[2025 Tai'an Attraction] Travel Guide for Taohuayu (Updated May)

🌄｜Floral Luxury · Taishan Waterside Willow Guesthouse (Taohuayu Branch) 🌄｜Lush willows and sparkling lake views · ✅｜Guesthouse Environment The guesthouse is located in the Taohuayuan Scenic Area on the western foothills of Mount Tai's main peak. This beautifully designed guesthouse features stunning surroundings with lush greenery, and the lake view under the willow trees is absolutely gorgeous! Artistic elements can be found everywhere, and the guesthouse design is minimalist yet elegantly luxurious, making it a peaceful retreat in the bustling city. ✅｜Room Environment There's a variety of room types, including king beds, twin beds, triple beds, family rooms, and large suites. All rooms are spacious with unique designs. Some rooms have balconies offering panoramic mountain and lake views. The family rooms feature creative cartoon-patterned bedding that children absolutely love. ✅｜Excellent Service It's very close to the Taohuayu entrance of Mount Tai, about a 10-minute walk. They offer free pickup service from the high-speed railway station and Mount Tai entrance. The service is extremely attentive. You can also order food at the guesthouse—the Mount Tai stir-fried chicken is a must-try and absolutely delicious.

Here's a detailed 2025 Mount Tai travel guide covering transportation, attractions, food, accommodation, and route planning to help you explore this greatest of China's Five Sacred Mountains! --- ### **I. Basic Information about Mount Tai** - **Entrance Fee**: CNY 115/person (including Dai Temple), valid for 3 days - **Discounts**: Half-price for students (CNY 57), free for seniors over 60, military personnel, and journalists - **Best Travel Season**: Fall (highest probability of sea of clouds and sunrise), Spring for mountain flowers, Summer for rain and sea of clouds --- ### **II. Transportation Guide** 1. **High-speed Rail**: - **Tai'an Station** (High-speed): 12 km from scenic area, taxi costs about CNY 25 - **Taishan Station** (Regular train): 3 km from Red Gate entrance, direct access via Bus K3 2. **Self-driving**: - **Tianwaicun parking lot**: CNY 5/hour, CNY 20 for overnight - **Taohuayu parking lot**: Free parking, ideal for off-peak visits 3. **Scenic Area Transportation**: - **Tianwaicun → Zhongtianmen**: Bus CNY 35/person, 30-minute direct ride - **Taohuayu → Taohuayuan**: Bus CNY 30/person, cool stream in summer --- ### **III. Classic Attractions** 1. **Hongmen Palace**: Starting point for hiking, red walls and green tiles, touch the "Mini Mount Tai" stone for good luck 2. **Zhongtianmen**: Mid-mountain hub, option for cable car (CNY 100 one-way) or continue hiking 3. **Eighteen Bends**: 1,633 steps, steepest at 70°, tests endurance and willpower 4. **Nantianmen**: Misty fairyland-like setting, street shops sell blessing ribbons (CNY 5/piece) 5. **Jade Emperor Peak** (1,545m): Highest point, best sunrise viewing at Sun Viewing Peak 6. **Cliff Inscriptions**: Find Qing Dynasty "Insect Two" inscription (meaning "Endless Romance") --- ### **IV. Food Recommendations** 1. **Wang Laosan Kebab** (Brewery Branch): Lamb skewers, grilled bread slices, CNY 71/person 2. **Lu Caigen** (Dai Temple Branch): Mount Tai Three Treasures Soup, fried red-scale fish, CNY 70/person 3. **Mount Tai Stir-fried Chicken** (RT-Mart Branch): Farmhouse chicken with pot stickers, CNY 40/person 4. **Snacks**: - Pancake with green onion (Tianjie Lao Yan Pancake): CNY 5/piece, better with fried dough - Tofu Feast (Guohua Tofu Feast): 20+ tofu dishes, CNY 60/person --- ### **V. Accommodation Recommendations** 1. **Mountain-top Sunrise Viewing**: - **Shenqi Hotel**: Standard room CNY 1,200 (breakfast included), 50m from Sun Viewing Peak - **Xianju Hotel**: Standard room CNY 600, wake-up service available 2. **City Value Options**: - **GreenTree Inn** (Youth Road Branch): CNY 180/night, near Dai Temple - **Ramada by Wyndham**: CNY 500/night (mountain view room), near Tianwaicun --- ### **VI. Hiking Route