Mount Tai Tickets & Visiting Guide

Plan your trip with my blog about Mount Tai (China’s sacred mountain)! Learn ticket prices, hiking routes, how to get from Tai’an/Jinan, top sights (sunrise, Bixia Temple), and why it’s a UNESCO site.

About Mount Tai (Facts & Where)

Mount Tai is deeply rooted in China’s history and geography, here’s what you need to know:

• Where it is: Daiyue District, Taian City, Shandong Province. It’s 72km from Jinan (Shandong’s capital) and 85km from Qufu (where Confucius was from). You can take a high-speed train here from Beijing or Shanghai easily.
• How tall: 1,545 meters (the summit is called Jade Emperor Peak).
• Why UNESCO picked it: Since 1987, it has boasted cool natural landscapes (mountains, caves, waterfalls) and a rich history (ancient temples, inscriptions on rocks).
• Emperor ties: Visited by 72 emperors, such as Qin Shi Huang (the first emperor of China). They held the "Fengshan" ceremony to pay tribute to heaven and earth.
• Weather tip: It's colder at the top of the mountain! In summer, the temperature of the feet is approximately 26°C(79°F), but that of the top is only 18°C (64°F).

How to Get to Mount Tai

Most visitors start from Tai’an City (the closest city to Mount Tai) or Jinan.

By High-Speed Train (Most Popular for Long Distances)

1. Take the high-speed rail to Tai 'an High-Speed Railway Station (from Beijing: 2 hours, 35 dollars; from Shanghai: 3 hours, 50 dollars).
2. Take a taxi from the station to the Taishan entrance of your choice (Hongmen Entrance: 40 minutes, $8; Tianwai Village Entrance: 30 minutes, $6) or take a bus. K37 (1 hour, 1 dollar) to Hongmen.

By Train from Nearby Cities (Jinan/Qufu)

1. Take a regular train to Taishan Railway Station (from Jinan: 1 hour, 5 US dollars; from Qufu: 1.5 hours, 7 US dollars).
2. This station is closer to Mount Tai - take a taxi to the entrance of Hongmen (30 minutes, 6 dollars) or take bus No. 3 (45 minutes, 1 dollar).

From Jinan Yaoqiang Airport

1. If you fly to Jinan, take the direct bus to Tai 'an (from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,1.5 hours, $9).
2. The bus will take you to Tai 'an Bus Station, and then you can take a taxi to Mount Tai (20 minutes, 4 dollars).

By Taxi/Private Car (Most Convenient)

Call a taxi in Tai 'an or book a private car through apps like Didi. It takes 30 to 40 minutes to reach any entrance of Mount Tai, and the one-way fare is 5 to 10 US dollars. It would be great if you were traveling with luggage or in a tour group.

Mount Tai Ticket Prices & Cable Car/Bus Fees

Tickets are valid for 3 days, covering most scenic areas. Cable cars and buses are optional but save time. Get 5% OFF on Trip.com below.

Mount Tai Opening Hours

Mount Tai is open 24 hours a day (great for night hikes to catch sunrise), but some facilities have set hours:

• Cable Cars: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (April–October); 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (November–March).
• Scenic Buses (Tianwai Village → Zhongtianmen): 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM (same as cable cars).
• Fengshan Ceremony Show: 7:30 PM – 8:50 PM (April–March, October–November); 8:00 PM – 9:20 PM (May–September).
• Daimiao Temple: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (April–October); 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (November–March).

What to See & Do in Mount Tai

Mount Tai combines nature and culture. Don't miss the following important scenic spots and activities:

Top Sights to Visit in Mount Tai

1. Jade Emperor Peak: The summit (1,545m). Stand here for panoramic views, and visit the small temple dedicated to the Jade Emperor (Taoist god of heaven).
2. Bixia Temple: The grandest temple on the mountain, at the top near Heaven Street. It’s dedicated to Bixia (Taoist goddess of protection) and has beautiful metal-and-wood architecture.
3. Daimiao Temple: At the mountain foot—China’s largest temple for worshiping Mount Tai. Built in the Qin Dynasty, it has ancient steles, sculptures, and the “Palace of Heavenly Blessings” (1008 AD).
4. Sunrise at Sun-Watching Peak: The most famous sight on Mount Tai. Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise (check local time - usually 5:00-6:00 in spring/autumn). If it's cold, rent a warm coat (about 2-3 dollars).
5. Nantianmen (South Heaven Gate): A stone archway that marks the "boundary" between the human world and heaven (according to Chinese culture). Hiking here feels like "climbing to heaven".

