The mountain's landforms were formed due to the action of glaciers during the Quaternary and erosion by meltwater released from the icecap that covered a large portion of Shandong during the late Pleistocene.

[2] It is the place where the Complete Perfection School of Taoism (Chinese: 全真; pinyin: Quánzhēn) developed.

The latter name was used by the Taoist Master Changchun who served as the top religious affairs official to Genghis Khan.

On the walls outside of the Three Emperors Hall an imperial decree by Genghis Khan granting Taoism protection.

The Qing dynasty writer Pu Songling is said to have resided in the Temple of Supreme Purity in his later years.

The Longtan Waterfall (Chinese: 龙潭瀑; pinyin: Lóngtán Pù) has a height of about 20 meters and is located to the south of the Temple of Great Purity.

The Temple of Supreme Peace (Chinese: 太平宮; pinyin: Tàipíng Gōng) is located on the northern slope of Mount Lao.

The martial arts style of the Northern Praying Mantis is attributed to Wang Lang, who is said to have developed while living on Mount Lao.

[5] There are six designated scenic areas on Mount Lao: Taiqing (太清景区), Chessboard Stone (棋盘石景区), Yangkou (仰口景区), Jufeng (巨峰景区), Beijiushui (北九水景区), and Hualou (华楼景区).