Penglai Pavilion（蓬萊閣）

Penglai Pavilion [travel.cnwest.com]

The Penglai Pavilion is situated on top of Danya Mountain in the northernmost part of the Shangdong Peninsula. Built in 1061 during the the North Song Dynasty (960-1127), the Penglai Pavilion is one of the four famous ancient towers in China. The other three are Yellow Crane Tower in Hubei Province, Yueyang Tower in Hunan Province and Tengwang Pavilion in Jiangxi Province.

The pavilion is a two-story wooden pavilion with a double-eave roof. Inside the pavilion, there are inscriptions from famous ancient poets and calligraphers. It is said that both the Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) and Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC- AD24) paid visits here. Penglai Pavilion has been regarded as a 'Fairyland' since ancient times. The legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea adds more mystery to the pavilion: the eight immortals crossed the sea using their special powers after they got drunk in the Penglai Pavilion.

The scenic area of Penglai Pavilion is a complex of ancient buildings, palaces and temples, which also includes Sanqing Palace, Lvzu Palace, Tianhou Palace, Longwang (Dragon King) Palace and Mituo Si (Amitabha Temple), covering an area of 32,800 square meters (3.28 hectares).

Admission: 100 yuan (US$15.75)/person