The Fanshan Sacrifice Ceremony (中华泰山·封禅大典) is a grand-scale live performance conceived by Mei Shuaiyuan. Drawing inspiration from the cultural heritage of Mount Tai, the performance revolves around the historical backdrop of emperors from the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties conducting the ritualistic ascent and sacrifice at Mount Tai. At its core, the ceremony embodies the reverence of the Chinese people towards heaven and earth, and the concept of unity between heaven and humanity. The entire performance lasts approximately 80 minutes, characterized by its solemnity, grandeur, richness, and artistic depth.
The Fanshan Sacrifice Ceremony historically served as a political spectacle where emperors showcased their illustrious achievements. Legend holds that before recorded history, 72 emperors performed the Fanshan ritual at Mount Tai, though only 12 emperors from the Qin Dynasty onwards are officially recorded. These rituals on Mount Tai became the stage for many poignant and intriguing tales of imperial valor and virtue.
The venue for the performance is situated at the eastern foot of Mount Tai, in the area west of Aiwa Village, Dajinkou Township, Taian City (currently the Tianzhu Peak Scenic Area entrance of Mount Tai). The main stage resembles a colossal Fanshan altar, harmonizing with the surrounding natural landscape of mountains and forests under the illumination of carefully orchestrated lighting. Throughout the performance, the stage and expansive LED screens sequentially depict scenes ranging from ancient chaos and the military might of the Qin Dynasty, to the Confucian elegance of the Han Dynasty, the cultural zenith of the Tang Dynasty, the artistic sentiments of the Northern Song Dynasty, and the ethnic amalgamation of the Qing Dynasty. Modern sound and light technologies amplify the audience’s experience, offering a limitless realm of imagination.
The portrayal involves 500 performers, synchronizing with the seasonal changes of Mount Tai across spring, summer, autumn, and winter, culminating in a symphonic celebration of Mount Tai’s grandeur and historical significance. The Fanshan Sacrifice Ceremony not only celebrates the cultural heritage of Mount Tai but also brings to life the enduring spirit of ancient Chinese imperial rituals in a spectacular and evocative presentation.
Basic Information
| Length of Performance | 80 minutes |
| Ticket Price | Area Tianzhu: 999 RMB Area A: 398 RMB Area B: 258 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 19.30 – 20.50 (30th March – 30th April and 2th October – 15th November) 20.00 – 21.20 (1st May – 30th September) Closed during other times |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0538-8580000 0086-0538-5882088 |
Location and Transportation
The Fanshan Sacrifice Ceremony performance takes place at 22 Hongmen Road, Daizongfang, Taishan District, Taian City, Shandong Province. To get there, you can take bus 19 and get off at Tianzhu Peak Scenic Area Stop (天柱峰景区).