Best route on Tianmen Mountain

Have you ever dreamed of walking through the clouds and finding yourself in a world where cliffs rise from the mist like islands from a fairy tale? Then you must visit Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie! 📍 How to get there: Public transport: - From Zhangjiajie Airport: buses No. 4 and 402 (15–20 minutes). - From the railway station: buses No. 4, 5, 6, or 17 (5–10 minutes). - From the city center: on foot or by taxi (the lower cable car station is near the bus station). Address in Chinese: 张家界市永定区大庸路天门山索道公司下站 💰 Entrance ticket The comprehensive ticket (including cable car or bus ride up/down + main routes at the summit) costs 288 yuan. It’s better to buy tickets online in advance (we purchased ours on Trip.com). 🚡 Which route to choose? I RECOMMEND ROUTE A! It’s logical and physically easier: you start from the highest point and go downhill, saving energy, especially for the famous 999 steps, which you’ll descend rather than climb with this plan. What to expect: 1. The world’s longest cable car (7.5 km!). You start from the city itself and in 28 minutes ascend from the hustle and bustle to the heights above the clouds. The views transition from urban landscapes to sheer cliffs and deep gorges. It’s an attraction in itself! 2. The "Heavenly Elevator" to Yunmeng Fairy Peak. From the upper cable car station, you ascend via an open elevator built into the cliff to the main peak. From here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. It feels like all the jagged peaks are floating in a milky mist of clouds. 3. A walk along the summit. Recommended path: start with the Western Line (featuring a glass walkway and the best views), move to the Eastern Line, and proceed counterclockwise to the mountain escalator. 4. Descent. Next, you’ll experience: the escalator inside the cliff (operates until ~4:30 PM) → descend the 999 steps to the legendary "Heaven’s Gate" arch → return to the city by bus. 🌟 My personal favorites (additional options): · Forest cable car: After exploring the peak, don’t miss this open two-seater cable car for just 25 yuan! It’s not included in the main ticket, but it’s worth it. You’ll glide slowly above the treetops in complete silence, feeling a deep connection with nature. Pure magic! For couples planning children, there’s an interesting tradition. Along the route, there’s the "Son Craving Cave": by tossing a coin or pebble into the abyss, you can try to "predict" the gender and number of future children based on the sound of the impact (its clarity and echo). There’s a decoding table next to the cave. 📌 Recommendations: · Choose a weekday for your visit. We went between 9 and 10 AM, and the queue was short. · Weather: On a clear day after rain, the clouds are most dynamic and picturesque. In foggy weather, visibility will be zero, but the atmosphere is surreal. · Gear: Comfortable shoes are a must-have. Dress in layers: it can be noticeably colder and windier at the summit. 🏮 If you still have energy (and time before departure) after Tianmen, visit the "72 Strange Towers" complex (七十二奇楼). It’s the largest hanging building in the world (according to the Guinness World Records)! It looks especially magical when lit up – like a set from a fantasy movie. Address in Chinese: 张家界市永定区武陵山大道1号