Tongtian Street ("Reach the Sky Street") is the long, lively avenue that runs from Dai Temple north to the base of Mount Tai. Originally the ceremonial route that emperors took to begin the pilgrimage, it has become a more workaday strip of restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels, and noodle stands serving climbers on their way up or down.
The northern end, where the road meets the gates of the mountain, is the most concentrated — cheap food, walking sticks for hire, vendors selling roasted chestnuts and candied haws. It is the easiest place in the city to eat well after a long descent, when you want something hot and salty and don't care about ambience.