Reflections after visiting Laoshan Mountain in Qingdao

People say that not visiting Mount Laoshan would be the biggest regret when visiting Qingdao. After breakfast, Xiao Li and I started walking along the coast. Not far away, we happened to meet a one-day tour bus going to Laoshan. After a brief inquiry, we got on the bus. The road to Laoshan has always been a spacious coastal avenue, with a vast sea view on one side and a bustling city on the other. I think this route should be the essence of Qingdao. The tour bus started from the landmark building trestle in the old town of Qingdao. Under the constant explanation of the tour guide, it slowly drove to the new area, passing the Military Museum, the Oceanarium, the Underwater World, and the May 4th Square... rounding a corner, the tour guide Under the guidance of the guide, we looked back and sideways from the window and appreciated the unique beauty of Qingdao’s “red tiles, green trees, blue sea and blue sky”. Looking at the various sculptures along the coast and listening to the tour guide's description of how wealthy the fishermen along the coast are, I can't help but sigh at the mystery and luck of Qingdao. There are several scenic viewing areas in Mount Laoshan. We came to the Jufeng viewing area where the highest peak of Mount Laoshan is located. The tourist bus stopped at the foot of Laoshan Mountain and changed into an environmentally friendly tourist bus for mountain climbing. The car was driving on a winding mountain road. On the right side of the road against the mountain were vivid carvings, each carving telling a story. After about ten minutes, we arrived at the starting point of the main tourist line. According to the arrangement of the tour guide, everyone got on the ropeway to the higher place. The ropeway car moved smoothly and slowly, from bottom to top, and sat in it, high and low, far and near. The panoramic view of the scenery makes people feel relaxed and happy, and their imaginations wander. Especially the piles of stones in the mountains, no matter how big or small, are round and natural. Many of the stones are helpless, as if they were piled there deliberately. On the slowly ascending ropeway, I gradually saw a few people walking up the mountain from the bottom of the mountain. Their mountaineering spirit was really admirable. It took us about ten minutes to take the ropeway. I think for those who hike up the mountain, it will take at least more than an hour to complete this journey. After leaving the cableway, we started to really climb the mountain. The tour guide pointed to the browsing sign and reminded everyone that they must gather at the ropeway before three o'clock, and the time at this time was twelve o'clock noon. She emphasized to everyone that after climbing to the top of the mountain, you must return along the original route. At most, you must continue walking for a while and return to a place where you can connect to the mountains and rivers. Looking at the long circular tourist route, and thinking that what we are about to complete is only about one-third of the short section, Laoshan Mountain really feels a bit unfathomable. It’s been a long time since I’ve climbed a mountain, and I felt an indescribable excitement in my heart. Colonel Li and I went up the mountain lightly. I only brought my camera and a bottle of mineral water with me, and Colonel Li only brought a glass of water. The first step up the mountain felt a bit steep. The ethereal nature of the mountain and the challenging mountain road made people feel a little panicked. After a while, Principal Li began to breathe heavily. We walked slowly up the stairs, taking a break at each place. Obviously, our position is getting higher and higher. Amid the excitement and surprise of the tourists, we also see the white clouds that are almost close to us, and the coolness in the mountains becomes more and more obvious. About ten minutes away from the top of the mountain, Colonel Li told me that he didn’t want to climb anymore and asked me to continue climbing the mountain by myself. We took photos of each other, and then I started walking alone again. Mount Laoshan is neither as majestic as Mount Tai nor as beautiful as Mount Huang, but it is said to be unique in that "you can see the sea from the mountains, and you can see the mountains from the sea." But today it was cloudy on the top of the mountain, and I couldn't see the sea at all. In fact, not only could I not see the sea, but even the scenery farther away was completely blurred. Along with the sparse crowd, I reached the top of Laoshan Mountain - Laoding. Although my hot face was soaked with sweat, I didn't feel tired. In the cool mountain breeze, I felt like I was freezing at high altitude. At this time, you are on the top of Laoshan Mountain, with the sky blowing in your face and white clouds accompanying you, your mind is calm and your mind is calm, it is infinitely comfortable. It’s time to go down to Laoding. Should we just go back the same way? Or move on? I was faced with a choice. If we return the same way, this is what the tour guide requires, but if this is the case, I am really unwilling to do so. But if we continue to travel the entire circular route, we are really worried that time will not allow us. It was about one o'clock. Obviously, at this time, the vast majority of tourists chose to return the same way they came, but I found that there were five or six young people around me clamoring to continue moving forward. I joined them without thinking. I secretly thought that if it were not for this group of people, I would definitely choose to return the same way. After we moved forward for a while, a three-way intersection appeared on the road, and several of them began to discuss which road to choose. As we continued walking, I couldn't help but ask them if I could return to the ropeway if I walked like this for two hours. They replied that it should be possible, but they also said that they had no time limit and would not be in a hurry. Hearing this, my heart couldn't help but waver. Since they didn't care when they returned to the end, I couldn't go with them at ease. But there were no other travelers on the road. I hesitated seriously, and finally had to I regretfully said goodbye to them and headed back. When I returned to Xunmen below Laoding, I happened to meet our tour guide. Seeing that I was coming back from the previous road, she asked me if I had picked up the mountains and rivers. I said I hadn’t gotten any water yet but didn’t dare go any further because there was no one on the road. She told me that you can get water after walking for ten minutes and passing Genmen. You can still get it now, just remember to return the same way. She also told me that my companion Li Xiao had already gone down the mountain and returned to the ropeway. The tour guide’s words set me on the path forward again.

