Mountain Taishan is located in the middle of Shandong Province, seated among Ji'nan, Changqing and Tai'an, with a total area of 426 square kilometers. As the highest peak in Shandong with an elevation of 1,545 meters, Mountain Taishan is called “Chief of the Five Sacred Mountains” and “First Mountain Under Heaven”.
With its abundant cultural treasures, Mountain Taishan is honored as a sacred mountain and the symbol of Chinese national spirit. Reputed as “Mountain Daishan” and “Mountain Daizong” previously, it was renamed “Mountain Taishan” in the Spring and Autumn Period. From ancient times to the Qing Dynasty, emperors came to this reverend peak to hold grand ceremonies to worship the Gods of Heaven and earth. On the mountain there are 22 ancient construction complex, over 100 other buildings, more than 1,800 above carved stones, nearly 20,000 ancient trees and numerous poems and masterpieces written by scholars throughout different dynasties, all of which make Mountain Taishan the epitome of oriental culture.
Formed about 28 hundred million years ago, Mountain Taishan is famous for its imposing natural landscape. Besides its majesty, the Sunrise, Sunset Glow, Golden Belt of the Yellow River, the Sea of the Clouds are its four wonders. With a bird‘s eye view, the mountain is divided by five valleys into six areas, which is features respectively by seclusion, spaciousness, beauty, mystery, elegance, and wonderful spectacles. Around the main peak, Jade Emperor, there are smaller 112 peaks, 98 ridges, 102 streams, 72 springs and 36 peculiar stones.
The famous attractions in Mountain Taishan include Lvzu Cave, Temple of General Guanyu, Shengxian (Flying Immortals) Archway, Taishan Buddha Light, Pavilion of Towering Mountain and Rushing Water, Heilong (Black Dragon) Pond, Tianzhu (Heavenly Candle) Peak, Sutra Rock Valley, Eighteen Bends, Pervading Light Temple, Bixia (Bright Glow) Ancestral Temple, South gate to Heaven, The Arch Marking Confucius' Visit, Pool of the Lady Queen Mother and Dai Temple. Among those tortuous roads, the Eighteen Bends is the most precipitous section leading to the top of Mountain Taishan. With more than 1,600 stone steps, the Eighteen Bends is one of the important symbols for the mountain.
Experts of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO said, “Mountain Taishan uniquely unites nature and culture together, and this means China has contributed a special heritage to the world.”
In 1987, Mountain Taishan was listed as both a world natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO. It was the first place named as double heritage to the world.
Mountain Taishan has also been designated as one of the Top 40 Tourist Attractions in China, a Model of Civilized Scenic Spots in China, a National 5A Scenic Spot, and the First among the Ten Famous Mountains in China. And in the September of the year 2006, Mountain Taishan has become the World Geopark. |
Asia Travel 
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