Sandstone Pillars
Thousands of quartz-sandstone towers drifting in cloud — the real-world inspiration for Pandora's Hallelujah Mountains. Come at dawn before the mist lifts.
Floating Peaks · Yuanjiajie · Zhangjiajie
Heaven's Gate · Tianmen Cave
Zhangjiajie4.91 hr 30 min12k saved
A vast 131-metre hole punched clean through the mountaintop — climb the 999 steps of the Stairway to Heaven to stand inside the sky.
It sits in Zhangjiajie, and rewards going slowly rather than ticking it off. Best midday when the sun aligns through the arch.
Good to know
- Best time — Midday when the sun aligns through the arch
- Accessible during Tianmen Mountain park hours; the arch itself is always visible from the steps.
Insider tip — Looking UP through the arch from the base of the 999 steps at the moment the sun aligns is the once-in-a-trip shot. The cliffside boardwalk around the summit is equally dramatic.
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
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