Tears and trembling legs as people climb 6,600 steps at China's Mount Tai. Viral video

Many are seen crying out in pain and exhaustion from climbing the mountain. (Images: screengrab from video @roaneatan/X)

Embarking on the journey up Mount Tai, also known as Taishan, is a venture laden with anticipation and trepidation. A recent viral video has thrust Mount Tai's formidable staircase into the spotlight, showcasing the aftereffects on people who dare to ascend its heights.

With legs trembling and spirits tested, climbers navigate the labyrinthine steps, confronting both physical exhaustion and the allure of the mountain's mystique - the most famous and sacred of the country.

In the footage, viewers witness a procession of determined individuals, their ascent punctuated by moments of struggle and triumph. Armed with sticks for support, climbers press onward, even as their legs and bodies shake and jiggle with every step.

The video also shows one person being carried down on a stretcher. Many are seen crying out in pain and exhaustion from climbing the 6,600 steps of the mountain.

pic.twitter.com/DY7xwj18iy

— (@roaneatan) April 17, 2024

“The problem is when you reach 7190 then you fall and they take you down where you started. Unbelievable,” one user wrote. A second said: “I can imagine what it takes to reach the top. You will always regret embarking on such an adventure.”

Mount Tai holds a profound place in China's cultural and spiritual landscape. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has been revered for millennia as a sacred pilgrimage destination, drawing devotees from far and wide.