tianmen mountain trip

• January 6, 2019
• Travel China

China is home to many beautiful vistas, Tianmen Mountain is a must-see for first-time visitors! This article is to detail all you need to know to visit, how to get to Tianmen Mountain, as well as cost and overall experience of what to expect. Hopefully, by the end of this post, this immensely popular tourist attraction will be high on your list of things to see and do in China!

Read on for the most comprehensive guide to creating the perfect Tianmen Mountain itinerary!

Note: The link below is an affiliate link. If you purchase anything from these links, you will get the same great price and also help support this site. Please, contact me if you have any questions at all.

Background and history of Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain lies just outside the city of Zhangjiajie, in China’s Hunan Province. At its highest elevation, this giant reaches 1518m (4980 feet). During the Tang Dynasty, a monastery was built at the summit. After crossing a long suspension bridge, Tianmen Mountain Temple appeared.

Tianmen Mountain has been revered to as “the soul of Zhangjiajie”, and from spending just a few hours around this unbelievably beautiful natural wonder, it’s easy to see why it’s gained so much fame.

The journey up to Tianmen Mountain is also a fascinating one in itself. Not only are the natural sights spectacular, but the mountain is also home to a man-made feat of engineering.

At 7455 meters long, a 30min cable car ride with a difference in height of 1279m from start to finish brings you overtop of the city of Zhangjiajie. Over the lush green valley and small villages, and finally, all the way up to the top of the mountainside, giving you stunning views in every direction.

If you have some time to spend around Zhangjiajie, the National Forest Park is also a must-see!

How do I get to Tianmen Mountain?

As I mentioned above, Tianmen Mountain sits just outside the Chinese city of Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie itself is a well-connected city, by train, both overnight and throughout the daytime, and also a vast bus network exists to surrounding areas . You will need to make your way to Zhangjiajie before Tianmen Mountain is accessible.

To reach the summit of this mountain, you can one of two routes. From the city of Zhangjiajie, you can take the longest “high mountain cable car” in the world to the peak of Tianmen Mountain. The views ascending into the clouds are unbelievable. You can also get a great view of Tianmen Cave above all the other tourists – you want to sit on the left-hand side for the best view of Tianmen Cave on the way up.

The alternative is a windy road – which you also get a great view of from the cable car. The road is aptly named the “Heaven-linking Avenue”, or “99 bend road” and is a unique view that snakes it’s way up the mountainside. As the name suggests, there are 99 sharp curves i n the 10km stretch of road heading to Heaven’s Door.

There are two buses that link up to take passengers to the beginning of the 999 step path, “ Stairway to Heaven”. These steep marble stairs lead up to the 131-meter hole in the cliffside, known as Tianmen Cave, or “Heavens Door”.

Both these modes of transit to the summit are included in the cost of entrance to Tianmen Mountain. You can go up via cable car, and come back down by the buses (the way I visited Tianmen mountain). O r, you can do it vice versa, or you can take either the buses or cable car up and down. It’s totally up to you and doesn’t increase the ticket cost in any way.

To walk from the cable car station and meet up with the buses, you will have to catch 6 escalators built into a covered walkway (also included in the ticket price) and then walk down the 999 steps. So if mobility is an issue, taking the cable car or buses both ways is the best way to access this unforgettable dis play of natural beauty.

How much does Tianmen Mountain cost to visit?

Visiting Tianmen Mountain isn’t a cheap day if you’re a budget traveler like myself, but it is very much worth it. The full day price is 258 Yuan ($36 USD). If you’re a student, bringing your student card should get you a massive 50% discount!

You pay at the bottom of the cable car station in the city of Zhangjiajie. Everything is included in this price, the cable cars, buses and escalators – the only thing not included in this cost is the glass walkway paths.

It’s worth noting – these glass bottom paths can be quite dirty apparently. Just beware of the conditions before you opt to pay the extra amount for questionable visibility.

What are the best features of Tianmen Mountain?

Tianmen Mountain is full of amazing sights. With kilometers of paths at the top of the mountain, this includes cliffside and even glass walkways that literally overhang the edge of these cliffs. You must pay extra for each of the glass pathways. One of the most popular glass cliff walkways is “Coiling Dragon cliff” and was opened in August 2016.

There are stunning views from all around the pathways. If you cross the large suspension bridge you can make your way to a viewpoint to see “Guigu Cave”, a large square cut out of the mountainside that you would assume to be manmade. It is, in fact, natural, pretty neat.

My personal favorite was facing away from the city of Zhangjiajie. M eaning less smog covering the horizon, “Love between Trees and Rocks” trail was stunning. With less smog, much more definition of the landscape was visible and made for a much better view.

It’s also incredible to witness nature and it’s toughness, it’s amazing how trees can just push through rock and grow into large structures just hanging at an angle from the side of a cliff.

If you’re searching for a place to sneak away from the crowds, “Yu Hu Peak” was much less busy than many other viewpoints and sections of trails I walked, especially as the morning progressed . This is compared to insanely busy spots like “Fairy Springs” and “Turbulent Waters”. (I’m sure their unusual names have some sort of underlying meaning). Don’t get me wrong, these viewpoints were great too, but it does get tiresome competing for the limited viewing spaces around the cliff edge.

“ Fairy Peak” is the highest viewpoint in all of Tianmen Mountain and honestly, it was slightly disappointing. I was expecting grandeur and amazement. There was too much smog for any awe-inspiring views here – on a clear day it may be different!

There is a small cafeteria in the building here if you didn’t bring any snacks along with you.

Heading from Tianmen Mountain to “heavens door”, or Tianmen Cave involves the “Trans Mountain Escalators”. There are 6 separate escalators, each at around 100 meters long.

Once at Tianmen Cave, you can take in the immense size of this opening in the otherwise sheer cliff face. At 131.5m tall and 30m wide, it is pretty incredible and a unique natural sight to behold .

On September 25 th , 2011, Jeb Corliss glided through this opening in a wingsuit. Two years later, on October 2013, Viktor Kovats lost his life when his parachute failed to open. These wing suit daredevils put into perspective just how large Tianmen Cave is.

Lots of other adrenaline sports have occurred here as well, flying anything from planes to wingsuits through this karst cave.

Leading down from Tianmen Cave is the ominous 999 step staircase, known as the Stairway to Heaven . This is not wheelchair accessible at all. It’s exhausting. Another thing to note is these stairs are steep and shallow. Make sure you’re watching your footing on each step as this is not a place you want to trip over.

What should I expect from visiting Tianmen Mountain?

Some of the best views in China I had were around Tianmen Mountain. Here are a few other things I noticed while walking around this must-see destination in China.

It gets busy. Incredibly busy. If you can, get there for opening at 7 am. Pay and be first in line. This should allow you to have some unhindered views of the peaks of Tianmen Mountain. Plus, it will give you more time to walk around the cliff paths in relative seclusion or quiet.

There is a lot of smog, at least when I visited there was. I was a bit surprised by this is all honesty, we were so high up! But I’ve learned in China that even when you don’t expect it, this pollution likes to sometimes stick around – it was a pretty big part of culture shock in China for me.

Some days I received text messages on my phone saying the air quality due to smog was at dangerous levels.

If you notice red ribbons around trees, These are weighing ribbons, mostly found in the “Forest of Wishes sections”. People buy these red satin banners, write their wishes on them with black permanent markers and tie them in tree branches. I didn’t buy one, but it was a unique contrast walking through a forest of red ribbons.

The longest “high mountain cable car” ride in the world, and takes around half an hour one way. There’s not much else to do but sit back and soak in the unforgettable peaks surrounding you.

You can always book a guided experience in Tianmen Mountain in China to learn more about the unknown history.

Quick video exploring the ancient Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie

Here are some of the unforgettable sights around Tianmen Mountain, in China’s Hunan Province. If you enjoyed this video, make sure you subscribe to the Youtube channel for plenty more travel videos.

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie City

• For accommodation in the city of Zhangjiajie itself, I stayed at Hostel Geographer – you can book a bed here . Easy walking distance from the train station, cheap, comfortable and very clean. I definitely recommend staying here.

Highlights of Tianmen Mountain

• The views around Tianmen Mountain are unreal
• Taking the cable car was a really fun experience
• Tianmen Cave, or Heaven’s Door, is incredible!

Further China Travel Reading

• There is a strange airport policy in Nanjing
• China has many amazing places to visit
• Travel by train is a great way to get around China

Have you visited Tianmen Mountain? I’d love to hear your experience- both the good and bad – drop me a comment below.

If you thought this post was helpful to create a great Tianmen Mountain Itinerary, I’d love it if you’d give it a share to social media! Just use the buttons over to the left (or down the bottom if you’re a mobile user).

Hi, We will have about half a day in Zhangjiajie City after spending 3.5 days in Wulingyuan, enjoying the park. I am interested in taking the cable car trip you wrote about. Would dedicating four hours be enough time to ride the cable car and fully enjoy the park or does it really require a full day? Thanks!

Hey Lisa, thanks for the comment. I think 4 hours should be enough, but you might have to give up on some of the sights at the top of Tianmen Mountain unless you rush a little. The cable car takes around 30 minutes each way, so that gives you 3 hours to spend at the top. I spent roughly 6 hours all up visiting Tianmen Mountain and I covered most of the sights. You could definitely spend a day up there if you want to visit everything up there.

So yeah, 4 hours is doable in my opinion, just might have to skip over some places if you’re running low on time.

Enjoy your time there! It’s a beautiful part of China!

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Here’s How To Visit Tianmen Mountain and the Amazing Staircase to Heaven, China

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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

To the initiated, the 999 stairs that take one to the top of Tianmen Mountain in China, 5,000 feet above sea level, and on to Tianman Cave, are known as the Stairway To Heaven or, alternatively, Staircase to Heaven. To the uninitiated, the actual stairway has the same 999 stairs where we saw a Range Rover Sport traverse the 45-degree stairwell to the top back in 1998. No matter how you know it, it is one of the most spectacular views on earth.

wonderlustpicstravel / Shutterstock

Tianmen Mountain, The Staircase to Heaven, China

The Stairway To Heaven is located at the top of Tianmen Mountain, 24,500 feet above the city of Zhangjiajie in China ’s Hunan province. The 999 steps lead visitors to Tianmen Cave, which is the world’s highest naturally formed arch, which is also known as the Gateway To Heaven. Here is where you will see the spectacular views and unique mountain formations that have attracted millions of visitors interested in the Chinese culture and the country’s natural wonders.

Travel + Leisure magazine explains the significance of the number of steps : “Nine is a lucky number in Chinese numerology, representing good fortune and eternity. Those who wish to avoid the long Tianmen Mountain cableway can opt to take a bus up a narrow roadway that bends back on itself 99 times.”

The stairs take most visitors about 30 minutes to climb. And while the work is considerable, the reward is worth it. As you ascend, more stunning scenery opens up as you inch closer to Tianmen Cave, where, according to a Chinese legend, “the gods meet the mortal world.”

How To Visit Tianmen Mountain

There are two ways to reach Tianmen Mountain. Neither is for the faint of heart, and both are remarkable in their own way. From Zhangjiajie in southern China’s Hunan province, travelers have the option of taking the longest aerial tramway ride in the world, scaling the 24,500 feet in about 30 minutes.

The final stretch of the long cable car ride is very steep, climbing at a 37-degree angle. Some say it’s the view of a lifetime, featuring beautiful mountain peaks, lush deep forested valleys, and the famed 99 twists and turns that make up the road to Tianmen Mountain.

If the tramway isn’t for you, there is always the Tianmen Winding Mountain Road, which is one of the most unique roads in the world. From Zhangjiajie, you can drive the 7 miles starting at about 656 feet and will climb to 4,265 feet at the top of Tianmen Mountain. And, don’t forget the turns, all 99 of them. The number 99 symbolizes the belief that Heaven has nine palaces. The drive is regarded as one of the most scenic — and perilous.

According to the website Dangerous Roads , “The driver should be extra careful during the drive on this scary road . Taking it slow and paying attention to every curve and turn. Not being overly careful could make it too easy to junk a car, or worse injure and even kill passengers. The scenery looks beautiful, but take your eyes off the road for a second, and you’re on the fast way down to the bottom.”

u_photostock / Shutterstock

What Else Can Visitors Expect While Visiting?

