Dai temple locates at the south foot of Mount Taishan and in the center of Tai’an City, it is also called Dongyue (mountain in the east) Temple, Taiyue(supreme mountain) Temple, Daiyue(revered mountain) Temple and is called Tai Temple by common civilian. Dai Temple is the main place to hold worship ceremony. There are 186 rooms established in ancient time or archaized in neoteric time. There are 186 antiques and antique-imitational buildings, 184 steles, 48 Stones of Han Dynasty, 212 ancient cypresses and oriental arborvitaes, 292 kinds of ornamental plants in this temple. In 1988 it is regarded as Historical and Cultural Relics under State Protection.

Dai Temple, anterior time known as Dongyue Temple, also known as Tai temple, which is place for enshrining God of Mount Taishan, and also the place for living and holding worship ceremonies when ancient emperors come to Mount Taishan to hold monarchal sacrifice ceremony. Dai Temple has a long history, according to historical data of the ex-dynasty Han (BC.206-AD.9), which was constituted after the Qin (BC.771-BC.207) dynasty, and finished during the Han dynasty. Unfortunately part of the building was destroyed during the Jin (1115-1234) dynasty, but they are extended in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368); and destroyed again in the Ming Dynasty (1364-1683). During the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) it was repaired and expanded once again, gradually to be a large-scale buildings.

Tiankuang Dian (Hall of Heavenly Blessing) is the principle part of Dai Temple and one of three most famous palace-style constructions. Dai Temple is concentration of cultural relics. Not only oblations, offerings, and crafts were preserved here, but also archaeological finds and the revolutionary cultural relic which glitter with the flame of the Chinese civilization, and a large number of books about Mount Taishan and Taoism were also found here. Especially, there are 184 ancient steles and 48 painted stones of the Han Dynasty, which is the third stone stele forest of China after Xi’an and Qufu. Dai Temple is also a classical garden that could be a feast for the eyes, kinds of cypresses, high ginkgoes, exquisite bonsais, various flowers, together with the elegant kiosk, buildings, and pavilions, all of these make a marvelous drawing for tourists.

As a whole, Lofty Dai temple is museum of ancient art that melts buildings, gardening, sculptures, drawings and Chinese traditions together.

Ticket price:
RMB20.00 / person.

Tour time:
2 hours.