Photo by Ju Chuanjiang / China Daily

IF YOU GO

Travel tips

The popular eastern route is dubbed the "Imperial Way" because it was historically favored by emperors. Nearly 7,000 steps snake up the mountain and the route is dotted with sacred spots, carvings and inscriptions by China's famous literati and rulers.

・ From the Red Gate, tourists will encounter such sites as the Middle Heaven's Gate, the Wudafu Pine, the 1,600-step 18 Bends and more than 300 inscribed cliffs.

・ You can also take a tour bus for 30 yuan ($4.80) at Tianwaicun village to Middle Heaven's Gate.

・ From Middle Heaven's Gate, take a cable car to South Heaven's Gate located at the top of the mountain for 80 yuan ($12.80).

・ From the South Heaven's Gate, tourists can hike to Jade Emperor Peak, the summit of the mountain. Southeast of the peak is a stone pagoda named Sun-Watching Peak because it is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise.

・ Tourists can also take the ropeway from Peach Blossom Ravine at the western part of the mountain, which will take you directly to the South Heaven's Gate.

・ The temperature at the summit is usually seven degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain.

How to get there :

・ High-speed trains run from Beijing and Shanghai to Tai'an every couple of hours.

・ A ticket of admission for Mount Taishan is 127 yuan ($20.36) from Feb 1 to Nov 30. It costs 110 yuan ($17.63) from Dec 1 to Jan 31.