Taishan is hugely important in Chinese culture and history. Many emperors had climbed up Taishan prior to their assuming the throne. The path is meticulously built over the centuries, so it's all paved walkway and steps now. It's 4000+ ft elevation gain from Hongmen to Nantianmen, or 6666 steps. We stayed at the Shen Qi hotel, which is another 200+ steps up. From there, it's yet another 100 steps to the summit, where the Jade Emperor Temple is located. At the half way mark, or Zhongtianmen, you can wimp out and take the aerial tramway up. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the ground level up to the mid point, then walk up the rest of the way.

Chinese emperors walked this stairway to heaven to worship life: more than 6000 steps to the top. We followed the path and climbed the steps, a steep but perfect stairway, from Taian City in some 3,5 hours, sourrounded by many chinese hikers - we maybe saw two western faces. It was a gorgious experience, just two irritations: the smog on this wide country and the touristtraps on the summit - as there is also a modern cable car and we took it back down.