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Mount Tai, as one of the Five Great Mountains, is known as the "First of the Five Great Mountains" and "the No. 1 Mountain in the World". It is also a world cultural and natural heritage site.
Shandong's must-see attractions: summer water play, winter icefall viewing, autumn sunrises – year-round beauty awaits. "Climbing Mount Tai, you'll see the world in your grasp," offering a surprising glimpse into the charm of the Shandong region. Let's take a look at what attractions lie hidden within and how to enjoy them.
The summit of Mount Tai
Mount Tai was regarded by the ancients as a paradise that "leads directly to the emperor's throne". It became a sacred mountain worshipped by the people and offered sacrifices by the emperor. There is a saying that "When Mount Tai is at peace, the whole world is at peace."
From the Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, 13 generations of emperors ascended Mount Tai to offer sacrifices or offer ceremonies in person. In addition, 24 generations of emperors sent officials to offer sacrifices 72 times. More than 20 ancient building complexes and more than 2,200 steles and stone carvings were left on the mountain.
Mount Taicheck the details
Mount Tai, also known as Daishan, Daizong, Daiyue, Dongyue, and Taiyue, is located in central Shandong Province and belongs to Tai'an City. It stretches between the cities of Tai'an, Jinan, and Zibo, covering a total area of 24,200 hectares. Its main peak, Jade Emperor Peak, stands at 1,545 meters above sea level, boasting a majestic and imposing presence. It is known as the "First of the Five Sacred Mountains," "The Longest of the Five Sacred Mountains," and "The Best Mountain Under Heaven." It is a World Natural and Cultural Heritage, a World Geopark, a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction, a National Scenic Spot, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, and a National Civilized Scenic Tourist Area.
Recommended months: April to November
3419 recommendations, 3788 visits
There are many famous places of interest and historical sites on Mount Tai. The main attractions include Dai Temple, Puzhao Temple, Queen Mother Pool, Guandi Temple, Hongmen Palace, Doumu Palace, Jingshiyu, Wusong Pavilion, Bixia Temple, Xianren Bridge, Riguan Peak, Nantianmen, Jade Emperor Summit, etc. Among them, the rising sun, the sunset glow, the golden belt of the Yellow River and the jade plate of sea of clouds are known as the four wonders of Mount Tai.
The summit of Mount Tai
Except for the Dai Temple and Puzhao Temple at the foot of the mountain, other recommended attractions are on the top of Mount Tai.
The Dai Temple, founded during the Han Dynasty, is the ancestral home of Mount Tai worship. Records indicate that "the Qin Dynasty built fields there" and "the Han Dynasty also built a palace there." During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (140-87 B.C.), the Han court built the Taishan Temple (also known as the Daizong Temple, later commonly known as the Dongyue Temple, the predecessor of the current Dai Temple) in Bo County. In April of the second year of Emperor Wu's Yuanfeng reign (109 B.C.), Emperor Wu toured Donglai and offered sacrifices at Mount Tai. He planted a thousand cypress trees within the temple, lining the steps. This is the origin of the Han cypresses of the Dai Temple.
Surrounded by beautiful peaks, verdant cypresses shade pavilions and towers, creating a majestic atmosphere. It's praised as follows: "A few winding streams flow in front of the gate, and behind the temple, a thousand-foot-high green peaks appear. Birds chirp and the creek hums intermittently, while the mountain scenery and cloud shadows are exquisite." Puzhao Temple, named after the Buddha's light shining everywhere, is said to have been built during the Six Dynasties and has been expanded and renovated throughout the dynasties. The temple is centered around the Main Hall and Mosong Tower, forming a three-courtyard structure. Flanking these are halls, verandas, meditation rooms, and gardens.
The essence of the entire scenic area of Mount Tai, the most treacherous section of the climbing path, with 1,633 stone steps, is one of the main symbols of Mount Tai. Here, the steep winding path is embedded in the cliff face, seemingly cut away from the cliff face. From a distance, it resembles a ladder to heaven. The grandeur of Mount Tai is revealed in the Eighteen Bends, and the splendor of Mount Tai is revealed in the ascent.
It is the starting point for climbing Mount Tai and is named after the two red gates on the northwest cliff that resemble doors. The exact date of the founding of the Red Gate Palace is unknown.
In front of the palace are three stone archways: "Tianyi Gate," "Confucius's Ascent," and "Tianjie." Looking out from the palace, one can take in the entire scenery of Tai'an. Every morning, the sun shines brightly on the hillside, creating a magnificent scene known as Mount Tai's "Red Gate at Dawn."
Bixia Temple is the largest ancient alpine building complex in Mount Tai. It is magnificent and looks like a palace in heaven.
Bixia Yuanjun is also known as the "Jade Maiden of Mount Tai." Her full name is "Bixia Yuanjun, the Celestial Fairy of Mount Tai," and she is commonly known as "Grandma Tai" among the Chinese people. There are many theories about Bixia Yuanjun's origins, but she is generally considered the daughter of the God of Mount Tai.