As impressive as the stairs and beauty of Tianmen Mountain are, it’s hard to imagine how anything else in the city could manage to top it. Well, try this on for size: Zhangjiajie is home to the world’s longest and highest glass bridge. The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge spans two deep cliffs, is about 1,400 feet long, and is suspended nearly 1,000 feet above the ground. And get this, they are working on installing a bungee platform in the middle of the bridge. When completed, it will become the world’s highest bungee jump, measuring 886 feet above the ground.

Thaweekeirt / Shutterstock

Know Before You Go

The one thing you need to consider upon visiting Tianmen Mountain is the weather. Try to avoid visiting if fog is in the forecast. Earth Trekkers wrote that visiting during foggy conditions will limit your visibility down to zero. They also say the best time of year to visit is between September and November when the temperatures are pleasant and the weather is mostly dry.

How Many Steps Does It Take To Get To China’s Stairway to Heaven?

After Tianmen Mountain cableway drops them off, visitors must walk up 999 steps to reach the fantastic landmark. Nine is a lucky number in Chinese culture that represents good fortune and eternity.

How Long Does It Take To Climb the Stairway to Heaven in China?

The stairs are a hard and tiresome climb that takes about thirty minutes. And even though the work is considerable, it is worth the reward. On the other hand, it can get crowded at the site, so it’s better to come at less busy hours to find a good place for photos.

Why is Tianmen Cave Famous?

Being 5,000 feet above sea level, Tianmen Cave is the highest naturally formed arch in the world which has given the landmark its famous ‘‘Heaven’s Gate’’ moniker. The stunning views are the reason most people trek up the mountain.

When to Visit Tianmen Mountain?

The best time to visit Tianmen Mountain is spring and fall. Both seasons offer cool weather for climbing. During spring months, you can catch the vibrant plants and misty mountains, while in the fall you can clearly see the bright scenery of the whole mountain.

How Much Time Do Tourists Spend on Tianmen Mountain?

On average, tourists spend four to six hours on Tianmen Mountain. It would be advisable to set up a whole day for exploring Tianmen Mountain properly since it is a physically demanding excursion. 

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Jordan has been married for 23 years and is the father of two children. He is an avid biker and snowboarder. He collects baseball cards, old toys, and tacky salt n’ pepper shakers. He has an incredible and vast knowledge of useless information and is the grandson of a former Cleveland bootlegger.

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Tianmen Mountain

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Tianmen Mountain Cableway: The World’s Longest Cableway

The cableway in Tianmen Mountain is the world's longest at a length of 24,458 feet (7,455 meters). It begins in the City Garden downtown, and ends on the summit. It hangs like a rainbow, and hints of being a dragon in the clouds. The cableway throughput is 1,000 passengers per hour, and it averages 28 minutes per trip. In high season you have to wait in line for hours.  

Heaven-linking Avenue

Heaven-linking Avenue, also known as 99 Bending Road or Big Gate Road, is a most hazardous road. It was built in 1998 with 99 consecutive turnings, and a total length of 6.7 miles (10.77 kilometres) was the road wonder. You can watch it from the cable car. You can also get to the mountaintop by this road with the shuttle bus of Tianmen Mountain scenic area.  

Tianmen Cave: The Portal to the Heaven

The principal attraction on Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Cave is a grand karst cave 431 feet high, 187 feet wide and 197 feet deep spanning under the mountain. Looking from afar, the cave looks like a way up to the heaven, hence the name, Tianmen, meaning Heavenly Door. The cave is shrouded by the year-round dense mists. Sometimes, cloaks of clouds gather at the cave's opening, with the sun glowing through it. , forming magical scenery.  

Tianmen Mountain Temple

Tianmen Mountain Temple, on 5 acres of land, and featured by the overhanging eaves, is the western Hunan regional Buddhism centre. It started building in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and rebuilt in 2002. The temple enshrines one of the five relics of Sakyamuni Buddha in China. From the square in front of the temple, you get a panoramic view of the mountain.  

Glass Skywalk

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How to get to tianmen mountain, ticket price & opening hours.

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Tianmen Mountain - Symbol and Spirit of Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain Facts

Tianmen Mountain is the second national forest park in Zhangjiajie after Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is not only the symbol and soul of Zhangjiajie, but also the most beautiful flower garden in the sky with breathtaking scenery.

Type: National Forest Park, Caves & Caverns, Nature & Parks

Altitude: Average at 1400m, highest at 1518.6m

Best Seasons: Spring / Autumn

Popular Activities: mountain hiking, photography, outdoor adventure

Recommended Visiting Time: about 5 hours

Open Hours: Apr – Oct: 08:00~16:30 / Nov – Mar: 08:30 – 16:00

Tickets: 232 Yuan/person (including the cableway, sightseeing bus)

Address: Dayong Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan

Why Visit Tianmen Mountain?

Tianmen Mountain (天门山), the second national forest in Zhangjiajie, is the symbol and soul of Zhangjiajie. Someone entitle this mountain as the most beautiful flower garden in the sky and the fairlyland in the boundary of heaven. It is worth visiting for the miraculous and unique geographic landform and unparalleled natural landscape, as well as for its profound cultural connotations and famous colorful humanistic site.

It is listed as one of the " 50 worthwhile visiting places for foreign travelers ". In Tianmen Mountain, there are some featured activities for you to experience, like Tianmen Mountain cableway, Glass skywalk, Avenue toward Heaven, Tianmen Cave (Closest Earth Landmark to God), and Cliff-hanging walkway.

Main Scenic Areas of Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain consists of Tianmen Dongkai Scenic Area, Tianjie Foguo Scenic Area, Biye Yaotai Scenic Area and Mixian Qijing Scenic Area.

Tianmen Dongkai Scenic Area (天门洞开)

It is located in the middle and upper part of Tianmen Mountain with an elevation of 1300m. This scenic area includes Tianmen Cave (Heavenly Gate Cave), Ladder to the Heaven, Tianmen Mountain Cableway, Tongtian Avenue (Avenue toward Heaven), etc.

Mixian Qijing Scenic Area (觅仙奇境)

It is located in the west of Tianmen Mountain. This area is the birthplace of Reclusion Culture and Immortal Culture. The sights mainly include Seek Son Cave, Viewing Guigu Cave, Cliff-Hanging Walkway, Glass Skywalk, Lingxiao Platform, etc.

Biye Yaotai Scenic Area (碧野瑶台)

This area has a complete primitive forest. There are more than 20 spots including Divine Spring, Overlook Heavenly Gate, Cherry Bay, etc.

Tianjie Foguo Scenic Area (天界佛国)

This scenic area is the center of Buddhist culture, located in the south of Tianmen Mountain. The most typical sight is Tianmen Mountain Temple.

Experience You Won’t Miss

Experience the longest cableway in the world.

From: Tianmen Cableway Lower Station;

To: Tianmen Cableway Upper Station

(Cableway is also available for getting down from upper to lower station.)

Tianmen Mountain Cableway is the longest one-way recycling passenger cableway in the world, with a total length of 7455 meters and a height gap of 1279 meters .

This longest cableway car takes travelers from the atmosphere of Zhangjiajie city downtown directly to the primitive park in the air. During the about 40 minutes’ journey of the cableway, the landscape changes a lot, making travelers experience a miraculous feeling of flying angels in the sky as well as of being blended into a long grand painting of landscape. Overlooking from the cableway, you can see the 99 turns toward the heaven.

Avenue toward Heaven with 99 Turns

Tongtian Avenue, also called Avenue toward Heaven, has 99 sharp turns of about 180° symbolizing that heaven has nine palaces. It is the wonder of highway in world. The road has a length of 10.77km and its elevation rising from 200meters to 1300 meters. Traveling through Tongtian Avenue by sightseeing bus, travelers can reach directly Tianmen Cave within 25 minutes.

Please Note: the ride is full of sharp turns along the vertical cliffs. For those who easily have carsickness, please take some carsick medicine or choose not to go by bus. And you can view it from the cableway instead.

Experience the Cliff-Hanging Walkway

The Cliff-Hanging Walkway is about 1600m, with an altitude of 1400m. It starts from Yihong Pass to Little Tianmen Gate. This cliff-hanging walkway is very thrilling. It seems that you are walking by the cliff and in the air. The breathtaking Glass Skywalk is part of the Cliff-Hanging Walkway, about 60 meters long. There is a glass platform for travelers shooting amazing photos. If you like, you can stand on the glass platform to appreciate the breathtaking scenery. At the end of the Cliff-Hanging Walkway, travelers can walk through the 160-meter Hanging Bridge.

Breathtaking Glass Walk

The glass skywalk is 60 meters long and 1.6 meters wide, with the highest elevation of 1430m. It is part of Cliff-hanging walking, and is the highest section. Travelers should put on shoe cover to pass through the glass skywalk. The walk is challenging, giving a thrilling feeling like walking in the sky. An unforgettable lifetime experience, isn’t it?

Please note: It will not be so thrilling during foggy days. And it will be closed during the rainy, icy and snowy days. You are advised to check the weather forecast before going to Tianmen Mountain if you want to get the best experience of the glass walkway. For the detailed info, you can also feel free to contact our experienced travel consultants to meet your needs and requirements.

Travel through Tianmen Cave

Tianmen Cave is the natural water-eroded cave, with the highest elevation in the world. It runs south-northward with a height of 131.5 meters, a width of 57 meters and a depth of 60 meters. Tianmen Cave rises above the ground and closes to the sky with a lofty and towering posture. It is much like a door to the heaven. In 1999, the masters of international stunt flying piloted the planes to fly through Tianmen Cave.

Travelers should walk 999 steep and narrow steps to climb the “Ladder to the Heaven” and reach Tianmen Cave and enjoy fantastic scenery from above.

Please Note: the Tongtian Avenue and Tianmen Cave may close during the frozen days in the winter time. For the detailed news, please contact our professional travel consultants beforehand for more weather and transportation information.

▶ 4 Days Zhangjiajie Tour to Yuanjiajie & Tianmen Mountain National Park

Recommended Visiting Route

Route one (less walk, energy and time saving).

Take the 7455-meter cableway to get up Tianmen Mountain; Arrive at Tianmen Mountain cable station (Upper) and choose west route to travel through Mixian Qijing Scenic Area and experience Cliff-Hanging Walkway and Glass Skywalk, visit Tianmen Temple; Take Tianmen Mountain Peak Forest Sightseeing Cable Car from Cherry Bay to Yunmeng Xianding; reach upper escalator Tianmen Mountain to get down Tianmen Cave and visit the door to heaven; get down from Tianmen Cave to the parking lot and take sightseeing bus to experience 99 turns via Tongtian Avenue. (Note: If you don’t want to go 99 turns on bus, travelers can go up from Tianmen Cave by escalator and take cableway to get down.)

Route Two (in-depth hiking route)

Take the 7455-meter cableway to get up Tianmen Mountain; arrive at the upper cable station and choose the west route to visit Mixian Qijing Scenic Area and experience Cliff-Hanging Walkway and Glass Skywalk; visit Tianjie Foguo scenic area to Tianmen Temple; hike on the east route to travel through the primitive forest in Biye Yaotai Scenic Area and visit many sights along the way; get down from upper escalator to Tianmen Cave; visit Tianmen Cave and walk 999 steps to Tianmen Cave parking lot to take sightseeing bus to get down Tianmen Mountain by wandering through Tongtian Avenue with 99 turns. (Note: If you don’t want to go 99 turns on bus, travelers can go up from Tianmen Cave by escalator and take cableway to get down.)

Location & Transportation

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is located in south of Zhangjiajie, 8 kilometers from downtown area. It usually needs about only 5 minutes by local taxi or private car to get to Tianmen Cableway Lower Station to take the cable car up to Tianmen Mountain, and it is also the place to take sightseeing bus up to the mountain scenic area. You can take bus, taxi, private car etc. from airport, train station, and other tourist attractions in Zhangjaijie to get to the lower station. It transfers travelers between Tianmen Cableway Middle Station/Lower Station and Tianmen Cave.

From Zhangjiajie Airport:

About 5km’s driving distance; it costs about 10 minutes and about 30 Yuan.

From Zhangjiajie Railway Station:

About 1km’s driving distance; it costs about 5 minutes and about 10 Yuan. It takes around 15 minutes by walking.

From Other Attractions in Zhangjiajie

• About 23.2km from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park , needs about 40 minutes by car;
• About 38km from Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon , needs about 1.5 hours by car;
• About 31km from Yellow Dragon Cave , needs about 1 hour by car;
• About 25km from Baofeng Lake , needs about 50 minutes by car.

