Planning a Trip

Getting There

The nearest major airport to Tai Shan is at Ji'nan, 66km (40 miles) south. From the Tai'an railway station (tel. 0538/219-6222) located just west of the center of town, trains run to Beijing (7 hr.), Ji'nan (1 hr.), Shanghai (11 hr.), and Qingdao (6 hr.). There are also frequent buses to Ji'nan (every 30 min. 6am-5:30pm; 1 hr. 10 min.; ¥17-¥18/$2.20-$2.35/£1.10-£1.20) and Qufu (every 30 min. 6am-6:30pm; 1 hr. 10 min.; ¥20/$2.60/£1.30) that depart from the square in front of the railway station. From the Tai'an long-distance bus station (changtu qichezhan; tel. 0538/833-2656) in the western part of town on Dongyue Dajie Xishou, buses run to Beijing (8:40am and 2:50pm; ¥130/$17/£8.45; 5 hr.), Shanghai (5:30am and 8am; ¥200/$26/£13; 12 hr.), and Ji'nan (every 30 min. 6:15am-6:30pm; ¥17-¥21/$2.20-$2.75/£1.10-£1.40; 1 hr.).

Getting Around

Taxis are plentiful in town and charge ¥5 (65¢/30p) for 2km (1 1/4 miles), then ¥1.50 (20¢/10p) per kilometer. From 10pm to 5am, the price rises to ¥5.80 (75¢/40p) for 2km (1 1/4 miles), then ¥1.70 (20¢/10p) per kilometer. Bus no. 3 (¥1/15¢/10p) runs from the railway station to Dazhong Qiao and also into town and up Hongmen Lu to the main entrance of Tai Shan.

Tours and Guides

CITS, at Hu Shan Lu 158 (tel. 0538/826-2456), can arrange private guided tours of Tai Shan for around ¥700 ($91/£46), including transportation, English-speaking guide, entrance fees, and lunch. They can also arrange accommodations and book tickets.

Visitor Information

The Tai'an Tourism Information Centre, located just outside the railway station to the right as you exit (tel. 0538/688-7358; www.sdta.cn), can answer questions and direct travelers to hotels, sights, and travel agencies.

Fast Facts

Banks, Foreign Exchange and ATMs -- The Bank of China is located at Dongyue Dajie 48. Foreign exchange is available Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and 1:30 to 6pm. There is an ATM here.

Internet Access -- There are Internet cafes along Hongmen Lu north of Daizong Dajie. Most are open 24 hours and charge ¥2 to ¥3 (25¢-40¢/15p-20p) per hour.

Post Office -- The main post office (8am-5:30pm) is at Dongyue Dajie 5.

Visa Extensions -- The Gonganju (PSB) is in the eastern part of town at Dongyue Dajie Dongshou (tel. 0538/827-5264; open Mon-Fri 8am-noon and 1-4:30pm). Allow 5 business days. Take a taxi or catch bus no. 4.