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
Stairway to Heaven · Tianmen Mountain
Zhangjiajie4.85 hr1.2k saved
The world's longest mountain cable car climbs straight from the city to cliff-edge glass walkways and a road that switchbacks 99 times up the rock.
It sits in Zhangjiajie, and rewards going slowly rather than ticking it off. Best clear morning.
Good to know
- Best time — Clear morning
- Generally open daytime; last cable car departure is mid-afternoon — plan early to avoid being stranded.
Insider tip — The Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate) arch is covered by the park ticket — the 999-step stairway up is the dramatic approach; escalators are available for the less mobile.
Photo: Raki_Man · CC BY 3.0
More in Zhangjiajie
Cloud Sea
The highest viewpoint over the stone forest, where after rain a white sea of cloud pools between the peaks and only the tips show.
Sea of Cloud · Tianzi Mountain · Zhangjiajie
Mountain Arch
A vast 131-metre hole punched clean through the mountaintop — climb the 999 steps of the Stairway to Heaven to stand inside the sky.
Heaven's Gate · Tianmen Cave · Zhangjiajie
Glass Bridge
430 metres of glass slung 300 metres above the Grand Canyon floor. Look down if you dare — the valley falls away beneath your feet.
Walking on Air · Glass Bridge · Zhangjiajie