Dear cecil,
Bottled spring water is popular all around the world. What about China. Does China produces any bottled spring water and is spring water popular among chinese people. Thanks.

Dear Anon,
Yes, China has a very famous distiller: Olendia Water Company that produces bottled spring water.
In the past, it came only in a green glass bottle.
Nowadays, it comes in both a green glass bottle and another more compact bottle same as the Ribena clear glass bottle. A few years ago, another version, the alluminium can.
This mineral water is very famous in the Far East as it is suppose to be a cooling drink.
Because of the alakaline in the drink, one may need to get used to it. The bottled drink comes with CO2.
It is a refreshing no calorie drink.
In Mandarin, it is translated as `Snake Head' drink. When we order it, from coffee shops, we just ask for `Ser Tao Shui' or (Snake Head drink).
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 7/8/00 12:17:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
Bottled spring water is
popular all around the world.
What about China. Does China
produces any bottled spring
water and is spring water
popular among chinese people.
Thanks.

Spring water and China - Laoshan Oldenlandia Water

Dear Anon,
I took the opportunity to take a picture of what the `green' mineral water looks like.
By the way, the correct `English' spelling on the bottle is: Oldenlandia Water.
This is the description on the label:
OLENLANDIA WATER
Make of the abstracted fragrant essense of oldeniadia with Laoshan mineral water rich in mineral elements and it is indeed a refreshing drink for all seasons around the year with a tradition of quality sinces 1962.
It is bottled by Qindao Laoshan Oldenlandia Water Co Ltd, China.
It is the addition of oldeniadia to Laoshan mineral water that gives it a unique flavour.
I forgot to mention that often some take it with a pinch of salt added.
I am not sure, if you have this in your country. But if not, perhaps, someone, perhaps you would like to try to be the importer/distributor:)
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

 

Quote

On 7/8/00 12:17:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
Bottled spring water is
popular all around the world.
What about China. Does China
produces any bottled spring
water and is spring water
popular among chinese people.
Thanks.

 

 

Poor cousin … sharper taste.. not as mellow or soothing as the green glass bottle one…

On 18th November 2024

$2.00 per bottle

Laoshan Oldenlandia Water is a well-known bottled spring water brand from China, sourced from the Laoshan (Mount Lao) area in Shandong Province.  

 

About Laoshan and its water:

- Spring source: Laoshan is famous for its natural mountain springs, which are reputed for their purity and mineral balance.  
- Water characteristics: The springs are often filtered naturally through granite and other rock layers, resulting in clean, slightly mineralized water.  
- Cultural significance: Laoshan has a long history tied to Taoist culture, and its water has been valued for drinking and brewing tea for centuries.  
- Oldenlandia addition Some versions of Laoshan’s bottled water are infused with Oldenlandia diffusa, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb believed to help with detoxification, cooling the body, and supporting liver health.  

 

Laoshan, or Mount Lao, is located on the southeastern coastline of Shandong Province, China, near the city of **Qingdao**. It lies along the Yellow Sea and is famous for its scenic coastal mountains, natural springs, and long history as a center of Taoist culture.  

Location Overview:

  
- Region: Southeastern coastline of Shandong Province, China  
- Nearby City: Qingdao  
- Coordinates: Approximately **36.17° N, 120.63° E**  
- Surroundings: Faces the Yellow Sea, with mountain ranges extending inland  

Map Reference (Google Maps link):  
[View Laoshan on Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Laoshan,+Qingdao,+Shandong,+China/)  

 

Here are the main points from this page about Laoshan Oldenlandia Water:

Key Highlights

• Origin & Source

  • Laoshan (Mount Lao) in Shandong Province, near Qingdao, is famous for its natural mountain springs.

  • The water is naturally filtered through granite and rock layers, giving it purity and mineral balance.

• Product Details

  • Laoshan Oldenlandia Water has been bottled since 1962 by Qingdao Laoshan Oldenlandia Water Co. Ltd.

  • Initially sold in green glass bottles, later expanded to clear glass bottles and aluminum cans.

  • Known as a refreshing, calorie-free drink with CO₂ added.

• Unique Ingredient

  • Some versions are infused with Oldenlandia diffusa, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb.

  • Believed to aid detoxification, cooling the body, and supporting liver health.

• Cultural Significance

  • In Mandarin, it’s nicknamed “Snake Head Drink” (Ser Tao Shui). In Singapore, whenever we want to order it from the drink kiosk we refer to this familiar name.

  • Traditionally valued for drinking and tea brewing, tied to Taoist culture in the Laoshan region.

• Recent Notes

  • The taste of newer versions is described as sharper and less mellow compared to the classic green glass bottle.

  • As of November 2024, the price was noted at $2.00 per bottle.

🌿 Taoist Connection

• Sacred Mountain: Mount Lao (Laoshan) has long been considered one of the birthplaces of Taoism in China. Taoist priests and hermits lived there for centuries, practicing meditation and alchemy.

• Water as Purity: In Taoist philosophy, natural spring water symbolizes purity, balance, and harmony with nature. Drinking or brewing tea with Laoshan water was seen as aligning oneself with these values.

• Medicinal Tradition: The infusion of Oldenlandia diffusa reflects Taoist emphasis on herbal remedies and natural healing. It wasn’t just refreshment—it carried spiritual and health significance.

• Cultural Rituals: Laoshan water was often used in Taoist ceremonies and daily practices, reinforcing its reputation as “living water” that nourishes both body and spirit.

✨ Why It Matters

Laoshan Oldenlandia Water isn’t just a beverage—it’s a cultural artifact. Its connection to Taoism explains why it’s still revered today, not only for taste but for its symbolic link to longevity, purity, and spiritual balance.

