T

ai'an

 

October, 1999








Chinese flag




The high point for us and literally the highest point in Shandong is Taishan. This is a famous mountain that is 1560 m (5000 ft) high. At its foot is the city of Tai'an and so we went to Tai'an. We stayed in a lovely, modern, hotel right on the beginning of the walk up Taishan.

Early one morning we left and spent a day that was hard on the lungs and legs, but still leisurely, going up. The route is all paved in stone and passes a dozen or so temples and sites. The last "bit" is a staircase that rises about 400m; we rested every 25-50 steps. At the top we again stayed in a nice hotel, got up early to see the sun rise, and then walked down. From the top there were wonderful views, partially due to the fact that the weather, hitherto mostly overcast, miraculously cleared for us. Jan has given her detailed impression of the Stairway to Heaven.

Once descended and just outside the gate to Taishan we were along a street with several restaurants. One had in the window a advertisement for its 8-course meal, which would cost about $3/person. We could hardly believe but were hungry. In we went and with broken Chinese and a bit of sign-language we confirmed it. Six of the eight courses were absolutely to our taste. Everywhere we went in China after that we tried — usually without success — to get the same dishes.

After our trip up the mountain we walked around Tai'an and found it has its own mini-treasures. Strongest in memory is a temple where of yore sacrifices were made. Our senses may have deceived us, but there, it seemed, was the remains of a recent sacrifice of a sheep or other large animal.




Updated September  15, 2002