Mount Tai Scenic Area, Tai'an

泰山景区（Taishan Jingqu）

Mount Tai, located in the middle of Shandong province and spanning three cities (Tai'an, Jinan and Zibo), covers a total area of 24,200 hectares. Known as the eastern mountain among the Five Great Mountains of China, Mount Tai was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and honored as a "World Geopark" in 2006. In China, Mount Tai was among the first group of National Parks of China, is a 5A-class tourist attraction, and is on the top 10 list of national civilized spots in China.

The peak of Mount Tai [Photo/VCG]

Mount Tai is well known for its spectacular natural scenery, including craggy cliffs, deep canyons, grotesque peaks with strange rocks, luxuriant vegetation, flowing springs and twittering birds. The mountain also has marvelous unique wonders: the rising sun at dawn, the jade plate of the sea of clouds, and rosy clouds at sunset.

A spectacular sunrise on Mount Tai [Photo/VCG]

Since ancient times, Mount Tai has been a sacred place for emperors from all dynasties to hold worship ceremonies and offer sacrifices to Heaven. Enshrined by such worship ceremonies, it also attracted believers of both Confucianism and Taoism, men of letters and famous people whose residence and visits left more than 1,000 places of interest behind, such as inscription rocks of the Diamond Sutra. It also became a holy mountain for worship for Chinese people, and is a symbol of the Chinese spirit.

The rock inscriptions on Mount Tai [Photo/VCG]

Because of the unique integration of human civilization and natural landscape, Mount Tai has been revered by Chinese people for thousands of years and has become renowned all over the world for its beauty.

Scenic spot level: AAAAA 

Ideal sightseeing season: February to November

Opening hours: Open all day

Ticket price: 125 yuan ($18.12) (February to November)

                      100 yuan (December and January)

Address:

Red Gate route: No 111 Hongmen Road, Taishan district, Tai'an, Shandong

Tianwaicun route: Tiandi Square No 79 Longtan Road, Taishan district, Tai'an, Shandong

Taohua Valley route: No 54 Hongmen Road, Taishan district, Tai'an, Shandong

Note:

1. Wear comfortable, warm clothes when climbing the mountain.

2. Be aware of the detailed information about different climbing routes in case you get lost.

3. Buy travel insurance.