Transfer to Tianmen Mountain

If you want to get rid of the hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you are recommended to travel with China Discovery and book a private tour package which covers sightseeing, dining, transfer, guide service, etc. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain with safety, speed and convenience by licensed private car from China Discovery, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Useful Travel Tips

1. best time to visit & weather.

In different seasons, Tianmen Mountain has different scenery. In spring, it is still a little bit cold. When taking cableway to pass through the farm fields and get up Tianmen Mountain, you can see many flowers in blossom. It has heavy fog in this season, and Tianmen Cave is very mysterious with fog at this time. In summer, Tianmen Mountain is very cool and becomes a good place to escape the heat. In autumn, the weather and temperature is moderate and the scenery is fantastic. Some trees turn yellow and red, giving the mountain more colorful scenery. In winter, Tianmen Mountain is cold and sometimes it snows. Tianmen Mountain becomes the icy world. To avoid the coldness, it is recommended to visit during April to October. Know more about Zhangjiajie Weather & Best Time to Visit >>

Travel Tip: For safety reasons, the Ghost-Valley Plank Road and Tianmen Cave may be closed in winter if there are heavy snows, freezing weather or regular maintenance. And the sightseeing bus along Avenue toward Heaven may also stop the operation. If you go with us, your travel consultant and tour guide will adjust your itinerary accordingly.

2. Admission Fee

Tickets of Tianmen Mountain: 232 Yuan, including sightseeing ticket, double cableway ticket and sightseeing bus, excluding the Tianmen Mountain Peak Forest Sightseeing Cable Car and the lower part of escalator Tianmen Cave. The ticket is valid for one day.

3. Transportation in Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Cave Escalator

Fee: 32 Yuan for the lower escalator

It consists of the upper escalator and lower escalator. The upper escalator runs between Tianmen Cave and Biye Yaotai scenic area. The lower escalator runs between the Parking Lot of Tianmen Cave and Tianmen Cave. Taking the lower escalator, travelers can save energy to climb the 999 steps which makes the visit easier.

Tianmen Mountain Peak Forest Sightseeing Cable Car

Fee: 25 Yuan per way It starts from the main peak of Tianmen Mountain – Yu Meng Xian Peak, to Cherry Bay near Tianmen Mountain Temple. With a length of 800m, it takes 10 minutes one way. Taking sightseeing cable car, you can not only overlook the primitive forest scenery, but also save energy and time to make your trip easier.

Sightseeing Bus

The sightseeing bus along the 99 turned Avenue toward Heaven runs 25-30 minutes one way at 10-minute intervals. It runs between Tianmen Cableway Middle Station/Lower Station and Tianmen Cave.

4. What to Pack

• Be sure to bring comfortable sneakers because you may need to do some hiking along the paths and trails in Tianmen Mountain.
• Take some commonly used medicines for emergencies.
• Take an umbrella or raincoat for the weather may change during one day.
• Wear a pair of sunglasses to prevent the ultraviolet ray.

Check for more details at What to Pack for a Zhangjiajie Tour .

5. Evening Show

Time: 20:15-21:50 every evening during March to December of the year (If it rains, you will be given a raincoat for free. In cold days of winter, you can rent warm cotton-padded clothes.) Place: Tianmenshan Canyon Theater

Tianmen Fox Fairy is the real-scene musical drama with the Tianmen Mountain and its deep valleys as the stage background. The show tells a romantic love story about a fox fairy and an ordinary woodman making a living by chopping woods. Combining the local music, the indigenous life style and ancient love story, with the marvelous valley as background, this show will add more fun to your Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain trip.

How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour

Zhangjiajie is an incredible place with absolutely beautiful landscape under heaven. Travelers usually spend 3 to 5 days in and around Zhangjiajie . There is no doubt that Wulingyuan National Forest Park is the highlight of all the stunning attractions which needs to spend 2 days inside. If you have one more day, you should add Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge Experience or Tianmen Mountain into the trip. Some travelers choose to visit Yellow Dragon Cave or Baofeng Lake for one day.

If you want to enjoy the antique beauty of ancient town, Fenghuang Ancient Town is the best choice for one to two days' escape. And, you can also consider of Fanjingshan Mountain to see the mushroom stone and odd mountains.

Most travelers would add Zhangjiajie into their longer China trip and you can go with Beijing , Xian , Shanghai , Yangtze River Cruise, Guilin, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing and more. To customize your China tour with Zhangjiajie, just feel free to tell us your likes and demands, and we are here ready to help you at any time! Tailor make your China tour with China Discovery now!

Travel Zhangjiajie with China Discovery

To help you enjoy a worry-free trip to Zhangjiajie and the whole China, we suggest you travel with China Discovery. Our experienced travel expert will help you arrange the accommodation, transportation and everything well to let you spend all your effort and time on the sightseeing. If you have any other ideas or questions about your Zhangjiajie tour, please feel free to contact us . We will help you plan your enjoyable trip with sincerity and professionalism!

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable trips to Zhangjiajie for the past few years. Among them Mr. Elie & his wife from Belgium enjoyed 5 days in Zhangjiajie during their 69 days China trip customized with us and shared us their travel story . Travel with China Discovery to create your wonderful Zhangjiajie trip memories!

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Tianmen Mountain Guide

Locating in the southern suburb of Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain, or Zhangjiajie Heaven's Gate Mountain, is 1,518 meters high. The name of Tianmen came from the famous natural arch which has the highest elevation on this planet. The mountain has charming scenery, giant trees in the old-growth forest and many cultural sites with rich history. It is the natural landscape screen of Zhangjiajie and enjoys a reputation of "the No. 1 Holy Mountain in Western Hunan province".

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park in which the Tianmen Mountain is located, is rated as a national level AAAAA scenic area. It receives four million visitors annually.

Opening Hours and Tickets

Best time to visit, best places to see.

• Trip Itinerary by Public Transport
• Mountaintop Travel Guide

Travel Tips and Reminders

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park opens from 06:30 to 18:00 in the peak season from March 1st to November 30th and opens from 08:00 to 17:30 in the off season from December 1st to February 29th of the following year.

According to the latest notice from the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan Province, starting from March 1st, 2020, the ticket price of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park has been reduced from CNY 238 Yuan per person to CNY 225 Yuan per person which includes the admission fee at CNY 62 Yuan per person and transportation cost at CNY163 Yuan per person.

Children with height under 120 cm don't need to purchase tickets of any type; Children who are under 14 years old, seniors who are 65 years old and above, disabled people, military in service and military retired cadres just need to pay half of the transportation ticket to be admitted, meaning admission fee is not required.

Minors who are 14 to 18 years old, seniors who are 60 to 65 years old and full-time college students can purchase half tickets.

Best seasons to visit Tianmen Mountain are spring, summer, and autumn.

In winter, the fog is heavy, and the icy roads on the mountain are slippery, and thus it is not a good time to visit. Besides this, the annual cableway inspection and maintenance start early November and last about one month, many attractions will be temporarily closed because of this and visitor number reduces largely during this time. However, the scenery of Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain has its own charm in winter, the snow, the mists, the clouds and the blue sky are all nice and beautiful.

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain has attractions that are quite concentrated, various travel routes that are clearly outlined as well as complete service facilities. With cable cars, escalators and sightseeing buses moving up and down the mountain, visitors do not need to be physically strong to visit here and it is quite suitable for family tour.

The lengthy cableway, transparent glass skywalk, Ghost Valley plank road, and the tunnel elevator all bring visitors with unforgettable experiences. Therefore, Tianmen Mountain is favored by young people and adventurous travelers as well.

Excluding transfer and waiting times, it takes 4 to 5 hours to visit Tianmen Mountain.

When visiting Tianmen Mountain, visitors should not miss the following attractions:

➀. The longest cableway in the world------ Tianmen Mountain cableway. It takes half an hour to take the cable car to travel from Zhangjiajie downtown to the mountain top. The first half way is gentle, and the second is a bit rushed. Throughout the journey, travelers can see countless views of towns, villages, rivers, forests and mountains changing quickly one after another. The cable journey is really impressive.

➁. Heaven's Gate or Tianmen Cave. It is a world famous natural arch.

➂. Stairway to Heaven with 999 steps.

➃. Escalators running inside the mountain tunnels. The escalator is divided into upper and lower parts with a total of 12 sections, and the lower part with 5 sections is paralleled to the 999 steps. Additional charge is required to use the tunnel escalator.

➄. Mountain Road with 99 Turns. It is known as one of the most dangerous road in the world.

➅. The Ghost Valley Plank Road and glass skywalks. Hanging above the cliff, the glass skywalks bring visitors with really thrilling experience.

➆. Tianmen Temple

➇. Biye Yaotai Old Growth Forest

Tianmen Mountain Public Transport Itineraries

There are actually five public transport itineraries making to the Heaven's Gate.😤

🚇 🔃 🚇 Line A with Round Trip Cable Car. ❶ For this option, travelers can take the cable car from the lower station in Zhangjiajie city to go directly to the mountaintop firstly. After going through the mountaintop tour, travelers can then take the tunnel elevator to continue the tour to Tianmen Cave. From Tianmen Cave, travelers can take the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car to go downhill to the entrance of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park and then take the shuttle bus to return to Zhangjiajie city center. ❕ Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car opened on March 2020. With the length of 1209 meters, Tianmen Cave Cable Car can transport tourists from the entrance of the park at the foot of the mountain to Tianmen Cave Square on the hillside in just 4 minutes.

🚇 🔃 🚇 Line B with Round Trip Cable Car. ❷ Go through ticket check at the park entrance and then take the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car to go uphill to take a tour around Tianmen Cave. Take the tunnel escalator to go to the mountaintop. Once having completed the mountaintop tour, travelers can then take the cable care there to go directly to Zhangjiajie downtown.

🚇 🔃 🚇 Line C with Round Trip Cable Car. ❸ Go through ticket check at the entrance and then take the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car to go uphill to take a tour around Tianmen Cave and then take the tunnel escalator to go to the mountaintop. After the mountaintop tour, take the tunnel escalator to return to Tianmen Cave and then return to the entrance of the park with the Tianmen Cave Express Cable Car and go back to the city with the shuttle bus.

🚇 🔃 🚌 Route D cable car + bus ❹ Going uphill by cable car, and downhill by bus. Firstly, take the cable car from the lower station in the downtown directly to the mountaintop; Secondly, take the escalator down to the Front Cave Square (Dongqian Square); Thirdly, take the sightseeing bus down to the mountain base via the Avenue to Heaven with 99 Turns; Lastly, change to shuttle bus at the gate of the park and return to the city.

🚌 🔃🚇 Route E bus+cable car

❺ Going uphill by bus and downhill by cable car.

Firstly, take the shuttle bus to the entrance gate of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park from the lower cableway station in the downtown; Secondly, change to sightseeing bus and go up to the Front Cave Square by the Avenue to Heaven with 99 Turns; Thirdly, take the Stairway with 999 steps or the tunnel escalator to reach the Tianmen Cave (need to pay extra); Lastly, take the free escalator to the top of the mountain and use the cable car to return to the city center.

❗ The three lines and two routes cost exactly the same, and the attractions visitors see are exactly the same, except that the order of the tour and the travel experience are a little bit different. Tourists for more travel experience are advised to choose intermodel transport including Route D and Route E. Tourists with tight schedule can use the cable car for both journeys.

Mountaintop Sightseeing Guide

It is said that there are gods living on the top of Tianmen Mountain as the mountaintop has the most beautiful scenery. Three core scenic areas are divided on the mountaintop: the eastern line scenic area, the western line scenic area and the central line scenic area. The eastern line scenic area is dominated by old growth forest; the western line scenic area is full of beautiful sights, including thrilling glass skywalks and ghost valley plank Road; the central line scenic area mainly has human made landscape with Tianmen Mountain Temple and Qiu'er Cave as its core. Most tourists would take the west line firstly, then the east line. This way, tourists can travel counterclockwise and complete the tour in two to three hours. You can visit the central line scenic area only if you have time.

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain has been a popular and flourishing Buddhist center in West Hunan province since the Tang Dynasty. There is a Tianmen Altar of Worship in front of the stairway to heaven. On top of the mountain is Tianmen Temple which has the highest elevation among all Buddhist buildings in Hunan Province. Tianmen Mountain Temple holds a sarira from the Sakyamuni Buddha which attracts believers from all over the place come here to visit and worship.

