Overview
Tianmen Mountain (天门山, Heaven's Gate Mountain) draws visitors to see its legendary natural arch—a 131.5-meter-high hole through the peak formed when a cave collapsed in 263 CE. The mountain offers dramatic cliff-edge trails, glass-floored walkways over hundreds of meters of empty air, and spectacular views across northwestern Hunan Province.
Architecture · Day Trips · Nature · Trekking
Before you go
Crowds
Extremely popular with Chinese tourists. Queue times of 1+ hours for cable cars are common; up to 4 hours during Chinese New Year. Weekday mornings are best.
Health
The 999 Steps are strenuous. Those with heart conditions, breathing difficulties, or vertigo should reconsider the ascent or use the paid escalator.
Money
Credit cards are not accepted at the ticket counter. Purchase tickets in advance via Alipay or WeChat, or bring sufficient cash in Chinese yuan.
Transport
Zhangjiajie train and bus stations are a few minutes' walk from the Tianmen Mountain ticket office. Trains from Changsha take about 4 hours.
Weather
Fog can reduce visibility dramatically, but the mountain remains photogenic. Check forecasts but be prepared for sudden changes.
