### Mount Tai Travel Guide: Conquer the Sacred Mountain and Marvel at the Sea of Clouds & Sunrise

**Theme: Classic Routes + Effort-Saving Tips, Blending Cultural Experience with Natural Wonders** --- ⛰ 1. Hiking Route Planning (Choose Based on Fitness Level) 1. **Classic Hongmen Route (Full Hike, 6 Hours)** - **Route**: Hongmen → Mid-Heaven Gate → Eighteen Bends → South Heaven Gate → Jade Emperor Peak, passing historic sites like Doumu Palace and Sutra Rock Valley. - **Highlights**: Conquer the 1,633-step "Eighteen Bends," follow the ancient imperial pilgrimage path, and feel the grandeur of "seeing all other peaks dwarfed." - **Tips**: Supplies available at Mid-Heaven Gate (hiking poles for ¥5). Night hikers need headlamps (start at 22:00 for sunrise around 4:30-6:00). 2. **Effort-Saving Tianwai Village Route (2 Hours to Summit)** - **Route**: Take a bus from Tianwai Village → Mid-Heaven Gate (¥35/30 mins) → Cable car to South Heaven Gate (¥100/10 mins). Ideal for families or those with limited stamina. 3. **Off-the-Beaten-Path Taohuayu Route (Photographer’s Choice)** - **Route**: Taohuayu Entrance → Colorful Stone Stream (2.7-billion-year geological wonder) → Cable car to summit. Serene with peach blossoms and cool streams in summer. --- 🛏 2. Accommodation Recommendations - **Summit Sunrise Spots**: - **Shenqi Hotel**: ¥1,200/night (breakfast included), 50m from Riguan Peak. Book 1 week ahead. - **Xianju Hotel**: ¥600/night, offers sunrise wake-up service. - *Budget Option*: Rent army coats (¥30) to camp at sunrise viewpoints. - **City Options**: - Yinzuo Jiayi (¥180/night, near Dai Temple) / Ramada Plaza Tai'an (¥500/night, mountain-view rooms). --- 🍜 3. Must-Try Local Food (Under ¥50/person) - **Wang Lao San Skewers**: Fresh lamb skewers + honey toast (¥71/person). - **Lu Caigen**: "Three Delicacies of Tai'an" soup (cabbage, tofu, spring water) + fried Chilin fish (¥70/person). - **Street Snacks**: Hongmen scallion pancakes (¥5), Xu’s baked cakes (sweet/savory, ¥2). --- ⚠ 4. Pro Tips 1. **Tickets**: Combo ticket ¥115 (includes Dai Temple), valid for 3 days; student discounts available. 2. **Gear**: Non-slip shoes, lightweight down jacket (large temperature gaps), compact backpack. Rent poles at base (¥2). 3. **Avoid Pitfalls**: - Paid hot water at summit (free for instant noodles). Bring a thermos. - Eighteen Bends is steep—hold chains tightly. Avoid rainy days. --- **Final Note**: A 1-2 day trip is ideal: explore Dai Temple (¥30) for history, then hike for sunrise. Whether you seek cultural immersion or a relaxed ascent, Mount Tai—the "Throne of Emperors"—rewards every pilgrim with carvings, pine whispers, and dawn’s first light.