Apr
01
2012
Jun
30
2012
Sep
01
2012
Oct
31
2012
Apr
01
2013
Jun
30
2013
Sep
01
2013
Oct
31
2013
Apr
01
2014
Jun
30
2014
Sep
01
2014
Oct
31
2014
Apr
01
2015
Jun
30
2015
Sep
01
2015
Oct
31
2015
Apr
01
2016
Jun
30
2016
Sep
01
2016
Oct
31
2016
Apr
01
2017
Jun
30
2017
Trek the Historical Scene of Tai Shan
Published by Marjorie Jane M. Asis
Country: China 
The Experience
Tai Shan is the most revered of China’s five sacred Taoist mountains, known as the Wu Yueh. If you are in the mood for history and culture with a bit of exercise, a trip to Tai Shan is a grand opportunity for thrills and knowledge.
Located in the Shandong province, Mt. Tai towers over the captivating scene, and has an elevation of 1,545 meters above sea level. It is a national scenic treasure. UNESCO-listed Mt. Tai became a World Natural and Cultural Heritage in 1987.
Tai Shan is considered "a partial miniature of Chinese culture" according to Guo Moruo, a modern Chinese scholar. Mt. Tai's extremely rich cultural heritage has been incorporated with the natural landscape, which is why people consider it a very precious legacy.
Tai Shan is considered one of the origins of Chinese civilization, and archeological evidence of human life dates back to over 400,000 years. Around 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, during the Neolithic times, Tai Shan became a major cultural hub with two diverse cultures thriving. The Dawenkou occupied the north, while the Longshan occupied the south.
For more than 3,000 years, Chinese emperors and men of reverence from different dynasties considered pilgrimages to Mt. Tai a necessary ritual. Along the years, these activities gained political significance. There are records in stone tablets, rock inscriptions, and temples that provide proof of such pilgrimages.
Mt. Tai is also regarded as a centre for religious movement for both Taoism and Buddhism. Several religious temples had been set up in Tai Shan. In BC 351, a famous monk called Lang came to the holy mountain and built the Lang and Divine Rock temples. Throughout 420-589 AD, more temples were set up in the sacred mountain. These temples, including the Jade Spring Temple, Pervading Light Temple and God's Treasure Temple, were set up during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Moreover, the Divine Rock Temple was regarded as the first of the four temple wonders of China by Prime Minister Li Jiefu of the Tang Dynasty.
Currently, Tai Shan was given the designation “World Geo Park” in 2006. This title was awarded to Tai Shan because of its impressive views—astonishing and tranquil with ragged cliffs, canyons and gorges, strange rock formations, lavish flora and a string of flowing springs and waterfalls. The sight of the rising sun over Tai Shan is one of the many natural sights that attract visitors from half a globe away. Hence, the mountain is also known for its jade coloured skies and the unusual phenomena of illumination apparent on the Bixia (Azure Cloud) Temple.
There are two well-known routes that can be followed to reach the Tai Shan summit. The central route is the more popular one because you can witness a lot of cultural and historical relics, bridges, pavilions, carvings and stone inscriptions along the way. The central path is the location where Confucius started his ascent to pay honour to Mt. Tai Shan. Normally, it takes six hours to reach the summit if you hike on a regular pace. The western course is more of a scenic route than a historical and cultural route, with more natural sights to see than the central route. However, it lacks the cultural highlights. The two routes come together with the main or central road which then takes you to the Midway Gate.
Along the routes, there are a number of tea houses, restaurants and shops that you can visit. If ever your load is too weighty to carry, there are porters (“tiaofu”) who can help you in carrying your stuff.
Located in the Shandong province, Mt. Tai towers over the captivating scene, and has an elevation of 1,545 meters above sea level. It is a national scenic treasure. UNESCO-listed Mt. Tai became a World Natural and Cultural Heritage in 1987.
Tai Shan is considered "a partial miniature of Chinese culture" according to Guo Moruo, a modern Chinese scholar. Mt. Tai's extremely rich cultural heritage has been incorporated with the natural landscape, which is why people consider it a very precious legacy.
