Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is located 8 kilometers south of Zhangjiajie Urban Area, Hunan Province, and is a mountainous natural scenic area. It is a World Geopark, National Forest Park, and a 5A-level national tourist attraction. The park covers a total area of 96 square kilometers, with a mountain top area of 2 square kilometers, and the main peak reaches an altitude of 1,518.6 meters. The coverage rate of primary secondary forests is 90%, boasting rich germplasm resources. Named after the natural wonder Tianmen Cave, Tianmen Mountain has a mountain body altitude of 1,350-1,500 meters, forming a complete synclinal structural unit geologically. It features typical karst tableland peak-forest canyon landforms in medium mountains, with karst tableland cliff landscapes on the mountain and karst peak-forest canyon landscapes at the foot. The mountain is widely distributed with karst hills, stone buds, depressions, funnels, and karst caves. Distinguished by its well-developed karst landforms from the sandstone peak-forest landscapes of Wulingyuan, it stands as a table-shaped isolated mountain. With a subtropical mountainous monsoon humid climate, the daily temperature here is about 6-8°C lower than the urban area, with 12-14 hours of sunshine. Due to altitude and temperature differences, the four seasons on Tianmen Mountain evolve into two distinct seasons.
History and Culture
Tianmen Mountain was anciently called Songliang Mountain. During the Three Kingdoms period, the cliffs of Songliang Mountain suddenly opened, forming a portal-like arch, creating the rare world wonder—Tianmen Cave. Sun Xiu, the emperor of the Wu Kingdom, regarded this as an auspicious omen and renamed Songliang Mountain as Tianmen Mountain. Tianmen County was established at the foot of the mountain, which is today's Zhangjiajie City.
Records show that from the 18th year of the Qianlong reign (1753) to the 5th year of the Republic of China (1916), spanning 163 years, Tianmen Mountain was renovated seven times, serving as the Buddhist center of western Hunan and the highest-altitude Buddhist architectural complex in Hunan Province. In 2002, Tianmen Temple was reconstructed and opened to the public on June 9, 2009.
For thousands of years, the successive emergence of six unsolved mysteries—"Tianmen Cave Opening, Tianmen Water Overturning, Tianmen Direction Changing, Ye Fu Treasure Hiding, Guigu Ghost Imaging, and Tianmen Auspicious Beast"—has added mysterious charm to this place.
Main Attractions
Tianmen Cave
Tianmen Cave is the world's highest natural karst cave, located in the middle-upper part of Tianmen Mountain at an altitude of 1,300 meters. Running north-south, the cave is 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep, towering into the sky like a portal to heaven. On sunny days, the "Tianmen Mist Ejection" can be seen; in winter, mist shrouds it like "Tianmen Mist Ejection," while in summer, waterfalls form the "Plum Blossom Rain" scene. Historical records also mention natural wonders like the "Tianmen Divine Light," and local chronicles record the "Ten Sceneries of Tianmen." The 999-step Heavenly Ladder leading to Tianmen Cave is the path to reach Tianmen and a sacred place for making wishes and praying for blessings.
Heavenly Path
Named for leading to Tianmen Cave, the Heavenly Path is 10.77 kilometers long, winding through 99 bends, with a stone tablet marking every 9 bends, symbolizing the "Nine Heavens." The altitude sharply rises from 200 meters to 1,300 meters, known as the "No.1 Highway Wonder in the World." Construction of this highway began in 1998, and due to the unique geological and climatic conditions of Tianmen Mountain, the process was extremely arduous, finally completing full passage in 2005.
Glass Skywalk
The Glass Skywalk in the Immortal-Finding Wonderland Scenic Area is 1,600 meters long, with an average altitude of 1,400 meters. The skywalk stands in the middle of towering cliffs, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of walking in the air. Currently, the west line, east line, and Panlong Cliff each have about 60-meter-long glass skywalks, with the west line being more thrilling and the east line less crowded. Visitors need to rent shoe covers to walk on the glass skywalk.
Guigu Skywalk
Located in the Immortal-Finding Wonderland Scenic Area, the Guigu Skywalk is named for hanging along the cliffs above Guigu Cave. The skywalk is 1,600 meters long, with an average altitude of 1,400 meters, starting from Yihong Pass and ending at Small Tianmen. Different from other skywalks, the Guigu Skywalk is entirely built in the middle of towering cliffs, neither at the cliff's peak nor on its side, giving the feeling of undulating and bending with the cliffs.
Tianmen Mountain Cableway
Also known as "Rainbow Rope Dragon Flight," the Tianmen Mountain Cableway connects Zhangjiajie Urban Area with the mountain top, spanning 7,455 meters, one of the world's longest alpine cableways. With a horizontal height difference of 1,279 meters, it is also China's cableway with the largest local slope and the most supports. The cableway has 98 cabins and 57 supports (including 3 rescue supports). The 28-minute ride allows visitors to cross urban areas, farmland, and canyons, offering a spectacular experience.
Tianmen Temple
Tianmen Temple, located in the southern part of the mountain top, is the core area of Tianmen Mountain's "Buddhist culture." The temple was first built in the Ming Dynasty and once had a thriving incense trade, serving as the Buddhist center of western Hunan.
