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Tai’an

No reviews yetCity Shandong, China
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Tai’an, Shandong, China建岱桥 Jiandai Bridge 2012.06 panoramio, Tai’an, Shandong, China古松园 Ancient Pine Garden 2012.07 panoramio, Tai’an, Shandong, China弘徳楼 Hongde Tower 2012.06 panoramio, Tai’an, Shandong, China蟠桃园 Peach Garden 2012.06 panoramio, Tai’an, Shandong, China

About Tai’an

For more than two thousand years, emperors came to Tai'an to speak with heaven. The city lies at the southern foot of Mount Tai, the most revered of China's Five Great Mountains, where rulers from Qin Shi Huang onwards performed the feng and shan sacrifices to announce their reign to heaven and earth.

The mountain and the city are one story. The pilgrim route begins inside town at the Dai Temple, climbs past gates, shrines and thousands of inscriptions carved into the rock, and ends among the temples of the summit. Mount Tai was one of the first places in China listed by UNESCO, in 1987, for both its culture and its nature. Millions still make the climb each year, many overnight to watch the sunrise from Jade Emperor Peak.

The modern city is relaxed and green, with the mountain filling the northern skyline. Most visitors spend a day on the slopes and another exploring the temples below, and Qufu, the home town of Confucius, is a short trip to the south. Fast trains on the Beijing to Shanghai line stop at Tai'an station.

Best seasonApril to May and September to October; summit nights are cold all year
Ideal stay2 days
ArrivingHigh-speed trains to Tai'an station; Jinan airport is about an hour away

12 Reasons to Visit Tai’an

Nature 3

Mount Tai, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Mount Tai

Rising above the plains of central Shandong, Mount Tai is the foremost of China's Five Great Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage...
Black Dragon Pool Mount Tai, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Black Dragon Pool Mount Tai

On the western side of the mountain, a stream drops over a cliff into a deep pool long linked with legends of a black dragon. A st...
Peach Blossom Valley Mount Tai, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Peach Blossom Valley Mount Tai

A long valley on the northwestern side of Mount Tai, Taohuayu follows a stream past rock formations, orchards and pools, with peac...

Hikes 1

Midway Gate to Heaven, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Midway Gate to Heaven

Zhongtianmen marks the middle of the ascent, where the eastern stairway and the bus road from the western side meet. Shops, a smal...

Landmarks 2

South Gate to Heaven, Tai’an, Shandong, China

South Gate to Heaven

Built in 1264, this red gate tower stands at the head of the Eighteen Bends, the steepest flight of steps on Mount Tai, where hund...
Heavenly Street Mount Tai, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Heavenly Street Mount Tai

Beyond the South Gate to Heaven, Tianjie runs along the summit ridge lined with traditional buildings housing inns, tea houses, no...

Viewpoints 1

Jade Emperor Peak, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Jade Emperor Peak

At 1,545 metres the highest point of Mount Tai is crowned by a small temple to the Jade Emperor, built around the bare rock of the...

Temples and Shrines 4

Dai Temple, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Dai Temple

The largest temple complex in Tai'an, at the foot of the mountain, was where emperors stayed and made offerings before ascending....
Temple of the Azure Clouds, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Temple of the Azure Clouds

Just below the summit, this temple is dedicated to Bixia Yuanjun, the Lady of the Azure Clouds, a goddess especially worshipped by...
Red Gate Palace, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Red Gate Palace

The traditional climb up the eastern route begins at this red-walled temple complex on the northern edge of town, just past the fi...
Puzhao Temple Tai'an, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Puzhao Temple Tai'an

Hidden among trees on the lower slopes west of the main climbing route, Puzhao Temple is a Buddhist monastery with courtyards, bel...

History 1

Sutra Rock Valley, Tai’an, Shandong, China

Sutra Rock Valley

In a side valley off the eastern route, a huge flat rock bed is carved with the Diamond Sutra in characters far larger than a hand...

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