Shilaoren Bathing Beach (石老人海水浴场, Old Stone Man Bathing Beach), located in Qingdao, is one of the largest seaside bathing beaches in the city. Nestled at the southern edge of a coastal cliff under Mount Wu, the beach is famous for a 17-meter-high stone pillar situated a hundred meters offshore. This rock formation, resembling an old man sitting amidst the azure waves, has earned the beach its name, Shilaoren, which means “Stone Old Man.” The figure appears to rest with his hand on his cheek, gazing intently, as if greeting the sunrise and bidding farewell to the sunset each day. This natural marvel has become an iconic symbol of the Shilaoren National Tourist Resort and a renowned sightseeing attraction in Qingdao.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Details of Shilaoren Bathing Beach
- Vlog about Shilaoren Bathing Beach
- Attractions near Shilaoren Bathing Beach
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0532-88894729 |
Location and Transportation
Shilaoren Bathing Beach is located at 287 Haikou Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 386 Loop Line or 461 Loop Line and get off at Haikou Road Hai’er Road Stop (海口路海尔路站).
Metro: The closest metro station to the spot is Shilaoren Bathing Beach (石老人浴场站) on line 2. After getting out of the station from Exit B1, walk about 200 meters to the southeast to reach the beach.
Details of Shilaoren Bathing Beach
Touching Legend
Legend has it that Shilaoren was once a diligent and kind-hearted fisherman living at the foot of Mount Wu, who shared a simple life with his intelligent and beautiful daughter. Tragically, the Dragon Prince abducted his daughter and took her to the Dragon Palace. Heartbroken, the old man called out for her day and night by the sea, unwaveringly waiting despite the waves lapping at his knees. Over time, his hair turned white, and his back became hunched, yet he continued to gaze out at the sea with hope. One day, while he was sitting in the water, resting his chin on his hand, the Dragon King cast a spell that slowly turned the old man’s body into stone.
When the daughter learned of her father’s fate, she was overwhelmed with grief and escaped from the Dragon Palace, running toward her petrified father. As she neared the shore, the flowers she wore in her hair were blown by the sea wind and took root on the island, covering Longmen Rock and Daguan Island with vibrant wild camellias. As she approached Laoshan Mountain, the Dragon King cast another spell, transforming her into a large reef, eternally isolated in the sea. The locals named this reef “Daughter Island,” a poignant reminder of the father and daughter who can never be reunited, forever separated by the vast ocean.
Facilities and Features
The Shilaoren Bathing Beach boasts a shoreline approximately 3,100 meters long, with a sandy beach that stretches over 100 meters in width, covering an area of 280,000 square meters. The beach is well-equipped with three changing rooms, featuring a total of 347 shower heads. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the use of 124 sets of beach umbrellas and tables and chairs, as well as 196 tents. The beach’s gentle slope and smooth sands are ideal for swimming, and many locals prefer Shilaoren Beach for its clearer waters compared to other city beaches. The area is less crowded, offering a more serene environment with fresher air and finer sand, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely walk or sunbathing.
Moreover, the waves at Shilaoren Beach can be quite strong, but the long, gentle slope of the beach makes it suitable for various activities such as beach volleyball and beach motorcycling. These features make it a popular destination not only for swimming but also for engaging in beach sports and other recreational activities.