🏮 Heritage vs. Commercial Identity

• Traditional Roots

  • Marketing still emphasizes the purity of Laoshan springs and the herbal infusion of Oldenlandia diffusa.

  • Packaging often references its long history (since 1962) and cultural nickname “Snake Head Drink.”

  • This heritage branding appeals to nostalgia and cultural pride, especially among older generations.

• Modern Positioning

  • The drink is now sold in aluminum cans and clear bottles, aligning with mainstream soft drink aesthetics.

  • Carbonation and sharper taste profiles make it more comparable to global sparkling waters.

  • Pricing and distribution place it alongside everyday beverages rather than niche herbal tonics.

• Balancing Act

  • The company leverages Taoist symbolism of purity and longevity while presenting the product as a refreshing, calorie-free alternative to soda.

  • This dual identity allows it to resonate both as a cultural artifact and as a modern lifestyle drink.

✨ Why It’s Interesting

Laoshan Oldenlandia Water embodies a fusion of tradition and modernity: it’s marketed as both a spiritual heritage beverage and a trendy sparkling water. That tension is part of its charm—it’s not just about hydration, but about drinking something with cultural depth.

Wanglaoji herbal tea makes for a fascinating comparison with Laoshan Oldenlandia Water because both are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine but have taken different branding paths.

Wanglaoji Herbal Tea in aluminium can

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🥤 Wanglaoji vs. Laoshan Oldenlandi

a Water

Aspect	Wanglaoji Herbal Tea	Laoshan Oldenlandia Water
Origins	Dates back to 1828, Guangzhou. Famous for cooling (liang cha) properties.	Bottled since 1962, Qingdao. Originates from Taoist spring water traditions.
Core Ingredient	Blend of herbs (including honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, licorice).	Sparkling spring water, sometimes infused with Oldenlandia diffusa.
Cultural Identity	Marketed as “cooling tea” to balance body heat, deeply tied to Cantonese culture.	Marketed as “Snake Head Drink,” linked to Taoist purity and longevity.
Modern Branding	Mass-market soft drink, heavily advertised, often compared to Coca-Cola in China.	Positioned as a niche sparkling water with heritage appeal.
Taste Profile	Sweet, herbal, slightly bitter.	Crisp, carbonated, mineral-rich, sharper in newer versions.
Commercial Strategy	Celebrity endorsements, flashy packaging, global expansion.	Nostalgia-driven branding, balancing tradition with modern sparkling water aesthetics.

✨ Key Takeaway

• Wanglaoji leaned into mass-market appeal, becoming a household name across China and abroad.

• Laoshan Oldenlandia Water stayed closer to its Taoist roots, cultivating a more niche identity as a heritage sparkling water.

Together, they show two different strategies: one embraces commercial scale and pop culture, the other emphasizes cultural depth and authenticity.

A short narrative that captures how Laoshan Oldenlandia Water and Wanglaoji herbal tea represent two different visions of “modern China in a bottle”:

Wanglaoji Herbal Tea in a plastic bottle

+++

🌏 Two Drinks, Two Stories

In the cool granite-filtered springs of Mount Lao, Taoist monks once brewed tea with pure water, believing it carried harmony and longevity. That tradition lives on in Laoshan Oldenlandia Water, a sparkling drink that whispers of heritage—its sharp mineral taste and herbal infusion reminding people of Taoist purity and balance. It’s a beverage that carries cultural depth, marketed as both a nostalgic relic and a modern sparkling water.

Meanwhile, in bustling Guangzhou, Wanglaoji herbal tea emerged as a “cooling” remedy for body heat. Over time, it transformed into a mass-market sensation—sweet, herbal, and everywhere. With celebrity endorsements and flashy packaging, Wanglaoji became the Coca-Cola of Chinese herbal drinks, a symbol of how tradition can be scaled up and woven into pop culture.

✨ The Contrast

• Laoshan Oldenlandia Water: A niche, heritage-driven brand, balancing Taoist symbolism with modern lifestyle appeal.

• Wanglaoji: A mass-market powerhouse, turning traditional medicine into a global soft drink phenomenon.

Together, they show how China’s beverage industry reflects two paths: one rooted in authentic cultural depth, the other in commercial expansion and global branding. Both, however, bottle up the story of modern China—where ancient traditions meet contemporary consumer culture.

🥤 Modern China in a Bottle

China’s modernization is often described in terms of skyscrapers, high‑speed rail, and digital innovation. Yet its beverage industry tells a subtler story—how tradition and modernity coexist, sometimes uneasily, in everyday life.

Laoshan Oldenlandia Water embodies the path of cultural preservation. Rooted in Taoist reverence for spring water, it carries the symbolism of purity, longevity, and harmony with nature. Its branding leans on nostalgia, positioning the drink as a heritage artifact even as it adapts to modern packaging and carbonation. It represents a China that seeks to hold onto its spiritual and cultural depth while cautiously stepping into global consumer culture.

Wanglaoji herbal tea, by contrast, illustrates the path of commercial expansion. Once a Cantonese cooling remedy, it has been transformed into a mass‑market powerhouse, advertised with celebrities and sold in flashy cans. Wanglaoji shows how traditional medicine can be scaled up, rebranded, and woven into pop culture—turning heritage into a global commodity.

Together, these drinks reflect two visions of modernization:

• One emphasizes authenticity and continuity, preserving cultural roots while adapting to modern tastes.

• The other embraces scale and globalization, turning tradition into a product that competes with Coca‑Cola.

✨ The Broader Metaphor

Laoshan and Wanglaoji are not just beverages; they are cultural symbols. They show how China negotiates the tension between honoring its past and embracing its future. In every sip, consumers taste both heritage and modernity—an everyday reminder of the country’s ongoing transformation.