About Tianmen Mountain
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is located in Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, about 8 km from downtown, with the main peak at 1,518.6 m. Known for its high-altitude karst plateau landform and rich cultural landscape, it is hailed as the “Soul of Zhangjiajie”. Close to the city center and convenient to the railway station, bus station and airport, it is one of the must-visit core scenic areas in Zhangjiajie.
Highlights
Tianmen Mountain Cableway
One of the world’s leading high-mountain passenger cableways by length, about 7,455 m long with a height difference of 1,279 m. Departing from downtown, the gondola climbs slowly over the city, fields and villages before disappearing into mist-wrapped peaks. The ride takes about 28 minutes and offers panoramic views of Zhangjiajie city and the winding Heaven-Linking Avenue.
Tianmen Cave
The park’s iconic landmark and one of the world’s highest natural caves that go through a mountain. It is 131.5 m high, 57 m wide and 60 m deep, majestic like a gateway to the heavens. Visitors can climb the 999-step “Heaven-Linking Stairs” to the cave mouth, or take the through-mountain escalator.
Heaven-Linking Avenue (99 Bends)
10.77 km long, rising from 200 m at the foot to 1,300 m, with 99 sharp bends stacked one after another; praised as a highly representative mountain-road wonder. Internal traffic is managed by the park; visitors experience it aboard the park’s shuttle buses — a thrilling ride throughout.
Glass Skywalk
Tianmen Mountain is one of the pioneers of glass skywalks in China, with several glass walkways on the summit, the east-route “Panlong Cliff Glass Skywalk” being the most famous. Suspended over cliffs a thousand meters high with a bottomless drop below, it is an ultimate test of courage.
Guigu Cliff Walk
Suspended along the cliff above Guigu Cave, about 1,600 m long and at an average altitude of 1,400 m. With towering rock walls on one side and a bottomless drop on the other, it offers views of misty peaks like a fairyland.
Tianmen Mountain Temple
A thousand-year-old temple first built in the Tang Dynasty, on an open plateau at the summit; simple, elegant and tranquil — a great place to feel the cultural heritage.
Through-Mountain Escalator
An escalator installed inside a tunnel through the mountain, carrying visitors from Tianmen Cave Square directly to the summit area in several sections over about 20 minutes — an engineering wonder that is both convenient and extraordinary.
Best Seasons to Visit
Spring (Mar–May): flowers in full bloom, pleasant temperatures and frequent mist — a great time for photographing seas of clouds and mountain flowers.
Summer (Jun–Aug): peak season; the summit is cool at 20–25°C on average — a summer retreat. It is crowded, so booking in advance is advised.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): clear and crisp, high visibility and colorful forests — the best season to view Tianmen Cave and the distant peaks.
Winter (Dec–Feb): stunning rime scenery after snow, fewer visitors and a tranquil experience. Some walkways may be temporarily closed due to ice and snow; please check park notices.
