Tang Dynasty Cliff Inscription

Tang Cliff Inscription

On the eastern side of the Yuhuangding (Jade Emperor Summit) path, there is a steep cliff resembling a sheer cliff face, commonly known as "Daguan Peak" or "Migao Rock." The site features the Tang Emperor Xuanzong’s imperial inscription *The Record of Mount Tai*, commonly called the Tang Cliff Inscription. It stands 13.3 meters high and 5.7 meters wide, with 24 lines of text, each line containing up to 51 characters. The top of the stele is 3.95 meters high and inscribed in clerical script with the title *The Record of Mount Tai*. The cliff inscription bears a total of 1,008 characters, including a preface, the main text, and the heading—forming a commemorative stele of Emperor Xuanzong’s eastern pilgrimage to Mount Tai. It has been gilded multiple times. The massive stele features a majestic presence, with coiling dragons at its top and dazzling gold lettering, making it an awe-inspiring sight.

The inscription is divided into five sections: The first describes the origin of the Fengshan (Mount Tai worship) ceremony and the grandeur of Emperor Xuanzong’s eastern pilgrimage, stating “With six armies arrayed in splendor, shaking the nine regions, banners lined up and troops silent, solemn and respectful, we finally arrived at Mount Tai.” The second section traces the history of the Fengshan ceremony, reforming the previously secretive tradition by publicly declaring that the purpose was “to pray for the blessings of the people.” The third narrates the ceremony process and praises peace, prosperity, and national wealth. The fourth expresses Emperor Li Longji’s determination to “forever safeguard the heavenly mandate” to the Heavenly Emperor. The fifth section uses an inscription format to extol the achievements of five emperors: Gaozu, Taizong, Gaozong, Zhongzong, and Ruizong, further highlighting the reformist spirit that “sincerity moves heaven and blesses the people,” while earnestly advising future rulers that “the Way lies in governance, not indulging desires.” This reflects Emperor Xuanzong’s ambitions and pragmatic approach during the prosperous Kaiyuan era.

The entire inscription is written in clerical script, with elegant wording and vigorous strokes. It combines the essence of ancient clerical style with new Tang features. The Ming dynasty historian and literary figure Wang Shizhen commented: “The inscription on the towering cliff, written as if phoenixes and cranes danced above the clouds, stirs the heart with its brilliance.” Due to its high regard among literati through the ages, the stele has been well preserved. The western side of the inscription originally featured the names of princes and ministers who participated in the Fengshan ceremony, carved in multiple layers. There was also *The Ode to the Fengshan Worship Altar* written by Li Anqi, a Secretariat Drafter of Emperor Gaozong, in 666 AD (the first year of the Qianfeng era), which were later all scraped off.

To the west of the inscription is “Yunfeng” (Cloud Peak), named for the frequent gathering of clouds here. Originally, the peak housed *The Ode to Emperor Xuanzong’s Eastern Pilgrimage*, written by Tang literary figure Su Ting and inscribed in clerical script by calligrapher Liang Shengqing. These have also been destroyed. Inscriptions by famous figures throughout history such as Liu Renyuan of the Tang, Zhao Mingcheng of the Song, Xu Shilong of the Yuan, Zhu Heng of the Ming, Ruan Yuan and Shi Runzhang of the Qing, are still clearly visible. In front of Daguan Peak once stood the “Dongyue Temple,” the upper shrine of the God of Mount Tai, which was destroyed during the Republican era. Now only the *Dongyue Temple Stele* from the seventh year of the Xianfeng era in the Qing dynasty (1857 AD) remains.

Today, the peak features two large characters “Yunfeng” (Cloud Peak) inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty, below which are two poems by Emperor Qianlong titled *Night Stay at the Summit of Mount Tai*. The cliffs of Daguan Peak and Yunfeng are covered with inscriptions: phrases like “vast sky,” “breathing the universe,” “standing amid the clouds,” and “green cliffs and red walls.” Around seventy to eighty can still be identified today, densely layered and overlapping, complementing the *Record of Mount Tai* and shining in splendor together.

Time Needed

1 hour

Transportation

[External Transportation]

1. Take bus routes 14, 19, 45, K37, K3, or K49 and get off at Hongmen Station to reach the Hongmen entrance of Mount Tai.

2. Take bus routes 19, K37, K39 Inner Loop, K39 Outer Loop, K3, or K49 and get off at Tianwai Village Station to reach the Tianwai Village entrance of Mount Tai.

3. Take bus route 19 and get off at Tianzhufeng Scenic Area Station to reach the Tianzhufeng entrance.

4. Take bus routes K16 or K49 and get off at Taohuayu Station to reach the Taohuayu entrance.

[Internal Transportation]

Reach on foot within the scenic area.

Admission

Included in the Mount Tai scenic area ticket.

Opening Hours

All day

Location

Daguan Peak, Summit of Mount Tai, Mount Tai Scenic Area, Tai’an City, Shandong Province