Tianmen Mountain (Tianmenshan)

Table of Contents

Introduction to Zhangjiajie 

Visiting Zhangjiajie is a unique experience, not only because of the beauty of the natural parks in this region located in Hunan province, but also because this is one of the most emblematic places to realize that China has a sense of scale all its own.

Consider that the three main natural areas of Zhangjiajie—Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon—cover a total area of over 550 km² (210 sq miles): a footprint roughly four times the size of San Francisco or nearly twice the area of Paris.

For this reason, we recommend planning at least two full days for your visit (preferably 3), with the option of adding a third (or fourth) day if you wish to extend your exploration to the towns of Furong and Fenghuang.

First of all, let’s clarify the locations you can include in your travel itinerary because Zhangjiajie is made up of three distinct areas, each requiring between 3 and 6 hours to visit.

Given the vastness and objective complexity of this region, to help you get your bearings, we will share some useful information below for visiting its three main natural areas:

• Tianmen Mountain (this article)
• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
• Wulingyuan (the Avatar mountains)

A practical tip: if you plan to visit all three natural areas, we advise against booking a hotel located directly in Zhangjiajie City, as you would then be far (about an hour and a half drive) from the entrances to both the Grand Canyon and the Wulingyuan scenic area.

How to Visit Tianmen Mountain

Following Line B, from the entrance to Heaven’s Gate

The entrance to this scenic area is the closest to Zhangjiajie City (8 km), and the way you get there is already part of the mountain’s charm: aboard iconic cable cars, you will be transported higher and higher up to the summit.

There are mainly three ways to visit this area: Line A, Line B, and Line C. In this description, we follow Line B*, which is our personal favorite. Line A is essentially the equivalent of Line B—in reverse—while Line C is recommended only if you have less time available.

*During the last visit of the Ink Voyages team, the upper section of the cableway departing from the Tourist Center was (still) temporarily suspended for structural maintenance. This involves a few variations on the route for Line A and Line B, which we will summarize at the end of the article. In the event of prolonged maintenance, or future operations on this section of the cableway, you can refer to what is reported there.

Let’s start from the Tourist Center, where you will find a shuttle bus that takes you to the Mountain Gate. From here, the ascent begins! The Express Cableway awaits to take you to the point where you can start your walk.

An important note: when we talk about walking, you should always picture highly developed and equipped trails. The paths are actually proper paved walkways or boardwalks, and are not to be understood as traditional hiking trails. That being said, it remains true that despite these facilities, the routes require a certain amount of physical effort—especially if tackled in their entirety—so do not underestimate them.

Following the road that winds right outside the arrival station of the Express Cableway, you can continue to admire, directly beneath you, the famous 99 bends of the scenic road (reserved for shuttle buses) leading up the mountain.

Heaven’s Gate 

At the end of this first section, after about fifteen minutes, you will arrive before the iconic Heaven’s Gate—the ultimate landmark of Tianmen Mountain—which will leave you speechless for at least two reasons: first, because it is truly spectacular to admire the natural stone arch framed against the sky, reached by the 999 steps of the staircase that connects it to the plaza at the cost of a strenuous climb; the second reason you’ll be left breathless is the climb itself! The 999 steps will take about 30 steep minutes, which serve almost as a process of purification to earn a spot in heaven.

And to discover other breathtaking experiences, you can also have a look at our collections of selected itineraries through China.

Incidentally, the number of steps is not accidental: the number 9 is very important in Chinese culture, traditionally associated with supreme authority and imperial power, and is also homophonous with 久 (jiǔ), which means “long-lasting” or “long life.” Because of this, it is also associated with longevity.

This is also well represented by the legend that the Forbidden City in Beijing contains 9,999.5 rooms—a figure that does not reflect an actual count, but rather a legend tied directly to the symbolism of the number 9. According to tradition, the palace of the Heavenly Emperor had 10,000 rooms; the earthly emperor, as the “Son of Heaven,” could not equal him, so the Forbidden City remained symbolically at 9,999.5 rooms.

During the climb, you will also notice 5 platforms built for rest and prayer. Each platform corresponds to one of the traditional 5 blessings or wishes: wealth, happiness, longevity, prosperity/status, and good fortune. After all, the spiritual aspect of this place is highlighted from the start by the presence of an altar in front of the staircase, decorated and surrounded by the numerous wishes and prayers left by visitors before beginning the purifying ascent.

However, if you are worried about the climb (and keep in mind that several more kilometers await once you reach the top), we have good news! You can skip it entirely thanks to a long series of escalators built inside the mountain that will take you straight to the top of the staircase, saving you all physical effort. The cost is about 3 euros, and it is an impressive experience in its own right—riding escalator after escalator for roughly 1 kilometer and covering a vertical drop of over 300 meters! An engineering feat that immediately brings Chongqing’s famous escalators to mind.

Exploring the Summit of Tianmen Mountain

Once you reach the top (don’t forget to take a photo looking down to capture the dizzying steepness of the stone staircase), another set of escalators awaits. At the end of these, you are presented with two possible routes: the West Line and the East Line. During the escalator ride, you might notice people going in the opposite direction offering high-fives—a fun way to socialize and pass the time on your moving step.

The West Line, which passes through the “Wonderland Scenic Zone,” is 2.8 km long and takes about an hour and a half to walk; the East Line, which runs through the “Biyeyaotai Scenic Zone,” is 3.7 km long and takes roughly two and a half hours.

In our opinion, the West Line is the most spectacular, and if you want to conserve your energy—especially ahead of visiting the Grand Canyon and the Wulingyuan area—we recommend focusing on this one.

One of the best features along these scenic trails is the famous “glass skywalks” (there are two on the East Line and one on the West Line), as well as cliff-side paths built over sheer drops, such as the Guigu Plank Road, which will make your legs tremble as you walk suspended in mid-air. Vertigo guaranteed.

Be sure to also visit the Tianmenshan Temple, a Buddhist complex recently rebuilt on the ruins of an ancient temple, located at the junction between the East and West lines. From here, you can also take an open chairlift to reach Yunmeng Fairy Peak, the highest point of Tianmen Mountain.

After exploring the mountain summit at your own pace, it is finally time to head back. Another spectacular cable car ride awaits (be prepared, it takes half an hour) to bring you back down to the Tourist Center in town.

Route Modifications 

*As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the upper section of the cableway connecting the Tourist Center to the top of Tianmen Mountain is temporarily suspended. Still assuming you are following Line B, here are the route adjustments implemented during our last visit: after exploring the summit area, instead of taking the long cable car directly down, you take the escalators back down to the plaza in front of the stone staircase. From there, you take a shuttle bus down the 99-bend road towards town. This ride brings you to the lower cable car station, which you can then take back to the Tourist Center.

We leave a summary map of these modifications below for your reference (source: WeChat Mini-Program of TianmenShan Scenic Area):

Now you are ready to visit Tianmen Mountain! If you want to keep exploring the natural wonders of Zhangjiajie, you can read our article on the Grand Canyon here. And if you are planning to visit China, do not miss our recommended itineraries to explore the country in depth.