The Taishan Mountain Management Bureau plans to construct a water system at the scenic site to add to its charm.

Upon completion of the project, visitors climbing the mountain will have clean streams and water falls accompanying them on their way to the top.

Taking advantage of the mountain's major streams, such as the Huangxihe Stream, the Taohuayu Stream and the Shuxihe Stream, new sightseeing facilities will be built and reservoirs will be renovated along the streams.

Several reservoirs have already been built along these streams over the past few decades.

The first stage of the project, including the renovation of the Huangxihe Reservoir, the building of Tianwaicun Park and consolidation of the Caojiazhuang Reservoir, will be completed this year.

The most remarkable part of this year's project might be the construction of the Tianwaicun Park and the Baiyangfang Tourism Base.

The Tianwaicun Park is located at the west entrance to Taishan Mountain, with an area of 5.3 square hectares.

Total investment in the park will reach 9.42 million yuan (US$1.16 million).

A river that was damaged in the past will be restored to its original appearance and illegal buildings that have harmed the scenery will be completely torn down.

Paths will be built in the park with elegant waterside pavilions for the tourists to enjoy the water views.

Tourists will also be able to enjoy the scenery of a man-made waterfall.

Tree planting has been of great importance during the park's construction, with planners aiming to ensure it becomes an "evergreen park."

Upon completion of the project in October, the park will have a greenbelt of 50,000 square metres. Tourists will be able to see flowers in spring, waterfalls in summer, yellow leaves in autumn and green bamboo in winter.

At the same time, illumination equipment will be installed in the park to create a fascinating view at night.

To make the park more convenient and attractive to tourists, an investment of 9.6 million yuan (US$1.19 million) will be put into construction of a "tourism base" in the neighbouring Baiyangfang area.

The tourism base will have four functional areas: one growing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, one selling food and drink, one offering Chinese tea cultural performances and one selling tourist goods.

The project will make the travelling route between the Tianwaicun Park and Zhongtianmen (or the Central Heavenly Gate) the best route to capture Taishan Mountain's beauty.

Reservoirs

Besides Tianwaicun Park, this year's project includes the renovation of two reservoirs in the mountain.

The Huangxihe Reservoir, 660 metres above sea level, is the highest reservoir in the scenic spot and is pivotal to the mountain's water supply system.

It was situated at the upper reaches of the Huangxihe Stream, southwest of Zhongtianmen.

The present reservoir, built in 1989, has some hidden safety problems such as an obstructed flood discharge channel and loose banks.

More than 8 million yuan (US$988,000) will be invested this year to rebuild the reservoir, making it safer and more beautiful. Bridges, pavilions and pebble paths will also be built to give visitors more space to enjoy the water scenery.

Another reservoir to be repaired is the Caojiazhuang Reservoir located at the west foot of Taishan Mountain.

The renovation of the reservoir built in 1974 and the creation of new sightseeing facilities will cost more than 5 million yuan (US$617,000).

Profile

Long regarded as one of China's most famous mountains and a symbol of the Chinese spirit, the Taishan Mountain set a new record for the number of tourists in 2005, by receiving more than 10 million visitors from home and abroad.

With the main peak standing 1,545 metres above sea level and having a sharp relative altitude of nearly 1,400 metres, the Taishan Mountain looks especially lofty and imposing from the mountain foot, like a giant pillar standing on the North China Plain.

Because of its splendid landscape and profound cultural deposits, Taishan Mountain was included in the list of the World's Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1987.

Because of its tremendous value to geological research, Taishan Mountain was approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources to be a National Geopark in September last year.

Taishan Mountain was named during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). In ancient times, Taishan Mountain was regarded as head of the "Five Sacred Mountains" and was worshiped by emperors of every feudal dynasty.

(China Daily July 21, 2006)