Zhanger Peak

Zhanger Peak

Located northwest of Jade Emperor Summit, Zhanger Peak gets its name from its shape resembling an old man with a hunched back. Nearby, several smaller rocks complement it, earning it the additional nickname "The Old Man Playing with His Grandson."

The peak features inscriptions such as "The Finest Mountain Under Heaven," "Soaring to the Heavens," "Standing Alone in Mid-Sky," and "The First Sacred Area of the Eastern Pillar." There is also an imperial poem inscribed by Emperor Qianlong: "Zhanger — from Qingcheng among the Five Great Mountains, how did Mount Tai come to borrow this name? Yet people are so accustomed to this, who would bother to evaluate it in detail based on Du Fu’s verses?" In addition, there are inscriptions left by foreigners; in 1990, Japanese calligrapher Taiun Yanagida wrote the characters for "National Peace and Prosperity" here. A radio and television transmission station has been built south of the peak.

The main peak of Mount Qingcheng. Also known as "Zhanger Mountain." From Volume One of Fan Chengda’s *The Record of a Journey down the Wu River* during the Song Dynasty: "After thirty li we reached Mount Qingcheng… We stayed overnight at the foot of Zhanger Peak, where five towering peaks stand like a screen.

Since the Tang Dynasty, Zhanger has been referred to as the Five Peaks’ Elder. The *Biography of the True Deity Chufu Mingming* briefly states that he was surnamed Ning, given name Feng, a contemporary of the Yellow Emperor, who sought his guidance on the art of leaping like a dragon and flying. Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his poem "Zhanger Mountain": "Since I became a guest of Qingcheng, I do not spit on Qingcheng’s ground; For love of Zhanger Mountain, whose crimson steps echo my love for the secluded. " This indicates the title was already in use during the Tang Dynasty.

Jade Emperor Summit is the highest point of Mount Tai — the main peak of the "Eastern Sacred Mountain." It gets its name from the Jade Emperor Temple located at the summit. The temple’s original construction date is unknown, but it was rebuilt during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty. Major structures include the Jade Emperor Hall, Welcome-the-Sun Pavilion, River-Viewing Pavilion, and east and west side halls, with a bronze statue of the Jade Emperor enshrined inside. The plaque above the shrine is inscribed with "Tradition of Fire and Prayer," indicating that ancient emperors once offered burnt sacrifices to heaven and prayed to the mountain and river deities here. In front of the hall lies the "Summit Stone," marking the highest point of Mount Tai.

Northwest of the Summit Stone stands a stone tablet inscribed with "Ancient Ascension Platform," signifying that this was the site where emperors of past dynasties held heaven-worshipping ceremonies during their ascension rituals on Mount Tai. Jade Emperor Summit is located north of the Bixia Temple and is the highest peak of Mount Tai, formerly called Taiping Summit, also known as Tianzhu Peak. The Jade Emperor Temple is situated on Jade Emperor Summit and was historically known as the Grand Purity Palace or Jade Emperor Shrine.

Jade Emperor Summit stands 1,532.7 meters above sea level, rising majestically from the earth and renowned as "The Finest Mountain Peak Under Heaven." It is dedicated to the supreme deity governing all things between heaven and earth — the Jade Emperor, sovereign of the Three Realms.

Transportation

On Foot

Ticket

Included in the Mount Tai Scenic Area Ticket

Opening Hours

All Day

Location

Northwest of Jade Emperor Summit, Mount Tai, Tai’an City, Shandong Province