Zhangjiajie is a mountainous area famous for its scenic beauty. The sheer walls of the mountains all around you are awesome.
An extraordinary experience was going up in the world’s highest and fastest elevator to the top of a mountain. This is the Bai Long elevator located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Another first is the 7.2 km long cable car ride which takes you close to the top of yet another mountain. This ride lasted 35 minutes and the climb is very steep in some places. Some people were afraid to look down as we soared upwards, leaving the safety of the ground behind us. To me it was exhilarating, looking at the tree tops below us as we climbed higher and higher.
A very famous feature in Zhangjiajie is the Tianmenshan where the Tienmen Cave is located. This natural hole in the mountain is atop 999 steps. Climbing it is a feat for the young with sturdy legs. Fighter jets have soared through this huge opening.
To get up to this Tienman Cave you have to take a small bus ( 25 seater ) which goes through 99 hairpin bends. The bus drivers are skillful and know the bends very well as they drive up and down daily, many, many times bringing up loads of tourists and sending them down to the cable car station which will then take them down the mountain.
The only thing between you and a drop into a “bottomless” ravine are blocks of concrete placed a few feet apart except for the curves where there is a solid low concrete wall.
Nearby is the world famous cliff side walk and glass platform, which is not for those who suffer from vertigo or who have a fear of heights.
To walk along the glass platform which is a misnomer since it is not a platform but rather a narrow walkway made of glass, one has to slip on bootees over one’s shoes so as not to scratch it, I believe. It is quite a heady experience, looking into tree tops and nothingness.
Zhangjiajie is a lovely place to visit but you need to be patient for there are long queues to these places of interest. You also need a strong pair of legs!
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