The temperature on the top of Mount Tai is relatively low. Even in summer, it is necessary to bring a light jacket, such as a thin windbreaker. In spring and autumn, you should bring thicker sweaters and jackets. In winter, thick cotton-padded clothes and down jackets are essential.
Comfortable sports shoes or hiking boots suitable for mountain climbing should be ensured to fit well and have good anti-slip performance.
Items to Bring
Prepare a lightweight backpack to hold items such as water, food, cameras, and power banks.
Bring at least 2 3 bottles of water. It is important to replenish water during the climbing process. You can also buy water on the mountain, but the price is relatively high.
High-calorie snacks like chocolate and beef jerky can quickly restore physical strength.
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, sun hats and other sun protection products, especially when climbing on a sunny day.
Carry a flashlight or headlamp for lighting when climbing up or down the mountain before dawn or after dark.
Climbing Routes
Hongmen Climbing Route (Classic Route)
Route Features
This is the oldest and most classic climbing route, about 9.5 kilometers long. The winding paths, ancient trees reaching the sky, and numerous steles allow you to fully appreciate the historical culture and natural scenery of Mount Tai.
Main Attractions
Dai Temple: The largest and most complete ancient architectural complex on Mount Tai, where you can enjoy many ancient buildings and cultural relics.
Hongmen Palace: A Taoist temple at the starting point of the climb, with a unique architectural style.
Zhongtianmen: An important transfer station in the climbing process. You can take a short break and replenish energy here.
Eighteen Bends: The most dangerous section of the climbing path on Mount Tai, with more than 1,600 stone steps, like a ladder hanging in front of the Nantianmen, very spectacular.
Nantianmen: After passing the Eighteen Bends, you will reach Nantianmen. The terrain here is flat, with many shops and restaurants where you can rest and enjoy the view.
Yuhuangding: The peak of the main peak of Mount Tai, 1,545 meters above sea level. Here you can enjoy spectacular sunrise, sea of clouds and other landscapes, and also visit buildings such as the Yuhuang Temple.
Tianwaicun Climbing Route (Suitable for Those with Average Physical Strength)
Route Features
This route combines a mountain road and a climbing trail and is relatively easy. First, take the scenic area transportation vehicle to Zhongtianmen, and then hike or take a cable car to the top of the mountain. The whole journey is about 5 kilometers.
Main Attractions
It coincides with the attractions above Zhongtianmen on the Hongmen Climbing Route, such as the Eighteen Bends, Nantianmen, Yuhuangding, etc.
Tianzhufeng Climbing Route (Beautiful Scenery)
Route Features
This is a climbing route full of wild fun, about 7.5 kilometers long. The scenery along the way is beautiful, with strange rocks and continuous pine waves. The air is fresh and there are relatively few tourists.
Main Attractions
Tianzhufeng: It is named because it looks like a candle. The peak scenery is spectacular and it is the landmark attraction of this route.
Houshiwu: There is an ancient pine garden here. The various ancient pines are amazing, and there are also cultural landscapes such as the Yuanjun Temple.
Yuhuangding: You can also finally reach the Yuhuangding, the main peak of Mount Tai.
Climbing Time Arrangement
One-day Tour
Hongmen Climbing Route
Morning
Noon
Afternoon
Tianwaicun Climbing Route
Morning
Morning
Afternoon
Two-day Tour
First Day
Hongmen Climbing Route or Tianwaicun Climbing Route
Night
Second Day
Morning
Morning or Noon
Tickets and Transportation
Ticket Information
The ticket price of Mount Tai varies according to seasons and ticket types. The full-price ticket in the peak season (February 1 November 30) is 115 yuan per person, and the full-price ticket in the off-season (December 1 January 31 of the following year) is 80 yuan per person.
In addition, there are some preferential policies. Children, students, the elderly, etc. can enjoy half-price or free tickets with valid certificates.
