Trees envelop the top of Taishan Mountain in Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo by Chen Aiguo/For China Daily]

Tai'an, named after Taishan Mountain, embodies the beautiful vision of "national stability and people's peace". The mountain's main peak towers to the north of Tai'an, giving rise to a diverse and fascinating culture, while also giving the city's inhabitants the courage to scale new heights.

At the summit of Taishan Mountain, the ancient stone carvings proclaim its status as the most preeminent among China's five sacred mountains, attracting crowds of visitors. It stands out due to its deep cultural roots, stretching back to prehistoric times.

In 1959, archaeologists unearthed exquisite colored pottery, delicate black pottery high-handled cups as thin as eggshells, and red pottery animal-shaped pots from the Dawenkou site, shocking the academic world with discoveries dating back approximately 6,000 years.

Over the following decades, about 10,000 artifacts including pottery, jade objects, and bone carvings were unearthed at the Dawenkou site, shedding light on the complex prehistoric society in the Haidai region, centered in today's Shandong province, and its interactions with the Yangshao, Liangzhu, and Hongshan cultures.

Today, echoes of history resonate throughout the city: the Daimiao Temple stands majestically at the city center, as one of China's ancient four major architectural complexes, where rituals and music have circulated for millennia. The Daicun Dam on the Dongping Lake shore diverts the Wenhe River to nourish the Grand Canal, which continues to flow vigorously.

"The spirit of Taishan Mountain endures in its cultural heritage, flourishes in innovation, and provides cultural nourishment for the city," said Zhou Ying, vice-president of the Taishan Mountain Cultural Association.