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Tai Shan and the Supernatural

Tai Shan is the most revered of China’s five sacred Taoist peaks, and also holds the distinction of being the most climbed mountain on the face of the planet. The Shandong citizens take great pride in their ‘one mountain, one river and one saint’, as if they have the last word on each. These are the peak of Tai Shan, Huang He (the Yellow River) and Confucius.

Tai Shan is a mountain of historical and cultural significance in China. It is located north of the city of Tai’an, in Shandong Province. The tallest peak is the 1,545 meter-high Jade Emperor Peak.

Tai Shan is associated with many supernatural beliefs and the Chinese feel strangely attracted towards it for all the odd reasons. It is said that Tai Shan offers a unique experience - its supernatural aspect attracting the Chinese in hordes. And the extreme beliefs are today as strong as they were before. Bixia, the Princess of the Azure Clouds, a Taoist deity whose presence permeates the temples dotted along the route, is a powerful cult figure venerated by the rural women of Shandong and beyond. The temples on its slopes have actually been frequented by pilgrims for over 3,000 years.

It’s also said that if you climb the Tai Shan you’ll live to see 100 years. This is the belief that drives tribes of wiry grandmothers up the steps towards the cluster of temples at the summit where they burn money and incense, praying for their progeny, and secretly perhaps, hoping to make it to 100 years. If you visit the peak at daybreak, you will witness a handful of sun worshippers gathered on the peak, their awe-filled eyes straining for the first flickers of dawn. The reason? In ancient Chinese tradition, it was believed that the sun began its westward journey from Tai Shan.

Having scaled the Tai Shan and standing atop it, Confucius uttered the dictum ‘The world is small’, Mao lumbered up and declared ‘The East is red’. Who knows what golden words you will utter when you too can climb up the Tai Shan?

For those seeking solitude and an enjoyable climb, it is good idea to avoid coinciding the day of your climb with the public holidays in the first weeks of May and October. Otherwise you will have to share the mountain with what the Chinese call ‘re’n shan re’n havi’ - which literally means a ‘mountain of people and a sea of persons.’

And after a day’s climb, the perfect way to relax is to enjoy the Tai Shan once again. Huh, what was that? Relax, Tai Shan is also the name of the most popular beer of the Western Shandong province.