Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve

Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, renowned as “Monarch of Peak Forests”, is one of the core scenic areas in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Unlike Yuanjiajie with clustered sandstone pillars or Yangjiajie with wall-like formations, Tianzi Mountain features vaster and denser peaks forming distinctive forests. At an elevation of 1,262 meters (4,410.4 feet), it offers an unparalleled vantage point, making it easy to get panoramic overlooks of peak forests. Additionally, Tianzi Mountain serves as an ideal location to observe unique landscapes in the park, such as the sea of clouds and sunrises.

Core attractions of Tianzi Mountain are distributed across four areas at the summit, each with several viewing platforms for admiring the peak forests in varying sizes. To ascend or descend the mountain, visitors can choose an easy cableway route or challenge over 5,800 steep steps on hardcore hiking trails. At the summit, eco-buses connect all areas. 

Imperial Brush Peak

 In the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) of ancient China, Xiang Dakun, the leader of the Tujia ethnic group, led local farmers to rebel on Qingyan Mountain under the harsh rule of the royal household. At the peak of his power, he claimed to be “Tianzi Xiang”, which means the prince.

When the uprising finally failed, Prince Xiang committed suicide by jumping off a cliff at Qingyan Mountain. Local people renamed this mountain as Tianzi Mountain in memory of this hero and incorporated his story into every peak and valley here:
  Essence spots scatter along a walking loop centered around Helong Park. It was built in memory of He Long, a Marshal of China, who was born in Zhangjiajie and led the revolution there. With convenient eco-buses, it is the primary option for tour groups and those on a tight schedule, thus remaining busy all the time. Around the park, you can visit:

Helong Park

 Imperial Brush Peak
It is composed of several slender peaks resembling inverted brushes, working as a symbol of the Zhangjiajie landscape. Legend has it that the valley where those peaks lie is the desk of Prince Xiang. At the moment of defeat, he threw his brushes into the valley, which instantly turned into stone peaks. Their unique arrangement inspired the curved stones in Avatar. 

Imperial Brush Peak Viewing Platform

 Fairy Dispersing Flowers
It is an independent sandstone peak covered by vegetation, looking like a girl holding a flower basket. As the season changes, flowers change their colors. According to legend, it was transformed by Prince Xiang’s lover. When the uprising failed, she jumped off a cliff with flowers in her arms, demonstrating unwavering love for the prince. It is also one of the filming locations for Avatar.

Fairy Dispersing Flowers Viewing Platform

 Yunqing Rock Platform
The biggest viewing platform in Tianzi Mountain area to admire West Sea Peak Forest from a distance. Peaks seen here are in a similar shape to Imperial Brush Peak, with a thin body and angular edges. They rise from the ground like swords and spears, and are densely arranged in the canyon. When the sea of clouds surges, tourists seem to come to the real Pandora world. That’s how the breathtaking bird’s-eye view from high above in Avatar was created. The easily overlooked entrance is located right behind the bronze statue of He Long.

Yunqing Rock Platform

 Warrior Training the Horse
It refers to two peaks with vivid shapes located on the edge of vast West Sea Peak Forest. Standing on the observation deck, you can notice a stone pillar in the shape of a horse, and another to its right resembling a warrior wearing armor, as if training the horse. They are surrounded by numerous small stone peaks, like soldiers with different expressions. All of them form the most powerful team of Prince Xiang.

Warrior Training the Horse

 It’s 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) away from Helong Park area. Few group tourists come; sometimes, you can even enjoy the entire scenery alone.

 Arranging Battles Platform
A higher point to overlook the broader West Sea Peak Forest. Compared with those in Yunqing Rock, peaks here are thicker columns with smooth edges. They stand steadily, like Prince Xiang was inspecting his troops in a vast training field. According to the legend, after the prince leaped off the cliff, his soldiers turned into peaks to guard this land as the silent army.