Recommendations** 1. **Classic Red Gate Route** (All hiking): - Red Gate → Zhongtianmen → Nantianmen → Jade Emperor Peak, about 6 hours, suitable for fit hikers 2. **Easy Tianwaicun Route**: - Tianwaicun bus → Zhongtianmen cable car → Nantianmen, 2 hours to summit, suitable for elderly/children 3. **Less-crowded Taohuayu Route**: - Taohuayu → Colored Stone Stream → Cable car → Jade Emperor Peak, fewer crowds, great for photography 4. **Night Climb Sunrise Route**: - Start from Red Gate at 23:00 → Jade Emperor Peak, rent military coat (CNY 30/piece), wait for sunrise (4:30 summer, 6:00 winter) --- ### **VII. Practical Tips** - **Equipment**: Non-slip shoes, light down jacket (large temperature difference at summit), hiking poles (CNY 5/each) - **Night Climbing**: Bring headlamp/flashlight, stay safe - **Reservation**: Book tickets online 7 days in advance, real-name registration required - **Environmental Protection**: Numerous trash bins available, please don't litter --- Mount Tai is not just a natural wonder but also a cultural sanctuary. Standing at Jade Emperor Peak overlooking the sea of clouds truly captures the magnificent feeling of "all other mountains dwarfed in comparison"! Recommend allowing 2 days: first day for climbing, second day for visiting Dai Temple.

Twice the Taishan experience summarized, pitfall avoidance guide + practical tips, save it and don't get lost! 📍 Climbing Route Options 1⃣ Classic Red Gate Route (9.5 km, 6–8 hrs) ✅ Red Gate → Zhongtian Gate → Nantian Gate, the first choice for night climbing and sunrise viewing 🌅 ❗ Crowded on holidays, bring a flashlight and patience! 2⃣ Effort-saving Bus Route (Tianwaivillage → Zhongtian Gate, bus 35 CNY) ✅ First choice for families with children/elderly, saves half the effort, cable car ascent is easier (cable car 100 CNY) 🚡 3⃣ Taohuayu Niche Route (less crowded, beautiful scenery, cable car directly to the summit) 📸 Excellent scenery on the west route, perfect for photographers! 2+ hr queue for the cable car on holidays ⚠ 🌅 Sunrise Viewing Guide 📍Best Spots Jade Emperor Peak: Widest view, most crowded (arrive 2 hrs in advance) Sun Viewing Peak: Official sunrise viewing spot, need to grab a front-row spot Zhanlu Terrace: Niche spot, a secret for photographers 📷 ⏰Time Suggestions - Check the "Taishan Sunrise Timetable" in advance, around 4:30–5:30 am in summer - Cloudy days may have a sea of clouds! Check the weather forecast in advance ☁ 🎒 Essential Items Checklist Must-bring *Optional ID card (required for entry) | Selfie stick (sunrise photography essential) | Hiking jacket (summit is 10°C colder than the foot of the mountain!) | Hand warmers (for night climbing) | Trekking poles (5 CNY at the foot of the mountain, hotels may provide) | Power bank (rentals available for 10 CNY/hr on the mountain) | Flashlight (essential for night climbing 🔦) | Sunglasses (for stylish photos 🕶) | 5 CNY bill (for the Five Sacred Mountains photo op) | Light snacks (instant noodles cost 15 CNY on the mountain) | 💰 Cost Reference Entrance ticket: 115 CNY (half price for students) Cable car: Zhongtian Gate → Nantian Gate 100 CNY/one way Bus: Tianwaivillage → Zhongtian Gate 35 CNY Accommodation: Summit standard room 1k+ CNY (book 1 month in advance!) Coat rental: 30 CNY/piece (100 CNY deposit, convenient rental and return at Nantian Gate) 🚗 Transportation Guide High-speed rail: Tai'an Station → 20-min taxi ride to the scenic area (approx. 