The temple was first built in the Yanyou period (1314-1320) of the Yuan Dynasty at which time it was one of the largest Daoist temples in the capital, and the first major temple in northern China belonging to the Zhengyi Sect of Daoism founded by Master Zhang Daoling. A glazed memorial archway inscribed with “In Reverence to the God of Mount Tai” stands at eh temple’s front entrance.

The temple complex is composed of three courtyards. The main courtyard contains three halberd gates (jimen), the Hall of the Taishan Mountain (Daizongbaodian), and the Hall of Moral Cultivation (Yudedian).

In the center of the Hall of the Taishan Mountain are statues of the God of Taishan Mountain and his high-ranking attendants. The two corridors in front of the hall house 72 statues of deities, or “Chiefs of Departments,” each representing some form of human activity or natural force.

There are more than 100 stone tablets dating from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties in the temple compound. The most valuable is a four-meter-high stela inscribed, “Tablet of the Daoist Master Zhang” in the handwriting of the Yuan Dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu.

The temple was burned down in a battle during the last years of the Yuan Dynasty and was rebuilt in 1449 during the Ming Dynasty. The buildings standing today date from the Qing Dynasty, though they retain the style of the Yuan and Ming periods.

The temple of Taishan:

With the Hall of Celestial Gifts as its main structure and axis, and encircled by a corridor, it covers an area of 96,500 square meters.

With the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower as its two wings facing each other, the crenellated Temple has yellow glazed-tile roofs and red ridges, and a pavilion at each of the four corners. Old sky-piercing cypresses and steles spread all over the place, in addition to the cultural relics like the cast-iron pavilions and towers.

The Hall of Celestial Gifts:

The yellow glazed-tile roofed and double-eaved Hall, 22.3 meters in height, consists of 9 rooms stretching 48.7 meters long east to west, and 19.8 meters wide. It has a stone terrace with carved parapets. The mural on the wall of the Hall measuring 62 meters long and 3.3 meters high, depicts the God of Mount Tai on an inspection tour. The eastern part of the mural illustrates ” Setting Off on the Tour”, while the western part, “Returning to His Palace”. The main contents are descriptions of the ceremonious processions on the tour, interspersed with rare and precious birds and animals, while mountains, rivers, forests, towers, pavilions, halls are used as backgrounds. The mural is grand in scale, well-knit in layout and smooth in brush work.

The Gate to Mid-heaven:

It’s located at the mid-point of the mountain path to the top, where one has a splendid view of the vertical steps to the summit, the Wen River like a ribbon in the south, Zhongxi Mountain in the east, and the Fenghuang Ridge in the west.

Eighteen Bends:

In barely one kilometer length, the perilous trail has to elevate itself to a vertical height of 400 meters. One has to scale 1594 stone steps to reach Shengxianfang (Archway) meaning a person passing through the Archway will immediately become a celestial being. Beyond the Archway, the passage winds along craggy cliffs and grotesque rocks. Ascending to the South Gate to Heaven, one sees the Eighteen Bends merely as a vertical stairway hanging in the air, upon which the climbers are moving up like little ants. It’s a model in Chinese architecture on the mountains, utilizing scenery to enhance their brilliancy.

