1. The food in Taihuai Town is on the salty side. The town is known for its potatoes, so be sure to order a potato dish. In restaurants, you're able to bargain a little off menu prices. However, all bargaining should be done when ordering - and not after your food has arrived.

2. Getting to any one of the five terraces from Taihuai Town by taxi will cost 100 RMB. You can join a tour group (check with a local tourist agency) and see all five terraces in one day for 165 RMB.

3. The non-stop bus route between Taihuai Town and Beijing is currently out of service due to road construction. Visitors to Taihuai Town must currently make a detour through the city of Taiyuan or Datong. You can also get to Taihuai Town by taking a train to Shahe. From the Shahe Railway Station take a bus to Taihuai Town. Train No. N202 arrives at Shahe from Beijing at about 10pm. Train No. 7096 departs from Shahe at 1pm (21 RMB / seat), and arrives at Beijing South Station at around 9:30pm.

4. Getting your fortune told in the temples is not recommended.

5. The cleanest bathroom in Taihuai Town can be found in Xiantong Temple, a state-protected cultural site.

6. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun.

7. To view the sunrise from the East Terrace, start your trip no later than 3:30pm. It takes 40 minutes by car to reach the top under favorable road conditions.

8. You may borrow a coat from the monks on the East Terrace for free. It is very cold up there before sunrise.

9. Souvenirs of the best quality and with the most reasonable prices can be found at the tops of the terraces.

10. It's best to carry an umbrella with you, as the weather on Wutaishan can change quickly.

11. In summer, the best order to see the terraces in is: East-South-Central-West-North.

12. There are no car rental companies in Taihuai Town.

Editor: Li Jing, Peng Ran