There are about 7,000 steps to the top of Mount Taishan. [Photo by Yunus Kemp / For China Daily]

Mount Taishan, the most popular sacred mountain in China, has become one of 38 sites to be listed on the first batch of "China's Forest Oxygen Bars" after being scrutinized by an expert panel.

The event, "Seeking China's Forest Oxygen Bars", initiated by the Chinese-language magazine Forest & Humankind, aims to recommend forest oxygen bars to tourists as places are suitable for people to breathe fresh air and boost their health.

Experts have made assessments on selected national forest parks, wetland parks and natural reserves after examining health factors such as negative oxygen ions, air particles and bacteria in the air.

At Mount Taishan, the concentration of negative oxygen ions averages 6,000/cm³ annually, with the transient peak hitting as much as 207,000/cm³, while the annual average concentration of PM2.5 stands at 15ug/m³. Bacteria in the air average 212cfu/m³, and fall to as low as 21cfu/m³in areas with especially fresh air.

Mount Taishan, located in Tai'an, East China's Shandong province, is one of the most highly biodiversity-rich regions in China. It has a forest and vegetation coverage standing at 95.8 percent and 97 percent, respectively.

The expert assessment results will soon be officially published.