Detailed One-Day Travel Guide for Laoshan Taiping Route

Laoshan, known as "the first famous mountain on the sea," is a must-visit destination. The Taiping Scenic Area is the essence of Laoshan, combining stunning mountain and sea views with rich Taoist cultural heritage. Today, let's embark on a wonderful one-day journey along the Laoshan Taiping Route. Itinerary Laoshan Tourist Service Center (Dahedong) → Bashui River → Longtan Waterfall → Shangqing Palace → Mingxia Cave (optional cable car) → Descend via Taiping Cable Car → Taiping Palace → Qingdao's Most Beautiful Fishing Village, Qingshan Village → Coastal Highway → Return Must-Visit Attractions 🎈 Taiping Palace: As the oldest and largest Taoist temple in Laoshan, Taiping Palace boasts a history of over 2,100 years and is hailed as "the second Taoist temple under heaven." Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on the other, its location is unparalleled. Inside, you'll find red walls, green tiles, and ancient towering trees, exuding a strong Taoist atmosphere. Key structures include the Three Officials Hall, Three Pure Ones Hall, and Three Sovereigns Hall, along with ancient trees like the Han Cypress, Tang Elm, and Jiangxue. Notably, the "Han Cypress Lingxiao" in the Three Sovereigns Hall is said to have been planted by Zhang Lianfu, the founder of Taiping Palace, over 2,160 years ago. Additionally, the largest outdoor statue of Laozi in China stands here, with a height of 36 meters and a base of 28 meters, modeled after the depiction by Tang Dynasty artist Wu Daozi. The statue's gesture symbolizes "creating heaven and earth, with Tao as supreme," inspiring awe. The palace also features numerous cliff carvings left by literati, which hold high artistic value and vividly reflect Laoshan's historical culture. 🎈 Qingshan Village: After visiting Taiping Palace, take the scenic shuttle bus or the 618 bus (dubbed "China's most beautiful bus") to reach Qingshan Fishing Village. Nestled between mountains and the sea, this quaint village is rich in fishing culture. Its red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and sky create a picturesque rural scene. Stroll through the village streets to experience its simple lifestyle, as if time has paused here. From the village's observation deck, you can overlook the entire village, where the distant mountains blend seamlessly with the azure sea. Enjoy a local seafood feast at a seaside farmhouse, featuring specialties like Laoshan Mushroom Chicken, Sea Water Tofu, and Mackerel Dumplings, for an unforgettable culinary journey. Transportation Tips ✅ Subway: Take Line 4 to Dahedong Station and exit via Exit A. The Laoshan Tourist Service Center is conveniently located right outside. ✅ Bus: Take buses 304, 104, or 113 to the Laoshan Tourist Service Center stop, then transfer to the scenic shuttle bus to enter the area. ✅ Self-Drive: Navigate to Laoshan Tourist Service Center (Dahedong). The scenic area has parking facilities. However, note that the scenic area's tourist roads strictly limit access to private vehicles, except for local residents, buses, emergency vehicles, and approved vehicles. Self-driving visitors must park at the service center and transfer to the scenic shuttle bus for sightseeing. Food Recommendations 🍱 Laoshan Mushroom Chicken: A signature dish of Laoshan, made with fresh local mushrooms and tender chicken. The chicken absorbs the mushrooms' umami flavor, resulting in a rich and flavorful broth that's both nutritious and unforgettable. 🍱 Sea Water Tofu: Made using seawater, this tofu is smooth and aromatic. Try it cooked with seafood, where the tofu absorbs the seafood's essence for a unique taste. 🍱 Mackerel Dumplings: A Qingdao specialty, these dumplings are filled with fresh mackerel, pork, and chives. Each bite bursts with the taste of the sea. 🍱 Seaweed Buns: Stuffed with seaweed, pork, and vermicelli, these large buns feature thin skin and generous filling. The seaweed's distinct flavor blends perfectly with the pork's aroma, making them incredibly delicious.