Last updated: June 2026
Heaven's Gate, at the top of Tianmen Mountain, was one of the attractions that impressed me most in Zhangjiajie. It's an enormous natural opening in the rock, over 100 metres tall, and seeing that scale up close is genuinely impressive. I visited it on day 1 of my Zhangjiajie itinerary, before the Avatar Mountains.
It's famous for its 999-step stairway and one of the longest cable cars in the world. I'll tell you how I did the visit, including a trick that saves your legs a lot.
Is Heaven's Gate worth visiting?
Yes, very much so; for me it was one of the most memorable experiences in Zhangjiajie. The geological formation is unique, the scale is impressive and the views across the mountain are beautiful. It's worth including even for those also visiting the Avatar Mountains, it's a completely different experience.
What is Heaven's Gate?
Heaven's Gate is a natural cave formed in the mountain, creating a gigantic arch that passes through the rock. Beyond its geological significance, the site holds deep cultural meaning, symbolically associated with the connection between heaven and earth in Chinese tradition.
How to get to Heaven's Gate
Access is via Tianmen Mountain. In my case, I went up by cable car (the city cable car, which is an attraction in itself for the views) and did the route descending towards Heaven's Gate, rather than climbing, which saves your legs a lot. There's more than one way to access it:
- Main cable car (Tianmen Mountain Cable Car), one of the longest in the world, with panoramic views throughout the journey
- Express cable car, more direct access to the Heaven's Gate area
The route depends on the ticket type, see below.
Tickets and routes
Admission is ¥288 (~$40) per adult, the same price for all three available routes. Children under 14 enter free but must collect a free ticket at the booth.
The three routes are:
- Route A, ascends by main cable car, descends by express cable car
- Route B, ascends by express cable car, descends by main cable car
- Route C, uses the express cable car in both directions; the most direct circuit, ideal for those with less time
Extras charged separately:
- Indoor escalator (alternative to the 999 steps): ¥32 (~$4) one way
- Shoe covers for the glass skywalk: ¥5 (~$1) per pair
Buy tickets in advance on the official website or Trip.com to avoid queues.
The 999-step stairway
The most famous part is the 999-step stairway leading up to Heaven's Gate. Here's the trick that helped me most: instead of climbing the 999 steps, I went down them. I used the indoor escalator to reach the top of the steps and then walked down towards Heaven's Gate, which made everything much easier. The escalator is charged separately, but it's worth every cent if you don't want to face climbing the 999 steps in the heat.
What to see at Tianmen Mountain
- Heaven's Gate, the natural arch in the rock, the central and most impressive point of the visit; the scale up close is surprising
- 999-step stairway, part of the experience; tip: go down rather than up, using the escalator to reach the top
- Glass Skywalks, suspended walkways along the cliff edge; they give a different feeling, especially for those who aren't keen on heights, but they're worth it for the vertiginous valley views
- Panoramic cable car, the views during the ride are as impressive as the destination
- Tianmen Temple, an important Buddhist site at the top of the mountain
How long to spend
Allow at least half a day for a relaxed visit; I set aside a good part of day 1 just for Tianmen. To also do the glass walkways and the other areas of the mountain, plan 5 to 6 hours in total. When I went it was hot and there were some tourists, but nothing that got in the way of the visit.
Best time to visit
- Early morning, fewer crowds and better chances of clear visibility
- April to October, the best season, with more stable weather and clearer views
- Avoid June, July and August, frequent rain and peak tourist numbers
- Weekdays, significantly fewer visitors than at weekends and on public holidays
Practical tips
- Wear shoes with good grip, the 999 steps and glass walkways can be slippery
- Dress in layers, the mountaintop can be up to 8°C colder than the city
- Arrive early, in high season, cable car queues can exceed 2 hours
- Check the weather, heavy fog can limit visibility at the main viewpoints
- Buy dated tickets in advance on Trip.com or the official website