Laoshan

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Laoshan (Chinese: 崂山; pinyin: Láo Shān, i.e., Mount Lao) is a famous mountain in Shandong province, China. It lies about 30km east of the city of Qingdao, and is an important tourist destination. The Laoshan Velodrome will play host to track cycling events at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

[edit] 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 to see two specific temples located in the mountain. In one temple resides a goddess who is said to send a wife from heaven for any man that kneels before the altar and prays for one. Similarly, the other temple contains an altar to a male god who caters to hopeful females wishing to find husbands. A person's presence is not necessarily required in order to pray for a future mate: many hopeful mothers have been known secretly to visit the goddess's temple in hopes of finding the perfect daughter-in-law for their sons.

Many gamblers visit Laoshan for the famous tree located in the mountain, as it is 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 its beer is said to be brewed with Laoshan spring water.