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Tai Mountain lies in central Shandong Province, spanning the ranges of Tai'an and Jinan cities. It covers an area of 550 square meters. Tai Mountain endowed with many scenic spots. A large number of them were given names in ancient times. They include 112 peaks, 98 precipices, 18 caves, 58 oddly shaped rocks, 102 streams and valleys, 56 pools and waterfalls, and 64 springs. Vegetation covers 79.9% of the area. In Chinese culture, east is regarded as a sacred direction since it is where the sun and the moon rise. Tai Mountain is respected as the head of China’s five sacred mountains.
The word “tai” in Chinese means stability and peace. Influential emperors in Chinese history like Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty, Wudi (140-87 BC) of the Han Dynasty, Taizong (626-649) of the Tang Dynasty, and Taizu (960-976) of the Song Dynasty, during the periods China became united and strong, had all come and held grand ceremonies to pay respect to Mount Tai. Therefore, Mount Tai has always been important to the Chinese people. Ancient rulers usually paid homage to the mountain, in the hope of bringing good luck to their reign.
There are 6,293 step from the foot of the mountain to the top (1,524 meters above sea level ) of Tai Mountain. The Jade Emperor Peak, the summit of Mt. Tai, is an ideal place to watch the sunrise and sun-set. The visibility is excellent, tourists can see the yonder Yellow River like a golden belt. Visitors admire Mount Tai for its grandeur, like a man full of virility.
Mount Tai’s four spectacular views refer to the sunrise in the east, the sunset in the wes, the under Yellow River resembling a golden belt, and sea of clouds like jade plates.
Taishanalso boasts cultural heritage with an incessant history of several thousand years. Currently on the mountain, there are 22 ancient architectural complexes, 97 ruins, 819 stone tablets and 1,800 stone inscriptions, which provide a natural museum for the study of ancient history and calligraphy. Main sites of interest are the Tiankuang Temple, Nantian Gate, Azure Cloud Temple, Peak for Viewing the Sun, and Sutra Rock Valley, etc
In 1987 entered into the "World Heritage Directory "by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).
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