//
Just because you have gone to Five Plateau ‘Mountain’ (五台山 Wǔtái Shān) doesn’t mean that you have to see all five plateaus - although many people do. Each plateau has a Buddhist monastery. Many minibuses leave each day from the foot of Dàiluó Peak in the centre of Táihuái village to tour all five plateaus in succession, fewer minibuses just visit one plateau. It takes about eight and a half hours to go around all five plateaus with 30 minutes stop at each plateau and a 40-minute break for lunch. For some people that is a lot of time in a minibus, on bumpy roads near the plateaus and not much time actually spent there.
Seeing all five plateaus, you might see the Central, West and South plateaus in the morning. The North and East plateaus are more desolate/rocky. Likely to be windier, wetter, and colder. The North peak is the highest point in northern China (3058 m) and you may notice the thinness of the air when climbing the temple steps - but not to the extent of getting altitude sickness.
In theory you can choose to see only one plateau - but the minibus company at the foot of Dàiluó Peak likes to have at least 6 customers for each minibus (in a minibus designed for 15). Visiting one plateau not just saves you money: if you arrange it correctly you should be able to have more ‘plateau time’ and less ‘minibus time’ which could make you day much more enjoyable. Individual plateaus (by minibus) around ¥60-80 per person, but taxi drivers may be able to offer a deal (for a taxi). The South (南) plateau is the lowest altitude (2474 m), the greenest, (some forest en route, mushrooms?), and might be the nicest one to visit if you only see one. The weather is likely to be slightly milder - better for a picnic or a short ramble. Maybe you could stop at Jīngé Temple (金阁寺 Jīngé Sì) en-route. At the Central or Western plateaus you might see more wild flowers.
The plateau monasteries are not equipped to supply food to tourists - suggest you stock up at the start point on snacks. Toilets at the monasteries are Chinese old-style, communal, outdoor squat, dirty and stink. In theory you can trek to each plateau and, it is rumored, by doing this earn the right to stay overnight - but facilities are basic - there are no maps or guides.
For the record: east is Wanghai Peak (Peak Overlooking the Sea), west is Guayue Peak (Hanging Moon Peak), south is Jinxiu Peak (Splendor Peak), with Nantai Temple at its summit, north is Yedou Peak (Peak of Flourishing Leaves) and central is Cuiyan Peak (Peak of Green Rocks).