Tianmen Mountain (Tianmen Shan) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Tianmen Mountain. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 1-2 Days All-inclusive Tour: Mt. Avatar, Glass Bridge, Mt Tianmen

• 2-Day Private Tour to Mt. Avatar and Glass Bridge and Mt. Tianmen

• 1-2 Days All-inclusive Mini Group: Glass Bridge and Mt. Tianmen

• 4-Day Zhangjiajie Tour to All Highlight Attractions With VIP Lift

• 3-Day Private Zhangjiajie Discovery Tour With Glass Bridge

Tickets for the popular Tianmen Mountain route A cost ¥278 for adults ages 18–50; ¥147 for students, ages 14–17, and those 60–64; and ¥116 for people over 65. Children aged 13 or less go free, but numbers are restricted, so you still need to reserve tickets in advance.

Yes, Tianmen Mountain is well worth visiting, particularly if you have more than one day to explore Zhangjiajie. The gaping keyhole cave at the top of the mountain and the 999 steps are extraordinary; the glass walkway offers intimidating vistas; and the cable car journey is an adventure in its own right. Exploring with a guide can help you navigate the various routes up the mountain and beat the crowds at the viewpoints. It can also be combined with other Zhangjiajie sights, usually over several days of touring.

Per one customer who booked the 1-2 Days Mini Group Avatar Mountain, Glass Bridge and Mt. Tianmen, "Not only do you get to see some amazing views, but Daniel's photographic skills will make sure it's captured forever, and he takes you to some secret spots too. When someone shows they are passionate, it really comes through."

The most common climb on Tianmen Mountain is not from the base to the summit. It’s the ascent from Cave Square to the mountain’s towering “Heaven’s Door” keyhole cave. Fit travelers take about 30 minutes to complete this climb via 999 steps that locals call the Stairway to Heaven.

The main Tianmen Skywalk, known as the Coiling Dragon Cliff, is suspended about 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level. The sheer vertical drop below the 100-meter-long (110-yard-long) skywalk, however, while terrifying, is much smaller: The entire mountain is less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) high.

Tianmen Mountain is a hugely popular attraction, so you should plan your visit outside weekends: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are good days. Be careful to avoid China’s Golden Week holidays at the start of May and October as both draw domestic tourists to Zhangjiajie and Tianmen Mountain.

No, you can’t drive on Tianmen Mountain. Tempting as the dramatic and winding 99 Bends road is, it’s closed to everything but official tour buses. The road has, however, hosted special events, including cycle races, a Red Bull “drift king” race, and a racing driver’s world record attempt.

No, Tianmen Mountain is not dangerous. There have been no accidental deaths on the skywalks, and the cable car has a 100% safety record, although a cyclist did die in a race on the 99 Bends road. Travelers with cardiovascular issues should not try to climb the Stairway to Heaven.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Tianmen Mountain. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Zhangjiajie:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Wulingyuan

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Zhangjiajie.