Arranging Battles Platform

 Shentang Gulf Platform
To enable visitors to appreciate the vast forests of peaks, most viewing platforms on Tianshan Mountain are built far from peaks. However, Shentang Bay stands apart. Cliffs on three sides surround this platform. Standing on it, you can catch staggered peaks with their ridges clearly visible, while looking down, you can see deep, bottomless canyons with dense vegetation. The valley is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, and strange noises are often heard on rainy days, as if soldiers are practicing. It is said to be where Prince Xiang jumped off. 
 Located between Tianzi Mountain and Yangjiajie, about 13 km (8.1 mi) away from the essence area. Although it’s the farthest, the enchanting scenery is worth your extra time and money.

 Sky Garden
It is not a garden, but a 3-hectare terraced field located on the peak at an altitude of over 1,000 meters (3,280.8 feet). It has no rail; outside the field is a bottomless abyss. When there is fog, this area looks like where immortals reside. Turning left, you can look far across the canyon to Bailong Elevator soaring into the sky. It’s really magical to capture the modern engineering wonder and natural ecological view in the same frame. There is also a special platform that offers a panoramic view of Bailong Elevator.

Sky Garden and Bailong Elevator

 Soldiers Gathering Platform
Walking down further from Sky Garden, you can encounter the sensational view: 48 sandstone peaks are densely packed in the same canyon. Each is nearly a hundred meters (328.1 feet) high. In sunny weather with high visibility, you will feel that peaks come to you like mighty soldiers. Very few tourists visit here, so you can own the whole platform by yourself. It’s also enjoyable to taste a cup of tea at the stall next to the platform while admiring the mesmerizing scenery.

Soldiers Gathering Platform

 It can be the most challenging part of Tianzi Mountain trip. This area and Helong Park are about 2 km (1.2 mi) apart. Because it’s far away from the major eco-bus station and its viewing platforms are hidden in deep forests, almost no one comes. The steep stone steps covered with fallen leaves and wild fruits due to lack of maintenance immerse one in a jungle adventure.

 Grand Sightseeing Platform
Unlike other well-constructed observation decks, this natural viewing spot with a wide view offers the whole picture of Tianzi Mountain. The layered peaks, one after another, emerge from the valley and extend all the way to the horizon. The distant valley is the Ten Miles Gallery, another core scenic area of Zhangjiajie Forest Park. Grand Sightseeing Platform with an open perspective also serves as the best point for appreciating the sunrise on the mountain.

 Gap-Linear Valley Platform
The platform is at the top of an independent peak in the bowels of Tianzi Mountain. A 1-meter-wide (3.3-feet-wide) gap lies between this vertical peak and the major mountain body, covered by a wire bridge. Walking on the gap, you can see the bottomless canyon underfoot, which is so thrilling. In the past, to get to the platform, one had to boldly jump over the gap or pass with the help of a person with long legs stepping on both sides of the mountain peaks.

There are also other scenic spots deep in the mountain, characterized by narrow and long observation decks built on cliffs, recommended for tourists who want to challenge themselves.
  Tianzi Mountain Clouds
A sea of clouds is formed by the condensation of water vapor rising from the peak forest after it cools down. In the early morning, especially on days with clear skies after rain, gathered clouds fill in the ravine and swirl with the wind, only revealing the tops of stone peaks, looking like islands in the sea from afar. The best place to watch this unique phenomenon is Arranging Battles Platform.

Tianzi Mountain Clouds

 Sunset
Thanks to its high altitude, Tianzi Mountain with a wide view is an ideal destination for watching sunsets. Bathing in sideways sunshine, the rock shows a beautiful golden glow in its surface. As the sun gradually sinks into the skyline, the silhouette of the peak forest gets clearer and clearer. Imperial Brush Peak and the observation deck on the west of Tianzi Pavilion are commonly used spots for shooting and observing sunsets.

Spectacular Sunset at Tianzi Mountain

  Take a tourist bus from downtown Zhangjiajie to the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Then, get on the eco-bus heading to the lower station of Tianzi Mountain, where the cable car can take you to the mountaintop sightseeing area in about 8 minutes.

