Shibapan (18 Levels Stairs) of Mount Tai, Tai’an

English name: Shibapan (18 Levels Stairs) of Mount Tai, Tai'an. It also called Daishan, Daizhong, Daiyue, Dongyue and Taiyue(岱山、岱宗、岱岳、东岳、泰岳).
Chinese Name: 泰山十八盘
Best Time: Spring, Summer and Autumn
Recommended Visiting Hours: 6-8 hours
Main Peak: Yuhangding(玉皇顶 )
Length: 200 kilometers East-West
Width: 50 kilometers wide 
Opening Time: All day
Ticket Price:  115 RMB
Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA-level National Scenic spot
Location: Tai'an City, Shandong Province
UNESCO World Heritage: 1987

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The”Shibapan”(十八盘）means 18 levels stairs, which is the most advantageous part of stairs in Mount Tai. Located in the middle of Shandong Province. A total of 1827 stone steps, is one of the main signs Mount Tai. People always say:”Mount Tai of the majestic, all in Shibapan, Mount Tai of the sublime, all in the climb in!” Shibapan has three parts, the”Slow Eighteens”(慢十八), the “Hard Eighteens”(紧十八）, and the ” No slow no hard Eighteens”（不紧不慢又十八）. The “Slow Eighteens” means this period is easier to climb, and the”Hard Eighteens” means it is harder to climb, which is interesting.

Mount Tai

Mount Taishan is the most famous sacred mountain of China, with exceptional historic, cultural, aesthetic and scientific value.  Settled by humans as early as the Neolithic (a Dawenkou site is nearby), the mountain has been worshipped continuously throughout the last three millennia.  A large and impressive rock mass covering 25,000 ha and rising to 1,545 m above the surrounding plateau, Mount Taishan is considered one of the most beautiful scenic spots in China and was an important cradle of oriental East Asian culture since the earliest times. The mountain was an important object of the cult worship of mountains even before 219 BCE, when the Qin Emperor, Huang Di, paid tribute to the mountain in the Fengshan sacrifices to inform the gods of his success in unifying all of China. On the mountain there are 12 historically recorded imperial ceremonies in homage to Heaven and Earth, about 1,800 stone tablets and inscriptions, and 22 temples, which together make Mount Taishan the most important monument in China, a world-renowned treasure house of history and culture. Tai Shan has been climbed by many people important in Chinese history. The emperors of great dynasties had to climb the mount to show that they has been the sole ruler of the country

The Reputation of Mount Tai

Mount Tai is one of the five famous mountains in China. , it covers a total area of 242,000 hectares between Tai’an, Jinan and Zibo. It is known as “the head of the five mountains”, “the dignity of the five mountains” and “the first mountain in the world”. It is a world natural and cultural heritage, a world geological park, a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a national scenic spot, a national key cultural relics protection unit and a national civilized tourist attraction.

Landscape of Mount Tai

Mount Tai is in the north of Tai’an city, in the middle of Shandong province. As one of the five most famous mountains in China, it is recognized as the head of the Five-mountain and defined to be East-mountain adoringly. Many emperors climbed to the top for enthronement or other significant ceremonies in ancient China, for they considered it to be a symbol of Chinese power that given by master of nature. The earliest activities could go back to Xia dynasty and Shang dynasty, so it preserved a good many of cultural relics and historic sites. Famous literators, poets and celebrities were attracted here and thousands of poems and articles about Mount Tai are best-known nowadays. Mount Tai is considered to be a cultural and historical museum. It is a famous place of Taoism and Buddhism. There are four marvelous spectacles in Mount Tai, and they are sunrise watching on the peak, shine of sunset, Yellow River watching in sunshine and sea of cloud.

Get around of Mount Tai

Winding stone and brick sidewalks link the different village areas on top of the mountain. Tai Shan is very popular to Chinese visitors. This means it is often covered with tourists and the vendors that follow them. There are many nice paths up the mountain but the main climb is sometimes crowded with everything from beggars, to chickens, to monkey on chains that you can pose for pictures with. There are four ascents here：

East Route

This route is considered to be the Imperial 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.

Airport to Taian

Tai’an(泰安) is an hour’s drive from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport(济南遥墙国际机场)

Railway Station to Mount Tai

• Take the direct tourist buses from the railway station to Hongmen or Tianwai Village. Hongmen is the starting point of hiking route, while Tianwai Village is where to take a sightseeing bus to Mid Heaven Gate (Zhongtianmen). 
• Take bus 3, 37, or 39 (North Ring Line) to get to Hongmen or Tianwai Village. 
• Taxi: After arriving at Taishan Railway Station, take a taxi to Hongmen directly. The cab fare is around CNY10.

Accommodation of Mount Tai

Many tourists stay overnight at hotels on the mountain and watch the sunrise from the cloud-wreathed peak, which is where Tan Shan’s most significant temples can be found, attracting droves of devout worshipers.

• Daiding Hotel:(岱顶宾馆)
  At the end of the alley up the stairway from Nantianmen Gate, features beds with cartoon sheets. The rooms are small but comfortable, which decent with baths. 
• Shengqi Hotel:(神憩宾馆)
  Next to the Green King Palace, about 15min past, past the South Gate, is everything you’d expert from a three-star hotel. Close to the peak, you are paying for the fabulous view.

Useful Tips for Mount Tai Travel  

• Shibapan are very steep. When climbing, we need to grasp both sides of the wire and pay attention to safety.
• It is recommended to bring a climbing stick. It is also sold on the mountain, about 2 yuan a stick.
• If the your physical strength is limited, you can choose to go downhill from Nantianmen(南天门) to Zhongtianmen(中天门) by cable car. Zhongtianmen Cableway fare: 100 yuan per trip.
• Operating time: April 1-October 31, 7:00-17:30; November 1-March 31, 8:00-17:00
• Ticket Price: 115RMB which includes a pre-stamped postcard ticket you can mail within China. Student fares are available at ¥52, but a student ID may be required (expired student ID is enough)Cable car fares are ¥80 one way or ¥140 return. Bus fares to the midpoint base are ¥30 one way.
• The entrance ticket is valid for three consecutive days.