Laoshan Island is located in the heart of Chaohu Lake, Zhongmiao Subdistrict, Chaohu City, Hefei, Anhui Province. It is the largest island in Chaohu Lake. The scenic area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, featuring lake-island scenery, fishing culture, and ancient temple heritage, combining natural ecology and historical humanistic landscapes. The highest elevation of Laoshan Island is 104.8 meters, with a total area of 0.86 square kilometers and a vegetation coverage rate of over 70%. The island is home to historic buildings such as Wenfeng Pagoda and Shengfei Temple, among which Wenfeng Pagoda stands 51 meters high, serving as the iconic ancient building of the scenic area. Relying on the ecological resources of Chaohu Lake, the scenic area forms a unique landscape integrating lake, island, mountain, pagoda and temple, and is a core component of the Chaohu Lake National Scenic Area.
History and Culture
The name of Laoshan Island originates from a local folk legend of the Chaohu Lake basin. According to the legend, in ancient times, a catastrophic flood struck Chaohu Lake, and Grandma Jiao sacrificed herself to save the villagers, turning into a mountain to protect the people. Hence the island was named Laoshan. This legend has become an important cultural symbol in the Chaohu Lake basin and has been passed down for thousands of years.
The human history of Laoshan Island can be traced back to the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. Shengfei Temple on the island was first built in the Western Jin Dynasty as a major site for worshipping Grandma Jiao. Having been renovated many times, it retains traces of folk beliefs and architectural craftsmanship in ancient Jianghuai region.
Wenfeng Pagoda is the core historic building on the island. Construction began in the 4th year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty and was completed in the 3rd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty under the initiative of Li Hongzhang. Built with stone strips and blue bricks, the seven-story pagoda preserves inscriptions and Buddha reliefs from successive dynasties, representing a typical lake-island ancient pagoda in the Jianghuai region.
As an ancient island in the center of Chaohu Lake, Laoshan Island has long been an important landmark for shipping on Chaohu Lake and a settlement for fishing families. It has nurtured a unique folk culture of Chaohu fishermen, bearing witness to the historical changes and water civilization of Chaohu Lake.
Major Attractions
Wenfeng Pagoda
Wenfeng Pagoda stands on the main peak of Laoshan Island as the iconic building of the scenic area. Construction started in the 4th year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty and was finished in the 3rd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty with the support of Li Hongzhang. The pagoda is 51 meters high, an octagonal brick-and-stone structure with seven stories. There are 135 stone steps inside, and 802 stone carvings including Buddha statues and inscriptions are embedded on the outer wall. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of Chaohu Lake and the distant shoreline, making it the best spot to watch sunrise and lake scenery.
Shengfei Temple
Shengfei Temple is located on the southern foothill of Laoshan Island. Founded in the Western Jin Dynasty to commemorate Grandma Jiao, it is one of the oldest ancient temples in the Chaohu Lake basin. Covering an area of about 800 square meters, the temple is built in Huizhou-style ancient architecture. Inside the hall enshrines a statue of Grandma Jiao, with preserved ancient stone steles and incense burners, serving as a key attraction to experience folk belief culture of Chaohu Lake.
Fisherman Culture Park
Fisherman Culture Park is situated along the coast of Laoshan Island, themed on the fishing culture of Chaohu Lake. It displays traditional daily utensils, fishing tools and folk costumes of Chaohu fishermen, restoring their production and living scenes. Visitors can experience fishing folk customs here and learn about the fishery culture and water lifestyle of Chaohu Lake.
Laoshan Island Ecological Walkway
The Ecological Walkway encircles Laoshan Island with a total length of approximately 3.8 kilometers. Built along the lake, it connects all natural and cultural attractions on the island. Lush with vegetation along the route, it offers views of the Chaohu Lake shoreline, wetland ecology and mountain forests, serving as a main route for hiking, leisure and enjoying lake scenery.
Lake Viewing Platform
The Lake Viewing Platform is an observation deck on the eastern side of Laoshan Island, covering about 200 square meters. It provides a close-up view of the waters of Chaohu Lake, overlooking the islets in the center of the lake and Zhongmiao Temple. With a wide view, it is ideal for photography and sightseeing.
Tour Route
The standard tour route of Laoshan Island takes about 3 hours, combining walking and sightseeing. The route is: Ferry from Zhongmiao Pier → Laoshan Island Pier → Shengfei Temple → Fisherman Culture Park → Ecological Walkway → Lake Viewing Platform → Wenfeng Pagoda → Return to the pier along the walkway and ferry back. This route covers all core attractions without repeated sections, allowing visitors to fully explore the cultural landscapes and natural scenery of the island with a moderate hiking distance suitable for all kinds of tourists.
Travel Tips
- Recommended visiting time is 3 to 4 hours. Reserve 30 minutes before boarding the ferry to avoid a tight schedule.
- Climb Wenfeng Pagoda on sunny days for a clear panoramic view of Chaohu Lake. The stone steps are steep, so walk slowly for safety.
- The best travel seasons are spring from March to May and autumn from September to November, with comfortable weather and excellent lake views.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes for hiking. The Ecological Walkway is 3.8 kilometers long with some sloped sections.
- You may bring a small amount of drinking water and snacks. There are convenience service stations on the island with reasonable prices.
- For photography enthusiasts, priority can be given to the Lake Viewing Platform and Wenfeng Pagoda as the best shooting spots.
Notes
- Ferry services are affected by weather conditions and may be temporarily suspended during strong winds, heavy rain or heavy fog. Check the weather before departure.
- Flammable and explosive items are prohibited on the island. Open-air smoking and fire making are not allowed. Follow fire prevention regulations of the scenic area.
- The interior of Wenfeng Pagoda is narrow. No crowding, climbing on railings, carving or damaging cultural relics is permitted.
- Protect the ecological environment of the scenic area. Do not litter or pick plants on the island.
- Elderly people and children must be accompanied by family members when visiting the island. Sit steadily and hold handrails on the ferry and follow safety rules.
- Swimming and fishing are prohibited in the scenic area. Stay away from dangerous areas near the lake to ensure personal safety.
- Respect the historic relics and folk culture of the scenic area. Do not touch or damage temple and pagoda facilities at will.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Navigate to Laoshan Island Pier Parking Lot, Zhongmiao Subdistrict, Chaohu City. The supporting parking lot can accommodate 500 vehicles.
- Public transport: Take Bus H105 from downtown Hefei to Zhongmiao Bus Station, then walk 500 meters to Laoshan Island Pier.
- Ferry transport: Visitors must take a ferry from Zhongmiao Pier to reach the island. The one-way sailing time is about 15 minutes.
- High-speed rail: Take high-speed rail to Chaohu East Railway Station, then transfer to Chaohu Bus No.10 and then Bus H105 to Zhongmiao Pier.
Opening Hours
Daily opening hours are from 8:00 to 17:30. The last ferry departs at 17:00, and no visitors are allowed to board the island after 17:30. During legal holidays, opening hours are adjusted to 7:30–18:00 with extra ferry services to meet tourist demand. The scenic area is open all year round; opening hours may be temporarily adjusted due to severe weather and will be announced in advance.
Tickets
Ticket price is 60 yuan per person (including round-trip ferry fare). You can search for the official WeChat account “中庙姥山岛” on WeChat for the latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.