Zhanlu Platform

Zhanlu Platform

Guide – Legend of the Sacrifice Cliff: It is said that during the Ming Dynasty, in Baiyu Village at the foot of the mountain, there was a man named Xu Dehou who ran a shop in Tai’an City. One day, a father and son surnamed He came to stay at the shop. The elderly He stayed for many days, sighing deeply all the time. When Dehou asked him about it, he learned that He’s father had once made a vow to sacrifice himself here in order to cure his 0’s illness, but he was worried that after his death, his 0 would be left unattended. So, he wanted to send his son in his place, yet he couldn’t bear to push his own son off the cliff. He then begged Dehou to sacrifice the boy on his behalf. Dehou agreed, took the boy away and hid him, then told He’s father that the boy had already sacrificed himself. He’s father believed it to be true, so he performed the memorial ceremony and left. Dehou raised He’s son until he grew up and eventually became the top scholar in the imperial examinations. Dehou then arranged for the father and son to reunite and explained the whole story to them. When the father and son met, they cried bitterly. By then, the grandmother had already passed away, so He’s son arranged for his biological father and Xu’s father to spend their remaining years together on Mount Tai. The two elders treated each other with mutual respect, like honored guests, and were as close as brothers. Later, the three of them returned to the Sacrifice Cliff. The elderly He felt ashamed of his past foolishness, realizing he had nearly cost his son his life. He then renamed the “Sacrifice Cliff” to the “Cliff of Love for Life.” Later generations also carved the characters “Ai Yu” (Mourning Foolishness) on the cliff to remind people. Highlights: The Sacrifice Cliff is located above the Immortal Bridge. It is surrounded by cliffs on three sides, with steep walls as if cut by a knife. From the top, you can seemingly touch the sky with your hands, while below lies a bottomless abyss. Floating above the drifting clouds and standing atop the lofty mountain peak, being there can make one dizzy and feel as if their soul has flown to the heavens.

Zhanlu Platform is located on the Sacrifice Cliff. There is a prominent huge rock about 3.3 meters high beside which the words “Zhanlu Platform” are inscribed in large characters. Commonly known as the Flagpole Rock, it is said that Confucius once climbed here to gaze upon the Lu capital, Qufu. The rock bears inscriptions such as “Nature bestows its finest beauty” by Zhao Puchu and “Mist hangs over leaning clouds” by Zhou Erfu.

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 Red Gate 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 Tianzhu Peak Scenic Area Station to reach the Tianzhu Peak entrance.

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

[Internal Transportation]

Access on foot within the scenic area

Ticket

Included in the ticket for Mount Tai Scenic Area

Opening Hours

All day

Location

South side of Riguang Peak, Mount Tai Scenic Area, Tai’an City, Shandong Province