We arrived at Taishan City at 5:30am on National Day (Oct 1st) after a night on the hard sleeper from Beijing with what seemed to be most of China - to be met by Yujin's businessman friend Mr Chen, who brought us to our 11th storey rooms in the Shandong Taishan Huaqiao Hotel. Time for a quick nap and then breakfast before heading off to the summit of Taishan mountain - 6600 steps above the plain.
There's a whole village at the top of the mountain, dedicated equally to the Azure Cloud Goddess, and to feeding and fleecing the thousands and thousands of Confucian and Buddhist pilgrims who make the climb, particularly on National Day. Busiest mountain top I've seen, with by far the worst-smelling toilets ever (like being inside an over-ripe Camembert) - but great views, great air (mostly!) - and it made a change to be chilly!
(And this is how we really got up the mountain:)
1 comment:
Fantastic pictures - it looks amazing. Did you feel queasy on the way up? I love the coat, Mark! Lot sof love to you all, Mum/Jo xxxx
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