A. Accommodation is not available inside Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park and visitors are advised to finish the tour in one day as the ticket is validated for one day only. B. Temperature difference between the mountain top and the ground is about 8 degrees Celsius. Visitors are advised to bring additional more clothes with them to visit the mountain. C. There are 365 days for a year but more than 200 days in Tianmen Mountain area are rainy and foggy. Travelers have good luck to see the real appearance of the Tianmen Mountain only on a sunny day. To make sure you will have better mountain view, travelers are advised to check the weather forecast in advance and try to go there on a sunny day. D. There are restaurants on the mountain peak, serving fried and fast food. However, they offer too few choices and the food price is also high. E. To visit Tianmen Mountain in winter, tourists should wear both anti-slip safety shoes and gloves. On the other hand, to visit it in summer, tourists are advised to bring with sunblocks, sun hats, snacks and drinks. F. Each autumn, extreme sport competitions such as wingsuit flying are held on Tianmen Mountain which attract lots of people. For visitors who want to watch such activities please confirm the event schedule in advance so that you can watch such activities as soon as you arrive here. G. The tourist service center at the entrance of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park provides safe luggage storage. H. There are overwhelming crowds of tourists during winter and summer vacations as well as Labor Day and China National Day holidays (known as the Golden Week). If you happen to visit Tianmen Mountain during these times, please try your best to get up in the early morning to avoid the crowds.

Related Articles

• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Guided Tour
• 📖 How to Get to Tianmen Mountain
• 📖 Best Time to Visit Tianmen Mountain
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Tickets
• 📖 How Long to Spend on Tianmen
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain 99 Bends Road
• 📖 Stairway to Heaven with 999 Steps
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Tunnel Escalator
• 📖 The Heaven's Gate - Tianmen Cave
• 📖 Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk
• 📖 Tianmen Temple

One-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour

Zhangjiajie is known for its unique tourist sights, including strange-shaped pillars, hidden valleys, seas of cloud, and limestone caves. It is one of the must-see places in China. Tianmen Mountain and Heaven's Cave are also the most breathtaking sights that you can't miss.

Enjoy the spectacular beauty of Tianmen Mountain on a full-day tour with an experienced guide. Take the world's longest cable car ride up the mountain and an open-air chairlift at the top. Test your nerves on a glass walkway perched at 4,691 feet (1,430 meters); shuttle to the summit along a road with 99 turns; and climb 999 steps to Tianmen Cave, aka Heaven's Door.

Tour Highlights

• Ride the world's longest aerial tramway to the summit of Tianmen Mountain.
• Take a skywalk on narrow walkways of transparent glass that cling to the edge of the mountain.
• See a vast natural archway under the mountain, called Heaven's Door Cave.
• Escape from your busy routine to have a deep breath in the mountain full of trees.

The Design of the Day Trip

• Mini-groups of 6 participants make full use of your day with this well-designed itinerary to discover the beauty.
• A local English-speaking guide will show you around, professional and passionate about making sure you have a wonderful day!
• VIP treatment with No shopping, no tricks and no time-wasting during the tour.

Detailed Itinerary

You'll receive a welcome call from your guide via hotel at the night before your tour day, he/she will double confirm the pick-up time for the next day's trip with you. If you are not available at that moment, the tour guide will leave a message for you.

Just in case that if you don't receive our emails or phone calls, please call our 24-hour hotline at +86-18807734970 or add WeChat ID: trippest666 and we will put things right.

Your guide will be waiting for you in your hotel lobby which is centrally located in Zhangjiajie City at 8:30AM holding a sign with your name on it.

Good to Know:

• How to contact the guide easily?
• Wechat is widely use in China, we suggest you to use Wechat for further communication if possible.

The cableway in Tianmen Mountain (Included) is the world's longest at a length of 24,458 feet (7,455 meters) from City Garden downtown to the summit. It runs for 28 minutes, you will have a bird's eye view of the peaks and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of nature's masterpiece shrouded by mist during the journey.

We will get off at the upper station of the cable way to start our visiting. Upon arrival on Tianmen Mountain, first we will experience the 60-meter-long glass walkway suspended at 1,430 meters high. Feeling pleased and shocked by the sensation of walking on the clouds and the drop into the void below your feet. Walking on the glass path on sunny day or in cloudy day, the feel is incredibly different.

Then, go along the Ghost Path, admire the rare mountaintop scenery and know how beautiful the sky garden is from your knowledgable guide. You will feel like walking in a fairy land when the mist is still heavy. Be amazed by the peculiar peaks, odd rocks, lush plantations and blooming flowers. After that, ride an open-air chairlift (Included) to the top and reach the Tianmen Mountain Temple.

Tianmen Mountain Temple is featured by the overhanging eaves, is the western Hunan regional Buddhism centre. It started building in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and rebuilt in 2002. The temple enshrines one of the five relics of Sakyamuni Buddha in China. From the square in front of the temple, you get a panoramic view of the mountain.

There are some local restaurants here and you can taste some Zhangjiajie specialties for lunch. (Lunch fee is not included.)

Good to know: The dishes price is a little higher, and the taste is not better than the restaurant at downtown, so we also suggest you can bring some food with you before the tour starts if needed.

After lunch, we will take the escalator (Included) down to the Tianmen Cave. The Passing Mountain Escalator, the world 's first elevator installed and runs in the mountain tunnel from the bottom of the Tianmen Cave to the top of the mountain, with a total of 12 sections. The length of the escalator is 897 meters, the lift height is 340 meters.

Tianmen Cave, is the primary attraction of Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area. It is a grand karst cave 431 feet high, 187 feet wide and 197 feet deep spanning under the mountain. The cave is shrouded by the year-round dense mists. Looking from afar, the cave looks like a way up to the heaven. Before reaching Tianmen Cave, it takes about half an hour to climb the 999 steps that lead up to it, the stairs is also called " The way to Heaven". So the Tianmen Cave have another name "Heaven's Door Cave".

• There are many cliffs and mountain roads here, so please pay attention to your safety. 
• Monkeys in some areas of Yuanjiajie, please do not provoke them to avoid being attacked. 

Later on, we will take a shuttle bus (Included) down from the Tianmen Cave Square. 99 Bending Road is a most hazardous road. It was built in 1998 with 99 consecutive turnings, total length is about 10 kilometers which was the road wonder. It is the road which you can see in the cable car you took at the beginning of the tour.

Our tour will end at the mountain foot. After the tour, you can take the public transportation or a taxi back to your hotel. Your guide will show you the best ways to get back to your hotel or other places you are interested in visiting.

Price Include:

• Admission to to Tianmen Mountain, including cable car, shuttle bus and one-way chairlift and escalator.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zhangjiajie or Zhangjiajie Train Station.
• English-speaking expert local guide.
• Bottled water.

Price Exclude:

• Personal expenses.
• Gratuities to the tour guide & driver (usually CNY 50 - 100 per person, please tip them separately.). It is not compulsory but would be a great encouragement for them.

FAQs About This Tour

• If we are not able to implement the contract due to war, flood, typhoon, fire, strikes, storm, earthquake, or any other condition we are not able to foresee and avoid, we will inform customers at the first possible opportunity and offer the best possible solutions, and the final bill shall be settled based on the service we actually provide.
• Up to 7 days before departure: 100% refund of all money paid, excluding penalties charged by hotels, railways, airlines, and PayPal, if applicable. All penalties will be itemized.
• From 3 to 7 days before departure: 90% refund, excluding penalties charged by hotels, railways, airlines, and PayPal, if applicable. All penalties will be itemized.
• Within 3 days before departure: no refund.
• After the trip has commenced, we are unable to refund any amount for canceled services due to non-participation, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.
• For groups of more than 10 people: The terms of cancellation may vary from case to case. Please ask your travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for your group.

In order to making sure we have enough time to arrange your trip and make sure the availability we usually require customer make their booking at least 24 hours in advance and that's why you can not book directly on-line for a 24-hour last-minute booking.

But that does not mean you have no chance to book a last-minute trip within 24 hours. For urgent booking, please make a phone call to us at: +86-18807734970 to check the availability or send an email (not recommended as you may not get the response immediately) at: [email protected]

Due to state control of internet security in China, many popular websites and APPs are blocked, such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, WhatsApp etc. It is very possible that you may not be able to receive your emails and other important information. For this reason, we highly recommend you to sign up for a VPN service(for example, ExpressVPN) before your trip, to make sure you can connect to the global internet.

Good to know: Wechat is widely use in China, we suggest you to use Wechat for further communication if possible.

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Tianmen Mountain, Heaven's Gate Mountain

Tianmen Mountain （天门山 tiānmén shān）, or Heaven’s Gate Mountain, is part of the Tianmen National Forest Park  in Zhangjiajie China. There are kilometers of trails along with cliff faces, including glass-bottomed sections for tourists who wish to hike to the peak.

The Tianmen Cave, one of the most famous Zhangjiajie sights, is located here. A cable car was constructed in 2005. There is a temple at the top, Tianmenshan Temple, which was originally built during the Tang Dynasty (C.E. 618-907).

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Tianmen Mountain Tourist Map

Tianmen mountain road- the 999 bends.

Tianmen Mountain Road is one of the craziest pieces of pavement on Earth. It is known for its 99 hairpin turns, and steep, sharp inclines , so it is also called the “99 Bends.”

It starts at about 200 meters elevation (656 feet) and ends near the peak at around 1,300 meters elevation (4,265 feet). The road is about 11 kilometers (6.84 miles) in length, total. The road also has a stop at Tianmen Cave, a giant natural arch, around the mid-point.

Heave's Gate Cave

Tianmen Mountain Cave, or Heaven’s Gate Cave, is an enormous natural arch, about 135 meters (442.91 feet) in height, and 57 m (187 ft) wide. The arch looks like a gigantic gate into the heavens , and it is what the mountain is named after. It is great to see on a clear day, because when it is foggy, the fog actually passes through the arch, obscuring the view as you walk below.

The World Wing Suit League held the first and second World Wing Suit Championships at Tianmen cave, with one diver flying through the arch in 2011.

The Stairway to Heaven

To reach the cave, 999 “steps to heaven” must be ascended. Nine is an important number in Chinese numerology, representing eternity and living forever. The exhausting climb up takes about 30 minutes total.

Tunnel Escalators

For those who would rather skip the walk, there are escalators leading to and from Tianmen Cave. They cost about 32 CNY (4.53 USD) and take significantly less time. Be aware, the cave is often crowded with tourists, and the escalators may have loaded more people than the 999 steps.

Tianmen Mountain Cable Car

The cableway leading to the peak of Tianmen Mountain touts itself as the world’s longest , at 7455 meters (24,459 feet). It averages about 1000 passengers per hour during the high tourist season, with an average trip time of 28 minutes. In the high season, visitors may have to wait in line for hours for a ride.

The cableway has an upper, lower, and middle station. Obviously, most visitors will start at the lower station and head up to the peak, stopping at the middle section along the way to visit Tianmen Cave . Adventurous travelers can hike the entire trip, or part of the way, getting on or off the cable car at the middle station.

Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkways

There are 3 glass walkway sections throughout the road up Tianmen Mountain. The acrophobic will be happy to know that they are optional, and standard hiking trails can be taken as an alternative in each section. On clear days, the views of the sheer drops are simply exhilarating.

Visitors will have to purchase special foot covers to walk on the glass, in order to protect it from scuffs and scratches.

1. West Glass Walkway

The west walkway, or “Walk of Faith,” opened in 2011. As you ascent, it leads to the cliff-hanging walkway (which is exactly what it sounds like, but without a glass floor) at Ghost Valley , and then Tianmen Temple.

The Walk of Faith is only about 200 meters from the cable station. The total glass walkway length is about 60 meters (197 feet) long, and about 1400 meters (4,583 feet) high.

2. East Glass Walkway

The lesser-known east glass-floored walkway opened in 2015. It’s on the far side of the mountain and above the Tianmen Mountain Cave , farthest from the main attractions, compared to the other walkways. It is also adjacent to another cliff-hanging piece of trail.

3. Coiled Dragon Cliff Glass Walkway

The newest glass walkway was opened in 2016 and follows Coiled Dragon Cliff. The name of the walkway/cliff comes from its winding, long appearance, like a traditional Chinese dragon doubling back on itself.

The glass floor  provides a spectacular view of the 99-bends road below . Coiled Dragon Walkway is about 100 meters (328 feet) long, and 1,400 meters (4,583 feet) up. It’s about 600 meters from the top station of the cableway.

