Boarding Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to the south, Tianzi Mountain is one of the core scenic zones in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, and thus a can’t miss for any Zhangjiajie travel. It particularly stands out for the spectacular stone pinnacles densely scattering across the area, earning it the title “Kingdom of Peaks”. The highest peak of it is 1262.5 meters (Kunlun Mountain) and the lowest peak is 534 meters (Shilan Valley). The total acreage of the scenic area is 67 square kilometers, and the tour route around the mountain is 45 kilometers.
Fast Facts about Tianzi Mountains
- Location: Located in Wulingyuan Scenic Area. In the north of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, east to Suoxiyu Scenic Area.
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Geology type: quartz sandstone
- Tickets: Included in the through ticket of Wulingyuan Scenic Area (CNY 224 per person); CNY 72 for a single trip of Tianzi Moutain cableway.
- Opening Hours: 07:30-17:30 (peak season); 08:00-17:00 (low season)
- Why Visit (Highlights):Spectacular peak forest landscape, sea of clouds and sunrise, panoramic view of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, rich biodiversity.
- Visiting Time Needed: 4-5 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Spring & autumn, especially in April & October.
- Highlight: Fields in the Sky, Tianzi Temple, the Western Sea Peaks Forest
Why It is Called Tianzi Mountain?
Tianzi Mountain was formerly known as Qingyan Mountain. It got its current name because the Tujia ethnic leader Xiang Dakun proclaimed himself the Tianzi at this place. In the Ming Dynasty, Xiang Dakun once led a peasant uprising in this area to fight for freedom and independence. To honor his bravery and indomitable spirit, locals renamed the mountain range Tianzi Mountain.
How Were the Tianzi Mountains Formed
The formation of the Tianzi Mountains is the result of the incredible geological changes taking place over hundreds of millions of years. About 318 million years ago, this area is believed a deep sea. A quartz sandstone layer over 500 meters thick was formed at that time because sand and mud from nearby ancient lands were carried to this area by water.
Then, the continuous tectonic movements transform this seabed into land. The surface of the quartz sandstone layer, thus was exposed, and underwent erosion from weathering and gravitational collapse. The original sandstone layer was gradually fragmented into the peaks and valleys we see today.
The original sandstone layer contained both resistant quartz sandstone and the weaker layers, the hard sandstone was left during the weathering and gravitational collapse, forming the current isolated peaks in Tianzi Mountain.
Tianzi Mountains Geology
From a geological perspective, Tianzi Mountain is composed of two layers: the Permian shale limestone, which is 900 meters above the elevation, and the Devonian sandstone and quartz sandstone, which are spread out horizontally below 900 meters. The formation of vertical sandstone joints and the long-term application of external forces resulted in the formation of the distinctive landform of the vertical canyons and slab peaks on both sides of Tianzi Mountain.
Main Attractions in Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
Fields in the Sky
Fields in the Sky is situated more than 1,000 meters above sea level on the right side of Tianzi Villa, near Tiger Mouth, Lover Road, two km from Tujia village.
The Sky Garden Valley is underneath it. There are hundreds of meters of cliffs in the deep valley, with a 3-hectare good field at the top of the cliff. The fields, towering trees, and white clouds resemble a stunning landscape painting,hence the name Fields in the Sky.
Helong Park
This park was constructed to commemorate Marshal He Long, one of China’s revolutionary heroes and founding fathers who was born in Sangzhi County in Zhangjiajie. An iconic symbol of the park is the bronze statue of Marshal He Long, boasting one of the largest figure sculptures in modern China.
Sitting at a relatively higher elevation in the scenic area, the park offers expansive views of Tianzi Mountain. There are several observation decks for visitors to marvel at the panoramic views of the magnificent peaks, valleys, and sea of clouds in this area.
Tianzi Pavilion
Tianzi Pavilion is located on a terrace 200 meters east of Helong Park. The three characters of “Tianzi Pavilion (天子阁)” were inscribed by Guan Shanyue, a master of contemporary landscape painting and Lingnan painting school.
Tianzi Pavilion is 30 meters high; It is an antique building with six floors and four eaves. Tianzi Pavilion offers a panoramic view of Tianzi Mountain.