If you arrange the visit to Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie in front, ride the eco-bus at First Bridge station and Yangjiajie station respectively to reach Tianzi Mountain area.

Take a Photo at Viewing Platform

 Most tourists pursuing high travel efficiency plan a one-day mountaintop loop tour containing Tianzi Mountain, which only allows them to visit essential attractions around Helong Park in about 1.5 – 2 hours. Other areas, requiring a transfer by eco-bus or even an additional sightseeing bus, are recommended to those with ample time, at least 5 hours, and enough energy. 
 You can choose one fitting your schedule and strength from one-day, two-day, and Avatar-themed tour routes of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with Tianzi Mountain.
 (1) Ride the eco-bus from the upper station of Tianzi Mountain cableway to reach Helong Park station in 3 minutes, and visit the essence spots here;
(2) Find Tianzi Mountain station to take eco-bus towards Yangjiajie, and get off at Arranging Battles Platform after 3 minutes. Then, walk about 400 meters (1,312.3 feet) to the viewing platform.
(3) After sightseeing, return to bus road and walk 300 meters (984.3 feet) along it to get to Shentang Gulf. Similarly, hike to the platform for sightseeing.

Get on Eco-bus at Upper Cableway Station

Eco-bus at Arranging Battles Platform

(4) Go back to the major road, and wave to the passing bus for a ride. It takes about 10 minutes to Grand Sightseeing Platform station. Then, walk 5 minutes to the platform and appreciate the scenery. After climbing around 600 stairs and trekking for 10 minutes, you can reach the challenging Gap-Linear Valley.
(5) Return by the same route for eco-bus to Fork Road station, where the paid sightseeing bus towards Sky Garden is available. 
(6) After a round-trip, hop on the eco-bus towards Tianzi Mountain station before descending the mountain by cableway.

Sightseeing Bus to Sky Garden

Low Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway

 Notes:
1. Arranging Battles Platform, Grand Sightseeing Platform, and Fork Road don’t belong to major eco-bus stations, meaning that bus drivers don’t stop there without request. You need to tell them your destination on board in advance and beckon prominently from the road. To note that in peak season, there is a risk of failing to get on the bus without seats left. Besides, confirm the direction twice, as there are no direction boards.
2. It’s not advised to hike to Sky Garden from the Fork Road station, where you get off the eco-bus, as those platforms are 5 km (3.1 mi) away, and there is no impressive scenery worth viewing along the road.

Tianzi Mountain Map

 Two hiking trails are available, where you can enjoy a peaceful and quiet landscape. During the peak season when long queues arise in cableway stations, they serve as the best choice to beat crowds. But note that both of the two are physically demanding.

	Crouching Dragon Ridge	South Heaven Gate
Start - End	Three Sisters Peak at the end of Ten Miles Gallery - Tianzi Pavilion	Sansuo Junction - Tianzi Pavilion
Scenery along the road	Sandstone peaks with a unique shape	Stream, lush grove, natural stone gate
Length	2.2 km (1.4 mi)	3.4 km (2.1 mi)
Stairs	Continuous 5,800 steps, 800 of which form a 70°-angle with the ground; alternative ups and downs; well-maintained;  some sections are covered with moss	3,000 relatively flat stone steps with thick moss
Visitors volume	Low	Very low: the number of tourists encountered on the way is only in single digits
Time required	3 h up and 2 h down	2 h for ascending and 1.5 h for descending
Difficulty level	Extremely high	High
How to return to the East Gate	Walk for 0.5 h to pass through the 1.8-km-long (1.1-mi-long) Ten Miles Gallery, and reach the exit by eco-bus with a duration of 20 minutes	Wave at the passing bus, which gets to the gate in about 15 minutes

 As two core areas in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, they offer different travel experiences. 

