Mount Tai in Shandong

Attractions Overview:One of the top 5 mountains in China, the most climbed mountain in China
Attraction Type: Sacred Mountain, Geopark, World Heritage Sites
Chinese Name:山东泰山
English Name: Mount Tai in Shandong
Best Time to Visit: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 Day
Open Hours: All Day
Admission Fee: 268 RMB / Person
Address in English: Taishan District, Taian City, Shandong Province, China
Address in Chinese:中国山东省泰安市泰山区

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Why is Mount Tai in Shandong so special?

Mount Tai (Chinese: 泰山; pinyin: Tài Shān) is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai’an, in Shandong province, China. The tallest peak is the Jade Emperor Peak (simplified Chinese: 玉皇顶; traditional Chinese: 玉皇頂; pinyin: Yùhuáng Dǐng), which is commonly reported as 1,545 metres (5,069 ft) tall, but is described by the PRC government as 1,532.7 metres (5,029 ft).

Mount Tai is known as the eastern mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China. It is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five. Mount Tai has been a place of worship for at least 3,000 years and served as one of the most important ceremonial centers of China during large portions of this period.

Where is Mount Tai?

Mount Tai is located at Taishan District, Tai’an City, Shandong Province, China, and the address in Chinese is: 中国山东省泰安市泰山区.
Mount Tai is located at the suburb of Tai’an City, Mount Tai lies about 84 km from Jinan City (济南市), the capital of Shandong Province, takes about 1 hour and a half for drive; 334.8 km from Qingdao City (青岛市), takes about 4 hours to drive.

How to get Mount Tai?

Travel with China Dragon Tours (top recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Mount Tai with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on travel.

Independent Travel

For Independent travelers you can

By Bus: Tourists can take the local bus from Tai’an City to the entrances of Mount Tai
Red Gate Entrance: Bus No. 14, 19, 45, k37, k3, k49
Taiwai Village/ Taiwaicun Entrance: Bus No. 19, K37, K39, K3, K49
Tianzhu Peak/Tianzhufeng Entrance: Bus No.19
Taohuayu Entrance: Bus No. k16, k49

There are many trains and high speed trains from Jinan City to Tai’an City everyday. Such as train K771, departure from Jinan at 7:24, arrive at Taishan at 8:17, it takes about 53 minutes, and the price for a regular seat is 12.4 RMB. And for High Speed Train, they are faster, such as G213, it takes about 17 minutes from Jinan West Railway Station at 12:03, and get to Tai’an Railway Station at 12:20, and the price for a second class seat is about 24.5 RMB.

Main Attractions in Mount Tai

Shibapan

The “Shibapan (十八盘)” means 18 levels stairs，which is the most advantageous part of stairs in Mount Tai. With a total of 1827 stone steps, the “Shibapan” mountain road is one of the main attractions of Mount Tai. A lost of people came here to challenge themselves since ancient time. People always say: “Mount Tai of the majestic, all in Shibapan, Mount Tai of the sublime, all in the climb in!” Here, with the cliffs on both side, the steep winding road is inlaid in them. From a distance, it looks like the ladder leading to heaven.

Nantianmen Gate

At the end of Shibapan, lies Nantianmen Gate(南天门), which means the gate leading to heaven. Long time ago people also call it Tianmenguan (天门关) or Santianmen (三天门).  As it located at the middle of two peak, it looks like a gate leading to the heaven, hence the name. The gate was first build at 1264, by a Taoist priests named Zhang Zhichun (张志纯), and the altitude of the gate is about 1460 meters.

Jade Emperor Peak

Jade Emperor Peak (玉皇顶, in Chinese mythology, the Jade Emperor is the most powerful god in the heaven) is the main peak of Mount Taishan. It is so named for there is a temple called Jade Emperor Temple on the top of the peak. The peak is 1545 meters above sea level, with the sharp altitude difference of 1392 meters offering tourists a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the entire area. Boarding on the top of the peak, you can have an overlooking view of Mount Tai, which is spectacular and breathtaking.

Ying Yang Jie

Ying Yang Jie (阴阳界), which means the border between life and death. Ying Yang Jie is a white rock belt on the vertical valleys. It looks like a white ribbon embroidered on the edge of the cliff. Because of the long-term erosion of running water, its surface is smooth as a mirror, and its color is bright and striking. If people cross it carelessly, they will fall into the valley and die. Therefore, it is called “Yin-Yang boundary”.

Taohuayu

Taohuayu (桃花峪), which means the valley full of peach flower. It is located at the northwest of Mount Tai. It is said that at ancient time, the valley is full of peach blossoms, when the wind comes, there would be a rain of petals. Taohua Yu is also famous for Taishan Chilin fish (泰山赤鳞鱼), which means the red fish in Mount Tai. Due to the pure water, the fish is quite tasty.

Dai Miao Temples

Dai Miao Temples (岱庙) is located in the north of Tai’an City, Shandong province, and in the southern foot of Taishan Mountain. It is commonly known as “Dongyue Temple (Eastern Yue Temple)”. It is the largest and most complete ancient buildings in Taishan area. It is a Taoist temple, where the emperors used to hold grand celestial ritual and God worship ceremony to the deity of Mount Taishan. Dai Miao Temple was first build at Qin and Han dynasty, and enlarged at Song Dynasty.  At ancient time, emperors hold sacrifices and ceremonies here before their hiking.