Although I was the only one on the road, I was very energetic and couldn't help but speed up my pace. I thought that my goal was to get the drinkable mountain water first, so Gududu drank all the remaining mineral water without ceremony and rushed forward with the empty bottle. I knew that if I walked fast, I could catch up with the group of young men just now. Finally, I happened to meet them by the pool full of mountains and rivers, facing the sound of their talking and laughing. After we greeted each other, I jumped into the water pool and used a bottle to catch the mountain water that was slowly flowing down the rocks. The mountain water was very clear and clean. I took it and took a sip first. It was cool and sweet. Yes, it tastes great. This is pure mineral water! I then filled the bottle. When they saw me getting water, they also went to get it. After receiving the water, I didn’t stop at all. A firm decision emerged in my heart: I want to continue walking, I want to complete the journey! So, I said goodbye to them loudly, took the water I collected, and strode towards the road ahead. This is an unknown road, a road full of hope and exploration. This journey is destined to be something I will never forget. On this road, the most precious thing to me is time, and the most important thing is courage. What is rare is that on this long circular route, every important scenic spot will have a browsing diagram, which guides me to the goal and direction. I am just such a person, advancing and exploring in the vast mountains. On this road, I thought of the long-distance running I used to do alone, the swimming I used to do alone, the spirit of charging ahead regardless of personal safety during the earthquake relief work, and the dreamy scenery. Life is a long journey. On this road, I met almost no tourists, and almost never heard a bird song. The only things that accompanied me were the sleeping mountains, slowly flowing white clouds, quietly upright trees and the occasional gurgling water. Walking this way, I felt as excited and excited as if I had discovered a new continent. Drilling into the cave, walking on the plank road, crossing the chain bridge... Although I never forgot to rush for time, I couldn't help but take pictures of the wonderful scenes. I remember that I met a small shop at Wufengxianguan. I asked the owner if one hour was enough to walk from here to the end of the ropeway. He replied that fifty minutes would be enough. In fact, when I checked the time after reaching the finish line, it only took me twenty minutes! When the noisy crowd got closer and closer, I began to feel like I was walking from a dream into reality... When I returned to the cableway, I saw Principal Li. I told him excitedly that I had completed the entire journey. He asked me if I was exhausted. Say you don’t feel tired! He said he didn't believe it. Ha ha! In fact, I really don’t feel tired at all! At this time, I thought of what the tour guide said when we were on the mountain: completing the entire route is not a matter of time, but a matter of physical strength.

I have proven my success through practice! Proved his physical strength! Laoshan, this trip is really worth it!