Dai Temple of Mount Tai in Tai’an

Dai Temple of Mount Tai in Tai’an

The temple was first built during the Qin Dynasty. Since the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), its design has been a replica of the imperial palace, which makes it one out of three extant structures in China with the features of an imperial palace (the other two are the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple in Qufu).
English Name: Dai Temple of Mount Tai in Tai'an
Chinese Name: 泰安岱庙
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 or 3 hours
Ticket Price: CNY 20
Opening Hours: 08:00 to 17:00
Best time for visit: May-November.
Address: At the foot of Mount Tai in the city of Tai'an

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Dai Temple of Mount Tai

The Temple of the God of Mount Tai, known as the Dai Temple (Chinese: 岱庙; pinyin: Dàimiào), is the largest and most complete ancient building complex in the area. It is located at the foot of Mount Tai in the city of Tai’an and covers an area of 96,000 square meters. 

Introduction of Dai Temple of Mount Tai

History

The temple was first built during the Qin Dynasty. Since the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), its design has been a replica of the imperial palace, which makes it one out of three extant structures in China with the features of an imperial palace (the other two are the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple in Qufu).

Main Buildings

The temple has five major halls and many small buildings. The centerpiece is the Palace of Heavenly Blessings (Tian Kuang), built in 1008, during the reign of the last Northern Song Emperor Huizong. The hall houses the mural painting “The God of Mount Tai Making a Journey”, dated to the year 1009. The mural extends around the eastern, western and northern walls of the hall and is 3.3 metres high and 62 metres long. The theme of the painting is an inspection tour by the god. Next to the Palace of Heavenly Blessings stand the Yaocan Pavilion and the entrance archway as well as the Bronze Pavilion in the northeast corner. The Dai Temple is surrounded by the 2,100‑year‑old Han Dynasty cypresses. The oldest surviving stair may be the 6000 granite steps to the top of the mountain. The site contains a number of well-preserved steles from the Huizong reign, some of which are mounted on bixi tortoises. There is a much later, Qianlong era bixi-mounted stele as well.

How to Get There

  • Take bus 3, 4, 6, 15 (North Ring Line), 15 (East Ring Line), 24 (East Ring Line), 24 (West Ring Line), 33, 36, 39 (North Ring Line), 39 (East Ring Line) or 45 and get off at Daimiao (Dai Temple) Station.
  • Take bus 64 to Daimiao Beimen (north gate of Dai Temple) Station.

Useful Travel Tips

  • A ticket of Taishan Mountain include a visit to Dai Temple.
  •  Free for children under 1.4 meters (4.2 feet) or 6 years old; Children between 6 and 18 years old can buy half price ticket.
  • Seniors elder than 60 years old can enjoy free entrance tickets with a valid ID or passport. 

Nearby Attractions

Edited by  Lynette Fu/付云锐