Tickets for scenic area transportation vehicles and cable cars need to be purchased separately. The one-way ticket price of the Zhongtianmen Cableway is 100 yuan per person, the one-way ticket price of the Taohuayuan Cableway is 100 yuan per person, and the one-way ticket price of the scenic area transportation vehicle (Tianwaicun Zhongtianmen) is 35 yuan per person, etc.
External Transportation
Airplane
You can first arrive at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, and then transfer to an airport shuttle or high-speed rail to Tai’an.
Train
Tai’an has Taishan Station and Tai’an Station. Taishan Station is located in the city center, and Tai’an Station mainly stops high-speed trains and bullet trains. You can choose the appropriate train and station according to your own situation. After getting off the train, you can take a bus or taxi to Mount Tai Scenic Area.
Internal Transportation
There are various transportation methods in the Mount Tai Scenic Area to facilitate tourists to travel between different attractions.
Scenic Area Transportation Vehicle
There are scenic area transportation vehicles running on the routes from Tianwaicun to Zhongtianmen and from Taohuayu to Taohuayuan, which can save physical strength and time.
Cable Car
The three cable cars of Zhongtianmen Cableway, Taohuayuan Cableway and Houshiwu Cableway can help tourists go up and down the mountain quickly, especially when they are physically exhausted.
Food Recommendations
Mount Tai Specialties
Three Delicacies of Mount Tai
It is composed of cabbage, tofu and water. Although it seems ordinary, under the unique soil and water of Mount Tai, the cabbage is sweet, the tofu is smooth, and the soup is delicious.
Mount Tai Red-scale Fish
A rare fish with tender meat, fragrant but not fishy. It can be stewed, fried, etc. But because it is a protected animal, most of them are now artificially farmed and can be tasted in regular restaurants.
Chicken Stewed with Mount Tai Mushrooms
Select the unique wild mushrooms of Mount Tai and stew them with local native chickens. The chicken is fresh and tender, the mushrooms are fragrant, and the soup is rich and mellow.
Mount Tai Snacks
Pancake Rolled with Scallions
A famous traditional Shandong snack. The pancake of Mount Tai is thin and crispy. Rolled with scallions and sweet sauce, it has a unique flavor.
Mount Tai Shaobing (Baked Sesame Seed Cake)
The outer skin is crispy and the filling is rich. There are various flavors such as meat filling and vegetarian filling to choose from.
Crispy Sesame Seed Cake
Layers of crispiness and rich sesame flavor. It is a delicious snack that is easy to carry during the climbing process.
Accommodation Suggestions
Accommodation on the Top of the Mountain
Hotel
There are some hotels near Nantianmen, such as Taishan Xianju Hotel and Shenqi Hotel. The conditions are relatively good, but the price is relatively high, especially in the peak season, it is necessary to book in advance.
Inn and Tent
There are also many relatively inexpensive inns to choose from. In addition, tents can be rented for camping in some areas. But the temperature on the top of the mountain is low at night, so good thermal insulation measures should be taken when camping.
Accommodation at the Foot of the Mountain
Tai’an Urban Area
There are various types of hotels and homestays. You can choose according to your budget and preference. Moreover, the surrounding supporting facilities such as catering and shopping are complete, and it is not far from the Mount Tai Scenic Area. You can easily reach it by bus or taxi.
At the Foot of Mount Tai
There are some characteristic homestays and inns with a beautiful environment and convenient travel, allowing tourists to feel the atmosphere of Mount Tai more closely.
Precautions
Do warm-up exercises before climbing to avoid getting injured during the climbing process.
Follow the regulations of the scenic area, protect the environment and do not litter at will.
When watching the sunrise on the top of the mountain, due to the low temperature and strong wind, pay attention to keeping warm. You can rent a military overcoat, etc.
There are many tourists on Mount Tai, especially during holidays and peak tourist seasons. Keep your belongings well and pay attention to personal safety.
