Mount Taishan Travel Guide

Brief Introduction
Rising abruptly above the North China Plain in central Shandong Province, Mount Tai is the First of the Five Sacred Mountains. It was the object of an imperial cult for nearly 2,000 years, and the artistic masterpieces found there are in perfect harmony with the natural landscape. It has always been a source of inspiration for Chinese artists and scholars and symbolizes ancient Chinese civilizations and beliefs.

The magnificent Temple to the God of Taishan (Daimiao) at the foot of the mountain houses a forest of stelae, commemorative tablets, and monuments and is one of the best-preserved palaces in China. Generations of emperors held ceremonies here to worship the god of Taishan. The temple was enlarged during the Tang Dynasty and repeatedly renovated and redecorated in the subsequent Song, Kin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

Heavenly Blessings Hall (Tiankuangdian), the major structure of the temple, was built in 1009 during the Northern Song Dynasty and is embellished with a colorful mural, "The Mountain God´s Inspection Tour." Measuring 3.3 meters high and 62 meters long, the mural is a masterpiece of Song Dynasty art portraying lifelike characters with individual expressions and attitudes.

Features
A Famous Geological Research Base with a Long History of Geological Development and a Site of Earth Crust Movement
Mount Taishan experienced the up throw and sedimentation of earth crust movement in the course of the long Archean Era. The gneiss of the Cambrian period in Taishan forms the foundation of North China.

The sectional stratum is complete, being rich in well-preserved fossil resources. Taishan diamantane was formed in the Archean Era and is about 2 billion years old. Geological research in related fields has been extensive, which makes Taishan an important base in geological study.
Grand and Sublime Natural Scenery

The chief peak of Mount Taishan is 1,545 m above sea level. It is very prominent on the vast North China Plain, higher than all other mountains and hills in Shandong Province Taishan appears particularly lofty as it towers into the sky. It extends over 200 km in length, standing on a wide base of 426 sq km. As the base is broad, Taishan stands in concentrated form, giving one a sense of steadiness and stability.

"As steady as Taishan"is a popular Chinese saying that goes not with out reason. The peaks rise one after another and layer after layer. The Yuhuangding(Jade Emperor Peak)is l,545 m in elevation, rising abruptly into the sky. When you look at this summit, all other peaks appear small. The rocks in Taishan are hard with well-developed veins. Ancient pines go hand in hand with huge rocks. The cloud and mist plus sunshine adorn the scene. The whole mountain presents a majestic view that dazzles the eye.

Age-long History of Civilization and Rich Cultural Heritage
There are traces of human activity around Taishan region as early as 400,000 years ago. About 50,000 or 60,000 years ago began the worship of Taishan by inhabitants.

According to ancient records of the Pre-Qin Dynasty period 72 rulers came to Taishan to officiate the worship of Heaven and Earth on Mount Taishan. Qin Shi Huang or the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Hu Hai, the second emperor (son of the First Emperor)as well as Emperor Wudi of the Han
Dynasty, officiated the rites to worship Heaven and Earth on Taishan.

The rite of worship continued through the Song and Ming dynasties. In the reign of Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty Taishan was raised to the highest statue. According to the popular five elements theory, Mount Taishan was named Dongyue or Mountain of the East, at the top of the list of the "five sacred mountains".

This preeminent position among China´s five sacred mountains attracted many literati, scholars, calligraphers and artists to ascend the mountain, leaving behind a large quantity of immortal works of famous essays, rock inscriptions and stone tablets Inmid-4th century Buddhism spread to Taishan, where temples were built in 35l AD.

In the Northern Qi Dynasty the Diamond Sutra was carved in the Sutra Rock Valky Taoism (Daoism developed in China). Taoist shrines were built in the mountain. Some 22 historic buildings and l, 800 stone inscriptions are preserved to this day in Mount Taishan