30 CNY) Train: Taishan Station → 10-min taxi ride to Red Gate (10 CNY) Self-drive: Navigate to "Tianwaivillage Parking Lot," overnight parking 40 CNY/day ⚠ Pitfall Reminders 1. Unlicensed taxis take detours! Choose ride-hailing apps or scenic area buses 🚖 2. Bottled water costs 5 CNY/bottle on the summit, pack light and refill as needed 💧 3. Eighteen Turns steps are steep! Walking in a zigzag pattern saves effort 👣 4. Souvenirs are cheaper at the foot of the mountain, ask shopkeepers to hold your purchases 🛍 5. Follow the crowd when climbing at night, safety first ❗ 🍜 Food Recommendations Summit snacks: Scallion pancakes 10 CNY, Heytea is only 1 CNY more expensive! Must-try at the foot of the mountain: Lu Cuisine Roots: Taishan tofu feast, stir-fried chicken (50 CNY per person) Tai'an Old Street: Lots of street food, perfect for a post-hike snack 🍢 💡 Ultimate Hassle-free Itinerary Day 1: Take the cable car up in the afternoon → Stay at the summit → Enjoy the sunset Day 2: Watch the sunrise at 5 am → Walk down the mountain → Visit Dai Temple (entrance included in Taishan ticket!) Hidden Bonus Get a "Taishan Certificate" after reaching the summit (via the "Dongyue Plan" mini-program) → Full of ceremony! Picture 13 Scenic area map in Picture 14, save it to your phone for easy access 🗺 Youth is priceless, Taishan is at your feet! 🚶‍♀🚶‍♂

🌄【The Supreme Mountain's Spring Charm】Mount Taishan in May is pure magic! 🌿Mountain flowers burst like fireworks, sea of clouds rolls like cotton candy, wild azaleas bloom along the Eighteen Bends, and even stone inscriptions seem to glow✨No exaggeration - this detailed guide will show you 108 ways to "reach the summit"! 🚩Day 1: Pilgrimage Through Red Gate ☀️7:00 AM: Red Gate security check gets crowded! Wear bright-colored outdoor jackets (perfect for photos - they work like natural reflectors!)📸 🍜12:00 PM: Try the famous Three Delicacies Soup at Zhongtianmen "Taishan Cafeteria"! Divine combination of cabbage, tofu, and mountain spring water - just ¥15 for a filling, stomach-friendly meal 🌙8:00 PM: Night market adventure at Tiangjie! Irresistible grilled sausages, but watch out - the "Taishan Guardian" souvenir shop might empty your wallet! 🚩Day 2: Night Climb Under the Stars 🌌2:30 AM: Flashlight climb up Eighteen Bends! Flashlight beams create a river of stars, wildflowers peek through steps, and just when your soul feels ready to leave your body- 🌅5:27 AM: Sunrise Peak reveals pink-golden dawn! Sea of clouds like spilled milk, incense smoke rising mystically from Jade Emperor Peak 📸3:00 PM: Epic photo ops at cliff inscriptions! The "Mount Tai Inscription" gleams golden - touch Emperor Xuanzong's calligraphy and channel your inner ancient princess👑 🚩Day 3: Hidden Gems and Secret Spots 🌿9:00 AM: Explore Colored Stone Creek on the back mountain! Water-polished stones like a spilled paint palette, wild cherry trees sweeter than first love! ☕2:00 PM: Visit "Mini Forbidden City" - Bixia Temple! Wind chimes tinkle, touch love charm three times for best luck 🌇6:00 PM: Take cable car at Taohua Valley! Emerald valley below, clouds slip through fingers like a fairytale! 🏨Accommodation Highlights 🏯Must-stay at summit: Nantianmen Hotel! Rooms may be cozy, but windows open to the Milky Way🌠Star-gazing at 3 AM wrapped in blankets - worth every penny! 🏨Best at foot: Taishan Xianju Guesthouse! Hostess serves homemade Taishan Daughter Tea, terrace overlooks Red Gate, sunbathed bedding for 180 days 🚌Transportation Tips 🚄High-speed rail to Taian Station→Bus 37 to Red Gate (buses have power banks!) 🚕Taxi to Tianwai Village→Drivers are walking maps (tip: ask to pass by the wisteria corridor at Red Gate!) 🚠Cable car insider info: Taohuayuan cable car stops at 4 PM! Don't miss it! 💔Learned the hard way: Skip wheeled luggage! Eighteen Bends will make you regret it! 🍜Food Guide Supreme 🌮Fanzhen Huoshao with braised meat! Flaky pastry, juice-soaked filling - mind-blowing! 🥟Three Delicacies Soup: Silky tofu, sweet cabbage - chef deserves all the praise🚀 🌶️Old County Office fried yellow croaker! Crispy enough to hear the crunch, bones too good to waste 🍢Tiangjie night market grilled cold noodles! Double egg, cheese overload - late-night temptation⚠️ 🍵Daughter Tea sample: Sweet pine fragrance, ¥5 per pot at summit, 100 times healthier than trendy bubble tea! 💰Budget Breakdown (Student-friendly) Entrance: ¥115💰(grab early bird tickets through WeChat!) Transport: ¥35🚌(public bus + scenic bus) Accommodation: ¥80💰(per person in guesthouse) Food: ¥60🍜(pancake wraps fill you up for ¥10) Gear: ¥150🎒(hiking stick + headlamp + knee pads) Extras: ¥50🎫(temple offerings + novelty ice cream) 💸Total: ¥490💰(worth it for the photos alone!) 🌈Honest thoughts: May at Mount Taishan is spring's grand confession! When dawn breaks through the clouds, you'll understand why emperors came here for ceremonies - it's not about conquering the mountain, but conquering yourself! Bring your bestie/partner for this date with mountains, sea of clouds, and stars💃🏻(PS: Hold tight to your selfie stick - it's windy up top!)