Tianmen Mountain Travel Routes

A trip to Tianmen Mountain will take you a half-day at the bare minimum, going as fast as you can. If you take your time and see all the sights you can, you should be spending a full day. A few full-day itineraries would go something like this:

Route A 1) Cable car up to one of the lower peaks; 2) Hike to a cliff walkway and glass-floored walkway; 3) Chairlift to the summit OR Hike to the summit; 4) Take an elevator to the cable car station from the summit; 5) Take the cableway to the Middle Station; 6) Climb the 999 steps to Tianmen Cave; 7) From the mid-station, again, take the cableway down the mountain.

Route B 1) Cable car from downtown to the summit; 2) Explore the peak; 3) Escalator to Tianmen Cave; 4) Explore Tianmen Cave; 5) Take a bus to the entrance gate; 6) Get a shuttle bus from the entrance gate to downtown.

Route C: 1) Bus from city to entrance gate; 2) Get to Tianmen Cave by sightseeing bus; 3) Escalator to the summit and explore the peak; 4) Cable car from the summit to the city.

Tianmen Mountain Travel Tips

1. preparing for the wet weather.

Zhangjiajie is in China’s central monsoon region. This means it’s just about always wet. Always bring some rain gear - just in case. Also, always bring some comfortable hiking/walking shoes with good grip. There is no way to visit this place without at least some walking around involved.

• In the summer, bring extra water and something for the sun.
• In the winter, it gets cold and snowy, so bring layers.
• During spring and fall, bring a few extra layers, it can get cold on the windy peaks, as well as at night-time.

2. Looking for Good Views and Good Weather

The views are most spectacular when the fog has lifted, so check the weather before you go. So it’s generally better to time your trips so you are there in the afternoon, as fog usually starts lifting in the late morning .

Autumn is known as a foggy season there, but it can go both ways- a little mist can make the mountain views that much more scenic and enchanting, too much, and you don’t see anything.

3. Avoiding Long Queues and Crowds

In general, the high season is March-November, so check for Chinese holidays and try not to go during those times. If possible, don’t go during the National day Holiday (October 1-8), it is the most popular holiday in China for travel. Labor Day (May 1-7) is another good holiday to avoid.

Low season is obviously better for avoiding crowds , but the winter months are colder, and sometimes the glass-floored walkways and other attractions will be shut down due to inclement weather, so it is also a riskier time to visit.

4. What is at the top of Tianmen Mountain?

• Tianmen Mountain Temple - an old Tang Dynasty temple, largely destroyed in the first half of the 20th century, was rebuilt in 1949.
• 3 Glass walkways - great for thrill-seekers and cool pictures.
• Cliff walkways - fun hiking and exciting views.

How to Get to Tianmen Mountain?

Most of the transportation available in the city will take you to Zhangjiajie National Park. From there it is easy to take shuttle buses or taxis to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park.

From Downtown Zhangjiajie

• By Cable Way: There is a cable car station right in downtown Zhangjiajie. This is probably the easiest way to get to Tianmen mountain, as it takes you right there, and by far the most scenic.
• By Taxi: A fare costs around 15-20 CNY (2.12-2.82 USD). Make sure drivers run a meter so you are not overcharged.
• By Bus: Buses are available from downtown to the park. It takes about 30 minutes on the B Line to Tianmen Square. Buses number 13, 1, 4, and 10a can take you to the Tianmen Ticket Office from downtown.

From the Airport

There is no direct bus from the Airport to the park.

• By Taxi : From Hehua International Airport to the Lower Cable Station in the city is about a 30 CNY (4.24 USD) taxi ride. Make sure the taxi driver uses the meter.
• By Bus : Similarly, you can get to a bus station from the airport in the city center first. After which, you can take the B Line bus to Tianmen Square. Bus No.402, 4 can take you to the Tianmen Mountain Ticket Office.

From Wulingyuan

Wulingyuan is a central area of the National Parks at Zhangjiajie. It has accommodation, and amenities, and is adjacent to Baofeng Lake and the National Park locations.

From the Zhangjiajie National Park ticket office, you can take various park shuttle buses to Tianmen National Forest Park. You can also take a bus from Wulingyuan to downtown in order to ride the cable car up the mountain.

• Wulingyuan to Lower Cable Car Station By Bus : Buses depart from Wulingyuan to downtown frequently, about every 5-10 minutes between 08:00 and 20:00. The fare is approximately 12 CNY (1.70 USD).
• Wulingyuan to Lower Cable Car Station By Taxi: Taxis from Wulingyuan to downtown will cost you about 80-160 CNY (11.31-22.62 USD). Taxis are convenient but admittedly more expensive than the bus.

Even for experienced travelers or ex-pats who know their way around China, it is not easy to arrange local transportation on their own. We can arrange private transport  for you in Zhangjiajie. Feel free to contact us and get a quote as this will depend on your group size.

Visiting Tianmen Mountain with Us

Tianmen Mountain Tour

Tianmen Mountain Forest Park is an excellent place for hiking. Traveling with our knowledgeable local guide will make your hiking go deeper and smoother- they spend at least 200 days each year in the park and know the hidden path to explore the undeveloped and lesser-known sceneries.

Why not start your Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Day Tour with us?

Request a custom itinerary today and get one step closer to your personalized trip

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• Destinations
• Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain: Stairway to Heaven's Gate

Tianmen Mountain is a magnificent destination in Zhangjiajie , China. It is famous for its blend of natural beauty and thrilling experiences, such as the 999 steps to Heaven and the glass cliff walkways, which captivate the hearts of visitors from around the globe.

Facts about Tianmen Mountain

Height: 1518.6 m Opening time: 8 am-6 pm Location: South of Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China

When is the Best Time to Visit Tianmen Mountain?

Generally, the best time to visit Tianmen Mountain is Spring and Autumn. Both of these two seasons offer cool weather for climbing the stairway to heaven. Between March and June, you can catch the vibrant plants and misty mountains, while between September and November, the weather is sunny and dry, giving you an excellent chance to see the bright scenery of the whole mountain.

Summer between July and August is usually the peak season for sightseeing as it provides a refreshing escape with its cooler weather. If you're traveling there during this period, visiting the mountain earlier in the morning is recommended to avoid crowds and long queues.

Winter falls from December to February. Since the weather can be cold, the accommodation here offers a bargain price than other seasons. And you may be able to photograph the snow-capped Tianmen Mountain without worrying about the crowds. Every visit to this mountain is different and unique in its own way, which means you'll always have an unforgettable journey no matter when you decide to go.

What to do in Tianmen Mountain

1. enjoy the scenic cable car ride.

The aerial journey via cableway may become an indelible memory. Tiammen Mountain Cableway is one of the longest Cableways in the world, offering panoramic vistas that will leave you spellbound. It takes about 28 minutes. During the ride, you can have a bird-eye-view of the 999 steps to heaven, the dangerous road with 99 bends, and beautiful forests and mountains.

2. Climb Up the 999 Steps to Heaven

At the heart of Tianmen Mountain's allure stands 999 Steps to Heaven, one of the ways to Tianmen Cave. The 999 steps on this staircase, divided into nine parts, range from easy to difficult, with the first five being the most manageable. As you make your way up this holy mountain, keep an eye out for the platforms depicting the five blessings venerated in Chinese culture: prosperity, happiness, long life, power, and luck.

3. Visiting Tianmen Cave

After finishing the stairway to heaven, you can finally reach the Tianmen Caves, known as the "Heaven's Gate". Carved naturally through the mountain is about 131.5 meters tall, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. Legend says it was formed in 263 A.D., and one side of the cliff collapsed suddenly, just like the portal to heaven. As you pass through the imposing rock formations, the ethereal beauty of the caves, with their intricate formations and inspiring views, will leave you in awe.

4. Enjoy the View of Haven-Linking Avenue

Meandering through the heart of Tianmen Mountain, Heaven-Linking Avenue is a scenic roadway that leads you on an enchanting journey. The twisted road offers an easy way for travelers to reach the Tianmen caves if you want to take the easy sightseeing. It looks like a white-lying dragon if you see it from the cable car. Regarding one of the most amazing mountain roads, it is also good for bike riding. Bicycle lovers would certainly enjoy a challenge and conquer such a mountain distance.

5. Explore the Thrilling Cliff Walkaways

Tianmen Mountain has three outstanding Cliff Walkaways, each offering different experiences. Among them, the Walk of Faith stands out as the most famous, crafted with thick glass flooring that grants you a perfect view deep into the valley below. For the best view of the Heaven-Linking Avenue, the newly Coiled Dragon Cliff promises an unforgettable sight from above. The third walkaway, a daring cliff-hanging path, features a suspended bridge connecting two peaks of Tianmen Mountain, providing an adrenaline rush for both photo enthusiasts and adventurous souls.

How Long Does it Take to Explore Tiananmen Mountain?

The average tourist spends four to six hours on Tianmen Mountain. Since it is a physically demanding excursion, we advise setting up a whole day for it. Take your time exploring Tianmen Mountain and taking in the breathtaking vistas, and then relax and rejuvenate for the remainder of the day.

How Much is the Ticket for Tianmen Mountain?

March-November: 42 USD December-February: 37 USD

2. Ticket Types:

Five ticket variants are available: Line A, B, C, and Line 1, 2. The price is the same. The distinction between them pertains solely to the means of ascent and descent from the mountain peak. Regardless of the ticket type, each offers you the same opportunity to fully experience the panoramic beauty of this magnificent park.

The high-speed cable car: Established in 2020, was designed for visitors who prefer shorter cable car rides. While the regular cable car journey lasts approximately 28 minutes, the fast cable car gets you there in just 10 minutes.

If you're considering the bus option, be prepared for a bumpy mountain road. Be careful when choosing Routes 1 and 2 if you're prone to motion sickness.

How About the Reminder & Tips

1. health considerations.

The ascent of Tianmen Mountain's 999 steps can be physically demanding. It is important to assess your fitness level and take breaks as needed. Stay hydrated throughout the climb and listen to your body to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Engaging in regular exercise prior to your visit can help build stamina and prepare you for the journey. Remember to pace yourself and enjoy the journey rather than focusing solely on reaching the summit.

2. Temperature and Attire

Tianmen Mountain's weather can vary, so it is advisable to check the forecast before your visit. Dress in layers to accommodate any temperature changes and wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking long distances. Sun protection and rain gear are recommended to ensure your comfort during the visit. Carrying a small backpack with essentials such as water, snacks, and sunscreen is also advisable.

Tianmen Mountain stands as a gateway to heavenly realms, inviting you to embark on a journey of wonder, spiritual exploration, and natural splendor. From the profound symbolism of the 999 steps to the breathtaking attractions that await at the summit, this natural wonder encapsulates China's rich cultural wonders and mesmerizing landscapes. If you are interested in a tour to China , Tianmen Mountain should be on your bucket list.

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How to get to tianmen mountain + routes, costs, & more.

A trip to Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China, consists of taking a ride on the world’s longest cable car, a crazy trip along one of China’s most dangerous roads, walking on the clouds, having your breath taken away by spectacular scenery, daring to walk over a glass walkway, and climbing down the 999 steps that lead to the famous cave hole. But with its obscure location, people often find themselves asking how to get to Tianmen Mountain. Read on to find out exactly how to get there, the costs, the ultimate route around the mountain, and essential tips for your visit.

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How to get to Tianmen Mountain

A trip to Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie should well and truly be on your backpacking China itinerary. But getting there can be somewhat of a pain. Below, you can Find out how to get there from different regions in China.

Get to Tianmen Mountain from Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain is located in Zhangjiajie, the Hunan province of China. Getting to the mountain from Zhangjiajie centre is easy, as the main entrance and ticket office to it is right by the city’s train station and bus station. All you need to do is walk there! The problem lies in getting to Zhangjiajie, as it’s not well-connected to other cities in China.

How to get to Zhangjiajie from Yangshuo / Gulin

To reach Zhangjiajie from the ancient town of Yangshuo , you will need to go to the North Bus Station and take a bus bound for Guilin. Unlike other places in China, the ticket office displays signs in English. Just find the one that reads, Guilin Express . The bus takes 1.5 hours and costs 27 Yuan per person.

When you arrive in Guilin, you need to take a train to Changsha. You can walk from the bus station to the train station, which is just 500 meters apart. The cost of the bullet train is 192 Yuan and takes 3.5 hours.

By the time you reach Changsha, it will be late in the day, meaning you need to find accommodation for the night. The train stops at Changsha South railway station.

