Only when you stand on the top of the highest mountain, you can see others are small. Every road leads to Rome. Although there is no way to verify when the zigzag mountain roads of Taishan were built, there are four routes to the top of Taishan.
1. Route from the Red Gate
This is the oldest and most classic mountain-climbing route, where the essence of Taishan you can see. From the Red Gate to the Half Way Gate to Heaven, the landscape is dominated by the humanity landscapes, with the natural landscapes as the ornament, and more ancient buildings are distributed.
When you clime over the Half Way Gate to Heaven, the landscape is dominated by the natural landscapes, with the humanity landscapes as the ornament, full of inscriptions and poems of famous personage. This road is called “Reaching Heaven Scenic Spot”, because this road is deep and quiet, so also known as the “quiet zone”.
Main attractions along the route:
Temple of Lord Guan, Yitianmen, Red Gate Palace, Monument to the Revolutionary Martyrs, Half Way Gate to Heaven, the Eighteen Bends, South Gate to Heaven, Azure Cloud Temple,Jade Emperor Peak, Sun Viewing Peak, etc.
2. Route from Heaven Candle Peak
Located in the east side of Taishan, the route from Heaven Candle Peak is far from the main roads and slightly precipitous compared with the route from the Red Gate, with a strong flavor of mountain fields. As the least developed scenic spot, it is well known for its strangely-shaped pines and queer stones, with its original simplicity and natural style intact. Here you could feel its profoundity and ingenuity. It is also the best route for exploring and self-service travel.
Main attractions along the route:
Heaven Candle Peak, North Gate to Heaven, Sister Pine, Heaven-watching Gate, etc.
3. Route from Village Beyond Heaven
Located in the west of Taishan, the route starts from the World Plaza in Village Beyond Heaven, to the Middle Gate to Heaven, then to the South Gate to Heaven. You can take the tourist bus to the Middle Gate to Heaven, and there are two choices from the Middle Gate to Heaven to the top of Taishan: on foot or by cable car.
Main attractions along the route:
World Plaza, Tomb of Feng Yuxiang, Longtan Reservoir, the Middle Gate to Heaven, etc.
4. Route from Peach Blossom Valley:
Located in the northwest of Taishan, the route from Peach Blossom Valley is a modern climbing route. You can take the tourist bus from the Peach Blossom Valley to the Peach Garden cableway station, where you take the cable car to the top of the mountain. With few tourist attractions along the route, it is not an ideal walking route.
Dominated by natural sights, this route mainly includes such attractions as Peach Blossom Valley, Colorful Stone Creek, Peach Garden, etc.
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