Legend has it that from its summit, one can see Qin to the west and Yue to the south, hence its nicknames: Qinguan Peak and Yueguan Peak. The 30-meter-long Sun-Viewing Corridor, with its interconnected pavilions and corridors, resembles a towering fairy pavilion, dazzlingly colorful. Gongbei Stone, also known as the Sea-Viewing Stone, is 6.5 meters long, angled 8 degrees northwest and 30 degrees from the ground. Climbing it offers a panoramic view of the rising sun. A poem by Li Xingzu reads: "Just hearing the cockerel crow, the rising sun begins to brighten. The vast sea air stirs with the clouds, and the tourists perched on the stone feel a special emotion."
The end of Mount Tai's Eighteen Bends, formerly known as the Three Heavens Gate or Heavenly Gate Pass, stands at an altitude of 1,460 meters. This is the most precipitous point on the mountain, with the summit just beyond. Built in the low valley between Feilong Rock and Xiangfeng Ridge, the two peaks form a serene scene, resembling a gate opened from heaven. Founded in 1264 by Taoist priest Zhang Zhichun, the gate is a loft-style structure with a stone archway and the inscription "South Heavenly Gate."
Also known as Tianzhu Peak, it is the summit of Mount Tai, the highest of the Five Sacred Mountains. It gets its name from the Jade Emperor Temple atop the peak, dedicated to the Jade Emperor. The temple's original construction is unknown, but it was rebuilt during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty. A plaque above the shrine reads "The Legacy of Chaiwang," indicating that ancient emperors once burned wood here to offer sacrifices to heaven and worship the gods of mountains and rivers.
The "Tianwai Village - Zhongtianmen - Daiding" route involves taking a bus up the mountain along the tourist road, then transferring to the cable car at Zhongtianmen to Daiding. This is the most convenient, time-saving, and energy-saving route to the summit, making it suitable for those with limited stamina or time. Choosing this route eliminates the arduous climb, transforming the climb from a sweaty journey to a leisurely, relaxed, and comfortable transfer.
Main attractions: Tianwai Village - Longtan Reservoir - Bailong Pond - Heilongtan - Zhulin Temple - Huangxi River Reservoir - Shanzi Cliff - Aolai Peak - Zhongtianmen - Cableway - Nantianmen - Bixia Temple - Yuhuangding
Overview of the Western Front Map
Tips:
Friendly reminder:
Although this route is convenient and fast, it comes at the expense of many scenic spots. Therefore, after taking a bus to Zhongtianmen, it is recommended to climb to the top of Mount Tai along the traditional mountain trail to appreciate more beautiful scenery of Mount Tai.
transportation:
If you take the train to Taishan Station, you can take bus No. 3 (2 yuan) or a taxi (about 10 yuan) directly from the train station to Tianwai Village;
If you get off at Tai'an High-speed Railway Station, you can take bus No. 37 (2 yuan) or a taxi (about 35 yuan) directly from the high-speed railway station to Tianwai Village, which takes about 40 minutes.
When taking No. 3 bus, please pay attention to the bus stop signs and pay attention to the direction of the bus. The terminal station in one direction is Hongmen (the starting point for hiking), and the terminal station in the other direction is Tianwai Village (where you can take the tourist bus up the mountain).
This route is the essence of Mount Tai, spanning 9.5 kilometers and winding over 7,000 steps. Stone steps are the primary route, with virtually no flat roads. Because emperors of all dynasties ascended this route, it's also known as the Taishan Imperial Road. The path is lined with tree-lined paths, winding stone steps, and breathtaking peaks and flowing springs, creating a breathtakingly beautiful natural landscape. Numerous historical sites, including eight ancient temples, over 200 steles, and over 300 cliff carvings, radiate a rich cultural heritage.
Main attractions: (Dai Temple - Daizong Archway -) Hongmen Palace - Wanxian Tower (ticket office for entering the mountain) - Doumu Palace - Jingshiyu - Hutian Pavilion - Huimaling - Zhongtianmen - Kuaihuo Sanli - Yunbu Bridge - Wudafu Pine - Eighteen Bends - Nantianmen - Tianjie - Bixia Temple - Tang Dynasty Cliff Carvings - The Most Reverend of the Five Sacred Mountains - Yuhuangding - Gongbei Stone
Central Line Map Overview
Tips:
Friendly reminder:
① If you don’t take this road when climbing Mount Tai, you can’t be considered to have visited Mount Tai in the true sense. It is highly recommended for first-time climbers.
②Walking from Hongmen to the summit of Mount Tai takes about 4-6 hours. You can also use the Mount Tai Temple as your starting point, which will add an extra 1-2 hours. The descent takes about 3 hours.
③ The entire climb requires a certain amount of physical strength and perseverance, so you should be mentally prepared before climbing. If you feel physically exhausted during the climb, you can hike to Zhongtianmen and then take the cable car directly to the top of Mount Tai.
transportation:
If you arrive in Tai'an by train, you can take bus No. 3 (2 yuan) directly from the train station or take a taxi to Hongmen (the fare is about 10 yuan);
If you get off at Tai'an High-speed Railway Station, you can take bus No. 37 to Hongmen, or you can take a taxi from the high-speed railway station to Hongmen, which takes about 40 minutes and costs about 35 yuan.
