Things to do in  Tai'an

The holiest of China’s five sacred mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mt. Tai (Tai Shan or Taishan) towers over Shandong province, its slopes lined with temples, gates, archways, and pavilions. Pilgrims flock to follow in the footsteps of emperors, climb the 6,660 steps linking heaven and earth, and marvel at ancient trees, including 2,100-year-old cypresses.

Taishan UNESCO Global Geopark lies a few hours from Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. Mount Tai—one of China’s five sacred mountains—is worshiped and protected. Renowned for the power of renewal and birth, the peak is studied by scientists due to its geological makeup of ancient rocks, dating back through several ages.