Tai'an is an ancient town set on the slopes of one of China's most sacred Taoist mountains, where you can discover the stunning natural beauty of the Shandong province. It's been luring visitors in since the Ming dynasty with its ancient temples, street food and summit treks up Tai Shan mountain.
Things to do in Tai’an
For centuries Tai'an has served as a gateway to Tai Shan mountain, one of China's five sacred Taoist peaks. A brick-paved trail winds up to the summit, with plenty of tea houses along the way. The sunrise views are especially beautiful from the North Pointing Rock vantage point.
Dai Temple is the first stop on the well-trodden pilgrimage route up Tai Shan mountain. The ancient Taoist temple dates back to the Song dynasty and has been welcoming worshippers since the 900s. You can also wander through the Cypress Tree Pavilion, thought to contain trees over 2,000 years old.
Tai'an is dotted with temples dedicated to Bixia, the Chinese goddess of dawn, wind, destiny and childbirth. Perched high on the slopes of Tai Shan mountain, the Azure Clouds Temple is adorned with colourful ornaments and gleaming bronze eaves.
There's no better place to enjoy a meal in Tai'an than at the Central Night Market, as this bustling area is brimming with sizzling street food stalls serving local delicacies. You can also fill up at Beixin Snack Street, where you can pick up steamed buns, fried chicken and shrimp noodles.
Getting around Tai’an
Tai'an is easy to get around on foot and the city is serviced by local buses and taxis. Long-distance buses offer connections to Beijing in about seven hours. You can also arrive by rail at Tai Shan Train Station in the city centre, while Tai’an Train Station is located 10 kilometres away.