	Tianzi Mountain	Yuanjiajie
What to see	Peak forests	Pillar clusters
Avatar IP	Three filming locations for Avatar	Prototype of floating mountains in Avatar
How spots are arranged	Divided into 4 areas connected by eco-bus	Scattered along a footpath that is 2 km (1.2 mi) long
Viewing location	At a higher altitude to overlook peak forests in the distance	At a lower altitude to observe the uniquely shaped stone columns up close
Recommended duration	5 – 6 h for all spots; 1.5 – 2 h for highlights	2 - 2.5 h for all spots
Transportation	Tianzi Mountain Cableway	Bailong Elevator
Popularity	Essence spots see a lot of tourists, while others are relatively quiet.	The most popular area in the whole park, with crowds at each attraction
Difficulty	Low to moderate	Low
Suitable for	Tourists with sufficient time, hiking enthusiasts	Tourists with a tight schedule, Avatar fans

Sandstone Pillars at Yuanjiajie

 It’s the most convenient way to get up and down the mountain. The lower and upper stations of Tianzi Mountain cableway are connected to the East Gate and the core sightseeing area by eco-bus, respectively, allowing tourists to appreciate most landscapes with the least effort.
 The total length of the cableway is 2,091 meters (6,860.2 feet). Tourists riding the cable car climb an elevation of 690 meters (2,263.8 feet) in 7 - 10 minutes, which saves 2 - 3 hours for hiking. Its enclosed cabin, with transparent walls, carries 6 people at a time. Aligned carriage floor and ground make it easy for wheelchairs and strollers to enter.

Tianzi Mountain Cable Car

 Cableway offers an aerial perspective of the peak forests at Tianzi Mountain, in addition to saving efforts. When the cable car runs through deep valleys, tourists can overlook iconic attractions like West Sea Peak Forest up close. It’s also a good option to fly through a sea of clouds when it turns sunny after rain. Flickering peaks in the mist make it a real fairyland.
 Cableway starts working at 7 am, consistent with the opening hour of the park; when it closes depends on real-time tourist volume, about 5 pm in low season and 7 pm in high season.
 CNY 72/ride, not included in the entrance ticket of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Ticket Window of Tianzi Mountain Cableway

Entrance to Tianzi Mountain Cableway

 1. It is recommended to reserve sufficient time during the travel high season. Avoid peak hours: 9 - 11 am for the up ride, 3 - 5 pm for the down.
2. Be prepared for the path with about 200 steps leading to the check gate at the lower station. Barrier-free passage is set next to it.
3. Tourists scared of heights can close their eyes and have a rest during the ride or look far ahead at the mountain instead of looking down at the valley. The floor of the cabin is opaque, so there is no need to be overly nervous.
4. Confirm its operation status on this page in advance, as it may stop service temporarily due to maintenance. But don’t worry too much, it often happens during the off-season.

Long and Steep Stairs

Queue up to Get into Cable Car

 The tourist center can be found near the upper station of Tianzi Mountain cableway, with an indoor rest area and cableway ticket windows. There is also a service center near Helong Park that provides sightseeing consultation services and emergency assistance. Accessible passage leads to the essence sightseeing area from the upper station.

McDonald’s, cafes, and Chinese restaurants are available outside the entrance of Helong Park. When getting off at Tianzi Mountain station, you can see a corridor with stalls selling water, snacks, and local specialties.

McDonald’s at Tianzi Mountain

 No separate ticket for Tianzi Mountain, as the entrance ticket of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is valid for all attractions inside.

It can be visited as the park opens, from 7 am to about 5 pm in low season and 7 pm in high season.

 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking

Food Stalls

Wild Monkey

 1. Pay attention to the weather conditions in advance. It requires high visibility to admire the vast mountain scenery at Tianzi Mountain and a seasonal sea of clouds. Avoid heavy fog days, and consider sunny weather a priority; otherwise, you will gain nothing. 

2. Be careful of wild monkeys on mountain trails, particularly near Tianzi Pavilion. Don’t carry any food or drinks in your hand in case being robbed. 

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