The next morning, take a train to Zhangjiajie. The train will leave for Zhangjiajie from Changsha railway station (not the one you arrived at yesterday). This train takes 6 hours and costs 54 Yuan per person.

How to get to Zhangjiajie from Chengdu

After awing at pandas in Chengdu , get ready for out-of-this-world nature in Zhangjiajie. From Chengdu take an overnight sleeper train to Changsha for 454.5 Yuan. Whilst some trains make the journey in 7 hours during the day, we recommend taking an overnight sleeper train, to not only save on a night’s accommodation cost but so you can hop straight onto the next train. If you opt to travel during the day, you will need to stay the night in Changsha.

Once you reach Changsha, take a 6-hour train ride to Zhangjiajie, which costs 54 Yuan per person, If you have a bit of time to kill whilst in Changsha, there are a few shops, a McDonalds, a coffee shop and a few places to grab a bite to eat whilst you wait.

Costs to enter Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China

The cost to enter Tianmen Mountain will set you back 258 Yuan. However, don’t let this put you off, the price is definitely worth it! Plus, this includes everything; unlike Zhangjiajie National Park, which not only shocked us but broke us with its many hidden costs.

Tianmen Mountain cable car

The entrance to Tianmen Mountain and the lower ground cable car is located in downtown Zhangjiajie; about 1 km away from the train and bus station. Here you can buy your ticket for the day. When you buy your ticket, you will be asked if you want to take the cable car up, or down. We opted to whiz up on the cable car, because later in the day it gets, the lower the clouds fall.

The cable car spans over 7 km and takes a little over 25 minutes (non-stop) to reach the top. The cable car starts pretty steadily and straight, over trees and farmers’ fields. 10 minutes into the journey is when the real ascent begins. Before you know it, you will be whizzing up through clouds before emerging above them. The scenery along the way is spectacular, so have your cameras at the ready.

Choosing a route around Tianmen Mountain

When you reach the top of the mountain, you will need to choose which route you want to take; east or west. Don’t worry though, it’s one circle and you will join the other end eventually. We opted to start walking the east route, as many tours were heading west, and we wanted to avoid being pushed around by the crowds.

As you walk around the narrow cliff-hugging walkway, you will feel like you’re walking on cloud nine. The clouds hang below you, and now and then, the top of the mountain creeps through.

Tianmen Mountain glass walkway

There are 3 sections of the glass walkway; one on the east side, and two on the west side. As you tip-toe lightly, quivering in your boots, you can see the never-ending drop below you. To be able to walk over the glass, you need to wear cloth bags on your shoes. You can rent these for 5 Yuan each time. If you are afraid of heights or are too scared to walk across, there is an alternative route you can take.

Hunan Gate A.K.A Heaven’s Gate

When you have spent a few hours taking in the incredible views and scenery, you will come to a set of escalators. You can take the escalators down to the start of the 999 steps that lead to the mysterious cave hole. The steps seem quite steep and a little scary, but there are many rails to clutch onto on your way down.

China’s most dangerous road – 99 bends

Finally, ride the bus back down to the entrance through the winding and sickening 99 bends. The bus journey is pretty cool as you swing from side to side at the turn of each twist, whilst taking on one of China’s most dangerous roads. Besides that, you will be thankful for a nice sit down after giving your legs a good workout from a day of walking around Tianmen Mountain.

Although we think that Tianmen Mountain is super easy to navigate and get around by yourself, we understand that some of you will want to book tickets beforehand. We recommend checking out Get Your Guide for the latest deals and prices for Tianmen Mountain tours.

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie

Feeling luxurious:  Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel – Boats a MASSIVE swimming pool, and plentiful facilities such as a bar, karaoke room, and fitness centre. Perfect for those who want to explore the mountains, but also want a relaxing time.

Budget private room:  Xiao Wu Ding Inn – Perfect for couples! Offers clean double rooms, and a buffet breakfast for you to fill up on ready for a day of exploring.

Dorm life:  Zhangjiajie Cloud Youth Hostel – Great value for money that offers a variety of dorms. It also boasts a spacious balcony with views of the mountains.

Essential resources for travelling in China

Travel Insurance – No matter where you’re travelling to, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re covered for any accidents or losses. We spent days and weeks searching for insurance, but most insurers would not allow us to take out a policy as we were already abroad. Our personal choice is Safteywing . You can opt for automatic monthly payments, just like a subscription. More importantly, it is available in 180 countries and can be purchased whilst already travelling. There is no cap on the duration of travel.

Visa – Before you travel to any country, make sure to check if you need a visa. iVisa is a fantastic website that is super easy and quick to use. Just type in where you are from. and where you are going. to check if you need a visa. If you do, you can quickly make an application online.

Accommodation – Booking.com is our go-to when looking to pre-book accommodation online. Booking.com tend to almost always have the best rates and a FREE cancellation policy for most properties.

Tours & Activities – If you want to book tours and activities online, make sure to check out Get Your Guide . Get Your Guide takes the stress out of booking activities abroad. You will also find a range of benefits, such as skip-the-line passes, lunch included in your tours, and so much more.

Travel tips ebook -Before you head off on your adventure, make sure to download our free ebook. It has a whopping 109 budget travel tips to help you make your hard-earned cash go further. Click here to download your FREE ebook.

All in all, a trip to Mount Tianmen is an absolute must when you’re travelling in China. Whilst the costs may not be budget backpacker-friendly, the views, crazy roads, and terrifying glass walkway make every penny worth it.

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6 Incredible Attractions in Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie, China

Just a month before we arrived, a Hungarian wingsuit flier crashed to his death when he hit a cliffside here at Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. But that did not stop us from paying a visit to this scenic area in Zhangjiajie, China. And it shouldn’t. After all, we won’t be jumping from the sky.

We were not alone. With us were many other tourists, mostly domestic. The queues were long and everyone was excited to enjoy both the natural wonders and the man-made structures built at the site. Tianmen Mountain is incredible, to say the least. The scenery alone would make me not forgive myself if I left Zhangjiajie without spending a few hours in the company of these famous peaks. Daredevils, I imagine, are easily drawn, too. Aside from the usual relaxing spots, the site boasts a number of thrilling attractions that not only offer breathtaking views but also gives your adrenal glands a little squeeze. Here are six of them.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

1. Tianmen Shan Cable Car

Tianmen Shan Cable Car ferries visitors from the city center of Zhangjiajie (Hunan Province) to the Air Garden, perched on the summit of Tianmen Mountain. Straddling a distance of 7,455 meters (7.45km), it is often touted by tourism publications in China as the “longest cable car ride in the world,” but in reality, it needs to be qualified as the “longest passenger cableway of high mountains.” It takes a total of 28 minutes to cover the entire distance.

Tianmen Mountain towers at 1279 meters above sea level, and the cableway’s steepest gradient is 38 degrees. Yes, it’s just a cable car ride, but it’s still pretty mind-blowing.

Read more: Tianmenshan Cable Car, My Most Scenic Ride So Far

2. Glass Skywalk

Who’s up for a relaxing stroll? Haha. A continuous walkway encircles the Tianmen mountaintop. While most of it is made of concrete, one part has floors made of GLASS — 2.5 inches thick, see-through and all. Snaking on one face of the cliff, the walkway is suspended at 4,690 feet (1430 meters) above sea level. The glass path is only 200 feet long but, trust me, it doesn’t feel short.

Read more: Walking on Glass at 4700 Feet High

3. Tianmen Temple

Tian Men Shan Temple is the center of Buddhism in the western side of Hunan Province. The first temple at the site was built during the Ming Dynasty and had deteriorated over time. It has since been rebuilt, with the new structure occupying over 10,000 square meters and uses the architectural elements of the Qing dynasty, the last Chinese dynasty.

4. Heaven-Linking Avenue: Tongtian Highway

Tongtian Avenue earns its fancy nicknames — Big Gate Road, Avenue Toward Heaven, Heaven-Linking Avenue — for it takes visitors to the “Gateway to Heaven”, a natural cave crowning one side of the Tianmen Mountain. Meandering along dangerous cliffsides, the 11-kilometer serpentine road makes 99 sharp turns! That’s a lot of curves to tackle, with only a few feet separating you from a deadly plunge down the slope!

Read more: Tongtian Avenue

5. Gateway to Heaven: Tianmen Cave

Tianmen Cave a natural hole that cuts through one side of Tianmen Mountain. At 1520 meters above sea level, it is the highest natural arch in the world, earning its nickname “Gateway to Heaven.” The cave alone is 131.5 meters tall, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. But it wasn’t always like this. It used to be an ordinary cave. At the time, the site was called Songliang Mountain until Year 263, when one face of the cliff collapsed and created a door-like opening. The name was then changed to Tianmen, meaning sacred. Today, this gateway has become one of the most iconic structures in Hunan Province.

The hole is accessible via a 999-step staircase that climbs straight to the base of the hole. Nine is one lucky number in many Chinese cultures (which is also why Tongtian Highway has 99 turns). In 1999, a stunt exhibition was staged, allowing planes to fly through the cave. It was a momentous event that was witnessed by 800 million people via a live telecast.

Read more: Tianmen Cave, Gateway to Heaven

6. Zhangjiajie Sunset

Try to ride the cable car back to the city in time for the sunset. From the gondola, you could have a 360-degree view of the landscape including, if your timing is right, the heavenly show when the sun dives into the peaks in the horizon. See the city and the mountainsides get painted bright orange by the resting sun! It’s a majestic way of ending an already unforgettable trip to Tianmen Mountain!

Read more: Sunset in Zhangjiajie

Tian Men Shan Cable Car Tian Men Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China Admission Fee : CNY 258 (inclusive of cable car rides) Opening Hours : 8am-6pm (4pm last admission) How to get to Tianmen Mountain : The nearest aerial gateway is Zhangjiajie Airport, but visitors from the Philippines may fly via Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia) to Wuhan or Guilin. From Wuhan, take a 9-hour train ride to Zhangjiajie City. From Guilin, board an overnight train to Liuzhou or Changsha then another to Zhangjiajie (total travel time is around 18 hours excluding layovers). From Zhangjiajie Train Terminal, the Tianmen Mountain cable car station can be reached on foot (around 10-15-minute walk).

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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All of those look amazing! How am i going to choose the ones I’ll have time for?

How many days did it take to cover these travels? im planning on going there next year and maybe squeeze in Fenghuang and Dongting Lake :)

Thank you for sharing your experience! You really made a nice job. Fabulous pictures!

That glass walkway looks like it takes an iron will to walk across for sure. As an aside… where ARE you? We miss updates!!!! Where have travels taken you?

Wow! This would make a fantastic trip itinerary!

China has always held a mysterious allure, but seeing the true beauty of the country from the mountains is spectacular and breath taking at the same time. Thanks for sharing such wonderful photos.

HI, I really glad to discover this site, I just wanted to know the exact airport to land first before traveling to Tianmen Mountain, Kuala Lumpur or Shanghai? Thank you very much

If you’re going to Tianmen Mountain, the nearest airport is Zhangjiajie Airport.

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Tianmen Mountain

• 1 Understand
• 3 Fees and permits
• 4 Get around
• 10.1 Lodging
• 10.2 Camping
• 10.3 Backcountry
• 12 Stay safe

Tianmen Mountain ( Tianmenshan , 天门山, meaning Heaven's Gate Mountain) is a scenic and historic mountain in Tianmen Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie , in northwestern Hunan Province, China .

Understand [ edit ]

The mountain has been a site of wonder for Chinese for thousands of years.

The famous arch in the mountain was originally a cave, until the back of the cave collapsed in the year 263, forming the arch. The mountain's name was then changed to reflect this "gate" through which the heavens are visible.

Get in [ edit ]

The mountain is accessed from a station near the center of Zhangjiajie, a few minutes walk from the city train and bus stations. Buses and trains from Changsha take approximately four hours to reach Zhangjiajie. There is also an airport on the outskirts of Zhangjiajie, with a somewhat limited schedule of flights.

In Zhangjiajie, you buy a ticket which entitles you to either a cable car ride up the mountain and a bus ride down ("A Line"), or the reverse ("B Line"). As of April 2016, this ticket costs ¥258, plus a ¥3 "insurance" fee (when you see how steep the stairs are on the mountain, you'll understand why). It is also possible to purchase additional tickets (much cheaper) for a second cable car or an escalator atop the mountain, but the mountain can be perfectly enjoyed without these. These prices are significantly discounted for students (under age 24 with student ID), the elderly, and other groups. Credit cards are not accepted for purchases.

