Far Beyond Borders: Mount Tai: Heaven's Gate Mountain

Tian Menshan Mountain

The sacred Mount Tai is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong province, China. It is among the first group of “National Parks of China” and symbolizes the peaceful life and unified country.

Tianmen Mountain, the soul of Zhangjiajie, is named after the huge cave in the mountain like a gate to heaven called Tianmen Cave, or 'Heaven's Gate' Cave. 7000 stone stairs which runs 9 kilometers long through the mountain from the foot to the zenith looks like the axes of Mount Tai integrating earth, heaven and human as a whole and thus is a road for human beings to heaven. Because of the unique integration of human civilization and natural landscape, Mount Tai is respected by billions of Chinese people and becomes famous all over the world as well as treasurable heritage of panhuman.

Tianmen Mountain is regarded as a "heavenly garden" because there are a bounty of rare species of plants and old trees on the mountain. The many natural wonders of Tianmen Mountain attract thousands of tourists every year. It is also known as Heaven Gate Mountain due to a large natural ark, many Chinese people believe that the Tianmen Mountain is the “Closest Earth Landmark to God”.

The mountain also has the unique marvelous wonders: the rising sun at dawn, the jade plate of sea of clouds, the aura appearing around Bixia Temple, rosy clouds at sunset

Tianmen Mountain has became the symbol of Chinese spirit. Also, it was recognized as a national forest park in 1992. It is not only a paradise for scenery, but also for photography and adventure.