Tourist Area of the Top of Taishan Mountain is also called the wonderful area of Taishan Mountain, referring to the 0.6-square-meter tourist area from the South Gate to Heaven to Jade Emperor Peak. Climbing along the Shibapan Road and reaching the south Gate to Heaven, it is the fairyland of the heaven where "the sun is newer and the cloud is lower" and "the only thing above is the sky, and there is no other mountains higher than here". Strolling in this area, tourists can enjoy the landscapes on the top of Taishan Mountain, such as the vague and insubstantial Moon-watching Peak, resplendent and magnificent Bixia Temple, the towering Jade Emperor Peak and the complicated and confusing No-Words Tablet, all of these can make you feel mystical and wonderful.
The top of Taishan Mountain gathers the essence of Natural scenery and famous historical and cultural relies of Taishan Mountain, and becomes the climax of the visit to Taishan Mountain. The main scenic spots include the South Gate to Heaven, Tianjie Archway, Tianjie Street, White Cloud Cave, Sun-watching Peak, Tanhai Stone, Xianren Bridge, Zhanlu Terrace, Jade Emperor Temple, inscribed wall on Daguan Peak, Temple of Confucius, Confucius Cliff, Qingdi Palace, Zhangren Peak and Bixia Temple etc. In addition, tourists can also enjoy the spectacular sights of Taishan Mountain such as the sun rise from the east, the beautiful sunset, golden belt along the Yellow River, soft rime and glaze ice, Buddhist Light at Bixia Temple and the sea of clouds etc.
South Gate to Heaven
The South Gate to Heaven is located at the end of Shibapan Road of Taishan Mountain, and also was called "Tianmen Pass" in the ancient time. The South Gate to Heaven has been built on the low-laying land between Feilong Rock and Xiangfeng Peak. These two peaks are standing against each other just like the gate to the Heaven. The South Gate to Heaven was built by Zhang Zhichun, a Taoist priest with monastic name Bushan in the fifth year under the regime of Emperor Zhongtong of Yuan Dynasty (1264 AD). The couplets on both sides of the Gate have words saying "Gate sites highly in the place near the sky, going upwards you can see the famous historical relics of the three gates; Go up ten thousands steps, you can enjoy the spectacles of the mountains under your feet".
Bixia Temple
Bixia Temple, located on the top of Taishan Mountain, is the memorial temple for the Goddess of Taishan Mountain-the Supreme Goddess Bixia. It was built in the second year under the regime of Dazhong Xiangfu of Song Dynasty (1009 AD). The whole arch it ecture is solemn and magnificent. Being viewed from a distance the temple is surrounded with white clouds, making it resplendent and magnificent like the fairyland in Heaven. The main hall has used copper tiles, while eastern and western halls have used iron tiles. The temple can be regarded as the best work of high mountain architectures.
Xianren Bridge
At the western side of Zhanlu Terrace, there are two cliffs against each other and three huge stones suspending in midair. Under the cliffs, there are deep valley and streams. Three giant stones pile and cross the deep valley just like the shape of a bridge, so people call it "Xianren Bridge" (Bridge for celestial beings). It is dangerous but charming, and becomes one of the most famous spectacles of Taishan Mountain. The ancient people had a poem reading "Three huge stones and two cliffs with green grass and trees are disconnected with each other in a seemingly connected manner. The apes and wild gooses should return once encountering with this bridge, and the bridge can only be passed by the celestial beings."
"Wuyueduzun" Inscribed Stone
"Wuyueduzun" Inscribed Stone is located on Jade Emperor Peak. It was written by Zong Shiyu, magistrate of Tai'an prefecture, in the thirty third year under the regime of Emperor Guangxu of Qing Dynasty (1907 AD). The characters are regular and dignified, the inscription looking magnificent and attractive. The ancient people regarded east as the place of breeding all things, and Taishan Mountain is located in the east, so it has been granted with the title of "Supremacy among the Five Mountains".
Tianjie Street
Tianjie Street sites on the top of Taishan Mountain starting from the South Gate to Heaven it the west and extending to Bixia Temple in the east with a total length reaching 0.6 kilometers. The pseudo-classical shops built besides the rocks are glorious and colorful. Tourists strolling on the street and looking at the scenes upward and downward would think themselves in paradise.
Precipice of Tang Dynasty
Precipice of Tang Dynasty is located on Daguan Peak on the top of Taishan Mountain, and has the inscriptions of Memorizing Taishan Mountain written by Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, during his tour to Taishan Mountain. The general name of this precipice is "Precipice of Tang Dynasty". The precipice is 13.3 meters high, 5.5 meters wide, and has altogether one thousand Chinese characters, which were in Official Style of Tang Dynasty. The article is elegant and the calligraphy is in vigorous strokes, which make the precipice represent the spirit of thriving Tang Dynasty.
Tanhai Stone
There is a huge stone called "Gongbei Stone" suspending in midair on Sun-watching Peak on the eastern side of Jade Emperor Peak. It is also named "Tanhai Stone" for its shape being like stretching towards the sea. The stone is 6.5 meters long, and becomes one of the symbols of Taishan Mountain. It is also an excellent site to watch the sunrise on the top of Taishan Mountain.
Jade Emperor Peak
Jade Emperor Peak is the top of the main peak of Taishan Mountain. It is named Jade Emperor Peak for there is a temple for Yuhuang (Jade Emperor) on the peak. The time when the temple was built can not be determined. The temple was rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Chenghuo of Ming Dynasty. Inside the temple there is a copper statue of Jade Emperor. On the horizontal board above the tabernacle, there is an inscription of "Chai Wang Yi Feng" meaning the emperor of ancient times had burnt firewood to offer sacrifice to the Heaven, and also to each divinity of the mountain. In front of the main hall, there is "Jiding Stone" (stone of the peak) which is said to be the utmost point of Taishan Mountain.