Many people wish to watch the sunrise when visiting Mount Tai. At dawn, the clouds and mist merge into one, as if two suns are jumping out of the sea at the same time.
If you are lucky, in the foggy early morning or evening, if you look in the direction of the light from a higher mountain, you may see a colorful halo with blue inside and red outside on the misty curtain, reflecting the entire human figure or head shadow, like the colorful halo above the head of a Buddha statue. This is called "Buddha's light" or "precious light".
Beautiful sunrise over Mount Tai
Overview of Mount Tai's annual sunrise schedule
The best time to climb is from April to November, while autumn is the best time to watch the sunrise. The sunset from the summit of Mount Tai is even more captivating than the sunrise, and on clear days, you can even see the Yellow River. In winter, the scenery is truly spectacular when it snows. Don't give up climbing on rainy days; spectacular seas of clouds are common during these times, and you're even luckier if you catch a sunrise over them.
Mount Tai after snow in winter
Tips:
Opening hours
Starting from 8:00 on March 21, 2020, the three tourist routes of Hongmen, Tianwai Village and Taohuayu in Mount Tai Scenic Area will resume 24-hour opening, and Taohuayu tourist route will be open for a limited time from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Transportation routes
Mount Tai is closely connected to the urban area of Tai'an, with the city situated at its southern foot. Mount Tai lies directly north of the city, and on a clear day, Jade Emperor Peak, the main peak, is clearly visible. There are four official entrances to Mount Tai for ticket sales: Hongmen Palace, Tianwai Village (Heaven and Earth Square), Taohuayu, and Tianzhu Peak.
1. Pay attention to the reasonable arrangement of time and physical strength to gain a unique travel experience;
2. Pay attention to rain protection, sun protection and night protection, and put travel safety first;
3. The essential items are - trekking poles, umbrellas, sun hats, cold-proof clothing, a pair of good hiking shoes, hiking gloves, if you want to hike at night, it is best to bring a flashlight or headlamp, and finally high-energy food and water;
4. Video equipment to record the process.
Mount Tai is also a good element for photography
The earliest written record of the "Shi Gan Dang" (literally "stone dang") can be found in Shi You's Jijiu Zhang (Jijiu Zhang) from the Western Han Dynasty: "The teacher is a fierce tiger, the stone dang, nothing can harm it, the dragon is endless." According to traditional custom, if a house faces a bridge, alleyway, or strategic road, a small stone tablet inscribed with the characters "Taishan Shi Gan Dang" (literally "Taishan Shi Gan Dang") is erected outside the wall to ward off evil. On April 26, 2021, the Taishan Shi Gan Dang (literally "Jinshan Gan Dang") won the Silver Award for the "First China Annual IP" Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Traditional folk art in the Taishan region is often used to decorate windows, walls, ceilings, lanterns, flour jars, and paper baskets during the Spring Festival and other festive occasions. In the past, paper-cutting artists, with the exception of a small number of folk artists, were mostly rural women. Their themes were often auspicious objects or deities, imbued with a strong local flavor.
According to the Tai'an City Chronicles, while not as prestigious as the Manchu-Han Banquet, the Taishan Eight Banquet featured elaborate pomp and ceremony, making it a simplified version of the Manchu-Han Banquet in Tai'an. Among the Han Dynasty stone reliefs unearthed near Mount Tai in the Dai Temple Museum is a painting titled "Hunting Returns to the Kitchen." The painting depicts people returning from a busy day of work, slaughtering chickens and cattle, highlighting Tai'an's thriving culinary culture.
Commonly known as flour flowers, ritual buns, flower cakes, and dough figurines, dough figurines are a traditional Chinese folk art originating in Shandong, Shanxi, and Beijing. Using flour as the main ingredient, the art blends different colors and uses simple tools and hands to create lifelike figures.
If you want to watch the sunrise, staying at the summit of Mount Tai is a popular choice. Bookings on the summit need to be made in advance, especially during holidays, as rooms are hard to come by. The prices are also higher than at the foot of the mountain. Rooms are generally standard, clean, and come with either shared or private bathrooms. Keep an eye out for this when booking. Popular accommodations include the Tai'an Yunchao Hotel or the Xianju Hotel.
Mountaintop Accommodation
If you are only going to Mount Tai for a day and do not plan to go climbing at night to watch the sunrise, you can consider accommodation at the foot of the mountain or in Tai'an city. There are many choices and the conditions are better than on the mountain. There are various homestays and star-rated hotels, which are suitable for leisure and vacation.
Accommodation at the foot of the mountain/in Tai'an city
"Shiji Jijie" records: "The sky is too high to be reached, so people set up a Fengshan temple on Mount Tai and offer sacrifices to it in the hope of getting closer to the gods." Mount Tai has been regarded as a symbol of national stability and prosperity since ancient times. Climb Mount Tai and see the legends of Qi and Lu.
