The steep Mount Tai is best climbed on foot and descended by cable car; hiking down is extremely treacherous—you could easily tumble all the way from the “South Heaven Gate” to the “Opening Mountain.”

The Midway Gate to Heaven is a stone memorial archway built during the Qing Dynasty, featuring two pillars and a single gate, also known as the “Second Heaven Gate.” It stands on Huangxian Ridge at an elevation of 847 meters.

Midway Gate to Heaven – Starting Point of Attractions

The Midway Gate to Heaven is the junction of the eastern and western routes up Mount Tai. The eastern route begins at Red Gate Palace, while the western route starts from Tianwai Village, which is accessible via an asphalt road with tourist buses that can take you to the Midway Gate to Heaven. By the time you reach the Midway Gate to Heaven, you’ve already completed half of the climb (the more gentle and manageable half), and the most exciting part of the journey begins here—most of the scenic spots and historical sites lie along the path from the Midway Gate to Heaven to the South Heaven Gate.

Importantly, there is a cable car (aerial tramway) between the Midway Gate to Heaven and the summit’s South Heaven Gate. To the southwest, there is also the Zhongxi Hotel that provides lodging.

After passing the Midway Gate to Heaven, if you choose not to take the cable car and continue on foot along the hiking trail, you’ll soon come across a flat stretch of road—this is the famous “Three Miles of Joy,” or simply “Joyful Three.” After a long trek up the mountain, this section feels like a blessing. But don’t celebrate too soon—three li is only about 1,500 meters. Once you spot the Buoyun Bridge, you’ll face yet another long flight of stairs.

Five Great Lords Pine – Honored for Protecting Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Near the Buoyun Bridge, there are many stone inscriptions. In fact, the entire climbing path of Mount Tai is dotted with inscriptions from various dynasties. Some feature concise and elegant wording with exquisite calligraphy, while others contain meaningless phrases with poor handwriting. Many scenic areas today offer paid digital photo services—perhaps in the past, there were “inscription services” along the mountain paths where, for a fee, your writing could be carved onto the large rocks by the trail. Otherwise, how did so many inscriptions, even some advertisements, end up here?

Shortly after passing the Buoyun Bridge, you’ll reach the “Five Great Lords Pine.” According to the “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji), when Emperor Qin Shi Huang visited Mount Tai, he encountered heavy rain midway and took shelter under a large pine tree. As the tree had helped protect him, he granted it the title of “Five Great Lords.” This rank was the ninth level among the twenty-tier noble ranks of the Qin and Han dynasties and was the highest among the “Lord” titles, known as the “Noblest of Lords.”

Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, the ancient pine was destroyed by thunder and rain. During the Qing Dynasty’s Yongzheng era, when imperial envoy Ding Zaobao was ordered to renovate Mount Tai, someone mistakenly believed there were five pine trees, so five new ones were planted—though only two still survive today. Beside the Five Pines Pavilion, there is a stone inscription by Emperor Qianlong titled “Ode to the Five Great Lords Pine.”

Eighteen Bends – The Steepest Section of the Climbing Path

Arriving at the Eighteen Bends means you’re close to the summit of Mount Tai—but this is the final challenge.

The Eighteen Bends is the steepest part of the climbing path on Mount Tai. Over a horizontal distance of less than 1,000 meters, the elevation rises sharply by 400 meters, with over 1,600 stone steps and an incline of about 70 degrees. How steep is it? Simply put, while standing on the steps, you can almost touch the step in front of you. You’ll practically have to use your hands and feet to climb.

Therefore, it’s best to climb up Mount Tai and descend by cable car. If you do it the other way around and hike down, the Eighteen Bends is even more perilous than going up. A slip could send you tumbling all the way from the “South Heaven Gate” to the “Opening Mountain.” Moreover, these steep descending steps are a serious test for your knees.

The Eighteen Bends is one of the iconic features of Mount Tai. The cliffs on both sides are sheer like knife edges, with the steep path wedged in between. From a distance, it looks like a ladder leading up to the South Heaven Gate. The Eighteen Bends begins at “Pines Facing Each Other Mountain,” with cliffs on both sides referred to as the “Opening Mountain.” To the north is the “Dragon Gate Archway,” followed by the “Ascension to Immortality Archway,” with the highest point being the “South Heaven Gate.” There are three sections of the Eighteen Bends. From the Opening Mountain to the Dragon Gate Archway, the slope is relatively gentle and is called the “Slow Eighteen.” From the Dragon Gate Archway to the Ascension to Immortality Archway, the slope is moderate and is called the “Neither Fast Nor Slow Eighteen.” From the Ascension to Immortality Archway to the South Heaven Gate, the slope is steep and is called the “Steep Eighteen.” Looking up from the Opening Mountain toward the South Heaven Gate, the majestic beauty of Mount Tai unfolds before you.

Travel Information

Midway Gate to Heaven

Cable Car (Aerial Tramway) Fare: One-way from Midway Gate to Heaven to South Heaven Gate is RMB 80, round trip is RMB 140

Tourist Bus from Tianwai Village to Midway Gate to Heaven: One-way RMB 30