The Confucian Temple, also known as the Most Sage Temple, was the place for ancient emperors to offer sacrificial sercives to Confucius. Located in the center of Qufu City, the Confucian Temple, an oriental style complex with a long history, is known as the “only case” in the history of the world architecture, and is considered one of the three most famous traditional architectural complexes in China, the other two being the Forbidden City in Beijing, Summer Hill Station of Chengde. It entered the list of the first group of national level key historic relics, and was ranked as a world cultural heritage. The second year after Confucius’death, Aigong, Duke of the state of Lu ordered to turn the former residence of Confucius into a memorial hall to offer sacrificial services every year. It used to have only 3 rooms, in which the utensils, such as clothes, hats, the chime stone, the carriage and books once used by Confucius were preserved. To consolidate their ruling positions, rulers of the successive dynasties showed great respect for Confucius and made a point of rebuilding the temple. The expansion of it started from Sui Dynasty, and in Tang Dynasty, it had 30 halls and chambers. The present size of the temple was established after many rebuildings and expansions in the Hongzhi Period in Ming Dynasty. With a span of 1 kilometers from the south to the north, the temple covers an area of 21.8 hektares. Being an imitation of the imperial palace in its architecture, the temple has 9 courtyards opening off off one another made up of 104 buildings, 446 rooms, and 1250 ancient trees. The halls and other buildings in the temple looks resplendent, magnificent and imposing. Having over 2,000 carved relics in the temple, it is one of the largest collections in the country.

Located in the center of Qufu, next to the Confucian Temple, the Confucian Mansion (also known as the Mansion of Duke of Yansheng) was the residence for Confucian descendants, the largest and grandest feudal noble mansion preserved to this day in China. The mansion arranged in three parts has 9 courtyards opening off one another and 463 halls, towers, and verandas, and covers a total area of 16 hectares. In the front part of it lie the official buildings, the middle part the residence, and the back the garden. After the death of Confucius, his decedents have always been living next to the Confucius Temple. An official building was established in Song Dynasty, and in Ming Dynasty, the Mansion of Duke of Yansheng was built. After many times of rebuilding and expansion, it has turned into a typical feudal noble mansion combining official buildings with a residence.

Located in the north of Qufu, the Confucian Cemetery (also known as the Cemetery of the Most Sage Master), is the graveyard for Confucius and his posterity. In the cemetery are clusters of tombs-over 100 thousand tombs since the Zhou Dynasty, groups of tombs of the descendants of the sage and forests of steles, and 400 tombstones. The Confucian Cemetery is also a botanical garden, as there are over 42,000 trees in it, and the planting of trees in it started 2,400 years ago. After Confucius death in 479BC, most of his descendants and clansmen were buried in the cemetery, so it has been expanding ever since. It covered an area of 1,800 mu in late Ming Dynasty and 2941.9 mu in the 23rd year of Kangxi Period in Qing Dynasty. At present, the wall boarders the cemetery extends about 5591 meters, and the cemetery itself covers an area of 183.33 hectares.

It takes roughly a day to visit the three major spots in Qufu. After their arrival, the tourists can visit Confucian Temple first (which takes two and a half hours), then Confucian Mansion (two hours). Getting out of Confucian Mansion, they can take a traditional-styled carriage and visit Confucian Cemetery (three hours). They can also visit Yanhui’s Temple and the Arch of Longevity on the way to the cemetery.
The major annual touring activities in Qufu include: International Festival of Confucian Culture, Study Tour to Confucius’ Homeland, Touring around the States in Confucius’ Route, Calligraphy Exhibitions, etc. The international Festival of Confucian Culture is held from September 26th to October 10th each year, during which a grand opening ceremony and ancient sacrificial dances and musical performances will be put on.
The climate of Qufu is temperate, continental and seasonal, which has a clear distinction between the seasons. In spring, it is dry and windy; in summer hot and rainy; in autumn mild and cool; in winter cold and dry. Its average annual temperature is 13.6oC; the lowest ¡§C18.1oC; the annual rainfall 666.3mm. Qufu’s elevation is 60.1 meters.
First Aid Telephone Number: 120;
Traffic Aid: 122;
Telephone number to request: 0537-4414002
The best season to visit Qufu is from April to November.
The major sight spots neighbouring Qufu are Mount Tai, Baotu Spring and Daming Lake in Jinan, Liangshan Mountain, Mencius’ Homeland-Zoucheng City, etc. Many buses go forth and fro between Qufu and those places.

