Tianmen Mountain（天门山）Travel Guide
Nov 12, 2024
by orient china travel
Tianmen Mountain (Zhangjiajie) Travel Guide
1. Introduction
Tianmen Mountain is a world-renowned national 5A-level tourist scenic area located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China. It gets its name from the magnificent Tianmen Cave, a natural karst cave beneath the mountain. The mountain is not only rich in natural scenery but also has profound cultural heritages, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world every year.
Tianmen Mountain is a world-renowned national 5A-level tourist scenic area located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China. It gets its name from the magnificent Tianmen Cave, a natural karst cave beneath the mountain. The mountain is not only rich in natural scenery but also has profound cultural heritages, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world every year.
2. How to Get There
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="652px" width="980px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
- By Air: You can first fly to a major city in China that has an international airport, such as Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. Then, transfer to a domestic flight to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport. After arriving at the airport, you can take a taxi or a shuttle bus to reach Tianmen Mountain.
- By Train: If you are already in China, you can take a train to Zhangjiajie Railway Station. Upon arrival, you can choose public transportation or a taxi to get to the scenic area.
3. Tickets and Opening Hours
- Tickets: There are various types of tickets available, including regular tickets and combination tickets that may cover the cable car, glass skywalk, and other attractions. Foreigners can purchase tickets at the ticket office with their valid passports. The ticket prices may vary depending on the specific attractions you choose to visit.
- Opening Hours: The scenic area is open from 07:30 to 19:00 (last admission at 16:00).
4. Main Attractions
- Tianmen Cave: This is the most prominent attraction of Tianmen Mountain. The cave is a grand karst cave that is about 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. Looking from afar, it resembles a gateway to the heavens and is surrounded by dense mists throughout the year. Sometimes, when the sun shines through the clouds gathered at the cave's opening, a magical scenery is created.
- Tianmen Mountain Cableway: It is the world's longest cableway, with a total length of 7,455 meters. The cableway starts in the downtown city garden and ends on the summit. Riding the cableway offers a breathtaking view of the mountains and the surrounding landscape.
- Glass Skywalk: This is a thrilling attraction for the adventurous. It allows you to walk on a glass path suspended in the air, giving you a sense of walking on the clouds and a thrilling view of the abyss below. There are three glass skywalks in the east, west, and at Panlong Cliff respectively.
- Heaven-Linking Avenue: Also known as the 99 Bending Road or Big Gate Road, it is a challenging road with 99 consecutive turnings. You can view it from the cable car or take a shuttle bus of the Tianmen Mountain scenic area to reach the mountaintop through this road.
- Tianmen Mountain Temple: It is a Buddhist temple located on the mountain. The temple features overhanging eaves and is a regional Buddhism center in western Hunan. From the square in front of the temple, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountain.
5. Travel Tips
- Clothing and Footwear: Due to the mountainous terrain requiring a lot of walking, it is advisable to wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes. Also, bring appropriate clothing according to the season as the temperature on the mountain may be lower than in the city.
- Weather: Check the weather forecast before your trip. In case of bad weather, such as heavy rain or fog, some attractions may be closed or the visibility may be affected.
- Food and Water: It is recommended to bring some snacks and bottled water as there are limited food and beverage options on the mountain. However, please note that littering is not allowed in the scenic area.
- Safety: Follow the safety instructions and signs in the scenic area. Do not venture off the designated paths, especially in areas with steep slopes or cliffs.