Mount Tai: A must-know itinerary for your first climb
Preface
China boasts numerous mountains, rivers, and scenic spots scattered across its landscape, all well-known to the world. However, more and more scenery is being explored, and long-established routes are becoming part of traditional tourism. However, as time passes, each generation sees and explores more and more places. As we no longer confine our territory to a narrow range, ever-greater scenery emerges before our eyes.
But today is different from the past. If we were still the ancients, and if the earth we could measure was just like the Shui Jing Zhu or the one Xu Xiake traveled to, reaching all corners of the world, then what would the mountains and rivers look like in the eyes of the ancients?
There is no photographic evidence, no immediate comments on social media, only poems passed down by word of mouth and inscriptions passed down through the ages. We seem to be able to see the prototype of the world from them.
The Five Mountains, a household name, are five directions and five mountain ranges. They carry not only beautiful scenery but also the philosophical thoughts of the ancients. The heaven, earth and mountains are represented by these five places. The mountains and rivers in all directions have a support, and China has a place to rely on.
And although its scenery may not be as good as Huangshan, Zhangjiajie, Bashang in western Sichuan, etc., but looking at history and looking over China, there is no place that can compare with the Five Sacred Mountains, and no place can replace their status. This is the historical significance given to it by civilization, which has never been interrupted for hundreds of generations.
Transportation Arrangements
train
There are two railway stations in Tai'an. One is located in the city center and is called Taishan Station. Ordinary green trains stop at Taishan Station.
The other railway station is called Tai'an High-speed Railway Station, which is 11 kilometers away from Tai'an City. Tai'an Station is a high-speed railway station.
City bus
If you exit Taishan Railway Station and head to Taishan Red Gate or Tianwai Village entrance, you can take bus line K3, the fare is 2 yuan.
If you exit Tai'an High-speed Railway Station, you need to take tourist bus No. 61 or 63 to Hongmen or Tianwai Village to start climbing.
Compared to other areas, taxi fares in Tai'an are very cheap. The ride from Tai'an High-speed Railway Station to Dai Temple takes 30 minutes and costs around 25 yuan. The ride from Dai Temple to Hongmen takes only 10 minutes and costs around 10 yuan.
Scenic Area Overview
Tickets
The ticket price for Mount Tai is 115 yuan, and the student ticket is 60 yuan.
Entrance
Mount Tai has four entrances: Hongmen, Tianwai Village, Tianzhu Peak (site of the Fengshan Ceremony), and Taohuayu.
The classic route ascends from Hongmen or Tianwai Village. First-time climbers should definitely begin at Hongmen. From Hongmen to Zhongtianmen, inscriptions abound, showcasing the rich history and quintessence of Mount Tai culture.
If you are not physically fit, the Tianwai Village route is the most convenient. You can take a sightseeing bus from the Tianwai Village entrance directly to Zhongtianmen. The one-way fare is 30 yuan and the journey takes 30 minutes.
Zhongtianmen is a transit point halfway up the mountain. No matter which entrance you enter from, you will eventually converge at Zhongtianmen. After arriving at Zhongtianmen, you can also climb the most difficult Eighteen Bends to reach Nantianmen and Yuhuangding.
If you don't want to climb, you can also take the cable car from Zhongtianmen to Nantianmen. The cable car costs 100 yuan for a one-way trip and 200 yuan for a round trip. It takes ten minutes for a one-way trip to Nantianmen. It is a quick walk from Nantianmen to Yuhuangding.
Red Gate Summit Route
Red Gate - Wanxian Tower (Ticket Gate) - Four Sophora Trees - Hutian Pavilion - Zhongtian Gate - Yingtian - Dongyue Temple - Fengsong Mountain - Longmen - Shengxianfang - Nantianmen - Tianjie - Yuhuangding
Night climbing route of Mount Tai
Red Gate - Zhongtian Gate - Nantian Gate - Yuhuangding
Climbing Mount Tai at night is a unique way to see the stars. If the weather is good at night, you can see the stars, and the starry sky of Mount Tai is indeed very beautiful.
When climbing at night, you should pay attention to keeping warm. Check the weather forecast in advance and plan your time before setting off. You can also rent a military coat at the top of the mountain, which is not very expensive, only 10-20 yuan.
You need to buy a flashlight. At the foot of the mountain, you can buy a good walking stick for two or three yuan. The plastic flashlights are also available for four or five yuan. There are people selling flashlights every few steps, because Mount Tai really has no street lights at night. In comparison, Mount Hua is much better.
The entire climb to Mount Tai takes only four to five hours, and if there are crowds of people, it might be even faster.
Route Map
These are the classic hiking routes. If it is your first time to Mount Tai, you should go up from the Red Gate. Also, don't miss the Dai Temple in Tai'an city, which is included in the Mount Tai ticket.
After passing Zhongtianmen, you have to walk a short distance to reach the stone steps leading to Nantianmen. On this section of the road, there are several very good shooting spots for the panoramic view of Mount Tai, which are worth seeing.
The road from Zhongtianmen to Nantianmen passes through the Eighteen Bends, the highlight of the entire Mount Tai scenic area. If you don't walk this road, you can't say you have truly visited Mount Tai. If you keep going up, you will easily miss the most classic photo spot on Mount Tai - the panoramic view of the Eighteen Bends.
Many people climb Mount Tai to watch the sunrise, but choosing a good spot is a big problem. In fact, don't listen to those who take snapshots of Mount Tai. There is no best viewing point for the sunrise on Mount Tai, only the composition that suits you best.
Whether you're at Zhanlu Terrace, Riguan Peak, Yuhuangding, or anywhere else, you can always see the sunrise. The key is what you want the foreground of your composition to be. The "Unrivaled of the Five Sacred Mountains" stone carving is easily visible on the way up to Yuhuangding.
Accommodation and food
Mount Tai has accommodations from Nantianmen to Tianjie. If you're climbing at night, you don't need to book a hotel and can simply wait for the sunrise on the mountain. If you're climbing during the day, you can reserve a bed or bring a tent.
There are supply points along the way in Mount Tai, where you can eat. The price is only about 5-10 yuan more expensive than usual, which is still acceptable. After all, porters still have to earn their hard-earned money.
Conclusion
After climbing Mount Tai, my impression of it was completely overturned. I had always thought that the scenery on Mount Tai wasn't that great, but the ancient Chinese believed that it was the first place to see the sunrise, so the scenery is naturally amazing. Especially the integration of human and natural landscapes is so high that it is truly a rare sight in China. Compared to any other mountain, Mount Tai is more important.
I admit that there are indeed many mountain landscapes that are more beautiful and spectacular than Mount Tai, but the humanistic spirit that Mount Tai itself carries has been passed down since ancient times and will not disappear with the passage of time.
It is because of Du Fu, who looked down upon all the other mountains, that Mount Tai's Jade Emperor Peak is so fascinating. It is because of Confucius' ascent of Mount Tai that it has cultural and educational significance.
The saying "climbing Mount Tai and looking down on the world" doesn't simply mean "looking down on the world." Rather, it means that when one stands higher and higher, for a moment, one feels on equal footing with the heavens and the earth. And in any natural landscape, one feels one's own insignificance, just as Su Dongpo said, "We are like a mayfly in the universe, a grain of sand in the vast ocean."
People cannot stand very high, but they can use the mountains to elevate their vision and spirit. When you stand on the top of the mountain, it seems as if you are just like this eternal rock, quietly overlooking all living beings in the long river of time.