The cable car takes about 15 minutes to go up or down the mountain. The bus takes maybe 40 minutes, including switching buses in the middle of the route (where the windy part of the road begins). Keep in mind that this is a very popular site, and you could easily wait an hour in line for either the bus or cable car. On peak dates (like the Chinese New Year), you could wait 4 hours.

Fees and permits [ edit ]

Get around [ edit ].

The cable car connects to the top of the mountain. The bus connects to a lower point on the mountain, at the base of the Tianmen Cave staircase. In between these points, there is a free underground escalator (opened 2016 - 7 levels - takes around 15 minutes to transverse!), plus the staircase. If the staircase looks too taxing or dangerous for you (parts of it are VERY steep), there is an additional escalator for pay you can take instead.

At the top of the mountain, there are trails which take you around the edge of the mountain, usually atop cliffs which are hundreds of meters high.

See [ edit ]

On a clear day, there are stunning views of the surroundings for dozens of kilometers away.

Even on a hazy or foggy day, the mountain itself and immediately adjacent mountains look spectacular.

Do [ edit ]

• Take pictures!
• Walk on a short glass-floored section of the walkway, which overhangs a cliff hundreds of meters high. Some will find this scary.

Buy [ edit ]

Souvenirs and food can be bought at a number of points on the mountain.

Eat [ edit ]

Drink [ edit ], sleep [ edit ].

Any hotel in central Zhangjiajie will provide convenient access to the cable car station.

Try to get the phone number of the hotel before coming, because it may be difficult to find (maps for this area can be incomplete) and the taxi driver might not know where to go. In one case, the hotel name given on a web site was completely incorrect (though the ticket was bought correctly), and the taxi driver only managed to find the hotel by looking at an image of the hotel facade!

Lodging [ edit ]

Camping [ edit ], backcountry [ edit ], connect [ edit ], stay safe [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

• Wulingyuan Scenic Area is the other major attraction in the area.

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Tianmen Mountain - the Most Beautiful Mountain in Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain, by Zhangjiajie city, in central China’s Hunan Province, has the reputation of “one of the most beautiful mountains in the world”. Many travelers who have been there were full of praise. There are stunning views, including Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Door), the 99 Bends, vertical cliffs, the thrilling cliff-hanging walkway and glass skywalk, and the world's longest cable car ride. All these make it unquestionably one of the best mountains to visit in China.

• Chinese: 天门山 (Tian Men Shan /tyen-mnn-shan/)
• Location: Yongding District, South of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
• Height: 1,519 meters (4,983 feet)
• Suggested time for visiting: half a day
• Opening hours: 8 AM-6 PM from March to November (Stop ticketing time: 4:30 PM); 8:30 AM- 6 PM from December to February (Stop ticketing time: 4 PM)
• Admission: CNY 258

Highlights of Tianmen Mountain

The world's longest cable car ride up to the mountain top.

The best way to reach the mountain is by cable car. The aerial tramway to Tianmen Mountain is the longest in the world at the length of 7.5 km (24,458 feet), taking about 30 minutes. One cable car contains eight people. The cable car starts near Zhangjiajie Bus Station and the Railway Station. The cable car runs at 7:30 in summer and 8:00 in winter. As it’s often very busy, we suggest you arrive half an hour earlier to avoid a long wait. Otherwise you may need to line for 2 hours or even longer. Viewed from the cable car, the scenery is stunning - lush mountain peaks, deep valleys and the 99 Bends (99 sharp curves on a road up to the mountain peak).

Note: The cableway may close when there are thunderstorms, high winds, or heavy snowfalls.

Tianmen Cave – Heaven’s Door and the Portal to the Heaven

The cave is a natural mountain-penetrating karst cave hanging on the towering cliff, like the door to heaven. With a height of 131.5 meters (431.4 feet), a width of 57 meters (187 feet), a depth of 60 meters (197 feet), the unusual cave is grand and magnificent. The highlight of Tianmen Cave is the mystic views of fog and cloud. You’ll feel like traveling in a place with profound questions asked by God. Travelers may need to walk up 999 steps to reach the cave. It will be tried but lucky, because '9' is the biggest number in Chinese culture and 999 means eternality and forever.

The 99 Bends

Rising from 200 meters to 1300 meters, the famous 99 Bends has 99 sharp curves on the road up to Tianmen Cave. It is worth the title – ‘wonder of highway in the world’. The road is built for tourist use, from the mountain foot to the top of the mountain and Tianmen Cave. Tourist buses take passengers from the midway cable car station along some of these 99 bends to Tianmen Cave. The best place to see and take photos of these bends is from the cable car.

Glass Skywalk

The glass skywalk marks the Tianmen Mountain tour climax, which gives a thrilling feeling like walking in the sky. It is absolutely not suitable for the faint-hearted. It is interesting to see people leaning against the cliff as they cross it and scared of the height. On foggy days, it is easier to walk across as you can see nothing below, however, the thrilling feature of the walkways is lost. You can check the weather forecast before heading there. The glass walkways close when they are covered by ice and snow in winter.

Best Time to Visit

The golden time to visit Tianmen Mountain is April to October, as the temperature during this period is moderate and comfortable. December to February is the proper time to appreciate snow scenery on the mountain, and the best time for snow photography. The temperature difference between the foot and top of the mountain is large, so it's necessary to bring some thick clothes to keep warm.

Recommended Tours

In the morning, take the longest cableway up to Tianmen Mountain. Enjoy the spectacular beauty of a full-day tour with an experienced guide. Test your nerves on Glass Walkway perched at 4,691 feet (1,430 meters). After lunch, climb 999 steps to Tianmen Cave and shuttle down the mountain along a road with 99 bends.

• See more on:   One-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour

Good to Know

• Comfortable shoes are necessary. A lot of walking is involved in this tour, including 6 kilometers of walking along the cliff walkway and 999 steep steps.
• There are probably long lines. As Tianmen mountain is very famous among Chinese travelers, expect to see large and noisy crowds.
• No English signs here and no English is spoken, so it is not easy to find the way in such a huge park if you travel alone.
• The tourist area is quite BIG. You’re recommended to have a guide to help you deal with all the above hassles and for finding good places for photos.

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Tianmen Mountain

The May Day trip was really a bit speechless. I queued for 2 hours and went up the mountain to see a lonely one. I couldn't see anything in the white! If the weather is good, it should be spectacular! So you must be optimistic about the weather before going out, otherwise you will really be blind to the ticket money of hundreds of yuan.

Tianmen Mountain Highlights: Must-See Features and Attractions

Tianmenshan National Forest Park is named after the natural wonder "Tianmen Cave". When visiting the Attraction, you must take a cable car about 7,500 meters long. You can overlook the Tongtian Avenue and the beautiful scenery of the mountains hovering between the cliffs below. The brave ones can also walk on the glass plank road hanging on the wall and experience the excitement of walking in the air.

Tianmenshan National Forest Park is close to Zhangjiajie city. The Tianmen Cave in the mountain is a natural cave that penetrates the mountain. Local people believe that it can lead directly to heaven. For ordinary tourists, Tianmen Cave is not open all year round. In winter every year, due to snow and ice on the road, Tianmen Cave and Tongtian Avenue (a winding mountain road with 99 bends) leading to Tianmen Cave will be closed.

The lower station of the Attraction's cableway is located in Guanliping, Yongding District, and the upper station is at the top of Tianmen Mountain. In 2020, the Attraction opened an express line, with the lower station near the gate of Tianmen Mountain and the upper station near the Tianmen Cave parking lot.

Tianmenshan National Forest Park is full of towering ancient trees and entwined vines. The Attraction is divided into several main areas, including Tianmen Cave, the middle line, the east line and the west Attraction. Visitors can choose different routes and areas to play according to their preferences and physical strength.

The core attraction of the middle line is the Tianmen Mountain Temple and the "Child-Seeking Cave" near the temple. According to folklore, the Goddess of Complimentary appeared here, and if you make a sincere wish, you will get children. The highlight of the west line is a 60-meter-long "glass plank road" built on a cliff. The road under your feet is made of transparent glass. When you walk on it, you can see the abyss under your feet. While you are terrified, you can also feel the joy of walking in the air. Currently, the east line and Panlong Cliff have also opened up glass plank roads about 60 meters long.

You can't stay in the Attraction, so you can only visit it in one day. There is a "Cherry Bay Restaurant" near Tianmenshan Temple, which provides snacks and fast food.

Near the lower station of the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, there is a shuttle bus that takes you to the Canyon Grand Theater, where you can watch the live performance and the magical musical "Tianmen Fox Fairy". The story is adapted from the myth "Liu Hai Cuts Wood", and tells a touching love story between a man and a fox. Live music, lighting, and fascinating scenes such as the oversized moon, the transformation of the fox spirit, the flying snow, and the high-altitude flying bridge fully display this legendary love.

Explore near Tianmen Mountain: Where to Stay, Eat, and Visit

Tianmen mountain reviews: insider insights and visitor experiences.

Be sure to choose a good weather to go, if you go to the weather is not good, it is likely to be a few days of rain and fog, Zhangjiajie average more than 200 days a year rain fog, rain fog you may not see anything.

The rain and fog did not see anything, but it did not affect our good mood. The main one came and must be happy to celebrate the holiday. The inside is very big, the air is very good, the scenery is imagined, a white, no one is taking pictures.

The world's longest cableway, more than 7 kilometers, can start to go up from the city, very interesting. The most shocking thing about Tianmen Mountain is Tianmen Cave. In addition, the wing-mounted flight point landscape is also shocking, and the fear of heights should be leisurely! The last one is the snow scene of the stolen picture, but unfortunately such weather, it is difficult to encounter, leave a thought!

In Chinese culture, it symbolizes longevity and eternity ​​, and ​ adds to the mysterious charm of this place. ​​​ Mountain Ecosystem is a treasure warehouse inhabited by ​ various species. ​ The lush forest covering the slopes of the mountains is the habitat of various plants and animals, including ​ rare and unique species. ​ @windows10spotlight ​ Clear air, old trees, and the sound of nature make ​ Tianmen Mountain the best resting place for those who are looking for peace and recovery ​ ​ Tianmen Mountain has a great cultural meaning.

love the long cable car ride up to tianmen mountain. the ride is 20 minute long, super beautiful. advice to buy the ticket through trip.com, get the line A for the full ride. Up the mountain, theres a few route to walk. some of the escalator requires additional cost, especially the one at the mountain hole. so we took the stairs down, total 999 steps! amazing view and experience.steps is abit steep and slippery, be careful!

probably one of the STEEPEST steps i'd ever climbed but it was really an once in a life time experience! didn't dare to look backwards cos you legs will just start giving way! Was indeed an accomplishment reaching the top! The view was magnificent! Went in October and the weather was really the best!

Light rain in the mountains 🌧️, heavy rain on the mountains, fog 🌫️, visibility on the mountains is about 10 meters, I didn't see anything, I am very sorry, I hope that Tianmen Mountain's service is more in place, and I will give some suggestions for the weather. I hope I will not regret it next time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tianmen Mountain

What's the address of tianmen mountain.

Preston_Dominguez : Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cableway, Dayong Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City

What's the recommended attractions near Tianmen Mountain?

Jeremy_Dodson : I recommended Tianmen Mountain,Tujia Folk Customs Park,Tianmen Mountain Cableway,Dayong Town,Zhangjiajie Puguang Temple

What hotels are near Tianmen Mountain?

Messiah_Dillon : Here are some hotels near Tianmen Mountain: Zhangjiajie DaChengShanShui International Hotel,Zhangjiajie huatian hotel,HE XI KE ZHAN,Zhangjiajie Bay Fashion Hhotel,JinJiang Inn Railway station and TianmenShan Zhangjiajie

What restaurants are near Tianmen Mountain?

Judah_Dillard : You could try Zhangjiajiesanxiaguojungechangziguan,,PENG CHU ZHU TI CAN TING,Laonongcunjiachang Restaurant,Fuzhengyisanxiaguo (suodaogongsi)

Additional Information

Available amenities, tianmen mountain photos: trip moments.

