Mount Tai, located just north of Tai an city of east China s Shandong province, is a mountain of historical and cultural significance. The word tai in Chinese means stability and peace and the name Tai'an is attributed to the saying "If Mount Tai is stable, so is the entire country" (both characters of Tai'an have independent meaning "peace"). It crowns at Jade Emperor Peak (in Chinese mythology, Jade Emperor is the most powerful god in the heaven) with the altitude of 1545 meters.
The mountain was once called Mt. Daishan, Mt. Daizong or Mt. Taiyue and was renamed Mt. Taishan in the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC). It epitomizes splendid Chinese culture and was listed in the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO in 1987.
In ancient times, the first thing for an emperor to do on ascending to the throne was to climb Mount Taishan and pray to heaven and earth or their ancestors. It was said that 72 emperors of different dynasties made pilgrimages to this mountain. These special ceremonies and sacrifices earned the mountain widespread fame. In addition, many poets and literary scholars also visited the mountain to gain inspiration. The grandiose temples, the numerous stone inscriptions and stone tablets are the best testaments to these visits. Mt. Tai also played an important role in the development of Buddhism and Taoism.
Taishan Temple at the foot of the mountain is one of several major palace architectural complexes in China. The Azure Clouds Temple near the top of the mountain is another grand building complex, a special combination of metal components, wood, and bricks and stone structures. From the Taishan Temple to the Azure Clouds Temple there are numerous stone tablets and inscriptions and ancient buildings on the way. Visitors derive much pleasure from climbing Mount Taishan. From the red gate at the foot of the mountain to the South Heaven Gate at the top are some 7,000 stone steps, which wind their way up the mountain slopes, each step offering a different view.
There are four ascents of the mountain.
East Route
This route is considered to be the ImperialThe steep stairs, Mount Taishan Route because the emperors all took this way to make sacrifices. With elegant natural scenery, palaces, stone inscriptions are also scattered along the winding path. You set off from Dai Temple, and then you will see Dai Zong Archway, Red Gate Palace, Jing Shi Valley, Hu Tian Pavilion and Eighteen Bends, etc. Dai Temple is the place where emperors stayed and offered their sacrifices. The temple was built in the Han Dynasty and expanded in the Tang and Song Dynasties. After several renovations, it has become the biggest and most complete temple on the mountain.
There are 6000-plus steps along this route and it takes about four hours at an average to reach the peak. This classical route is an ideal choice for most people.
West Route
The west route is made up of two parts. The first part is the highroad from the Heaven and Earth Square to Mid-heaven Gate. The other part is the cable way from Mid-heaven Gate to the top of the mountain. This route is well equipped with modern facilities and is the most fashionable way to reach Jade Emperor Summit. Attractions concentrated on this route are Heaven and Earth Square, Black Dragon Pool, Tomb of General Feng Yuxiang and Longevity Bridge, etc.
Peach Blossom Ravine Route
This route is the most convenThe peak of Mount Taiient way to climb the mountain, especially for tourists who drive or take a bus from northern places. Peach Blossom Ravine can be accessed by taking the No.104 national highway, then setting off from the big parking lot by bus to the cable-car stop. From there you reach the top in a few minutes. The ropeway is designed for sightseeing from the air giving a clear view.
The best time to take this route is in spring and summer. The flourishing peach blossom, falling petals and limpid steams will make you feel like you are in heaven.
Tianzhu Peak Route
Just as its name implies, Tianzhu Peak was named because it is shaped like a candle, with a pine tree standing on top like a flame. This route is the most rugged one and is suitable for the adventurous. You will enjoy General Peak, Eight Immortals Cave, Big Tianzhu Peak and Small Tianzhu Peak, etc. It is also a better way to appreciate the pine trees in Hou Shi Wu (a spot where most of the old pine trees are growing).
Taishan Mountain is a perfect combination of natural scenery and cultural relics and is well worth visiting.
Opening Time:
Mount Tai is available for 24 hours. The opening time of other scenic spots is 7:30-8: 00 in the daytime and 5:30-6:00 at night.
The Available Time of the Ropeway:
Mid-heaven Gate: 16th April to 15th October
5:30-18:30 16th October to 15th April: 8:00-17:00
Tips: currently, there are three ropeways in Mount Tai: Mid-heaven Gate-Daiding. The total length is 2078 meters; the length of DaiDing-Houshiwu ropeway is 518 meters. The length of Taohuayuan ropeway is 2000 meters. Except 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the other available time is 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tips:
Visiting Mount Tai in winter: You can visit Mount Tai all the year round, but Mount Tai in winter is the most interesting, and the visitors are relatively fewer in winter, therefore it is well worth visiting. The sunrise in winter is from 6:45 to 7:00 or so. Before sunrise please check the geography first. There is straight car from Zhongdai Fang to Mid-heaven Gate. You can also climb the mountain through a cableway directly, but it is not recommended. It is more interesting if you ascend the mountain on foot. Just climb light. As the mountain isn't high, you needn t take much water. 2. The Distance for Climbing up to Mount Tai The West Road to Mount Tai (the total length is 7.8 kilometers); The East Road to Mount Tai (the total length is 10.5 kilometers) Dai Temple-Puzhao Temple, 1.8 kilometers Dai Temple-Daizong Mill, 0.5 kilometers Mid-heaven Gate-Wudafu Pine Tree, 1.2 kilometers Puzhao Temple-Dazhong Bridge, 0.8 kilometers Daizong Mill-Hongmen, 1.2 kilometers Wudafu Pine Tree-Duisong Pavilion, 0.7 kilometers Dazhong Bridge-Heilongtan, 0.6 kilometers Hongmen-Doumu Palace, 1.3 kilometers Duisong Pavilion-The South Gate, 0.8 kilometers Heilongtan-Changshou Bridge, 1.3 kilometers Doumu Palace-Hutian Pavilion, 1.8 kilometers The South Gate-Yuhuang Peak, 0.8 kilometers Changshou Bridge-Shanzi Cliff, 3.3 kilometers Hutian Pavilion-The Middle Gate, 0.7 kilometers Yuhuang Peak-Houshiwu, 1.5 kilometers 3. It is very cold in the morning on Mount Tai. However, visitors who want to watch the sunrise do not have to bring too many clothes or rent clothes in stall near the entrance. You will be tired when you are climbing up the mountain, so, as long as you do not stay for too long, you will not feel cold. The whole process doesn t need to take added clothes. At the top of the mountain, nearly every shop rents coats, ten yuan for each; it is no more expensive than the shops at the foot of the mountain.