Taishan Mountain (泰山)
UNESCO World Heritage
National AAAAA tourist area
Visited by 72 Chinese emperors, it was the object of an imperial cult and Fengshan rituals for nearly 2000 years. 72 km from Jinan, the capital city of Shandong, 85 km from Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, 455 km from Beijing and 800 km from Shanghai.
Located in Taian (泰安 Tai'an), Shandong Province, 1545m above the sea level. The tallest peak is Jade Emperor Peak. “This mountain is an outstanding combination of a beautiful natural landscape and a splendid process of Chinese civilization for thousands of years.”
Mount Tai was formed through nearly 3 billion years of natural evolution, geological and biological processes and it shows a unique landscape, boasting 156 peaks, 138 cliffs, 72 caves, 130 streams, 64 waterfalls and 72 springs.
A total of 72 emperors were recorded as visiting it, as well scholars, celebrities, writers, authorities, came to Mount Tai to hike, acquire inspiration, compose poems, write essays, paint, carve inscriptions, and set up monuments - Confucius for example reached the peak and overlooking his country Lu was inspired for one of his philosophical words: “the world is small”. The mountain also has many cultural relics like temples, stone inscriptions, and tablets, thanks to the development of both Buddhism and Taoism.
UNESCO World Heritage
National AAAAA tourist area
Visited by 72 Chinese emperors, it was the object of an imperial cult and Fengshan rituals for nearly 2000 years. 72 km from Jinan, the capital city of Shandong, 85 km from Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, 455 km from Beijing and 800 km from Shanghai.
Located in Taian (泰安 Tai'an), Shandong Province, 1545m above the sea level. The tallest peak is Jade Emperor Peak. “This mountain is an outstanding combination of a beautiful natural landscape and a splendid process of Chinese civilization for thousands of years.”
Mount Tai was formed through nearly 3 billion years of natural evolution, geological and biological processes and it shows a unique landscape, boasting 156 peaks, 138 cliffs, 72 caves, 130 streams, 64 waterfalls and 72 springs.
A total of 72 emperors were recorded as visiting it, as well scholars, celebrities, writers, authorities, came to Mount Tai to hike, acquire inspiration, compose poems, write essays, paint, carve inscriptions, and set up monuments - Confucius for example reached the peak and overlooking his country Lu was inspired for one of his philosophical words: “the world is small”. The mountain also has many cultural relics like temples, stone inscriptions, and tablets, thanks to the development of both Buddhism and Taoism.
Hiking Route: Dai Temple - Hongmen Red Gate – Zhongtianmen Middle Gate - Nantianmen South Gate - Jade Emperor Peak The vertical height from the foot of the mountain to the summit (Jade Emperor Peak) is 1391 meters, with the altitude of Mount Tai is at 1545m asl. It is the most famous route called the Imperial Road, with a distance of about 10 kilometers, used to be the main road for emperors to get to the summit to offer their sacrifices to Gods. This route has wide stairs of strong and tidy stones with cypress trees along both sides, many historical relic sites including 8 temples, over 200 monumental stone tablets, over 300 cliff carvings, etc.
Daimiao Temple (Dai Miao) 岱庙
the largest and best-preserved ancient building complex of Mount Tai, founded in Han Dynasty and with a larger scale of construction in Tang Dynasty, contains ancient buildings with the imperial architectural styles. A Taoist temple where the emperors make sacrifice and worship the God of the Mt. Taishan and pray for peace and prosperity. 1.2 km away from the south Red Gate.
the largest and best-preserved ancient building complex of Mount Tai, founded in Han Dynasty and with a larger scale of construction in Tang Dynasty, contains ancient buildings with the imperial architectural styles. A Taoist temple where the emperors make sacrifice and worship the God of the Mt. Taishan and pray for peace and prosperity. 1.2 km away from the south Red Gate.
Daimiao Temple (Dai Miao) 岱庙 to Zhongtianmen Gate (Halfway to Heaven Gate) 中天门
From Dai Temple, passing by Doumu Palace, Jingshiyu, Hutian Pavilion, Huima Hills, etc. you will get to Zhongtianmen (Middle Heaven Gate 880m asl), the halfway point of Mount Tai.
