### Mount Tai Travel Guide: Conquer the Sacred Mountain and Marvel at the Sea of Clouds & Sunrise

**Theme: Classic Routes + Effort-Saving Tips, Blending Cultural Experience with Natural Wonders**

---

⛰ 1. Hiking Route Planning (Choose Based on Fitness Level)
1. **Classic Hongmen Route (Full Hike, 6 Hours)**
- **Route**: Hongmen → Mid-Heaven Gate → Eighteen Bends → South Heaven Gate → Jade Emperor Peak, passing historic sites like Doumu Palace and Sutra Rock Valley.
- **Highlights**: Conquer the 1,633-step "Eighteen Bends," follow the ancient imperial pilgrimage path, and feel the grandeur of "seeing all other peaks dwarfed."
- **Tips**: Supplies available at Mid-Heaven Gate (hiking poles for ¥5). Night hikers need headlamps (start at 22:00 for sunrise around 4:30-6:00).

2. **Effort-Saving Tianwai Village Route (2 Hours to Summit)**
- **Route**: Take a bus from Tianwai Village → Mid-Heaven Gate (¥35/30 mins) → Cable car to South Heaven Gate (¥100/10 mins). Ideal for families or those with limited stamina.

3. **Off-the-Beaten-Path Taohuayu Route (Photographer’s Choice)**
- **Route**: Taohuayu Entrance → Colorful Stone Stream (2.7-billion-year geological wonder) → Cable car to summit. Serene with peach blossoms and cool streams in summer.

---

🛏 2. Accommodation Recommendations
- **Summit Sunrise Spots**:
- **Shenqi Hotel**: ¥1,200/night (breakfast included), 50m from Riguan Peak. Book 1 week ahead.
- **Xianju Hotel**: ¥600/night, offers sunrise wake-up service.
- *Budget Option*: Rent army coats (¥30) to camp at sunrise viewpoints.
- **City Options**:
- Yinzuo Jiayi (¥180/night, near Dai Temple) / Ramada Plaza Tai'an (¥500/night, mountain-view rooms).

---

🍜 3. Must-Try Local Food (Under ¥50/person)
- **Wang Lao San Skewers**: Fresh lamb skewers + honey toast (¥71/person).
- **Lu Caigen**: "Three Delicacies of Tai'an" soup (cabbage, tofu, spring water) + fried Chilin fish (¥70/person).
- **Street Snacks**: Hongmen scallion pancakes (¥5), Xu’s baked cakes (sweet/savory, ¥2).

---

⚠ 4. Pro Tips
1. **Tickets**: Combo ticket ¥115 (includes Dai Temple), valid for 3 days; student discounts available.
2. **Gear**: Non-slip shoes, lightweight down jacket (large temperature gaps), compact backpack. Rent poles at base (¥2).
3. **Avoid Pitfalls**:
- Paid hot water at summit (free for instant noodles). Bring a thermos.
- Eighteen Bends is steep—hold chains tightly. Avoid rainy days.

---

**Final Note**: A 1-2 day trip is ideal: explore Dai Temple (¥30) for history, then hike for sunrise. Whether you seek cultural immersion or a relaxed ascent, Mount Tai—the "Throne of Emperors"—rewards every pilgrim with carvings, pine whispers, and dawn’s first light.