National Forest Pk of Tianmen Mountain — Attraction in Zhangjiajie

We went there in end October 2025. No crowd at all. almost no queue at the cable car of Line A route. It was a relief to see. We took the longest cable car in the world, from the rooftops of houses to top of trees to the looming mountains. quite an experience to have all the experiences of differing topology. It was very foggy and believe me, it was total zero visibility. No joke, we can't see a thing at the top. so my friends suggested we take to the top to wait out the fog but i decided to walk the red route hoping it would clear on the way. Moreover the chairlift from the peak to the temple was under repair. So i had to walk 1 gigantic circle, i.e. the red and yellow route combined!!!! we could not see a single thing on the red route, not even the drop or the edge. just a white blank scene. even the suspension bridge was almost covered by the fog. we persevered on and by the time we got to the south view of the cave, the fog cleared for few minutes...... it was extremely glorious. the clouds started to recede a little and revealed the mountain tops. the fog even started to roll through the cave!!! spectacular. by the time i took the endless elevators down, the fog has covered the cave AGAIN! I could not see the north view of the cave. so be prepared, ur trip here could be in vain. with all the tortuous walking up and down and everything a whiteout. But then, count yourself blessed if Christ revealed His glorious footstool to you. Just relaxed and enjoy the experience or else a virtual tour would be...

People are attracted to this site by the very photo of a big cave hole at the top of the mountain. Hiking up 999 steps onto the cave entrance feel like on a stairway to heaven, hence the name Tianmen (Heaven Gate). Apart from this main attraction, there are two main hiking routes on top of the mountain that worth exploring. On the western route, there is a footbridge hanging along the cliff. It is well-built and well-design integration with surrounding environment that sometimes you forget that you are walking on a platform that is thousand meters high above ground. On the eastern route, the path is more under trees and a footbridge over a canyon. Both paths converge at Tianmen Temple where you can pause for spiritual homage. The entire park is huge and the tickets are issued in three designated routes with specific time slot for entry. All the three routes can lead to all attractions but with different means of transport...

Nothing short of impressive when you hop on a mountain where a piece of Sakyamuni buddha is housed and where nature carves its own heavenly door(天门）and steep cut valley like its been hit by Thor’s axe. The mountain hits different with its aura of holy omens.

Unlike 大峡谷 （Da Xia mountain) thats filled with steps with elevation rolling up and down and catered with activities more for the young and adventurous, Tian Men Shan has a balance of thrill for the young at heart (races on the 99 bends, 999 steps to the heavenly door to skipping a beat with people gliding down from the peak) and conveniences for the elderly like the elevator than runs through the mountain heart, cable cars and shorter routes with a glass panel platforms to allow for adjustable walking distances.

Do time your journey if you’re short in time but stay for the lighted staircase and the fox fairy...