Mt. Taishan,

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Mt. Taishan
Must Sees Mt. Taishan Mount Taishan is the most famed of the Five Sacred Mountains and symbolizes the Chinese Spirit. There are five sacred mountains in China: East Mt. Taishan, West Mt. Huashan, South Mt. Hengshan, North Mt. Hengshan and Central Songshan. They each have their unique attractions. Since the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206 BC), Mount Taishan, as the royal object of cult, was the venue where past emperors used to worship Heaven and Earth. As countless literati have left inscriptions and steles there, it gets reputation as "A Natural Museum of History and Art" of modern times. Mount Taishan is located at the central part of Shandong Province and lying across Ji'nan and Tai'an cities, it is the cradle of Chinese culture and the most magnificent mountain. With a height of 1,545 meters, its majesty and splendor is incomparable. It is mainly made up of natural sights as well as historical sights. The intense grandeur from its mountainous bearing and spectacular breath-taking scenery exudes sheer elegance, profundity and immense vastness while touching on serenity merged with an air of mystery and tempestuous danger. Mount Taishan has five major scenic areas, and there are the Dai Temple, the East and West Routes, the Mid-heaven Gate - junction of the two routes, and the Jade Emperor Summit. The Dai Temple The Dai Temple is the largest and most completed ancient building complex of Mount Taishan. It is located to the north of Tai'an City. It used to be the venue where emperors of the past dynasties held celebrations to worship heaven and earth and bestowed sacrifices to the God of the mountain. And it was also the first stop for the pilgrims on their way to the holy Mount Taishan. The original temple was first built during the Qin Dynasty (211BC-206BC) according to historical records. Since the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), people replicated the imperial palace to construct it. After several dynasties, pavilions, old cypresses and steles to the decoration were added, bringing today’s Dai Temple. Most of the present highlights inside the temple were built in the Han Dynasty. Seen from a distance, you will have a feel of grandiosity and magnificence. Take a closer view and you will feel astonished by its stateliness. It is the symbol of the Chinese feudality. Standing at the entrance to the temple, Yaocan Pavilion and the Archway of the Dai Temple will appear before your eyes first. Its grand framework and elaborate engravings impress tourists deeply. Entering it, there are many palaces and gateways, brilliant and colorful. Among them, the most conspicuous is the Hall of Celestial Gifts built in 1009 AD. This was during the Northern Song Dynasty, and it is one of the three palace-style architectures in China. Inside the hall, there is a portrait of God, 4.4m high, set in the middle. Around the walls of the east, west and north, an enormous mural 3 meters high and 62 meters long named "the God of Mountain Taishan on an inspection tour" pictures the wonderful and grand scene of the inspection tour itself. Old cypress trees in the courtyard are very valuable. Five of them were planted by Emperor Wudi himself, from the Han Dynasty, and have lived for 2,000 years. Furthermore, another attraction is the Bronze Pavilion which lies in the northeast corner of the temple. The pavilion is made of bronze castings. Intricate workmanship makes it highly valuable, and it is one of the famous bronze pavilions in China. East Route The east route features "serenity". It is the best choice to take for a climb up Mount Taishan. Many cultural relics and historic sites bear witness of the past history. Major attractions include Dai Zong Archway which Confucius had ever visited, Hu Tian Pavilion, Jing Shi Valley, Mid-Heaven Gate, Five Pines Pavilion and Eighteen Bends. According to historical records, in 219 BC, when the first emperor Qinshihuang was halfway down from the Mount Taishan it began to rain and he took shelter under the five pines beside five pavilions. Later, he conferred them the titles of "Dafu". So the Five Pines Pavilion is also called the Five "Dafu" Pines. From Dui Songshan to South Heaven Gate in the Mount Taishan, The Eighteen Bends is a long and hard journey. It has three "Eighteen Bends" and 1,630 steps. It is almost 400 meters up and vertically. Visitors need to be extra careful when climbing the steps. West Route The west route is characterized by "Vastness" and famous for its natural scenery. The winding highway forms the main path. Beautiful peaks and ridges form a silhouette speckled with long and narrow valleys, enigmatic and charming waterfalls and crystal-clear rippling streams. Annually International Mount Tai Climbing Festival is held there, and people from many countries come to take part in. The main attractions of the west route include Black Dragon Pool, Remains of Tian Sheng Fort, Longevity Bridge and Fan Cliff. Mid-Heaven Gate The Mid-Heaven Gate forms the crossing of the east and west routes, its height is about 847 meters. From this point, people can get a fantastic view of the mountain. On the east lies the pretty Mid-stream Mountain; to the west is the Wandering Phoenix Valley; in the south is the wispy and misty Wen River and to the north is the hanging cloud ladder on the top of Mount Taishan. There are cable cars and helicopters for tourists. Jade Emperor Peak The most spectacular feature of the Jade Emperor Summit is the carpet of snow, indeed a marvelous spectacle to behold. The Jade Emperor Peak is located to the north of the Temple of the Princess of the Rosy clouds, and it is the highest point on Mount Tai. A large rock, inscribed with the Chinese for "supreme summit" marks the end of the trek here. At the peak lies the Jade Emperor Temple, where a bronze statue of the Jade Emperor is worshipped. Enjoy the beauty of sunrise in the mornings in the east pavilion and the golden belts of the Yellow River in the west pavilion. Hundreds of visitors and pilgrims gather at dawn to watch the occasion. The Song Emperor used to perform a ceremony here too, offering sacrifices to the heavens from his altar. There are four wonders on Mount Taishan. The sunrise in the mornings is the most impressive and symbolic of Mount Taishan. Foggy clouds envelope the top of Tai Shan making it almost fairyland-like. Climbing the snow-covered Mount Tai is really a big challenge, but the scenery of the whole mountain with its unique charm makes it a worthwhile effort. The Buddha light shines on the top of Mount Taishan like a multicolored aureole, and people who are shined upon take it as a lucky omen of great honor.

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