The sacred Mount Tai (‘shan’ means ‘mountain’) was the object of an imperial cult for nearly 2,000 years, 
and the artistic masterpieces found there are in perfect harmony with the natural landscape. It has always been a source of inspiration for Chinese artists and scholars and symbolizes ancient Chinese civilizations and beliefs. Chinese southerners always like to say they have “thousands of mountains, rivers and genius”. But those from Shandong talked back with “one mountain, one river and one saint”: Mount Tai (Taishan), Yellow River and Confucius, implying that the three means a lot more than those in numbers. Located 70 km north of Qufu, Mount Tai is most reversed of the five sacred Taoist mountains of China. The word “Tai” in Chinese means stability and peace. Powerful emperors in history like Qinshihuang of Qin Dynasty, Wudi (140-87 BC) of Han Dynasty, Taizong (626-649) of Tang Dynasty, and Taizu (960 – 976) of Song Dynasty, during their reign, China became united and strong, had all come and held grand ceremonies to pay respect to Mount Tai.
Therefore, Mount Tai has always been important to the Chinese people. Ancient rulers and common people usually paid homage to the mountain, in the hope of bringing blessing and good luck.
Transportation of Taishan
Taishan is connected closely with Tai’an city, which is located at the southern foot of Tai the mountain. At present, there are four ways to climb the mountain. They are Hongmen Entrance (Tai Shan Dong Lu), Tianwai Village Entrance (Tai Shan Xi Lu), Taohuayu Entrance and Tianzhu Peak Entrance.
Among them, Hongmen Entrance for hikers is about 2.5 km northeast of the train station; Tianwai Village Entrance for riders in a car is 2 km north to the train station; Taohuayuan Entrance is at the western foot of the mountain, about 12 km from the train station while Tianzhu Peak Entrance is at the eastern foot of the mountain, about 18 km kilometers from the train station.
Taishan Railway Station is the transportation hub for Tai’an travel and a main stop for the public buses. It’s very convenient to get from the train station to all the four entrances to Tai Shan. If you are not sure of your way, you may go to the train station first and then go to the entrances or the other scenic areas from there.
Taxi
The base rate for the taxis is RMB 5 for the first two kilometers, and then RMB 1.5 per additional kilometer. It’s a little more expensive after 10:00 p.m. but you may bargain with the driver. It costs you about RMB 8 to Dengshan Xi Lu, Tianwai Village and RMB 10 to Hongmen Dengshan Dong Lu from the train station; about RMB 15 to train station and RMB 20 to Tianwai Village or Hongmen from the Taixi Exit of the expressway; around RMB 10 to the train station and RMB 15 to Tianwai Village or Hongmen from national highway No. 104.
Public Bus
Although buses are usually not a very good choice for foreigners due to their Chinese signage, but the buses here usually with the different starting points for climbing the mountain as terminals might still be helpful for some travelers.
Bus No. 3 runs between Tianwai Village (the starting point for climbing the mountain on Taishan Xi Lu) and Hongmen (the starting point for climbing the mountain on Taishan Zhong Lu) with a middle stop at the train station.
Bus No. 4 connects the western and eastern suburbs of Tai’an City and goes straight through the city with stops at the train station and North Gate of Daimiao Temple on its way. Daimiao Temple is the furthest southern starting point for climbing the mountain on Taishan Dong Lu.
Bus No. 16 is the special line running between the train station and Taohuayu Scenic Area (Peach Blossom Valley Scenic Area).
Tour Bus No. 1 runs between the train station and Zhongtian Men with a stop at Tianwai Village.
Tour Bus No. 2 runs between the train station and Taohuayuan Cableway with a stop at Taohuayu.
Cableway
There are three cableways upwards and downwards starting from Zhongtian Men, Taohuayuan and Houshiwu separately. People who buy tickets for Zhongtian Men or Taohuayuan cableway upwards can take Houshiwu cableway for free.
