# Midway Gate to South Heavenly Gate Scenic Area (中天门至南天门景区)

Mount Tai, Shandong Province · East China, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/midway-gate-to-south-heavenly-gate-scenic-area
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥5 for the summit Bixia Temple; Puzhao Temple and Wangmu Pool are free
- **Opening hours:** Midway Gate to Heaven is open all day; South Gate to Heaven is open all day
- **Time needed:** 2-3 hours
- **Address:** Inside Mount Tai Scenic Area, Taishan District, Tai'an, Shandong Province
- **Getting there:** Tourist buses from Mount Tai Railway Station (泰山火车站), Tianwai Village (天外村), Hongmen and other locations run directly to Middle Heavenly Gate. From there, take the cable car straight up to South Heavenly Gate, a trip of just 7 minutes.
- **Good for:** Hiking & Outdoors, Nature

## About Midway Gate to South Heavenly Gate Scenic Area

The most important part of this stretch is the treacherous Eighteen Stairs of Mount Tai. Eighteen Stairs is the most perilous section of the mountain's climbing path, with over 1,600 stone steps, and it is one of Mount Tai's main landmarks. Although a cable car runs from Middle Heavenly Gate to the summit, skipping this section means missing much of the joy of climbing Mount Tai.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1346. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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