Mount Tai in Tai an, Shandong, leads the Five Great Mountains (East Tai, West Hua, South Heng, North Heng, Central Song) and is a UNESCO dual cultural-natural heritage site.
Culture: since the Qin dynasty, 12 emperors performed fengshan sacrifices to heaven and earth on Tai; poets carved countless cliff inscriptions; "as stable as Mount Tai" is a Chinese idiom.
Classic sights: the dangerous Eighteen Bends, Jade Emperor Peak (1,545 m) for the grandest sunrise over clouds, plus Heaven Street, Bixia Shrine and the spot where Confucius ascended.
Two ways: climb by day (Mid-Heaven Gate to South Heaven Gate in 2-3 hours) or night-hike for sunrise (popular and crowded - bring a headlamp); cable car plus shuttle bus saves energy.
Tickets: 115 yuan high season, half price for students; cable car 100 yuan one way; reserve ahead, night climbs need a time slot.
After descending, visit the Dai Temple (the emperors sacrifice site) - a must-see ancient complex in Tai an.