Tai Shan is considered one of the origins of Chinese civilization, and archeological evidence of human life dates back to over 400,000 years. Around 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, during the Neolithic times, Tai Shan became a major cultural hub with two diverse cultures thriving. The Dawenkou occupied the north, while the Longshan occupied the south.
For more than 3,000 years, Chinese emperors and men of reverence from different dynasties considered pilgrimages to Mt. Tai a necessary ritual. Along the years, these activities gained political significance. There are records in stone tablets, rock inscriptions, and temples that provide proof of such pilgrimages.
Mt. Tai is also regarded as a centre for religious movement for both Taoism and Buddhism. Several religious temples had been set up in Tai Shan. In BC 351, a famous monk called Lang came to the holy mountain and built the Lang and Divine Rock temples. Throughout 420-589 AD, more temples were set up in the sacred mountain. These temples, including the Jade Spring Temple, Pervading Light Temple and God's Treasure Temple, were set up during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Moreover, the Divine Rock Temple was regarded as the first of the four temple wonders of China by Prime Minister Li Jiefu of the Tang Dynasty.
Currently, Tai Shan was given the designation “World Geo Park” in 2006. This title was awarded to Tai Shan because of its impressive views—astonishing and tranquil with ragged cliffs, canyons and gorges, strange rock formations, lavish flora and a string of flowing springs and waterfalls. The sight of the rising sun over Tai Shan is one of the many natural sights that attract visitors from half a globe away. Hence, the mountain is also known for its jade coloured skies and the unusual phenomena of illumination apparent on the Bixia (Azure Cloud) Temple.
There are two well-known routes that can be followed to reach the Tai Shan summit. The central route is the more popular one because you can witness a lot of cultural and historical relics, bridges, pavilions, carvings and stone inscriptions along the way. The central path is the location where Confucius started his ascent to pay honour to Mt. Tai Shan. Normally, it takes six hours to reach the summit if you hike on a regular pace. The western course is more of a scenic route than a historical and cultural route, with more natural sights to see than the central route. However, it lacks the cultural highlights. The two routes come together with the main or central road which then takes you to the Midway Gate.
Along the routes, there are a number of tea houses, restaurants and shops that you can visit. If ever your load is too weighty to carry, there are porters (“tiaofu”) who can help you in carrying your stuff.
When to Go to Tai Shan
Visit Tai Shan in September to October or during April to June for it is extremely cold in winter months. Thus, summer is plagued with frequent rainy and hazy days. The weather on the location of the mountain is very dynamic. It may be sunny at the base of the mountain, but you end up wet and soggy at the peak due to torrential rains.
Odds n' Ends
The closest town to Tai Shan is Tai’an. From Tai’an, there are three cable ways that can take you to the peak of Mt. Tai. There are also tours and public buses that can take you to the cable stations.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Place to Stay
- You will definitely enjoy your stay by choosing among the hotels available near Mount Tai.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Discover all that Kaiping has to offer with Hotel Holiday Sanbu as a base.This 4-star hotel offers 95 comfortable guestrooms with a range of in-room ... 9 miles away
10 miles away
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Race to the Top of the Bun Tower in Hong Kong
- If you're looking to experience traditional Hong Kong in one of its most unique and fascinating festivals, look no further than the weeklong Cheung Chau Bun Festival. This whimsical holiday, characterized by folkloric costumes, traditional handicrafts, crowded festive streets, and crowned by the race to the top of the bun towers, is one of the liveliest events in Hong Kong every year. Taking place in late April or early May (it's a lunar festival, celebrated in the fourth moon of the year), the Cheung Chau Bun Festival makes the little island of Cheung Chau (the smallest of Hong Kong's outlying ...80 miles away.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Mandarin 
,
Portugese
,
Russian
,
Vietnamese
are some of the languages spoken in China. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
People who wish to experience
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "tai shan":
