Qingyuan Mountain
Literally translated as the 'Pure Water-source Mountain', Qingyuan Shan 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. He is sitting in a cross-legged position, with his left hand on his left knee and right hand on a table. It is said those who climb up and rub the statue's nose are granted a long life.

There are up to 36 caves on the hill. Those with Buddhist decorations inside were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

Other scenic spots include the Maitreya Peak (Mituo yanfeng), scattered with temples, pavilions as well as statues and tombs: There is 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.

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.

Cost: RMB 40.