From Dai Temple, passing by Doumu Palace, Jingshiyu, Hutian Pavilion, Huima Hills, etc. you will get to Zhongtianmen (Middle Heaven Gate 880m asl), the halfway point of Mount Tai.
Zhongtianmen Gate (Halfway to Heaven Gate) 中天门
built in the Qing Dynasty and located in a canyon is surrounded by magnificent scenery, steep mountains and broad valleys, and Zhongtianmen cableway station in the northwest.
built in the Qing Dynasty and located in a canyon is surrounded by magnificent scenery, steep mountains and broad valleys, and Zhongtianmen cableway station in the northwest.
Zhongtianmen Gate (Halfway to Heaven Gate) 中天门 to Nantianmen Gate (South Gate to Heaven) 南天门
Keep climbing visiting historical sites, ancient temples, rock inscription of ancient times, such as Kuaihuo Sanli, Cloud Step Bridge and Five Official Pine Trees, finally get to the challenging 18 Bends, the most difficult hike, which heads to Nantianmen. Some of the scenic spots on the way: Daizong Archway, Guandi Temple, Yitian Gate, Red Gate Palace, Ten Thousand Immortals Tower, monument to revolutionary martyrs, Temple of three views, Doumu Temple, Yuanjun Temple, Sutra Rocks Valley, Feng’an Monument, Cave of Cypress, Hutian Pavilion, Huima Ridge, Zhongtian Gate, Yunbu Bridge, Five Gentlemen Pines, Guest Welcoming Pine, Chaoyang cave, the Eighteen Mountain Bends, Shengxian Archway, Nantian Gate.
Keep climbing visiting historical sites, ancient temples, rock inscription of ancient times, such as Kuaihuo Sanli, Cloud Step Bridge and Five Official Pine Trees, finally get to the challenging 18 Bends, the most difficult hike, which heads to Nantianmen. Some of the scenic spots on the way: Daizong Archway, Guandi Temple, Yitian Gate, Red Gate Palace, Ten Thousand Immortals Tower, monument to revolutionary martyrs, Temple of three views, Doumu Temple, Yuanjun Temple, Sutra Rocks Valley, Feng’an Monument, Cave of Cypress, Hutian Pavilion, Huima Ridge, Zhongtian Gate, Yunbu Bridge, Five Gentlemen Pines, Guest Welcoming Pine, Chaoyang cave, the Eighteen Mountain Bends, Shengxian Archway, Nantian Gate.
Nantianmen Gate (South Gate to Heaven) 南天门
also named Heavenly Gate Pass, is located at the end of Eighteen Twistings, at 1460 meters above sea level, built by Zhang Zhichun, an abbot in 1264, decorated by red walls and yellow glazed tiles on the roof and stone arched doorway.
also named Heavenly Gate Pass, is located at the end of Eighteen Twistings, at 1460 meters above sea level, built by Zhang Zhichun, an abbot in 1264, decorated by red walls and yellow glazed tiles on the roof and stone arched doorway.
Nantian Gate to Jade Emperor Peak
Is the section from Nantian Gate to Summit of Mount Tai (Jade Emperor Peak), called Dai Ding, with 6 groups of ancient architectures, more than 22 pieces of steles or stone tablets and more than 220 petroglyphs. “The top of Mount Tai emblematizes the heaven, visitors pass through the celestial stairs from the human world to approach the god’s universe and experience the felling of climbing Mount Tai likes ascending to heaven”.
Scenic spots on the way: Weiliao (Endless) Pavilion, Moon observing peak, West Gate to Heaven, North Gate to Heaven, Heavenly street, elephant trunk peak, white cloud cave, dark cloud cave, Confucius cliff, Bixia Temple, ZhanLu Terrace (terrace for viewing Lu State), sacrifice cliff, north arching stone, grand view peak, Most Revered of the Five Sacred Mountains, blank stele, Jade Emperor Peak, etc.
