Tianmen Mountain, Mountain summit in Zhangjiajie, China.
Tianmen Mountain rises as a summit in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, with steep rock walls and dense forests spreading across multiple elevation levels. A natural arch opening cuts through the rock face, forming a cave accessible through a long staircase or a built-in elevator.
The cave formed roughly 1,700 years ago when a rockfall tore a large hole through the mountainside. Later it became a spiritual site, with Buddhist structures built around it that remain standing today.
The name means Heaven Gate Mountain, referring to the natural opening that resembles a portal carved into the rock face. Visitors walk through temple courtyards where monks maintain daily rituals, and incense smoke drifts across the terraces overlooking forested valleys below.
A cable car connects the city to the summit, offering direct access to the upper areas. Visitors can choose between the staircase and the elevator to reach the cave entrance, though both options can become slippery when wet.
A winding road with 99 bends climbs from the valley floor to the cave, following the tight folds of the mountain. This road is used for racing events, with drivers navigating the steep switchbacks upward.
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