• Height: 1518.6 m (about 4,982 ft)
• Opening time:

• Location: Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, Southwest of China

The Heaven's Gate, Tianmen Mountain

As one of China's most iconic places, Tianmen Mountain offers a wealth of activities for visitors. Explore the top 4 must-do experiences on Tianmen Mountain with us, and you will find beauty and adventure converge harmoniously.

Scenic Cable Car Ride

The aerial journey via cableway may become an indelible memory. Tiammen Mountain Cableway is one of the longest cables in the world, offering panoramic vistas that will leave you spellbound. It takes about 28 minutes to get to the top of the mountain. During the ride, you can have a bird's-eye view of beautiful forests and mountains, including the 999 steps to Heaven's Gate and the 99 Bends Road.

999 Steps to Heaven’s Gate

At the heart of Tianmen Mountain's allure stands the Stairway to Heaven, a straight way to Heaven's Gate. The 999 steps on this stairway, divided into nine parts, range from easy to difficult, with the first five parts 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.

After finishing the stairway to heaven, you can finally reach the Tianmen Cave, known as "Heaven's Gate." Carved naturally through the mountain, it is about 131.5 meters tall, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. Legend has it that the mountains have existed since 263 AD. 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.

99 Bends Road

Meandering through the heart of Tianmen Mountain, the 99 Bends Roads, also called Tongtian Avenue, is a scenic roadway that leads you on an enchanting journey. It looks like a white, lying dragon if you see it from the cable car. You can take a bus on this 99-bend road, and it will be a unique memory as you swing back and forth with every turn. Remember to take motion sickness medicine before taking the bus if you often feel sick when taking a car.

The Glass Skywalk

Tianmen Mountain has three outstanding glass skywalks: the East Line Glass Skywalk, the West Line Glass Skywalk, and the Panlongya Glass Skywalk. Each of them offers different experiences.

Among them, Panlongya Glass Skywalk 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 99-Bend Road, Panlongya Glass Skywalk promises an unforgettable sight from above. To keep the glass skywalk clean and safe, you need to put on shoe covers before you walk on it.

Amazing View on the Top of Tianmen Mountain

If you arrive the night before, you may need to stay in the hotels in downtown Zhangjiajie since there is no accommodation around Tianmen Mountain. Need help arranging your schedule for your trip to Tianmen Mountain? Please feel free to contact us. Our expert will schedule everything for you, including high-end hotels, experienced guides, and private vehicles.

Generally, the best time to visit Tianmen Mountain is from March to October. The weather in spring and autumn is cool for climbing the stairs to heaven. Between March and June, you can catch the vibrant plants and misty mountains, while in September and October, the weather is sunny and dry, giving you an excellent chance to see the bright scenery of the whole mountain.

The summer between July and August is usually the peak season. However, you may have to face crowds and long lines.

Tourists spend an average of 5 hours on Tianmen Mountain. Also, the ticket is valid for one day only and grants single-entry access to the park. Since it is a physically demanding excursion, we advise setting aside a whole day for it. Take your time exploring Tianmen Mountain, taking in the stunning vistas, and then relaxing and rejuvenating for the remainder of the day.