Prior Preparations • Documents: Bring valid IDs such as your passport, ID card, and student ID for ticket purchase and verification. • Clothing: Temperatures at the summit of Mount Taishan are low, so even in summer, pack long pants, long sleeves, a down jacket, or a thick coat. You can also rent military coats near Nantianmen. • Items: Prepare hiking poles, a flashlight, a power bank, a selfie stick, sunglasses, and a raincoat. A flashlight is essential if climbing at night. • Food and water: Bring high-energy foods like chocolate and beef jerky. Only a moderate amount of water is needed as there are shops selling supplies along the way. Climbing Route Options • Red Gate Hiking Route: Red Gate - Zhongtianmen - Eighteen Turns - Daiding. This is the most classic route and the imperial climbing path used by emperors throughout history. There are over 600 historical sites along the way. The entire route is 9.5 km with about 7,000 stone steps, requiring good physical strength. It is suitable for those in good shape and climbing Mount Taishan for the first time. • Tianwaicun Cable Car Route: Tianwaicun - Zhongtianmen - Eighteen Turns - Daiding. This is the most time-saving and labor-saving route. The journey is divided into two sections: the first half by tourist bus to Zhongtianmen, and the second half on foot or by cable car to the summit. Suitable for families with elderly people or children, or those with limited time. • Tianzhufeng Hiking Route: Tianzhufeng - Daiding. This route is full of wild mountain scenery, allowing you to enjoy natural landscapes such as peaks, strange rocks, and clear springs. Reaching the summit takes about 3-4 hours. Suitable for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. However, tourist service facilities are limited along the way, so bring your own food and water. • Taohuayu Cable Car Route: Taohuayu - Daiding. This is the most romantic climbing route. The scenery is stunning in spring when the peach blossoms are in full bloom. Take a tourist bus from Taohuayu to Taohuayuan, then transfer to the cable car to Daiding. Suitable for spring and summer visits. Must-See Attractions • Dai Temple: Located at the foot of the mountain, it is one of the four major ancient architectural complexes in China, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Chengde Mountain Resort, and the Confucius Temple in Qufu. It was once the place where ancient emperors held sacrificial ceremonies. The Tiankuang Hall houses a giant Song Dynasty mural, "The Imperial Procession of Mount Taishan," which is worth seeing. • Zhongtianmen: Located halfway up the mountain, it is the intersection of the east and west climbing routes of Mount Taishan. There are many shops and rest areas here where you can replenish energy and rest. • Eighteen Turns: This is the most challenging section of Mount Taishan, with over 1,600 stone steps. The cliffs on both sides are steep, and at the end is Nantianmen. Pay attention to safety when climbing. • Nantianmen: Located at the end of the Eighteen Turns, it resembles the gate of heaven and is the top of the climbing path. Looking up from below, it looks like a celestial palace. • Jade Emperor Peak: This is the highest peak of Mount Taishan, named after the Jade Emperor Temple on its summit. It is the highest point of Mount Taishan, known as the "Number One Mountain Peak in the World," and is also an excellent place to watch the sunrise. Watching the Sunrise The sunrise at Mount Taishan is a must-see. Check the sunrise time for the day in advance...

