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Tianzi Mountain (Emperor Mountain)天子山
Tianzi Mountain lies in the northwest of Wulingyuan and ranks among its most celebrated scenic areas, famous as the real-world prototype of the floating mountains in Avatar. Its highest point, Konglun Peak, stands 1,262 m above sea level. Signature sights include the West Sea peak forest, Helong Park, the Imperial Brush Peaks and the Fairy Scattering Flowers lookout, renowned for cloud seas, stone forests and sunrises.
Zhangjiajie · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Tianzi Mountain (Emperor Mountain) worth visiting?
Core scenic area of Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie with Konglun Peak at 1262 m; included in the 225-yuan Wulingyuan pass, cableway 2084 m long, open 07:00-18:00, allow 4-6 hours.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Included in the Wulingyuan through ticket (225 CNY); cableway and elevator tickets cost extra |
|---|---|
| Hours | 07:00-18:00 (follows Wulingyuan opening hours) |
| Recommended duration | 4-6 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-October; the cloud sea is at its most spectacular right after rain clears |
| How to get there | Inside Wulingyuan: park shuttle buses to the Tianzi Mountain cableway station or Helong Park station |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Address | Tianzi Mountain scenic area, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan |
| Type | Peak forest / cloud sea / World Natural Heritage |
| Highest peak | 1,262 m (Konglun Peak) |
| Key sights | West Sea peak forest, Imperial Brush Peaks, Fairy Scattering Flowers, Helong Park |
| Admission | Included in the Wulingyuan pass (225 CNY) |
| Suggested duration | 4-6 hours |
What to expect
Tianzi Mountain sits in northwest Wulingyuan and shot to fame as the prototype of Avatar's floating mountains. Its quartz-sandstone peaks belong to the same range as Yuanjiajie's, but the vistas are far wider, making it one of the best vantage points on the Wulingyuan pillar landscape. Its cloud sea is the finest in Wulingyuan: mist billows between the stone peaks like a fairyland, at its most dramatic when clouds rise tier upon tier from the valleys just after rain.
Main sights include the West Sea peak forest (the core area, thousands of stone peaks ranked like a forest), the Imperial Brush Peaks (Zhangjiajie's signature scene — three slender columns standing side by side like brushes), Fairy Scattering Flowers (a natural stone figure resembling a maiden holding a flower basket) and Helong Park, a large park honoring Marshal He Long. The Tianzi Mountain cableway is the main way up: 2,084 m long with 535 m of vertical rise and a ride of about 6 minutes.
Sunrise here is one of Wulingyuan's classic spectacles. The Tianzi Mountain lookout is the best sunrise spot and draws large crowds every early morning; sunset falls toward the Ten-Mile Gallery, staining the peaks gold-red. The scenic area is large and its sights scattered, so use the park shuttle buses.
How to get there
Tianzi Mountain is part of Wulingyuan: enter the scenic area first (225 CNY pass), then take a park shuttle to the Tianzi Mountain cableway station or Helong Park station. The cableway up takes about 6 minutes (67 CNY); alternatively ride the Bailong Elevator (72 CNY) to Yuanjiajie and continue by shuttle.
Best photo spots
- Frontal panorama of the Imperial Brush Peaks — Zhangjiajie's classic postcard angle
- Looking down on the cloud sea over the West Sea peak forest
- Golden peaks at sunrise from Tianzi Mountain
- Stone-peak silhouettes from the Fairy Scattering Flowers lookout
Tips
- Take the first cableway up to reach the lookout before sunrise
- The Tianzi cloud sea is Wulingyuan's finest and most likely just after rain clears
- Dining options on the mountain are limited; bring your own supplies
- Cableway and Bailong Elevator are alternatives — choose by your route
Scams to avoid
- No authorized ticket resellers operate around the park; buy at official windows
- Summit souvenirs are overpriced; buy from proper stores in the city instead
- Sedan-chair porterage prices are opaque; agree on the fee first or decline to avoid disputes
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie?
Both are core areas of the Wulingyuan pillar landscape. Yuanjiajie sits lower and is known for deep gorges — the Avatar floating-mountain prototype is there. Tianzi Mountain sits higher with wider views and more spectacular cloud seas and sunrises.
Does Tianzi Mountain need a separate ticket?
It is included in the Wulingyuan through ticket (225 CNY), but park transport such as the cableway and elevator costs extra.
Is Tianzi Mountain good for sunrise?
Very much so — its lookout is the best sunrise spot in Wulingyuan. Start early and take the first cableway up (aim to reach the park before about 6:30).
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Tianmen Mountain
A 1,518 m karst peak towering over Zhangjiajie city, reached by a 7.4 km cable car and crowned by a 131 m natural arch called Heaven's Gate plus a glass walkway bolted to the cliff.
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
China's first UNESCO Global Geopark near Zhangjiajie, 264 sq km with 3000+ sandstone pillars; 225-yuan pass valid 4 days including shuttles, open 07:00-18:00, world heritage since 1992.
Yangjiajie (Yuanjiajie)
Wulingyuan's core scenic area and the inspiration for the Avatar floating mountains — included in the Wulingyuan pass (CNY 225). The First Bridge spans 26 m across a 1.5-m-wide quartzite pillar.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan)
3,000+ quartz-sandstone pillars rising 200–400 m through subtropical mist — the landscape that inspired Avatar. China's most alien landscape. 2–3 days.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
The world's longest glass bridge — 430 m suspended above a canyon — and one of China's most viral photo stops.