Is the section from Nantian Gate to Summit of Mount Tai (Jade Emperor Peak), called Dai Ding, with 6 groups of ancient architectures, more than 22 pieces of steles or stone tablets and more than 220 petroglyphs. “The top of Mount Tai emblematizes the heaven, visitors pass through the celestial stairs from the human world to approach the god’s universe and experience the felling of climbing Mount Tai likes ascending to heaven”.
Scenic spots on the way: Weiliao (Endless) Pavilion, Moon observing peak, West Gate to Heaven, North Gate to Heaven, Heavenly street, elephant trunk peak, white cloud cave, dark cloud cave, Confucius cliff, Bixia Temple, ZhanLu Terrace (terrace for viewing Lu State), sacrifice cliff, north arching stone, grand view peak, Most Revered of the Five Sacred Mountains, blank stele, Jade Emperor Peak, etc.
Confucius Temple
Wuyue Duzun Inscription 五岳独尊
the stone with the red inscriptions 五岳独尊 Wuyue Duzun is printed as the banknote on China CNY 5 cash, which means “the greatest of five sacred mountains in China”. They are inscribed on jade in the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (AD 1907). Each character is about 42 cm to 55cm in diameter. On the left side of the four characters, there is a regular script inscription "昂头天外- head up in the sky". It has always been regarded as a sign of praise to show the lofty status of Mount Tai.
the stone with the red inscriptions 五岳独尊 Wuyue Duzun is printed as the banknote on China CNY 5 cash, which means “the greatest of five sacred mountains in China”. They are inscribed on jade in the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (AD 1907). Each character is about 42 cm to 55cm in diameter. On the left side of the four characters, there is a regular script inscription "昂头天外- head up in the sky". It has always been regarded as a sign of praise to show the lofty status of Mount Tai.
Bixia Temple 碧霞祠
a Taoist temple for worshiping Bixia Yuanjun, goddess of Mount Tai. It was first built in Song Dynasty (1009 A.D.). A group of buildings and the largest building complex of Mt Tai. The main building has a gilded bronze statues of Bixia Yuanjun and there are giant plaques of "Fushui Haiyu" and "Zanhua Donghuang" written by Emperor Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.
a Taoist temple for worshiping Bixia Yuanjun, goddess of Mount Tai. It was first built in Song Dynasty (1009 A.D.). A group of buildings and the largest building complex of Mt Tai. The main building has a gilded bronze statues of Bixia Yuanjun and there are giant plaques of "Fushui Haiyu" and "Zanhua Donghuang" written by Emperor Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.
Sun-Viewing Peak 日观峰
a 30 meters corridor located in the southeast of Jade Emperor Peak called JieQiu rock in ancient times.
a 30 meters corridor located in the southeast of Jade Emperor Peak called JieQiu rock in ancient times.
Zhanlu Terrace 瞻鲁台
three characters "Zhanlutai" are engraved on the platform, implying that Qufu of the state of Lu which is the home state of Confucius can be seen from here.
three characters "Zhanlutai" are engraved on the platform, implying that Qufu of the state of Lu which is the home state of Confucius can be seen from here.
Jade Emperor Peak (Yuhuang Ding) 玉皇顶
is the summit of Mount Tai, the highest peak at the altitude of 1545 meters, named after the Jade Emperor Temple, where was the altar for emperors to worship heaven.
is the summit of Mount Tai, the highest peak at the altitude of 1545 meters, named after the Jade Emperor Temple, where was the altar for emperors to worship heaven.
Puzhao Temple Area
A group of historical monuments located at the mountain foot between the Red Gate and Tianwaicun Gate, than include the famous Puzhao Temple built in Tang Dynasty, Jinshan Park, Feng Yuxiang’s Tomb, etc
A group of historical monuments located at the mountain foot between the Red Gate and Tianwaicun Gate, than include the famous Puzhao Temple built in Tang Dynasty, Jinshan Park, Feng Yuxiang’s Tomb, etc