1Highlights
Laoshan is the highest peak on China's mainland coastline — a granite massif topping out at 1,132 metres (Jufeng) that rises almost directly from the Yellow Sea, 40km east of central Qingdao. It is also one of the historic centres of Taoism, with Taiqing Palace set between the mountain and the water. The single most important planning fact: Laoshan is not one ticket. It is divided into separately ticketed routes at different prices, with entrance gates far apart, and private cars cannot drive inside — you park at a visitor centre and transfer to a shuttle. Choose one route and give it a full day.
- Summit
- Jufeng, 1,132m
- Distance
- About 40km east of downtown
- South route combo
- ¥130 (¥90 + ¥40 shuttle)
- Jufeng combo
- ¥120 (¥80 + ¥40 shuttle)
- Beijiushui combo
- ¥95 (¥60 + ¥35 shuttle)
- Private cars
- Cannot enter the scenic area
- Allow
- A full day for one route
2Tickets
Peak-season pricing (roughly April to October) breaks down by route: the south route (Taiqing + Yangkou + Huayan) is ¥90 admission plus ¥40 shuttle = ¥130, valid three days; Jufeng is ¥80 plus ¥40 = ¥120; Beijiushui is ¥60 plus ¥35 = ¥95. Admission never includes the shuttle, and cable cars are extra again (Yangkou about ¥35 one way, Taiqing about ¥45, Jufeng about ¥40). Taiqing Palace itself charges a separate ¥27 if you want to go in. Concessions commonly apply to admission only, not to shuttles or cable cars. Booking through the official channel with real-name registration is normal, and on public holidays it may be the only way in.
| South route combo (Taiqing + Yangkou + Huayan) | ¥130 = ¥90 admission + ¥40 shuttle | Valid three days. The first-timer's choice — sea, temples and the fishing village. |
|---|---|---|
| Jufeng combo (the summit) | ¥120 = ¥80 admission + ¥40 shuttle | The 1,132m peak and the cloud-sea views. Physically the hardest. |
| Beijiushui combo | ¥95 = ¥60 admission + ¥35 shuttle | Gorge and streams, good in summer heat — but no sea views on this route. |
| Cable cars | Extra: Yangkou ~¥35 one way, Taiqing ~¥45, Jufeng ~¥40 | Never included in any combo. Round trips cost roughly double. |
| Taiqing Palace interior | ¥27, optional | You can photograph the red walls and old trees from outside without paying this. |
One route per day — do not try to combine：The entrances are tens of kilometres apart and the tickets are not interchangeable. Attempting two routes in a day means seeing neither properly, and you will pay twice.
Avoid cheap tours touted at the gate：Low-price 'Laoshan tours' sold on the street commonly include shopping stops, and street-sold 'insider tickets' are not legitimate. Book through the official channel or a reputable platform.
Concessions apply to admission only：Age and student concessions commonly reduce the admission portion. Shuttles and cable cars are generally charged in full regardless.
Klook
Compare Laoshan day tours with transport included
Laoshan is 40km out with entrances on different sides of the mountain, and admission, shuttle and cable car are all priced separately — which is exactly why a bundled day tour can be simpler than assembling it yourself. Klook lists Qingdao day tours in English with overseas card payment. Before booking, check which route the tour actually covers, whether the shuttle and cable car are included, the departure point and the cancellation terms.
- Check which of the three routes the tour covers
- Confirm whether the shuttle and cable car are included
- Independent visits need real-name booking via the official channel
- Check the departure point and total duration
Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. We may earn a small commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we would use ourselves.
3Getting There
Which metro line you want depends entirely on which route you have chosen — this is the mistake most visitors make. Confirm your entrance before leaving the city.
Exit A opens onto the Dahedong visitor centre, where you transfer to the shuttle. This is the main gateway.
Exit B connects to the Beijiushui transfer centre.
Transfer to bus 620 or 926 for the Yangkou entrance on the east side.
Roughly ¥100–150 one way; in peak season traffic makes the metro clearly faster.
The wrong gate costs you an hour or more：Dahedong, Beijiushui and Yangkou are separate entrances on different sides of the massif. Fix your route first, then navigate to that specific visitor centre — not to 'Laoshan'.
You will transfer to a shuttle either way：Private vehicles cannot enter the scenic area. The shuttle fee in the combo tickets covers this, and the stops are ten-plus kilometres apart, so it is not optional in practice.
4Route & Photos
For a first visit, the south route is the right answer: sea, Taoist temple and fishing village in one day, with the least physical demand. Jufeng is for people who specifically want to summit.
