One Day Budget Tour of Laoshan Jufeng
Early morning, I got off the train at Qingdao North Station; the first subway hadn't arrived yet. I waited half an hour before the subway staff let people in. You need to show the Shandong Health Code, and the subway doesn't accept 'Qindao Tong' (neither the physical card nor the Alipay version), so I had to buy a single-journey ticket at the self-service machine. Fortunately, my phone had data and supported WeChat Pay.
Since I'd booked the Nahai Youth Hostel on Ctrip in advance—convenient for both the train station and Laoshan—I transferred once by bus and arrived at Jinxiu Garden on Laoshan Road. The hostel was inside Jinxiu Community, with no sign or directions, so I had to rely on navigation and finally found it after searching for a while.
A bunk bed for just a few dozen yuan is already a fair price in a big city. The owner gives you a set of sheets, pillowcase, and duvet cover to put on yourself. Though it's underground, the ventilation is good and it's not damp, with almost no mosquitoes and air conditioning. Phone charging is also quite convenient. After dropping off my luggage, I headed out to see nearby sights, walking to 'Shilao Ren'. I took the newly built seaside boardwalk all the way. Few people, few cars, lots of flowers—a real tourist city. Occasionally, a group of mountain bike enthusiasts whizzed past. At a roadside convenience store, I bought a bottle of Laoshan beer. Watching the waves crash against the reef, the distant coast guard ships and 10,000-ton freighters entering and leaving Qingdao Port, the sky blue and sea blue, clouds like a few sweeps of snow left by immortals on a blue sand table—it was so relaxing.
In the evening, I walked to the Nanjiang Fishing Boat Dock to eat seafood skewers and watch the fishermen bring in their boats. Early to bed, early to rise, ready to conquer 'Jufeng'.
Set off at 7 am. Buses like routes 380 and 630 right at the community gate go directly to Dahedong Service Center, exactly half an hour.
The ticket office at Dahedong is an impressive building, like a port terminal. With the new policy of free admission (you need to book one day in advance on the Laoshan Tourism WeChat official account and pay via WeChat), you just scan your ID card and board the bus. They advertise eco-friendly vehicles, but they're actually air-conditioned tourist coaches, departing every ten minutes or so.
I was amazed that Qingdao specially built this mountain expressway, accessible only to these buses, for Laoshan tourism. Along the way, there were recently carved stone murals and sculptures. In about fifteen minutes, we arrived at the archway of Jufeng Scenic Area. The bus stopped on a large dam, with mountain streams rushing down noisily.
Following the crowd into the building, there was the cable car ticket office. If you don't enter the building, on the right there's a pedestrian trail up the mountain. As a young person, I naturally chose to walk.
Along the way, there were rare flowers and plants. Unfortunately, the mountain streams were fenced off with wire mesh, no splashing allowed. Streams on both sides, one path in the middle—impossible to get lost. With a backpack carrying a liter of purified water and a trekking pole (essential for the descent), and as a solo traveler, of course I had a selfie stick. No ancient trees, but bizarre rocks everywhere. If it weren't summer, the wind would be terrifying, howling among the stones. The morning mist was fantastic—be sure to take videos. After hiking for over an hour, I reached the observation deck at the cable car terminus. The challenge was just beginning.
According to the roadside map, the summit of Laoshan is a military restricted area. What's open to the public are the eight gates: Qian, Kun, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kan, Dui, circling the main peak and returning. The map notes included time estimates—about two hours and forty minutes on foot, with straight-line distances between each gate. The public restrooms were clean and tidy, easy to find.
Tiring all the way, but luckily I had biscuits. By the time I finished the loop, my water was just gone. Countless steps up and down, countless imitation wood plank paths built along the mountain, narrow skyways. Pay close attention to the map signposts along the route. Except for Wuzhi Peak and the observation deck, there was almost no backtracking. Regrets: Danlu Peak was closed off, no entry; the iron chain bridge was also closed, forcing a long detour—so frustrating! Back at the starting platform of Li Gate, no need to rush to buy water. Keep the empty bottle because there are plenty of springs on the way down where you can splash and drink. (Taking a bottle of spring water home to brew tea is an absolutely different experience—truly immortal natural mineral water.)
Most people's knees and ankles were already struggling to continue down the mountain. Persevere a few hundred more steps and you're back at the cable car station. It was just after 5 pm. Fitness buffs could walk back down the steps the same way, but I couldn't—I definitely had to take the cable car, 45 yuan, payable via WeChat official account. They send a confirmation SMS, so be sure to conserve your phone battery while taking photos on the way—the signal is poor in the mountains and it drains the battery fast. Otherwise, without a phone and with darkness falling, you'd be crying with no tears.
The shuttle bus was already waiting for everyone in the parking lot. Exhausted people got on and fell asleep. Jufeng had thus been conquered. While you're young, you must climb Jufeng first, then later visit Taiqing and Yangkou. Booking two nights' accommodation is very necessary. Fellow hikers say that village homestays near the 630 bus terminal are also good, with sea views. Recommended.
I personally find it a bit annoying that Qingdao's subway doesn't accept QR code payment. Buses only cost two yuan and you can scan a code. I only spent money on necessary transport and the cable car. Food, accommodation, and sightseeing for two days totaled 300 yuan. Would you say that's budget travel?
