Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain with a height of 1,518 meters (4,982 feet) is the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie, about 8 km (5 mi) from the downtown. It takes its name after the Tianmen Cave, a giant natural karst cave hanging on the mountain. In addition to the must-visit Tianmen Cave area, the rare mountaintop scenery should not be missed, which is reputed as the most beautiful sky garden world over, and a paradise. Owing to these, it became Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, a national forest park in 1992. The plank road and glass skywalks are also set on the cliffs to add more thrilling moments to your Tianmen Mountain trip.  

It is right below the Tianmen Cave, linking it with a flat square beneath. It is believed that visitors who successfully climb the Staircases to reach the Tianmen Cave can gain health and good luck.
 

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 10.77 km (6.7 mi) was the road wonder. You can watch it from the cableway. You can also get to the mountaintop by this road with the shuttle bus of Tianmen Mountain scenic area.

99 Bending Road

 

Tianmen Mountain Temple 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.

Tianmen Mountain Temple

 

The glass skywalk marks the Tianmen Mountain tour climax. It is most fitting for the adventurous. On sunny days, the blue sky and white clouds accompany your walk. You will be both pleased and shocked by the sensation of walking on the clouds and the drop into the void below your feet. On cloudy days, the view of the glass corridor itself is a sensation. Now there are three glass skywalks in the east, west and Panlong Cliff respectively. 

 See also: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

Glass Skywalk

 With the average altitude over 1,400 meters (4,590 feet), the 1,600-meter-long (1,750 yards) Guigu Walkway is known for its unique location: unlike other walkways constructed on the top or sides, Guigu Walkway stands in the middle of the cliff. Before or after it rains, there are mist swirling on the Walkway and beneath your feet, making visitors feeling like in fairyland. In addition, there is also a 160-meter-long (175 yards) Suspended Bridge for visitors to test your courage.

Guigu Walkway

 

It is the world's longest cable way with the length of 7,455 meters (8,150 yards). It begins in the City Garden in Zhangjiajie downtown, and ends on the mountaintop, averaging 28 minutes per trip. Each carriage accommodates 8 passengers at most. In high season you have to wait in line for hours to get onboard. 

In addition to the above Grand Cableway, there is a Fast Cableway, which is only 1,209-meter-long (1,322 yards), linking the mountain foot of the scenic area and Tianmen Cave. Its single trip takes 7 minutes and the highest capacity per carriage is 26 passengers. 

Cableway of Tianmen Mountain

 

There are 3 travelling routes on Tianmen Mountain and whichever route you choose, all the top attractions can be visited.

 

Grand Cableway Lower Station → take the grand cable to mountaintop → visit mountaintop attractions → take free escalator down to Tianmen Cave → Tianmen Cave → take 999 Staircases / Tianmen Cave Escalator down to Tianmen Cave Square → Tianmen Cave Square → take fast cableway down to mountain foot → take eco-bus to Zhangjiajie downtown / lower station of Grand Cableway
 

Transmountain Escalator

Note that the lower station of the fast cableway locates within the scenic area. After reaching its lower station, walk for minutes to arrive at Shanmen first, and take the eco-bus there to return to the city center or the lower station of the Grand Cableway.

Time needed: 8 hours
Suitable for: seniors and children

Route A is the most popular and most energy-saving route, as visitors go downhill, thus suitable for even children and seniors.

However, taking this route means crowds and queuing for a long time when taking cableway. In addition, the scenic area rules strictly that visitors taking Route A should enter right according to their appointment time.
 

Taking eco-bus at Lower Station of Grand Cableway to mountain gate at the foot → take Fast Cableway to Tianmen Cave area → Tianmen Cave Square → take 999 Staircases/ Tianmen Cave Escalator to Tianmen Cave → Tianmen Cave → take free escalator to mountaintop → visit mountaintop attractions → take Grand Cableway down to Zhangjiajie downtown

Time Needed: 8 hours
Suitable for: visitors who dislike queuing

Route B doesn’t require visitors to enter the spot so strictly like Route A and the waiting time for taking cableway is less. But along this route, you need to challenge yourself to climb up the 999 heaven staircases.
 

Take eco-bus at Lower Station of Grand Cableway to mountain gate at the foot → ride Fast Cableway to Tianmen Cave area → Tianmen Cave Square → take 999 Staircases/ Tianmen Cave Escalator up to Tianmen Cave → Tianmen Cave → take free escalator up to mountaintop → visit mountaintop attractions → take free escalator back to Tianmen Cave → Tianmen Cave → take 999 Staircases/ Tianmen Cave Escalator down to Tianmen Cave Square → Tianmen Cave Square → take Fast Cableway back to mountain gate at the foot → take eco-bus back to Grand Cableway Lower Station

Time Needed: 8 hours
Suitable for: visitors afraid of height

Route C is usually sold during peak season and it only includes the ride of the Fast Cableway with lower height, thus suitable for visitors who are afraid of height. In addition, its queuing time is the least. However, Route C is more energy-consuming, as you need to climb up and down the 999 staircases if you don’t want to pay additionally to use the Tianmen Cave Escalator.
 

The mountaintop visits are divided into East Line and West Line. The essence scenic spots are mainly in West Line and it takes more time to visit East Line.

If you have enough travelling time like over 5 hours, you can visit both East and West lines.

If you only have 2 -3 hours, then just visit West Line. After visiting West Line, you will be at Tianmen Temple. There, take Forest Sightseeing Cable Car to Yunmeng Xianding. From there, visitors taking Route A or Route C can walk 30 minutes to take Free Downhill Escalator; while for visitors using Route B, take escalator to Lina Villa where you can take Grand Cableway to go downhill.
 

Take buses No.102/1B/13/17, get off at Wuling Shanzhenguan Bus Stop, and walk eastward for 4 minutes to get there.
 

	Admission Fee + Cable Car Round Trip	Admission Fee + Cable Car Single Trip
Adults	CNY 278	CNY 235
Minors aged 14 - 17 and seniors aged 60 - 64, including those aged 14, 17, 60, and 64	CNY 147	CNY 126
Minors aged under 14	Free
Seniors aged and over 65	CNY 116	CNY 95
Note that due to regular maintenance, it is possible that one of the above combo tickets would not be available temporarily.

 

Surcharges
	Forest Sightseeing Cable Car	Tianmen Cave Escalator
Adults	CNY 25	CNY32
Minors under 18 and seniors over 60	CNY 13	CNY16

 6:30 – 16:00
Please note that 16:00 is the last entry time.