How you get up the mountain (from 13 October 2026)
The 7.4 km cableway from the city is out of service and the Route A and B packages are not on sale. The only route is Route C: check in at the mountain gate, ride the express cableway to Tianmen Cave, take the seven escalators through the rock to the summit, and return the same way. You do not drive the 99-bend road and you do not ride the long cableway.
- A free shuttle runs from the cableway’s city station to the mountain gate — about 20 minutes.
- The whole visit takes 4 to 6 hours. Expect queues at the escalators and the cave; go in the morning.
- The ticket price has not changed with the route.
- No date has been announced for the cableway to reopen. We will update this page when it is.
Tickets
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | ¥285 + ¥3 insurance (¥288) |
| Age 14–17, students, age 60–64 | ¥152 |
| Age 65 and over | ¥116 |
| Escalator up the 999 steps (optional) | ¥32 |
Foreign passports qualify for the age and student fares. The seven escalators through the mountain are included in the ticket; the optional ¥32 is for the five-section escalator that skips the 999 steps up to the cave. There is no paid fast lane. Prices and timetables last checked October 2026; they change — treat them as a guide, not a quote.
What is on top
- Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate) — the natural arch through the mountain: 131.5 m high, 57 m wide, 60 m deep. The 999 steps climb to it from the plaza below.
- The glass skywalks — three sections are open: the east line, the west line and the Coiling Dragon Cliff walk (100 m long and 1.6 m wide).
- The cliff-edge paths — the summit loop runs along the cliff with the city far below.
For the record: the suspended cableway is 7,455 m long with a 1,279 m rise, and the 99-bend road (Tongtian Avenue) is about 11 km. Both are closed to visitors while Route C is the only route.
Weather and timing
- Rain, mist and wind do not close the mountain. In ice, dense fog or heavy rain the operator temporarily reroutes everyone — which, at the moment, is Route C anyway.
- If you are catching a train the same day, book a departure at 16:00 or later.
- Allow 4–6 hours door to door from the city.
Quick answers
Can I ride the Tianmen Mountain cableway right now?
No. The main cableway has been closed since 13 October 2026 and no reopening date has been announced. Visitors go up by Route C: express cableway to the cave, then escalators to the summit.
Do I have to climb the 999 steps?
No. You can climb them, or pay ¥32 for the escalator that bypasses them.
How long does Tianmen Mountain take?
Four to six hours, including the shuttle from the city station.
How much is the Tianmen Mountain ticket?
¥285 plus ¥3 insurance for adults (October 2026). Ages 14–17, students and 60–64 pay ¥152; 65 and over pay ¥116.