Riguan Peak (Sunrise Peak)
日观峰
The classic sunrise-viewing spot on Mount Tai. A rock slab juts out over the cliff toward the east, and before dawn crowds of climbers wrapped in army greatcoats wait for the 'rising sun'.
Riguan Peak lies southeast of Jade Emperor Peak, at the end of Tianjie, at about 1,540 metres above sea level. It takes its name from being the best place to watch the sunrise. The boulder projecting from the summit, Gongbei Rock (also called the Sea-Probing Rock), points northeast and is the iconic image of Mount Tai's sunrise. The ultimate goal of the night climb is to greet the 'rising sun' here, the foremost of the Four Great Wonders of Mount Tai. On clear days, the sun can be seen rising from the clouds or from the horizon of the Qilu Plain, and lucky visitors may even glimpse the sea horizon toward the Yellow Sea. Sunrise tips: check the sunrise time for the day in advance and arrive at least 40–60 minutes early to secure a spot. The area around Gongbei Rock and the sunrise gallery is the most crowded, but you can also watch from nearby Zhanlu Terrace or the cliff edge east of Jade Emperor Peak. The summit is chilly before dawn, about 10°C in summer and close to 0°C in spring and autumn. Rent an army greatcoat (about 30 yuan, returned after sunrise) or bring a down jacket. After sunrise, shops on Tianjie open and you can have breakfast. Beside Riguan Peak are summit lodgings such as the Riguan Peak Guesthouse. Booking a room in advance means you don't have to climb in the dark, since it's only a few minutes' walk to the peak before dawn. Getting there: about a 20-minute walk from the South Heaven Gate, or about 10 minutes from Jade Emperor Peak. Admission is included in the Mount Tai ticket. Note that the sunrise isn't visible every day, and cloudy or foggy weather is common. In summer, the clear mornings after rain give the best chance of a sea of clouds at sunrise. The summit rocks are slippery and crowded, so don't climb over the railings. After watching the sunrise, don't rush down, since the summit is quietest in the morning.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Bixia Temple
- Jade Emperor Peak (Taishan Summit)
- Tianjie (Heavenly Street)
- Eighteen Bends & South Heaven Gate
- Houshiwu Scenic Area
- Yunbu Bridge & Five Senior Official Pine
- Mount Tai Fengshan Ceremony Show
- Tianzhu Peak Scenic Area