TaiShan is located in the centre of Shandong Province, north of Taian City , and is considered by the Chinese to be one of the nation's five "holiest" mountains. This is also one of the most interesting mountains in terms of history; long the haunt of emperors who took pride in surveying their vast empires from the summit here. The numerous temples and pavilions dotted about the slopes here are testament to this royal patronage.