Transportation in Qufu is very convenient. Air passengers can take off the plane at Jinan or Xuzhou, and then take long distance buses to Qufu; Train passengers can change their trains at Yanzhou, arrive in Qufu in 15 minutes. In Qufu, tourists can take taxies, traditional-styled carriages, tricycles, buses to go around. The prices for these means of transportation are inexpensive.

1.The major souvenirs tourists can buy in Qufu include Wooden Carvings (Confucius’ Statue, Ruyi, Walking Stick, etc.), Inkstone made of stones from Nishan Moutain, Sesame Oil of Confucian Style, Sesame Food of Confucian Style, Liqor of Confucian Mansion, Qufu Beer, Fragrant Rice, etc. There are store selling those products all around Qufu, including the appointed ones. The prices are favourable.
2.The major hotels in Qufu include: Queli Hotel (3 star), Xingtan Hotel (2 star), Tourism Hotel (2 star), Qufu Hotel (2 Star), Kongfu (Confucian Mansion) Hotel, Mengfu (Mencius’) Mansion Hotel and Qufu Restaurant, etc. The local special dishes include Kongfu-(Confucian Mansion)styled Banquet (including different arrangements for family reunion, wedding, and birthday banquets), and smoked Doufu (bean curd), Konfu (Confucian Mansion) battercake are the main typical local snacks.

Tai Shan and Imperial Rituals:

Known as the Mount of the East, the Mountain of the Gods, and the Eastern Peak of Heaven, Taishan rises 1,545 meters above the city of Tai’an in Shandong province, the tallest of a mountain range covering 426 square kilometers. According to myths, Mount Tai, the easternmost of the five sacred Taoist mountains, is governed by the Grand Emperor of the Eastern Peak who rules earth and men. During the first centuries of the Christian era he became briefly associated with the world of the dead. Temples house images of the Grand Emperor of the Eastern Peak sitting in formal imperial costume. His daughter is the Princess of Multi-Colored/Azure Clouds (Bixia), worshipped by peasant women as their protectress.

The emperor’s ascent of Taishan bonded the deities with the dynasties. During the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties 72 monarchs trekked to Taishan to pray, only five reaching the top. All constructed temples, erected stone calligraphy tablets, composed and commissioned poetry and artwork. The Dai Temple, Wangmu Pool, Hongmen Palace, Zhongtianmen – South Heavenly Gate, and the Bixia Temple evidence the traces of these leaders. The feng and the shan, two sacrifices executed by the Emperor on Taishan, symbolized the heavenly approval of the Emperor’s deeds and his dynasty. The Emperor prayed to Heaven in the feng sacrifice and to Earth in the shan sacrifice. Heaven would never allow an unworthy sovereign to ascend Taishan. Doubtful emperors urged by their court to go to Taishan feared Heaven’s wrath. The legendary Emperor Shun had performed the feng and shan sacrifices around 2255 – 2205 BC . Emperor Shih Huang Ti of the Qin Dynasty had attempted the two sacrifices, but fled in violent storms. Wu Ti of the Han Dynasty revived the forgotten rites, performing the sacrifices in 110 BC, 106 BC, and 98 BC. The Late Han Dynasty Emperor Kuang-wu reluctantly made the sacrifices in 56 AD. Wen Ti, Emperor of the Sui Dynasty, begged pardon from his faults, performing smaller sacrifices to Heaven at the foot of Taishan in 595. Tai-tsung, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, failed in each of his three efforts. On new year’s day 666 Tai-tsung’s son, Kao-tsung, completed the feng and shan sacrifices for the first time in 610 years. His wife, Empress Wu, set the precedent as a woman participant, aiming for proof of her virtue. Eventually, rulers forgot the imperial feng and shan sacrifices, but not Taishan itself.

The foot to the summit of Taishan measures 24 kilometers, traversed by cablecars, minibuses, buses, and over 6,000 stone steps. Three main gates mark the pathway – I Tianmen, Zhongtianmen, and Nantianmen (First, Second, and Third Heaven Gates) with three guesthouses – Taishan, Zhongtianmen, and Shenqi – welcoming travelers. Two main paths lead up the mountain, converging at Zhongtianmen. The lesser traveled western route boasts few structures. The central route chronicles China’s past through temples, calligraphy stones, and historic memorials. Vendors crowd the mountain path, announcing the new era of China.