Bring water and food：Supplies on the mountain are limited and expensive. Buy at a convenience store before you get on the metro.
Recommended Route
- 1
Dahedong visitor centre
Metro Line 4 Exit A. Verify your booking with ID, then board the shuttle.
- 2
Longtan Waterfall and Taiqing Palace
The waterfall first, then the Taoist complex against the sea; the interior is an optional ¥27.
- 3
Yakou viewpoint and Qingshan fishing village
The classic overlook down onto the terraced village and the bay.
- 4
Shuttle to Yangkou
The eastern section — cable car up, then Mitian Cave and the summit sea views.
- 5
Yangkou beach and out
A short walk on the sand before the shuttle back. Budget 6–7 hours in total.
Best Photo Spots
Yangkou summit
Mountain and sea in a single frame — the shot Laoshan is known for.
Taiqing coastal path
The temple roofs against the water, best in morning light.
Yakou overlook
The fishing village and terraces below; a longer lens compresses the layers.
5Food & Stay
| Inside the scenic areaNoodles and light meals | ¥40–80 per person | Limited and expensive — treat it as a fallback, not a plan. |
|---|---|---|
| Qingshan village / YangkouFarmhouse meals, mountain chicken with mushrooms | ¥60–120 per person | Much better value at the foot of the mountain than on it. |
| WanggezhuangSteamed buns (provincial intangible heritage) | About ¥10 each | Made with Laoshan water; the local market is the place to find them. |
Eat seafood back in the city：Prices at Jinjialing or Shilaoren are roughly half what you pay inside the scenic area for comparable seafood.
Where to Stay
- Downtown Qingdao: treat Laoshan as a day trip and return to the city — simplest for most itineraries.
- Yangkou or Liuqinghe guesthouses at the foot of the mountain, roughly ¥300–600 a night, if you want two days on the massif.
6Tips & Pitfalls
- Decide the route before you leave the city, then navigate to that specific visitor centre rather than to 'Laoshan'.
- Take the metro in peak season. Traffic on the coast road turns a 40km drive into a very long one.
- Jufeng is a genuine stair climb. Families with children or older travellers should take Yangkou with the cable car instead.
- Ridges are exposed and summer afternoon thunderstorms are common — start early and watch the forecast.
- Book through the official channel; real-name registration is standard and on holidays there may be no on-site sales.
7Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Mount Laoshan cost?
It depends on the route. In peak season the south route combo (Taiqing + Yangkou + Huayan) is ¥130 (¥90 admission + ¥40 shuttle, valid three days), Jufeng is ¥120 (¥80 + ¥40) and Beijiushui is ¥95 (¥60 + ¥35). Cable cars and the ¥27 Taiqing Palace interior are extra. Off-season pricing differs — check the official channel.
Which Laoshan route should I choose?
First-timers should take the south route: sea views, Taiqing Palace, the Yakou overlook and Yangkou in one day, with the cable car available to save your legs. Jufeng is for summiting the 1,132m peak and is physically demanding. Beijiushui is gorges and streams, good in summer heat, but has no sea views.
How long does Mount Laoshan take?
A full day. Round-trip travel from the city is 2–3 hours and each route needs 6–7 hours on the mountain including shuttle transfers. Half a day only skims it.
How do I get to Mount Laoshan by metro?
It depends on the route: Metro Line 4 to Dahedong (Exit A) for the south route and Jufeng — the main gateway; Line 11 to Beijiushui (Exit B) for the north route; Line 11 to Puli then bus 620 or 926 for the Yangkou entrance. Confirm your entrance before setting out.
Can I drive into the Laoshan scenic area?
No. Private vehicles must park at a visitor centre and transfer to the scenic-area shuttle, which is what the shuttle portion of the combo ticket covers. Parking at the visitor centres is charged separately, typically ¥15–20 per day.
Is Laoshan suitable for children and older travellers?
Take the Yangkou section of the south route — cable car up and down with gentle paths at the top. Avoid Jufeng, which is a sustained stair climb.
Combine With
Other Qingdao sights that genuinely pair well with this one
Before You Go
The practical guides you will actually need here
All Qingdao attractions
GoChinaTravel Editorial Team
Our team of China travel researchers combines on-the-ground contributor insights, official government sources, and traveler community feedback to create the most detailed English-language China guides available. Every guide is fact-checked against primary sources (NIA, 12367, official attraction websites, Railway 12306) before publication.