Taishan UNESCO Global Geopark

The basics

When visiting Taishan UNESCO Global Geopark, you’ll want to get to the top of Mount Tai. You can do this in a few ways. Either take a bus halfway up to Mid-Heaven Gate, followed by the cable car up to South Heaven Gate, or you can walk up the mountain. You can also explore Jade Emperor Temple, Bixia Temple, and several other temples in the geopark. There are around 1,800 stone tablets in the park, plus some incredible views.

Things to know before you go

• If you hike, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for hundreds of steps.
• Check the weather before you go, and make sure to dress appropriately.
• The geopark is not wheelchair-accessible.

How to get there

If you are in Tai’an, head to the Taishan Tourist Center. Here you can catch the bus that takes you up Mount Tai to the point where you can hop on the cable car to the top. You can also book private or group tours from Jinan or other Chinese cities, which take you to Tai’an by bullet train, and then you can continue your exploration of the geopark.

When to get there

Try to visit Mount Tai in the fall, when you have the best chance of clear weather. There’s always a chance of fog, however, but that only adds to the allure of the mountain. Spring and summer are also great times to visit, as the weather will be warm enough for exploring and hiking. Avoid the first week of May and October—these are Chinese national holidays, and the mountain will be crowded.

Three Confucian sites

If you’re out at the Taishan UNESCO Global Geopark, you’re just a few hours’ drive from the Three Confucian Sites in Qufu. Brush up on Confucian morals and learn why education was so important to the revered thought leader when you pay homage to him by visiting these sites: the Kong Forest, where his descendants are buried; the Kong Mansion, where his descendants lived; and Confucius Temple, which is dedicated to him and students of Confucianism.