Tour route: Peach Blossom Valley Route—Waterfront Flower Viewing Route Caishi Creek Scenic Area is located on the western slope of Mount Taishan and includes Peach Blossom Valley and Peach Blossom Spring Scenic Areas. It covers an area of 11,730,000 square meters and has a forest coverage rate of over 85%. It is known as the "Mount Taishan Forest Museum" and "Little Jiangnan of Mount Taishan" and is a great place for leisure and sightseeing. The walking path is winding and secluded, with natural stone steps. There are stone benches and tables along the way, and the area is full of wild fun. The water is comfortable and pleasant, and there is a unique cave. Caishi Creek is a beautiful painting with water flowing through it. Along the creek, you can see colorful striped stones and a geological wonder that is 2.8 billion years old. The ten-mile mountain stream is covered with colorful stones. The sparkling water and unique geological features are like a large ink painting. Walking along the creek on the stone steps, you can enjoy the different scenery of the four seasons, the wild fun, and the peach blossoms falling like red rain. No matter when or how you visit Caishi Creek Scenic Area, it will leave you with beautiful memories. Admission: CNY 115 per person Tourist bus fare: (up) CNY 35 (down) CNY 35 Peach Blossom Spring—Dai Top Cableway: CNY 100/one way The tourist bus takes about 50 minutes to reach the mountain Tips: 1. Self-driving tourists can take National Highway 104 to the scenic area. The entrance to the mountain is about 2 km east of the highway. There are clear scenic area traffic signs along the highway. 2. There is a No. 16 tourist bus that runs between the front square of Taishan Railway Station and the scenic area, but it stops running around 5 pm, so please be aware. 3. From Tai'an High-speed Railway Station, you can take the No. 63 "Tai'an High-speed Railway Station-Mount Taishan Scenic Area" tourist bus directly to the entrance of Peach Blossom Valley.

🌟[Sunrise] Mount Tai is located in the central part of Tai'an City, Shandong Province. It is one of the Five Sacred Mountains and is known as the "Most Respected of the Five Sacred Mountains". 📍Attraction address Mount Tai is located in Taishan District, Tai'an City, Shandong Province. The Hongmen entrance of its core scenic area is located on Hongmen Road, Taishan District, Tai'an City; the Tianwai Village entrance is located on Huanshan Road, Taishan District, Tai'an City; and the Taohuayu entrance is located on Taohuayu Road, Daiyue District, Tai'an City. 🚗 Transportation to attractions [HighSpeedRail] External transportation: If you take the train, you can go to Taishan Station. After exiting the station, you can take bus No. 2, No. 37, etc. across the road to Hongmen; [Bus] You can also choose to go to Tai'an Station and then take a bus or taxi to the scenic spot. [Airplane] If you are traveling by plane, you can go to Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport and then take the airport bus or high-speed rail to Tai'an. [Car] Internal transportation: There are special tourist buses in the scenic area. You can take a bus from Tianwai Village to Zhongtianmen, and from Taohuayu to Taohuayuan. [Highway] In addition, there are cableways, such as the Zhongtianmen Cableway, Taohuayuan Cableway, and Houshiwu Cableway, which are convenient for tourists to go up and down the mountain. 👍️Must-see attractions: ❤Yuhuangding: The highest peak of Mount Tai, with an altitude of 1,545 meters, overlooking the magnificent scenery and feeling the momentum of "the most majestic of the Five Mountains". ❤Nantianmen: A natural stone gate, it is one of the wonders of Mount Tai. Standing at Nantianmen, you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Mount Tai. ❤Shibapan: A famous hiking spot on Mount Tai, with steep and winding steps, it is a favorite of mountaineering enthusiasts. ❤Zhongtianmen: A landmark building that divides Mount Tai into two parts, from where you can admire the majestic and steepness of Mount Tai. It is an excellent spot for photography enthusiasts. ❤Dai Temple: Built in the Han Dynasty, it is a temple dedicated to the God of Mount Tai. It is also one of the largest ancient royal temples in China and a masterpiece of ancient architectural art. 