Taishan Mountain
By admin on 2014-12-16

Taishan Mountain

Taishan Mountain is one of the symbols of China and also represents marvelous oriental civilization. It shows the syncretism of human and nature. In 1987, it was listed to be one of the world natural and cultural heritages in China.

In ancient times, Taishan Mountain was the symbol of the nation in security, sovereignty in consolidation, nation in prosperity, peoples in unity. For emperors in any dynasty, their first thing is to show their worship to Taishan Mountain by themselves. Taishan Mountain is the only famous mountain in China that officially nominated by Emperor.

Taishan Mountain scenic area is located in the center of Shandong Province with the total area of 426 square kilometers.It was anciently called Daizong Mountain and during the era of Spring and Autumn(770 BC-403 BC), it was renamed Taishan Mountain with the title of Dongyue (In Chinese 东岳，in English means the oriental great Mountain). During remote antiquity period, Taishan Mountain area experienced the dramatic rise and fall of lithosphere. The main peak of Taishan Mountain is at an altitude of 1532.7 meters. Taishan Mountain is a delicate bonsai with the high research value in geology, history and culture. On 8 May 2007, it was formally listed to be a state-level 5-A tourism scenic area.

Taishan Mountain

There are many cultural and historic relics here. During the time from Paleolithic period to Neolithic period, human lived here. Roughly 50000 or 60000 years ago, people began to show their respect to Taishan Mountain. According to the record, there were 72 emperors in history who showed their worship to this holy mountain successively during the period of pre-Qin Dynasty. Latterly, Emperor Qinshihuang, and his son, Emperor Hanwudi all held the grand ceremonies to show their respects. From Tang Dynasty (581-960) to Qing Dynasty (1644-1912),Taishan was still respected to be the holy land in China.

As the popularization of Five-Element theory, Taishan Mountain was respected to be the east holy mountain. Many scholars and learners left many famous articles and works of calligraphy in carving and inscription. Taoism in Han dynasty (206BC-189AD) and Wei Kingdom (196-265) began to appear on this mountain. Buddhism in 351 showed itself on the mountain, and someone began to build the temples on the mountain.