The city of Laoshan is located on the east coast of China, about 500 miles southeast of Beijing, in Shandong Province. Shandong Province is about the same size as the state of Missouri, yet has about sixteen times as many people as Missouri.

Confucius was born in Shandong province and returned there to write and teach.

Much of Shandong is flat farming lands, with the Yellow River flowing through its center to the sea. Shandong has some mountains near the middle and also near Columbia's sister city. The climate is pleasant, with January lows of 20 °F and July highs around 85 °F. Shandong produces much cotton and wheat, as well as gold and petroleum. It hosts many traditional and high-technology industries, as befits China's second most populous state.

Laoshan is one of seven districts of the larger metropolitan area of Qingdao, a port city of 1.3 million people. The city of Laoshan is named for a nearby mountain. "Lao shan" means "Lao Mountain". Do you see the mountain in ?

The city of Laoshan covers about three times the area of Columbia, and borders 64 miles of seacoast. The 2008 Olympics sailing competition will be held off the coast of Laoshan. Around 191,400 people call Laoshan home. Many industries and three universities make their homes in Laoshan.

Every season has something interesting in Laoshan. In spring, there is the cherry festival. Later in the year there is the tea festival or the nearby Qingdao beer festival.

Here are some links to more information about Laoshan and Shandong.

Here are more snapshots of life in Laoshan...