THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF TAISHAN

Taishan is one of the Five Famous Mountains in China. It lies on the central part of the Shantung Province, which in the past was the states of Chee and Loo.

(1) Tsinan

Tsinan, situated at the foot of Taishan, is a famous city with a very long history・ Its history can be dated back to Emperor Shun・ For 2000 years, it has been well-known for its iron-smelting, silk and the beauty of gardens・

Tsinan is also a city of springs. The number of springs exceeds one hundred, and the most well-known four are: Pearl Spring, which spouts pearl-like bubbles; Gold Coin Spring, which spouts bubbles like a string of gold coins; Black Tiger Spring, which makes a roaring noise; Leaping Spring, which bursts put- water like a geyser. The last one, according to acientifec analysis, has the purest spring water in the world, and thus gains the name of "The No. 1 Fountain of The World”・

Tai-ming Lake, which grows plenty of water-lilies, is also a scenic spot of Tsinan. The lake, with willow trees on its bank and the Thousand Buddhas Hills not far away, presents a very beautiful view.

(2) Ting-tao

Tsing-tao is a sea port, a city of gardens and a famous summer resort. A stroll along the sea shore will make one as lively as sea waves. In this city, there is a locomotive factory built about ten years ago.

(3) Ten-tai

Yen-tai, in the north of Shantung Province, is a centre of fishery-. Sometimes hundreds of fishing boats anchor here, and their masts look like forests. Shrimps caught from nearby waters are shipped to all parts of the world. Yen-tai is also well-known for its peaches, apples, pears and wines・

(4) Chu-fu and Tai-an

Two of the three biggest ancient temples of China, are in Shantung Province, namely, the Confucian Temple, in Chu fu and the Tai Temple in Tai-an.

Chu-fu is an old city・ it was the country-place of Confucius・ The Confucian Temple occupies the greater part of the city. Within the forests of cypress trees, there are seven halls・ Pavillions and gates line up on a broadway of two miles long・ These structures represent China's fine ancient architecture・

Tai Temple is at the foot of Taishan. It is so big that it occupies one quarter of the area of the city of Tai-an. It was the temple of the God of Taishan. Emperors of every dynasty came here to make offerings・ The temple has now been completely renovated ・

(5) Taishan

Going up from the Tai Temple to the peak of Taishan, there are more than a thousand stone steps for visitors to climb. In the middle of the way, the Five Old Pine Trees which were said to have sheltered Shih Huang Ti of Chin Dynasty are still growing. From the South Heaven Gate up, are the Blue Cloud Temple, the Stone Tablet of Chin Dynasty and the Jade Emperor's Head, which is the summit of Taishan.

To see the sunrise from the summit of Taishan has been evry popular for centuries・