Yunqingyan
Yunqingyan is a famous natural observation platform in Tianzi Mountain, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire scenic area. This platform is near to the statue of Marshal He Long and got its name for the frequent mist-shrouded scenery in this area. This massive rock platform spans hundreds of square meters, featuring a flat and open stage extending out from the edge of the cliffs. Here photographers will easily catch some great photos of the dawn, sunset, and sea of clouds after rain or in the early morning.
Western Sea Peaks Forest
A top highlight of the natural landscapes in Tianzi Mountain, the Western Sea Peaks Forest is comprised of thousands of stone peaks which are in diverse shapes and heights. The best observation platform to admire this natural wonder is Yunqingyan, where you can see the peak forest stretching out like a magnificent sea.
Imperial Brush Peaks (Yubi Feng)
One of the most representative natural landmark in Tianzi Mountain, Imperial Brush Peaks got its name for the multiple stone peaks standing in uneven rows in this site. There is one peak particularly standing out, which towers over 100 meters and looks like a inverted imperial brush. The peaks are at their most beautiful when being embraced by spring blossoms or the mist.
Dianjiang Terrace
Meaning commanding terrace, Dianjiang Terrace is said the place where the Tujia leader Xiang Dakun once counted soldiers and issued commands to his troops. Dianjiang Terrace is located in the central area of Tianzi Mountain, offering great panoramic view of the endless peaks, especially the West Sea Stone Forest.
Shentang Bay
Shentang Bay should be the most mysterious site in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is surrounded by sheer cliffs on four sides, and can only be peered from an opening on one mountainside. Since being encircled by lush forests and perpetual mist, the bay seems bottomless from above. Currently, visitors can only observe the bay from the observation deck above, and are not allowed to enter the bay. As you get close to the edge of the bay, you’ll hear the faint sounds of drums, trumpets, and battle cries, contributing to the enigmatic allure of the bay.
Tianzi Mountain Cable Car
The lower station of the Tianzishan cable car is situated in the Suoxiyu Nature Resert on the west slope of Zhaigong Bay, while the top station is situated in the northeast of Tianzi Mountain, close to the Yellow River Viewing platform. The “Wulingyuan Ticket Station” is accessible by free eco-car from the lower station.
In June 1996, the Tianzi Mountain cable car was constructed by Hunan Wulingyuan Ropeway Co., LTD., with a total length of 2091m, and was officially put into operation in May 1997. The Tianzi Mountain cable car was further updated and officially opened on February 6, 2016.
Its fastest one-way trip takes six minutes. Each carriage can hold eight people. It travels at a speed of six meters per second, and it handles 2100 passengers each hour.
When you ride the Tianzishan cable car, you’ll observe odd pines and rocks, verdant forests, isolated springs, and playful monkeys.
How to Buy Entrance Tickets?
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Prices of tickets
| Combo ticket | CNY 225 |
Notes: The combo ticket includes four core scenic spots (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain) of Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The ticket is valid for 4 days with many scenic spots in the scenic area, so, it is necessary for visitors to plan the tour route before travelling.
Opening time: 07:00-18:30
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Prices of transportation
| Cable Car(from Tianzi Mountain↔Suoxi Valley ) | Single Trip CNY 72 |
| Cable Car(from Tianzi Mountain↔Suoxi Valley ) | Round Trip CNY 144 |
When is the Best Time to Visit Tianzi Mountain
The best time to visit Tianzi Mountain is April to October. During these months, the natural scenery is charming with green and density trees and blooming flowers.
Tips: Visitors had better avoid the official holiday in China, because many Chinese citizens choose to travel on official holidays to ease the pressure of their work. As a result, many Chinese tourist attractions are overcrowded and traffic jams are common. Therefore, visiting China at this time will bring tourists a less pleasant travel experience.
How to get to the Tianzi Mountain
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by Bus
Visitors can take the direct shuttle bus at the Zhangjiajie Bus Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and then take a battery car or walk to Tianzi Mountain.
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by Cable Car
Visitors can take cable car to Tianzi Mountain directly, which is not only a way to save time and energy, but also a good choice for visitors to enjoy the charming scenery that cannot be seen by walking.
