Shen Qi Hotel

Considering its location on the summit of Mount Tai, this hotel offers a pretty good environment. The room was quite warm, and the hot water supply was stable. The buffet dinner was reasonably varied and offered good value for money. They also provide a wake-up service for sunrise viewing in the morning, with a guide leading guests to a great spot, so you don't have to worry about a thing. Being the closest hotel to the summit, it's a true savior not having to wake up super early and trek a long way just to catch the sunrise.

The facilities are excellent. Although it's on the mountaintop, it completely outshines all the hotels at Nantianmen, including Yun Chao Hotel. Yun Chao's 1999 "quadrangle courtyard" rooms are tiny, with only a 1.5-meter bed and outdated facilities. If Shen Qi hadn't been fully booked on New Year's Day, I would have definitely stayed there for my entire trip. The hotel's facilities are new and well-equipped, and the TV even comes with an iQIYI subscription, which is a huge bonus! In the morning, staff will knock on your door to notify you about the sunrise viewing. They take you to a spot below the meteorological station, so you don't have to deal with crowds or wake up too early. It's just a 10-minute walk and very convenient.

Staying in a capsule, I was quick and grabbed one of the two bunks available. It was my first time, and it felt really novel. It came with charging ports inside, definitely a step up from a regular dorm bed. They even offered a wake-up service for sunrise viewing. So, if you don't want to hike all night but still want to catch the sunrise, I'd recommend staying here for a night!