blessed with good luck.

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

External links

[Laoshan Photo Gallery]

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