🎟️Ticket related: 💰Ticket price: From January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026, the price of ordinary tickets to Mount Tai Scenic Area is 115 yuan/person. The ticket is valid for 3 days and there is no limit on the number of visits during the validity period. [Purse] Preferential policy: Minors aged 6-18 and full-time undergraduate students or below can purchase half-price tickets at RMB 57 per person; active military personnel, retired military cadres, retired non-commissioned officers, the disabled, and senior citizens aged 60 and above are exempt from tickets. [Glister]Ticket purchase method: You can purchase tickets conveniently with real name at the scenic spot’s ticket windows or through the scenic spot’s official WeChat, mini-programs, self-service ticket machines, OTA e-commerce platforms, etc. 💗Other tips [SnowFlake] When hiking in winter, please keep warm and bring warm clothes such as jackets, down jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, wool socks, etc. [Trunk] Prepare hiking poles, suitable backpacks and other hiking equipment to facilitate climbing and carrying items. [Sun] Check the weather forecast in advance and choose a day with good weather to climb the mountain. If you want to watch the sunrise, you need to plan your departure time in advance. [Purse][Tea] There are supply stations on the mountain, but the prices are relatively high. You can bring a thermos, high-energy food such as chocolate, nuts, beef jerky, etc. [Thundershower] Be careful not to slip in snowy weather, slow down your pace, follow the signs in the scenic area, pay attention to your physical condition, and avoid fatigue while climbing.

🚉Transportation strategy: 1⃣️ Tai'an Station is a station along the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed ​​Railway. After exiting the station, there are tourist buses to Tianwai Village, Hongmen, and Taohuayu Mountain Entrance Visitor Center; 2⃣️Taishan Station is a conventional railway station, close to the city center, and it is convenient to go to various mountain entrances after getting off the train. 🏠Accommodation recommendation: 1⃣️Top of the mountain: The accommodation on the top of Mount Tai is basically located near Tianjie. Due to the early construction time, the environmental facilities are average. The ordinary standard rooms are more expensive in the peak season. The cheaper ones are 6-10 bed rooms (public toilets); 2⃣️There are many hotels and homestays in Tai'an city, and there are many choices for both mid- to high-end hotels and economy hotels. 🖼️Route recommendation: 1⃣️Walk the whole way: You can choose Hongmen Mountain Climbing Point and reach Nantianmen in about 5 hours; 2⃣️At the Tianwai Village mountaineering site, you can first take the scenic area transportation bus to Zhongtianmen, and then choose to walk or take the cable car up the mountain; 3⃣️The Taohuayu trailhead is far from the city, but the environment is good and there is a cableway; 4⃣️There is also a newly opened Higashi-Godo trailhead where you can walk up the mountain. 🍜Food and water: There are many stalls selling water on the way to Mount Tai, the price is 5-10 yuan, there are also fruits such as cucumbers but the price is more expensive. For the staple food, you can try pancakes with green onions, which are very popular on Mount Tai. ⚠️Notes: 1⃣️If you have purchased the ticket for Mount Tai scenic area, you do not need to purchase the ticket for Dai Temple separately. You can directly enter Dai Temple by swiping your ID card; 2⃣️It is recommended to make reservations in advance for holiday travel and try to arrive at the ticket office early to avoid peak traffic hours.