Taishan Mountain

Considered the most sacred of the “five sacred mountains” in China, Taishan Mountain is located in the center of Shandong Province. Its main peak, the Jade Emperor Peak rises to 1545 meters. Taishan Mountain played an important role in the development of Buddhism and Taoism, at the same time, the development of Buddhism and Taoism has also left an impressive number of cultural heritages in Taishan Mountain.

In ancient times, the first ritual for a newly enthroned emperor was to ascend to Taishan and pray to the Gods of Heaven and Earth. It is said that in ancient epochs, 72 tribal leaders once sacrificed on Taishan Mountain, and after entering the age of empires, 12 emperors from different dynasties made this pilgrimage there. From these ancestral customs were born grandiose temples and other buildings, numerous inscriptions, and stone sculptures.

Also, many poets and literary scholars have visited the mountain for inspiration and wrote about this sacred monument.

In addition to the historical remains, the mountain offers splendid natural panoramas. The high peaks, the deep valleys, the spectacular waterfalls, the rocks, and the centuries-old pines and cypresses make Taishan Mountain an extraordinary moment during your trip to China.

Where is Taishan Mountain Located?

The Taishan Mountain is in the middle of Shandong Province and surrounds Tai’an City and Jinan City with an area of 426 square kilometers. Its height peak reaches 1545 meters, which is the highest point in Shandong Province.

When to visit Taishan Mountain?

September to early November in autumn in China is the best time to see the sunrise over the mountain. If you travel here in the spring, you can see mountain flowers in full bloom. Summer is the rainy season, but these are sporadic, so you can also plan your excursion in summer. Avoid winter which can be very cold.

To learn more about China’s climate, see our article: China Weather.

How to get to Taishan Mountain?

As Taishan Mountain is located along the railway that connects Beijing to Shanghai, it is quite easy to get there, and after four hours by train from the capital Beijing, you find yourself right in the center of Tai’an, the small city located in the foot of the mountain.

Taishan Mountain is located in the city of Tai’an. Many buses depart for the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area from Tai’an city train or bus stations.

From Jinan, which is 90 kilometers from the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area, renting a private car with a driver is the most convenient way.

Hiking routes

The Imperial Path
This path is the most used, it is considered the Imperial path. Indeed the emperors all took this path to pray and make some offerings. The hike features beautiful natural landscapes, palaces, and stone inscriptions scattered along the winding path. You start from Dai Miao Temple, then you will see Dai Zong Arch, Red Gate Palace, Jing Shi Valley, and Hu Tian Pavilion. Dai Miao Temple is the main place of worship for emperors. The temple was built in the Han dynasty and expanded in the Tang and Song dynasties. After several renovations, it has become the largest and most complete temple on Mount Tai.

It takes about four hours on average to reach the summit.

To get there, you can take the tourist line 2 bus from Tai’an bus station, and the last bus time is at 17:00.

Taishan Mountain is located in the city of Tai’an. Many buses depart for the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area from Tai’an city train or bus stations.

From Jinan, which is 90 kilometers from the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area, renting a private car with a driver is the most convenient way.

Fastest Route, Heaven Gate Cable Car
The western route is made up of two parts. The first part is an easy hike (or by car) that takes you from Heaven and Earth Square (Tian Di Guang Chang) to the Zhong Tian Men (Middle Heavenly Gate). Then a cable car from the Middle Heavenly Gate transports you to the top of the mountain (Yueguan Peak and South Heaven Gate/Nan Tian Men). This is the most fashionable way to reach the Yu Huang Ding (peak of the Jade Emperor Top). The attractions concentrated on this route are Heaven and Earth Square, Black Dragon Pool, General Feng Yuxiang’s Tomb, and Wuji Temple.

The Peach Blossom Ravine (桃花峪) Route
This route is the easiest way to climb the mountain, it does not require hiking. It is accessible by taking the national road NO.104, until the top of the cable car. From there you reach the top in a few minutes and could appreciate the landscapes from the air.

From Tai’an, you can take bus NO.16 (the bus station is opposite the train station) to Peach Blossom Park. Then a special bus takes you to the start of the cable car.

Tianzhu Peak (天烛峰) Road
If you want to see the unique natural scenery of Taishan Mountain, this choice seems the best. However, this route is the most rugged and suitable for adventurers. During the hike, you will see the Eight Immortals Cave, Tianzhu Big Peak, and Tianzhu Small Peak. This is one of the best ways to appreciate the pines of Hou Shi Wu (a place where most old pines grow).

It takes about four hours on average to reach the summit.

To get there, you can take the tourist bus NO.2 from Tai’an bus station, and the last bus time is at 17:00.

What to visit in Taishan Mountain and its surroundings?

Dai Miao Temples (岱庙)
Dai Miao Temples, Taoist temples, are located north of Tai’an City, Shandong Province, and at the southern foot of Taishan Mountain. It is commonly known as “Dongyue Miao (Eastern Yue Temple)”.

The traditional trek to the top of Taishan starts from this magnificent temple, and the emperors used to hold a great celestial ritual and ceremony of worshiping God to the deity of Mount Taishan.

The architectural style is built according to the basics of the Forbidden City in Beijing, like a fortress with many gates and internal halls. There are around 150 old buildings in the complex. Dai Miao temples are known as one of the four great ancient building complexes in China. The other three are the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Confucian Temple and Confucius Mansion in Qufu, Shandong, and the Mountain Resort in Chengde.

The temple covers a total area of approximately 96,500 square meters and is divided into three parts:

-The central axis from the south to the north includes Zhengyang Gate, Yao Can Pavilion, Tian Kuang Hall, and Rest Palace;
-To the east is the Bell Tower, the Han Bai Hall, and the Dong Yu throne;
-To the west are the Drum Tower, Tang Huai Yard, and the Dao She Yard.

Tian Kuang Hall is the main building, with a total of nine chambers and a stone pedestal surrounded by white stone balustrades.

Jade Emperor Top Peak (玉皇顶)
It is the main peak of Mount Taishan and is so named for its jade emperor temple strewn atop the peak. The complex includes several parts including the great hall of the emperor, the Ying Xu Pavilion, the Wang Jiang Pavilion as well as several other halls. In the main hall, there is an impressive statue of the Jade Emperor, besides, also has the altar of celestial worship ceremony used by many dynasties. By boarding at the top, you can have a breathtaking view. 

The Azure Cloud Temple (碧霞祠)
The Azure Cloud Temple is another large building complex located near the southern peak of the mountain. The building is a special combination of metal, brick, wood, and stone structures. It was built in 1009 during the Song Dynasty. During the ascent, there are many stone inscriptions, engravings, and other small altars. From the trailhead, Southern Sky Gate to the summit, some 6,660 stone steps are winding up the slopes of the mountain, each step offering a different view.

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