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Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Private All-inclusive Day Tour

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Enjoy the beauty of Tianmen Mountain on a full-day tour. Take the world’s longest cable car ride up the mountain and an open-air chairlift at the top. Test your nerves on a glass walkway perched at 4,691 feet (1,430 meters); shuttle to the summit along a road with 99 turns; and climb 999 steps to Tianmen Cave, aka Heaven’s Door. Get stunning views of mist-shrouded mountains and lush valleys throughout your journey, which includes round-trip transport from Zhangjiajie. • Take in the scenery during a cable car ride to the top of Tianmen Mountain • Dare to walk along the cliff’s edge on a 60-meter (197-foot) glass walkway • Discover another vantage point from the open-chairlift ride • Climb an impressive stairway to Heaven’s Door -Tianmen Cave

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Knowledgeable English-speaking guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zhangjiajie or Zhangjiajie Train Station
• Round-way chairlift on the mountaintop
• Cable car and shuttle bus on Tianmen Mountain
• Ticket for Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway
• One-way escalator on Heaven's Gate Hole

What's not Included

Cancellation policy.

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Good amount of walking and hiking is required.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring snacks and water.

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There's an Actual Stairway to Heaven — With 999 Steps — in China

To get to heaven, you have to take a cable car.

From the center of Zhangjiajie in China 's Hunan province, visitors load onto the Tianmen Mountain Cableway. Over the next half-hour, the cable car will climb over 4,000 feet to the top of Tianmen Mountain. At the end of the 25,458-foot-long trip, the riders step out onto the "Gateway to Heaven."

At about 5,000 feet above sea level, Tianmen Cave is the highest naturally formed arch in the world — which has given the landmark its famous moniker. The impressive views and unique formation are the reason most people trek up the mountain.

To reach the fantastic landmark, visitors must walk up 999 steps on the "stairway to heaven." Nine is a lucky number in Chinese numerology, representing good fortune and eternity. Those who wish to avoid the long cable car can opt to take a bus up a narrow roadway that bends back on itself 99 times.

The cave itself is about 430 feet tall and 190 feet wide. It used to be a fairly ordinary cave until the year 263 A.D., when one side of the mountain's cliff collapsed and created the portal to heaven. Although be careful to whom you tell this origin story. Some believe that the cave's creation is a mystery, which only strengthens Tianmen's reputation as a holy mountain.

Visitors who want to pay homage to the attraction's religious nature can visit the Tianmenshan Temple, which was built in the year 870 A.D. It claims to be the Buddhist center of Western Hunan.

It's also possible to walk around the surrounding park for equally incredible views. There are a few cliff-hanging walkways (some made of glass) where visitors can get closer to the geopark and the sacred Chinese mountain.

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Timing is everything

Tianmen Mountain, Heaven Gate in China

Tianmen Mountain, located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, is a renowned natural landmark celebrated for its striking beauty, unique rock formations, and cultural significance. This mountain is home to several breathtaking attractions, including the Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate), a natural karst cave at its summit that has earned the mountain international recognition. A cableway known as the Tianmen Shan Cable Car offers a thrilling ascent to the summit. The mountain’s lush surroundings, hiking trails, and cultural sites make it a must-visit destination in China for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

How to get there

To reach Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, you can follow these steps:

• You’ll likely begin your journey by arriving in Zhangjiajie City. Zhangjiajie has a major transportation hub, and you can reach it by air, train, or bus. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport serves the region.
• Once you’re in Zhangjiajie, make your way to the base of Tianmen Mountain. This can be done by taking a taxi or a local bus. The journey to the base is relatively short.
• The primary way to reach the summit of Tianmen Mountain is by taking the Tianmen Shan Cable Car, often referred to as the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain Cable Car” due to its appearance in the movie “Avatar.” The cable car ride is a memorable experience and offers breathtaking views of the landscape.
• The cable car will take you to the Tianmen Shan Cable Car Station, which is located at the mountaintop. Once you arrive at the station, you’ll be at the summit of Tianmen Mountain.
• At the summit, you can explore the various attractions, such as the natural Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate), glass walkways, and hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.
• After enjoying the sights and experiences at the summit, you can return to the base by taking the cable car back down.
• Accommodations: If you plan to spend more time exploring the region, you can find accommodations in Zhangjiajie City or nearby, as there are various hotels, hostels, and guesthouses available.

Things to do

When visiting Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, there are a variety of activities and attractions to enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do:

• Explore Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate): Visit the natural karst cave known as Tianmen Cave, which is often referred to as “Heaven’s Gate.” It’s a remarkable opening in the mountain with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
• Glass Walkways: Experience the thrill of walking on the mountain’s glass walkways, such as the Coiled Dragon Cliff Skywalk and the Glass Skywalk. These offer incredible vistas through transparent flooring.
• Hiking: Tianmen Mountain offers several hiking trails that wind through lush forests and scenic viewpoints. The Red Cloud Path and the Yunmeng Fairy Summit Trail are popular choices.
• The Tianmen Shan Cable Car: Enjoy the breathtaking cable car ride that ascends to the mountain’s summit. This is one of the world’s longest cable cars and offers stunning panoramic views.
• Avenue Toward Heaven: Stroll along the Avenue Toward Heaven, a scenic road with 99 bends that leads to the mountaintop. The journey provides fantastic photo opportunities.
• Visit the Tianmen Temple: Explore the Tianmen Temple, a traditional Chinese temple nestled on the mountaintop. It’s a place of cultural and spiritual significance.
• Photography: Capture the stunning landscapes, natural beauty, and unique rock formations. Tianmen Mountain is a photographer’s paradise.
• Cultural Experiences: Learn about the local culture and history through performances, art exhibitions, and traditional Nuo Opera shows at the mountain’s cultural center.
• Sunset Viewing: If you have the opportunity, stay to witness the sunset from the mountaintop. The changing colors of the sky create a mesmerizing sight.
• Local Cuisine: Sample local Hunan cuisine at the restaurants near the mountain. Try dishes like spicy tofu, hotpot, and other regional specialties.
• Souvenir Shopping: Browse for souvenirs and traditional handicrafts in the shops and markets around the mountain’s base.
• Paragliding: For the adventurous, consider paragliding off the mountain for a thrilling experience and unique aerial views.

Things not to forget

When visiting Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, there are several essential items and considerations not to forget to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Here’s a checklist of things not to forget:

• Tickets and Permits: Don’t forget to purchase the necessary entrance tickets or permits to access the mountain and its attractions. Some activities and viewpoints may have separate fees.
• Identification: Carry identification documents such as a passport or identification card, especially if required for ticket purchases or verification.
• Appropriate Clothing: Dress in layers and wear comfortable clothing suitable for the season. Remember to check the weather forecast, as it can change quickly in mountainous areas.
• Sturdy Footwear: Wear comfortable and supportive hiking shoes or walking boots, especially if you plan to explore the hiking trails.
• Water and Snacks: Bring an adequate supply of water to stay hydrated, as well as some snacks for energy during your visit. Refreshment stands are available, but it’s a good idea to have your own supplies.
• Rain Gear: Depending on the season and weather, it may be necessary to carry rain gear such as a waterproof jacket or umbrella.
• Backpack: Carry a small backpack to store your essentials, including water, snacks, and any items you pick up along the way.
• Camera and Binoculars: Don’t forget your camera or smartphone for capturing the stunning scenery. Binoculars can be handy for observing wildlife or distant features.
• Mobile Phone and Charger: Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and consider bringing a portable charger for extended use, especially if you’re relying on it for navigation.
• First-Aid Kit: Pack a basic first-aid kit with essentials like bandages, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may need.
• Map or GPS: Carry a map or use a GPS device or mobile app with offline maps to navigate the mountain’s trails and attractions.
• Travel Documents: Keep copies of important travel documents, such as identification, permits, and emergency contact information, in a waterproof pouch.
• Cash: Bring some cash for small purchases, souvenirs, or snacks, as card payments may not be accepted everywhere on the mountain.
• Respect for the Environment: Remember to respect the natural surroundings by disposing of trash in designated bins and adhering to the principles of Leave No Trace.
• Cultural Respect: Be mindful of local customs and cultural practices, especially when visiting temples or participating in cultural activities.
• Safety Awareness: Familiarize yourself with safety guidelines and emergency contacts, and let someone know your travel plans, including your estimated return time.
• Appropriate Behavior: Maintain appropriate conduct and behavior while on the mountain, especially in areas of cultural significance.
• Patience: Expect that Tianmen Mountain can get crowded during peak seasons, so exercise patience and plan accordingly.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, largely depends on your preferences for weather and crowds. Here’s a breakdown of the seasons and their characteristics:

• Weather: Spring offers mild and pleasant weather, with temperatures gradually warming up. It’s an excellent time for hiking and outdoor activities.
• Floral Blooms: The landscape comes alive with blossoming flowers and lush vegetation, making it a picturesque season.
• Warmest Temperatures: Summer is the warmest season, and it’s ideal for those who enjoy the sun. Daytime temperatures can be hot, especially in July and August.
• Peak Tourist Season: Be prepared for larger crowds, especially during the summer holidays and weekends.
• Mild and Pleasant: Autumn provides mild temperatures and is considered one of the best times to visit. The weather is comfortable for outdoor activities.
• Fall Foliage: Enjoy the stunning fall foliage, with the leaves changing to vibrant shades of red and yellow.
• Off-Peak Season: Winter is the least crowded time to visit, offering a quieter experience. The cable car ride can be particularly enjoyable without long lines.
• Cool to Cold: Expect cool to cold temperatures, and be prepared for the possibility of snow, especially at higher elevations.
• Off-Peak Hours: Regardless of the season, it’s advisable to visit Tianmen Mountain during non-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid large crowds at popular attractions.

Is Tianmen Mountain or Heaven Gate in China real?

Yes, Tianmen Mountain (also known as Tianmen Shan) is a real and iconic mountain located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, unique rock formations, and cultural significance. Tianmen Mountain is famous for attractions such as the Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate), glass walkways, hiking trails, and a cable car ride that offers breathtaking panoramic views. It’s a popular tourist destination and a real natural wonder in China, attracting visitors from around the world.

How steep is Heaven’s Gate in China?

The steepness of the staircase leading to Heaven’s Gate (Tianmen Cave) on Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China, is one of its notable features. The staircase is known for its 999 steps, which lead to the natural karst cave at the mountain’s summit. The 999 steps are part of the Avenue Toward Heaven, and they create a dramatic and challenging ascent for visitors.

The steepness and the number of steps can make the climb to Heaven’s Gate quite demanding, but it also adds to the sense of adventure and accomplishment for those who make the journey. The effort is rewarded with stunning views and the unique experience of walking through this natural arch in the mountain.

Who built Tianmen Mountain?

Tianmen Mountain, located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, is a natural formation, and it was not built by humans. Instead, it is a product of geological processes over millions of years. The unique rock formations, cliffs, and caves found on Tianmen Mountain are the result of the erosion and weathering of limestone and other geological materials. These natural processes, including the dissolution of soluble rock, have created the stunning and otherworldly landscapes that attract visitors to the mountain. While humans have developed infrastructure for tourism on the mountain, such as the cable car and walkways, the mountain itself is a natural wonder shaped by geological forces.

Is the Stairway to Heaven safe?

Tianmen Mountain, located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, is a popular tourist destination and is generally considered safe for visitors. However, like any natural attraction or hiking area, safety considerations are important. Here are some safety tips for visiting Tianmen Mountain:

• Follow Regulations: Observe and adhere to the rules and regulations set by the park authorities. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of visitors and the preservation of the environment.
• Stay on Designated Paths: Stick to designated trails and pathways to avoid accidents and minimize damage to the ecosystem.
• Weather Awareness: Be mindful of weather conditions, especially if you plan to hike. Tianmen Mountain’s weather can change quickly due to its elevation, so be prepared for varying conditions.
• Proper Footwear: Wear appropriate footwear, especially if you plan to hike. Sturdy hiking shoes or walking boots can provide better traction and support.
• Hydration: Stay hydrated, especially during hot and humid weather. Carry an adequate supply of water with you.
• Crowd Awareness: Tianmen Mountain can get crowded during peak tourist seasons. Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution in crowded areas.
• Cable Car Safety: If you take the Tianmen Shan Cable Car to the summit, follow safety instructions and guidelines provided by the cable car operators.
• Glass Walkways: If you walk on glass walkways, such as the Coiled Dragon Cliff Skywalk, exercise caution and follow safety guidelines.
• Photography Safety: When taking photos, be aware of your surroundings and avoid putting yourself or others at risk for the sake of a picture.
• Emergency Contacts: Familiarize yourself with emergency contacts and locations of first-aid stations on the mountain.
• Sunscreen and Sun Protection: Use sunscreen and wear appropriate sun protection, especially at higher elevations where the sun’s intensity can be stronger.
• Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies, as well as trip cancellation or interruption insurance.

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