Mount Tai Hiking Routes (4 Classic Options)

Mount Tai has 4 main entrances, each with a different route—choose based on how much hiking you want to do:

Pro Tip: The Hongmen Route has ~6,666 steps—wear comfortable hiking shoes!

Mount Tai Weather & Best Time to Visit

Mount Tai has 4 distinct seasons, with big temperature differences between the foot and summit:

• Spring (March–May): 10°C–20°C (50°F–68°F) at the foot; 5°C–15°C (41°F–59°F) at the summit. Peach blossoms bloom in April—beautiful for photos.
• Summer (June–August): 22°C–28°C (72°F–82°F) at the foot; 15°C–20°C (59°F–68°F) at the summit. Cool and green—great for escaping city heat, but bring rain gear (occasional showers).
• Autumn (September–Mid-October): 15°C–25°C (59°F–77°F) at the foot; 8°C–18°C (46°F–64°F) at the summit. Red leaves cover the mountains—perfect for hiking and sunrise views.
• Winter (Mid-October–February): -3°C–8°C (27°F–46°F) at the foot; -9°C–2°C (16°F–36°F) at the summit. Cold and snowy— so less crowded, but good for skiing (small ski resort near the foot).

Best Time to Visit: from March to mid-October, the weather is mild, there are many activities (Fengshan Scenic Area, sunrise hiking), and visibility is good.

Where to Eat Near & On Mount Tai

Most restaurants are located near the entrance (Red Gate, Tianwai Village) or on the mountain (Paradise Street at the top of the mountain). Try the local Shandong cuisine - simple but delicious:

• Taishan Tofu: Smooth tofu cooked in clear soup (3-5 US dollars) - a local specialty, said to be made with mountain spring water.
• Taishan Braised Chicken: Tender chicken marinated in soy sauce and spices ($6-8) - served in most mountain restaurants.
• Sesame cakes: Crispy sesame cakes ($1-2) - a snack for hiking.
• Paradise Street Snack Stand: Located on the top near Bixia Temple, it sells hot noodles, steamed buns and hot drinks (2-4 US dollars). It's very suitable to warm up after sunrise.

Tip: Prices are higher on the mountain - to save money, have a sumptuous breakfast in the center of Tai 'an.

Recommended Mount Tai Itineraries

1-Day Easy Itinerary (For Casual Visitors)

• 8:00 AM: Take a taxi to Tianwai Village Entrance.
• 8:30 AM: Buy entrance ticket + bus ticket to Zhongtianmen (30 minutes, $4.15).
• 9:30 AM: Take cable car to Nantianmen (10 minutes, $13.80).
• 10:00 AM: Walk to Heaven Street → Bixia Temple → Jade Emperor Peak (1 hour).
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at Heaven Street food stalls.
• 1:30 PM: Hike down to Zhongtianmen (1.5 hours) → take bus back to Tianwai Village.
• 4:00 PM: Visit Daimiao Temple (optional, $2.75) before returning to Tai’an city.

2-Day Hiking & Sunrise Itinerary (For Adventure Lovers)

• Day 1:
• • 1:00 PM: Start at Hongmen Entrance, hike to Nantianmen (4–5 hours—pass ancient temples and stone inscriptions).
  • 6:00 PM: Check into a hotel on Heaven Street ( $30–$50/night).
  • 7:30 PM: Watch the Fengshan Ceremony Show (optional, $15).
• Day 2:
• • 4:30 AM: Walk to Sun-Watching Peak for sunrise (rent a coat if cold).
  • 7:00 AM: Breakfast at Heaven Street.
  • 8:00 AM: Visit Jade Emperor Peak → Bixia Temple.
  • 10:00 AM: Take cable car down to Zhongtianmen → bus to Tianwai Village.
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch in Tai’an city.