Taishan Mountain in Shandong was included as “World Cultural and Natural Heritage” by UNESCO in Dec 1987.

Taishan Mountain, a typical representative of the Chinese famous traditional mountains, is a mountain with a long history and a special historic status. In 1982, Taishan Mountain was up into the list of State key scenic spots and was formally listed in the directory of World Natural and Cultural Heritage in 1987. It becomes a precious heritage of human being.

Taishan Mountain locates in the east of North China Plain and the middle of Shandong province erecting from the Shandong hills. It is prominent around other hills. The prominent peak, Yuhuang peak, is 1545 meters high and locates in east 117.6 degree, north 36.16 degree. The south of Taishan Mountain is higher than the north. Its south foot of mountain begins from Tai’an city and its north foot of mountain stops in Jinan City, the distance between which is 60kms. In Taishan Mountain, the transportation is convenient with the Jinghu railway passing by in the west. In its north is Jinan city, which has another name of “spring city”. The distance between Taishan Mountain and Qubu is 70kms. Many roads and railways such as Taifei, Taixin, Taining, and Taiji meet in Tai’an city, which just locates in the south of Taishan Mountain.

Taishan Mountain is in a superior geographic location with abundant water and thermal resources, and its climate belongs to the warm temperate zone half wetness monsoon climate. As regard to its historic position, in the ancient times, Taishan Mountain is a developed region -  in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. As regard to its cultural position, it is the center of Dongyi culture. In the south foot of Taishan Mountain, there is Da Fenkou culture, and there is Longshan Culture in its north foot, it is the center of Qi and Lu. And its transportation is more superior. Taishan Mountain is in a key position where the railway from central plains to Shandong peninsula meets the railway connecting the south and north of the east coast. There are no hills between Taishan Mountain and the capitals in the ancient times as well as the developed regions. This superior condition helps Taishan Mountain gain the first position among the Five Famous Mountains in China.

As a mountainous scenic spot, Taishan Mountain has high values in term of aesthetics and science, especially the aesthetic value, which is the foundation for Taishan Mountain becoming a famous mountain in the history and the world natural and cultural heritage today. For thousands of years, during the process of studying on Taishan Mountain in terms of adoration, taste, religion and science, the people has created extremely abundant and valued Taishan scenic culture. Moreover, in the Taishan scenic culture, the natural scene plays the key role with the literacy scene assisting. The nature and culture penetrate into each other. Here we can see the philosophy, aesthetics and science idea about the harmonious development of Sky, Ground and Human beings. Thereby, either from the point of time or space, Taishan Mountain contains extremely abundant contents with high aesthetic, science and historic value. We can say that Taishan Mountain is the symbol of spiritual culture of China and the unique heritage of the world.

The ancient coastal castle of Penglai, about 65 kilometres northwest of Yantai, is the abode of the gods, according to mythology.

The legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea originated here. And the famous vision or mirage, which locals claim appears every few decades, has given a fascinating and mysterious atmosphere to the place.

Ever since I was a child I had dreamed of visiting Penglai. On a sunny morning in May, I finally made the trip.

Sainted mountains

Peng Lai Ge (Penglai Pavilion) is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. It is about 1,000 years old.

The castle is on one of the three sainted mountains inhabited by immortals. The other two are Yingzhou and Fangzhang. They have frequently been visited by emperors since the Qin (221-206 BC) and the Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties.

It is said that the eight immortals got drunk at the castle and crossed the sea using magic, without ships.

Their magic inspired a popular saying: “When the Eight Immortals cross the sea, each one shows his special feat. Each tries to outwit the other.”

Today the saying means that everybody has his or her own way of dealing with things.

