Tai'an Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 泰安 (tài ān)
Population: 5,635,000
Area: 7,761 square kilometers (2,996 square miles)
Location: in the central area of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Taishan and Daiyue); 2 county-level Cities (Xintai and Feicheng); 2 counties (Ningyang and Dongping)
Area Code: 0538
Zip Code: 271000
GDP (2019): CNY 568.85 billion (USD 82.454 billion)

Located in the center of Shandong Province, Tai'an lies at the south foot of Taishan Mountain and adjoins Jinan to the north, Qufu to the south, the Yellow River to the west and Zibo to the east. Tai'an is named after Taishan Mountain, wishing for a prosperous country and people at peace. Taishan Mountain is also the first scenic spot worth visiting. It has even become a synonym for Tai’ an.

In ancient times, Chinese people worshipped Taishan Mountain as there is a saying that if Taishan Mountain is stable, so is the entire China. So 13 Chinese emperors once offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth on their own while 24 emperors sent officials to Taishan to sacrifice 72 times. Until now, more than 20 ancient buildings have been well preserved in Taishan Mountain which is also a sacred land for both Buddhism and Taoism. Of course, Tai’ an has other beautiful scenic spots such as Peach Blossom Ravine, Feicheng Peach Orchards World Scenic Area and Culaishan National Forest Park.

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Tai'an is a noted tourist city. Although Taishan Mountain is the most celebrated of its attractions, other scenic spots, such as the Peach Blossom Ravine and Dai Temple, are also well worth a visit.

Feicheng City is the Holy Land of peach flowers and is known as the ‘Hometown of Chinese Buddha Peach’. The peach orchards cover an area of 66,700 hectares (about 16.5 thousand acres), which is the largest peach garden in the world according to the Guinness Books of Records. The peach orchards of Feicheng City are mainly in Yiyang Town and Taoyuan Town. In spring, the peach trees are in full bloom to compete in beauty and fascination. The peach flowers may be dazzlingly rosy or they may be white, pink, tipped faintly or in darker colors, presenting a colorful view of great charm. In autumn, the peach orchard is full of rich fruits and the smell of ripe peaches.
 

Tai'an City

Liutai Peach Orchard is one excellent example of the Feicheng’s Peach Orchards. Liutai Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, so it looks like a natural basin. By early April, the peach blossoms are in full splendor, spreading all over the mountains and plains. Among this vast sea of colorful flowers, people feel as if they are in a different world. According to historical data, Zeng Guofan (an important official in the late Qing Dynasty), had once went to the Panlong Temple located west of Liutai Village to visit the Huizhen Chan master. He was very satisfied with peaches that the master offered him, then he gave peaches as tribute to Emperor Xianfeng (the ninth emperor of the Qing Dynasty) and the emperor named them ‘Buddha Peach’. Every early April, a Peach Flower Festival is held here, which attracts many tourists at home and abroad.

Admission Fee:	CNY 30
Transportation:	Take bus from Tai’an Bus Station to Feicheng, and then take taxi to Liutai Village.

Culaishan National Forest Park is situated southeast of Taishan Mountain, about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) southeast of Tai’an city proper. With an area of 250 square kilometers (61,776 acres), the park is a good scenic area for sightseeing and spending vacations. Similar to Taishan Mountain, Culai Mountain is rich in cultural relics and natural scenery, so they are called ‘Sister Mountains’.

Culai Mountain is as beautiful as a painting. Its highest peak, Taiping Peak rises over 1,027 meters (3,369 feet) above sea level. The ridges and peaks rise up and down in the park; deep and quiet ravines are scattered over the mountain; streams wind around; rocks differ from each other in shapes and sizes. The mountain is covered by a sea of ancient pines, cypresses, gingkoes and wisteria, some of which are thousands of years old. There are a variety of plants, herbs, birds and animals.

There are numerous historical sites on the mountain. In ancient times Culai Mountain was the Holy Land of Taoism and Buddhism; therefore many temples were built here. Now three temples, about 50 stone tablets and more than 100 cliff-side inscriptions are preserved. The mountain was also one of the base for the War of Resistance against Japan in Shandong Province.
 

Admission Fee:	CNY 50
Transportation:	The position of Culaishan National Forest Park is superior with convenient expressway transportation, but there is no public bus available. You can either rent a car or take a taxi to the scenic spot. By the way, if you live near the Tai’an High-tech Zone, it takes about 10 minutes only to the park by taxi along the Culaishan Tour Express Way.

Jinan - Qufu - Mt. Tai: 4 days Shandong tour from Jinan to the hometown of Confucius and Taishan Mountain

The scenic areas in this city are well-served by the city's transport network. Located in the center of Shandong Province, Tai'an has convenient transportation system. Taking a long-distance bus or train are easy ways to travel to the city. For downtown traffic in the city, public buses and taxis are nice choices.

See more about Tai'an Railway Station, Taishan Railway Station

Tai'an weather is subject to a temperate monsoon climate and has four distinct seasons: spring tends to be windy and dry; summer is hot and rainy; fall is very cool; and winter is cold, though snowfall is limited.

 History: The area has a long history, with Taishan Mountain highly-regarded in  ancient times. The mountain was considered to be the first of the countries five sacred mountains, and was a place where emperors prayed for the fortunes of the nation. Taishan Mountain was also a focal point for religion in the area, providing a base for the likes of Buddhism and Taoism.

 Foods: With regard to local specialty foods, the people of Shandong are known throughout China as eaters of scallion wrapped in pancake. It is said that this type of food reflects the uncomplicated and honest nature of the local people. Of course, for those that do not eat scallion, there are numerous other types of filling available.

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