泰安市

Why this place

Tai'an exists because of Mount Tai, which rises straight out of the plain behind it. Emperors came here to perform the fengshan sacrifices for two thousand years — the most important ritual in the imperial calendar — and the mountain path is lined with inscriptions and temples from every dynasty.

What to see

• The ascent of Mount Tai: the Dai Temple at the foot, then 6,600 steps to the summit
• The Dai Temple's Song-dynasty mural, one of the great surviving paintings in China
• The sunrise from the summit — the reason people climb at night
• The Bixia Temple and the stone inscriptions along the entire path

What to eat

• Tai'an is known for its 'three beauties' — cabbage, tofu and water from the mountain springs
• Shandong pancakes and the local mutton soup

How to plan

One day: climb up (or take the cable car), stay on the summit, walk down.

Best time

April–June and September–November; the climb is crowded on the May and October holidays

Practical tips

• Climb overnight to see the sunrise, or take the bus and cable car and walk only the last section