Penglai Pavilion was built in 1061 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

On display in the complex are works of calligraphy from famous writers, couplets on the hall columns and stone inscriptions.

“Penglai has many folk customs,” said our tour guide Dai Fali.

“The most famous is the traditional fair of Penglai Pavilion held on January 16, according to the lunar calendar at the Heavenly Queen’s Palace.”

The Heavenly Queen is also called Mazu in Fujian Province. According to mythology, she was the daughter of Lin Yuan, inspector of Putian, Fujian in the Song Dynasty (AD 420-479). Her name was Lin Mo.

It is said she was born with red lights and fragrance, and seldom cried. She helped the poor, warded off devils and saved endangered fishing boats.

When Lin died at the age of 19, she became the Goddess of the Sea. Because she blessed ships at sea, people in Fujian offered her sacrifices.

On January 16, which is said to be her birthday, the people of Penglai hold a fair. They dance the yangge (a popular rural folk dance), play with dragon lights and walk on stilts.

Optical illusion

While visiting Penglai, I met a family from Hangzhou. When I asked them why they had come, the mother said: “For the mirage, of course.”

Because Penglai sits on the southern tip of the Bohai Straits, the low temperature of the sea water and the high temperature along the coast result in the appearance of spectacular optical illusions.

Usually they occur during summer and autumn, especially after it rains and when it is overcast and misty.

Cultural treasures

Penglai Pavilion is a place to which men of letters have flocked over the centuries. They left behind them inscriptions on tablets.

Among these is an engraved essay entitled “Notes on Reading Wu Daozi’s Painting,” by the poet Su Shi during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The inscription of the essay entitled “Watching the Mirage on the Tower on a Summer’s Day” is by Dong Qichang, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) calligrapher.

This ancient heritage adds a tint of history and culture to the mountains and sea.

“Penglai people are proud to meet so many famous poets and calligraphers here, who have brought cultural wealth to the area,” Dai said.

The “Hai Bu Yang Bo” (Placid Seawater) board was written by Lu Qiguang, a Qing calligrapher. During the Sino-Japanese war in 1895, the word bu was struck by a cannonball that failed to explode.

“The sea churned and wars began,” Dai explained. “If the bomb had exploded, we would not have the Penglai Pavilion today.”

Defiant spirit

East of the castle of Penglai is the Penglai water city, with dry docks and piers.

Construction of the fortress began in 1042. It was completed in 1696. The water fortress is the earliest man-made ancient military port in the country. Along with the castle of Penglai, it is a key historical relic under State protection.

National hero Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a native of Penglai, once trained his naval force here against foreign invasion.

Listening to the story of Qi, I felt as if I could almost see him leading thousands of soldiers on the fortress.

There we saw ancient warships found from the port of the fortress, which are left at the site to remind us of his defiant spirit.

In the past 600 years, the Qis have donated many cultural relics, such as the Qi Jiguang Statue and the Father-son Governor. The Former Residence of Qi Jiguang, which is under construction, will open to visitors next year.

Tianheng Hill

West of the castle is Tianheng Hill or Dengzhou Cape, the southern end of the border between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea.

Legend has it that it used to be the fort for the Tianheng 500 heroic men, who built camps on top of the barracks overlooking the sea.

Tian Heng, a Qin Dynasty general, used to station troops there. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, cannons were placed here. In the 1940s, the People’s Liberation Army used them to attack Japanese warships.

The relics are still there, but other aspects of the site have changed, with a new cultural park and a plank road along the cliff.

Walking on it with clouds surrounding me, I could not help but think that the new road would have made the sea crossing much easier for the Eight Immortals.

Travel tips

Five flights every day take off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Yantai Airport and the flight takes about one hour. Or tourists can take Train No. 2582 departing from Shanghai Railway Station at 9:40am and arriving at Yantai at 7:00am. There they can take buses to Penglai. The bus departs every 15 minutes.