Biye Yaotai Scenic Area
The Biye Yaotai Scenic Area features a complete primary secondary forest with a 90% forest coverage rate, preserving numerous rare plant species such as Davidia involucrata and Liriodendron chinense, known as the "Aerial Bonsai Garden." Ancient trees tower, vines twist, moss covers the ground, and stone stalagmites and stone buds are everywhere, creating natural bonsai-like landscapes.
Food
Sanguo Xia Guo (Three-ingredient Hot Pot)
This is a specialty of Zhangjiajie, typically made by stewing three main ingredients (such as pig intestines, pig stomach, beef tripe, sheep stomach, pig's trotters, or pig head meat, choosing three of them). It can be tasted in most restaurants around Tianmen Mountain, with prices ranging from 50 to 100 yuan depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Rock Ear Stewed Chicken
Rock ear, a mountain delicacy around Tianmen Mountain, is stewed with chicken, resulting in a delicious soup rich in nutrients. A portion of Rock Ear Stewed Chicken in surrounding restaurants costs approximately 80-150 yuan.
Artemisia Rice Cake
A traditional snack made from artemisia and glutinous rice flour, the cake is fragrant, soft, and waxy with a unique flavor. Sold at street snack stalls or characteristic restaurants, it usually costs 10-20 yuan per portion.
Tickets
The ticket price is 278 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "张家界国家森林公园" to get the latest updates or book tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 07:30 to 19:00 (admission stops at 16:00). It should be noted that Tianmen Cave is not open year-round. In winter, due to snow and icy roads, both Tianmen Cave and the Heavenly Path (the 99-bend winding mountain road) leading to it are closed.
Tour Route
Visitors can first take the Tianmen Mountain Cableway to the top. After arriving, they can choose to start with the west line, visiting attractions like the Glass Skywalk and Guigu Skywalk to experience the thrilling cliff adventures, which takes about 2-3 hours. Then proceed to the middle line to visit Tianmen Temple, staying for about 1 hour. Next, go to the east line to admire the primary secondary forest landscape of the Biye Yaotai Scenic Area, taking about 1-2 hours. Finally, take the escalator down to Tianmen Cave, climb the 999-step Heavenly Ladder, and then take an eco-car down the Heavenly Path. The entire tour is recommended to take 5-7 hours.
Transportation
- Airplane: Arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport first, about 8 kilometers from Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Taking a taxi takes about 20 minutes to reach the lower cableway station of the scenic area.
- Train/High-speed Rail: Zhangjiajie has Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Zhangjiajie West Railway Station. From Zhangjiajie Station to the lower cableway station, it takes about 30 minutes by bus and 15 minutes by taxi; from Zhangjiajie West Station, it takes about 1 hour by bus and 30 minutes by taxi.
- Urban Transportation: In Zhangjiajie Urban Area, take bus routes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, etc., to reach the lower station of Tianmen Mountain Cableway. Taxis are also available to the scenic area.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Tianmen Cave: The world's highest natural karst cave, 131.5 meters high and 57 meters wide. When shrouded in mist, it resembles a fairyland. The steep 999-step "Heavenly Ladder" leads directly to the cave, offering a magnificent view of surrounding mountains from the top.
- Glass Skywalk: A transparent skywalk hanging on thousand-meter cliffs, where the abyss below is clearly visible. One of China's first highly popular glass skywalks, walking on it provides the thrill of walking in the air (shoe covers need to be rented).
- Tianmen Mountain Cableway: 7.5 kilometers long with a drop of 1,279 meters, one of the world's longest alpine cableways. The 28-minute ride goes from the city to the mountain top, allowing passengers to overlook the "99-bend" winding mountain road along the way.
Tour Tips
- Spring (March-May): Enjoy azaleas in full bloom across the mountain. With moderate temperatures, it's suitable for outdoor activities; wear comfortable sports shoes and light clothing.
- Summer (June-August): Tianmen Mountain is a summer resort, cooler than the urban area. However, with strong UV rays, carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and other sun protection items.
- Autumn (September-November): Admire red leaves across the mountain. With large temperature differences between morning and evening, bring a coat.
- Winter (December-February): If it snows, Tianmen Mountain is wrapped in silver, offering rime views. Dress warmly in thick down jackets, snow boots, etc. Note that Tianmen Cave and Heavenly Path may be closed in winter, so plan your itinerary in advance.
- Book tickets online in advance to avoid long queues during peak tourist seasons.
- When walking on the Glass Skywalk and Guigu Skywalk, if you have acrophobia, slow down and hold the side railing.
Notes
- Open fires are strictly prohibited in the scenic area; no smoking in non-smoking areas.
- Follow staff instructions when taking the Tianmen Mountain Cableway; do not shake or play around in the cabin.
- Walk in order according to signboards on the Glass Skywalk and Guigu Skywalk; do not crowd or push.
- Tianmen Mountain has a high altitude, and some visitors may experience mild altitude sickness. If feeling unwell, inform scenic area staff promptly.
- During peak tourist seasons, with many visitors at each attraction, keep personal belongings secure.
- Do not feed wild animals arbitrarily in the scenic area to maintain the ecological environment.