Yuhuangding Peak of Mount Tai

Yuhuangding Peak of Mount Tai

is the summit of Mount Tai's main peak, named after the Jade Emperor Temple located at the top. The exact founding date of the Jade Emperor Temple is unknown, but it was renovated during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty. Key structures include the Jade Emperor Hall, Yingxu Pavilion, Wanghe 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 "Legacy of Fire and Worship," indicating that ancient emperors once performed ceremonial bonfires and worshiped 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 is a stone inscription reading "Ancient Fengshan Platform," signifying that this was the site where emperors of past dynasties held Fengshan ceremonies to worship heaven when ascending Mount Tai.

Yuhuangding is located north of the Bixia Temple and is the highest peak of Mount Tai, formerly known as Taipingding, also called Tianzhu Peak. The Jade Emperor Temple sits atop Yuhuangding and was historically known as Taiqing Palace or Yuhuang Temple. The eastern pavilion offers a view of the "Rising Sun," while the western pavilion overlooks the "Golden Belt of the Yellow River." At an elevation of 1,545 meters, Yuhuangding rises majestically from the ground and is renowned as the "Foremost Peak Under Heaven."

Yuhuangding, formerly called "Taipingding" and also known as "Yuhuangding," is the highest point of Mount Tai and the site where emperors throughout history ascended to perform Fengshan ceremonies. The Jade Emperor Temple is built at the summit of Mount Tai, making it the highest structure on the mountain, consisting of the mountain gate, Jade Emperor Hall, Yingxu Pavilion, Wanghe Pavilion...

as well as east and west meditation rooms. The main hall houses a bronze statue of the Jade Emperor, and in the center of the temple courtyard lies the Summit Stone. On the Summit Stone is a stone tablet inscribed with two lines: "Summit of Mount Tai" and "1545 meters" (the actual height is 1,532.7 meters, according to data released by the National Bureau of Surveying and Mapping on April 27, 2007). Majestically rising from the ground, it is hailed as the "Foremost Peak Under Heaven."

Surrounded by stone railings, it is the highest point of Mount Tai, with the characters "Summit" inscribed on the stone by Nanyang's Wang Jun in 1921. To the northwest is a stone tablet inscribed with "Ancient Fengshan Platform," where ancient emperors set up altars to worship heaven when ascending the mountain. Yuhuangding stands proudly above all, with pavilions atop the peak offering a view that truly evokes the feeling of "all other mountains appearing small."

It is said that after Emperor Wu of Han ascended the throne, he implemented numerous measures to strengthen the nation and its military, subduing the Xiongnu and quelling internal strife, leading to a period of peace, prosperity, and economic flourishing. Emperor Wu, ambitious and fond of grand achievements, took great pride in the unified Han Dynasty he had established. He thus conducted Fengshan ceremonies on Mount Tai on a grand scale, performing the ritual no fewer than seven times within just twenty-one years. In March of 110 AD, when Emperor Wu came to Mount Tai for the Fengshan ceremony, he scoffed at the stone monuments erected by previous emperors to glorify themselves. He believed his unparalleled merits and the reverence of the people could not be captured by a mere stone tablet, considering such inscriptions vulgar. Instead, he devised a unique approach: erecting a stone at the summit to symbolize that his virtues, unmatched in height, were proclaimed even higher, beyond words. At the time of the stone's erection, auspicious clouds hovered over the peak, and radiant light shone in all directions. Suddenly, a scroll of golden scripture and jade slips was unearthed from the ground, bearing the inscription: "Emperor Wu of Liu, lifespan ends at eighteen." The emperor, startled and trembling, misread it as "eighty" and indeed lived to the age of eighty before passing away.

This stele stands several zhang tall, tapering toward the top and bottom, with a gleaming white stone surface that remains moss-free despite centuries of rain and dew. It is said that when the sun shines brightly, the stele emits a radiant glow, its golden light dazzling. The seal script inscriptions inside recounting Emperor Wu's merits are visible from afar but disappear upon closer inspection—an extraordinary marvel indeed.

Address: Within Mount Tai Scenic Area, No. 54 Hongmen Road, Taishan District, Tai'an City

Type: Geological Mountain

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Mount Tai scenic area ticket.

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]

Accessible on foot within the scenic area