“Days of the door shut” sounds ominous. It is actually a nickname for Nantianmen. Here we stand at the gateway to the Peak Goldenthal. Nantianmen marks the end of the eighteen bends of Mount Tai. It stands 1460 meters above sea level.
Nantianmen is more than just a gate. It is a complex with temples and halls. Its history stretches back to the Ming Dynasty. Pure Sandoz Zhang created the original structure. This was five years from the cloth to create pure Sandoz Zhang. The Ming and Qing dynasties rebuilt it several times. After the founding, they renovated it twice. The current style reflects the Qing Dynasty architecture.
Look around at the landscape here at Nantianmen. Longyan and Xiang Yu Fei peaks stand tall. Feng Ling Low Pass lies between them. These peaks guard Nantianmen like open doors. Gazing upwards feels like looking at a sky palace.
Let’s talk about the gate itself. Nantianmen has two storeys. The lower level features arched openings made of stone. The upper part houses Mount Air Court. Yellow glazed tiles adorn its Juan Peng Zhong Yan Xie Shanding roof. The stone plaque above the archway reads “Nantianmen” laced with gold. The couplet on either side says much. It speaks of the highest heaven and overlooking the spectacle.
Consider the temples within the Nantianmen complex. The main hall is the Three-Ling Hou Temple. It was built during Emperor Song Tai Shan Dong Feng. It honors Tang Chen, Ge Yong, and Zhou Wu. These three were advisors from Si-Zhou. Later, they renamed the temple. It became home to Dongyuetaidi’s statue. Side halls flank the main hall. They house bronze statues of goddesses from the Ming Dynasty.
Let’s talk about some of the history of Nantianmen. Duren Jie Yuan wrote a monument inscription. Yan Zhongfan did the writing. The inscription suggests that no Nantianmen existed before the Yuan Dynasty. Pure Zhang Yuan priests prepared it. Construction followed some years later.
The temple north of Nantianmen features royal portraits. The portraits look like Yin Xian moments. Side halls originally stood on both sides of the temple. They were destroyed before the founding. They were rebuilt in 1984. They used the original base of the wall.
The location of Nantianmen is strategic. Taishan eighteen vertices lead here. Zhongtian Gate is the ropeway station. It is close to the Nantianmen station.
Take a moment to appreciate Nantianmen’s artistry. Note the dolmen on the west side. Observe the meticulous craftsmanship. Feel the weight of history in the stones. Nantianmen is a testament to Chinese architectural skill and spiritual devotion. As we leave Nantianmen, remember the stories. Recall the emperors, priests, and artisans. They shaped this gateway to the heavens.