Taishan is locate in the middle of the Shandong Province between two cities Tai'an and Jinan. In 1987, Mount Tai was listed as Cultural and 1987, Mount Tai was listed as Cultural and Natural World Heritage site and honored “World Geopark” in 2006. In China, Mount Tai is considered on of the most important for its holy and sacred affiliations with Confucian and Taoist believers. Also known for its iconic scenary it a popular tourist attraction because of its well know staircases that at times seem to barely cling to the side of the mountain.
The night before the big climb we went to the Taishan open air theater to see a performance about the history of Taishan. It was amazing! one of the best shows I have ever seen by far I would strongly recommend attending if you are able too!
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| The view from the bus staging area, in the distance was part of Mount Tai and the theater complex |
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| The night before our big climb! These are the stairs leading to the theater complex...is it a bad sign that my knee was beginning to ache |
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| a replica grain container at the bottom of the Taishan theater |
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| A water display next to the Taishan theater complex |
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| The Taishan open air theater |
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| The side of the open air theater was all lit up and was included in the set, amazing! |
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| The Taishan stage is splitting in half to show the set that was meant to represent the ancient climbing area |
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| This was one of the most amazing performances it really got me excited about the mountain and why I was going to climb it! |
We learned during the show that dozens of emperors throughout Chinese history have journeyed up the mountain to pay homage at the mountain temple. It was amazing to see history made into such a production, I even got see one of my personal favorites empresses Wu Zetian from the Tang dynasty!
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| The staging area for the bus ride to the stairs. |
most people actually began the climb up the mountain about half way up, but daring people (such as my Mandarin Laoshi (teacher) actually did the full climb from the bottom of the mountain in the dark!
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| Oh look...me before the climb...so naive about what was to come... |
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| ugh...more stairs! |
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| The final major climb, it was so steep at the top that I had to climb on my hands and knees because I was afraid my backpack would tip me backward down the stairs...I wasn't climbing this mountain again today! |
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| Some of the study abroad students and myself when we got to the first complex level |
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| graffiti encouragement |
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| a beautiful waterfall and more of the amazing encouragement graffiti |
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| I thought this was so stunning it looked like the complex was hanging on the edge of the mountain |
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| Oh look I'm at the top...or am I? |
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| along the path there were lots of these stones. I was told there was encouraging messages on them |
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| Oh look I have reached the top...just joking...after I took this picture I was told the actual top was about a 15-20 minute hike more |
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| one of the many iconic bridges on my climb to the top |
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| the scenery was amazing, so worth the climb |
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I am not sure what she was thinking...but I wanted a photo proving that she had climbed up on the ledge by herself.
Don't jump dear friend, lol!!! |
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| Oh my gosh...does the climbing ever stop? I could have sworn I had reached the top a few temples back...that's OK I am here to reach the top and the top I will find! |
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| One of the other study abroad students and me just outside the main temple |
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| The main temple complex at the top of the mountain, it took a while to find it and an additional 15 minutes of climbing but I official made it to the temple on Mt Tai |
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| Despite the crazy weather there were SOOOOO many tourist everywhere you looked, I don't remember this many people climbing up with me so I am thinking they took the cable car |
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| one of the protective walls just peaking out from the trees |
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| another angle of one of the temples |
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| This picture and the one below were taken 20 seconds apart |
The weather was a bit volatile the day we climbed, one moment the clouds would settle around us and the next the sun was blazing...as we were about to leave there was rumors it would rain. We were told the cable cars wouldn't run if it rained so my group quickly got to the cable car sight for the 10-12 minute decent.
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| This picture and the one above were taken 20 seconds apart |
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| The first ledge we came to was a bit...freaky! |
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| Me and "Ginger" in the cable car |
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| Some of my cable car travel partners |
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| I love my cable car!!!! My legs were so tired I didn't think I would be able to walk/run down the mountain after the climb up so I (and a few others) opted to take the cable car down...it was either cable car or fall/stumble the whole way down which didn't sound appealing. |
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| A view from the top while taking the cable car to the bottom |
As a historian this was an amazingly iconic location to visit, it optimized the ancient ways and showcased a significant Chinese landmark that all people who visit China should visit...but, you have to climb. It is said that all who climb will be blessed, the gods will know you sacrificed for them.
LOCATION
Tai Shan
Hongmen Road
Taishan District
Tai'an 271000, China
Sevice number +86-538-8066077
RESOURCES
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