Recommended Visiting Route

The Classic Route

Dai Miao Temple – The Red Gate – Dai Ding 岱庙—红门—岱顶

The most classic Red Gate Road hiking route, people taking this route thousand years ago. This route is considered to be the Imperial Route because the emperors all took this way to make sacrifices. 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.

The Second Route:

Tianwai Villiage (Tianwai Square)天外村(天地广场)— Huanshan Road(环山路)—Zhulin Temple(竹林寺)—Huangxihe Reservoir黄溪河水库—Zhongtianmen Gate(中天门)—Nantianmen Gate(南天门)—Jade Emperor Peak (玉皇顶)

If tourists take this route, both by bus and hiking is available. This route is well equipped with modern facilities and is the most fashionable way to reach Jade Emperor Peak. Attractions concentrated on this route are Heaven and Earth Square, Black Dragon Pool, Tomb of General Feng Yuxiang and Longevity Bridge, etc.

The Third Route:

Taohua Yu Entrance (桃花峪入口)—Huanshan Road(环山路)—Caishixi (彩石溪)—Chilinyu Reserve Zone(赤磷鱼保护区)—Taohuayuan Cableway (桃花源索道)—Nantianmen Gate (南天门)—Jade Emperor Peak (玉皇顶)

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.

The Fourth Route:

Tianzhu Peak Route: Just as its name implies, Tianzhu Peak (天烛峰) 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).

Best Time to Go to Mount Tai

Visiting Mount Tai in Spring:
The best time to appreciate spring scenery of Mount Tai is May, and it’s also a perfect time to watch the sunrise of Mount Tai and the full moon rising from the sea of clouds. Spring of Mount Tai is rainy, and the average temperature is around 8℃ to 10℃. Therefore bringing warm clothes and rain gear is advisable.

Visiting Mount Tai in Summer:
The weather of Tai’an during summer is really cool with the average temperature of only 17℃. It is a summer resort for tourists to escape from summer heat. Midsummer is the best time to enjoy the summer scenery of Mount Tai when Mount Tai is a vivid picture of lush pines, cascading waterfalls, birds’ singing and riot flowers.

Visiting Mount Tai in Autumn:
Autumn is the most colorful season of Mount Tai. The peaks are tinged with autumn gold and the valleys are filled with gold fruits and flowers. The days are fine and the sky is clear in these days. Therefore, if you plan to visit Mount Tai, autumn is a perfect time. Early October is the best time to view the autumn scenery of Mount Tai since the days are extremely fine and the sky is blue.

Visiting Mount tai in Winter:
The average temperature of winter in Mount Tai is about -6℃. Mount Tai in winter has another lingering charm, which is a quintessential north county scene. Rime and glaze scenery, the translucent ice blooms glittering in the sunshine, and the soughing wind are all the quintessential countryside sceneries in north China.

Accommodate at Mount Tai

Sheraton Taian Baolong Fupeng Hotel 泰安宝龙福朋喜来登酒店
Distance: About 1.6 km from Mount Tai
Location: No. 6 Daidaoan Road, Taishan District, Tai’an City 泰安市泰山区岱道庵路6号
Tel: 0538-8879 999

Yunchao Hotel 云巢宾馆
Distance: About 1 km from Mount Tai
Location: No. 1 Jintian Street, North Tianmen Street, Daiding South Tianmen, Taishan Mountain Scenic Area, Tai’an City, near Taohuayuan Cableway 泰安市泰山区泰山景区岱顶南天门里北天街1号近天街近桃花源索道口
Tel:0538-8066 666

Read More:
The Best Luxury 5-Star Hotels in Mount Tai 
The Best Mount Tai Hotels Rated on TripAdvisor

Nearby Attractions

• Azure Clouds Temple (Bixia Ci) in Mount Tai, Tai’an
• Dai Temple of Mount Tai in Tai’an
• Shibapan (18 Levels Stairs) of Mount Tai, Tai’an
• Shandong Xuehua International Golf Club
• Shandong Gold Rock River International Golf Club

Useful Travel Tips

1. About the ticket:

•  The through ticket is valid for three consecutive days.
•  Free for children under 1.4 meters (4.2 feet) or 6 years old; Children between 6 and 18 years old can buy half price ticket.
•  Seniors elder than 60 years old can enjoy free entrance tickets with a valid ID or passport.

2. Mount Tai international Mountaineering Festival

Mount Tai international Mountaineering Festival has becoming more and more popular in China and abroad since its first hold in 1987. The number of participants of the mountaineering competition 2009 was over one thousand. They were mainly from 37 different counties. World Famous Mountain Cooperation Summit was held as part of the Climbing Festival 2009. Representatives of six world famous mountains, namely Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Germany’s Zugspitze Mountain, Greece’s Mount Olympus, South Korea’s Halla Mountain, Switzerland’s Pilatus Mountain, and China’s, Taishan Mountain attended the summit.
Date: mid-September every year
Venue: Mount Tai (located just north of Tai’an city in East China’s Shandong province)
Registration: Both individual and team registration are accepted.

3. What You Shouldn’t Miss 

• The sunrise or sunset from Mount Tai are really spectacular and breathtaking
• Ancient altars, archways and gates along the hike up the mountain

4. What to Wear
There is a sharp temperature difference between the foot of Mount Tai and the top of it. Therefore tourists should bring warm clothes with them even in summer. Mountaineering clothes is recommended. Choose a pair of suitable, light, comfortable and durable mountaineering shoes is very important.