The Laojun Rock Photo: tom.com

Literally translated as the 'Pure Water-source Mountain', Qingyuan Mountain is famous for its springs, rocks caves and peaks. Legend has it that the name of the mountain comes from a spring made by a immortal using an iron crutch stamping into the ground.

The 5-meter-high Laojun Rock is the most representative feature of the hill. The Song-Dynasty statue represents a man with a long beard-believed to be the philosopher Laozi, the founder and Saint of Taoism. The statue was carved out of a natural rock duirng the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Laozi is sitting in a cross-legged position, with his left hand on his left knee and right hand on a table. The figure has become a symbol of health and longevity. As the saying goes in Quanzhou, "Touch the nose of the Stone Old Saint, and you'll live up to 120 years old," which entices many tourists to have a try.

Qingyuan Mountain Photo: qzweb.com

Other scenic spots include the Maitreya Peak (Mituo yanfeng), scattered with temples, pavilions as well as statues and tombs: There are a statue of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), a statue of Maitreya and the tomb of Hongyi Priest, a learned monk of the modern times, who lived in this secluded place.

The two Holy Islamic Tombs are where the third and fourth disciples of the Islamic prophet Mohammed -- who traveled with difficulties to Quanzhou across the vast ocean to preach -- were buried after death. Their tombs are the oldest and best-preserved Islamic holy resting places in China. In the shape of a crescent, the winding stone corridor at the holy tombs signifies the purity and holiness of the disciples.

Location: 3 kilometers (2 miles) to the north of Quanzhou.
How to get there: Take bus No. 3 or 602. A walk from the city center takes about an hour if you follow Zhongshan Rd to the north.

(Source: Ctip.com / chinaculture.org summerized by CRIENGLISH.com)