Tianzi Mountain - See the Most Stunning Peaks in Wulingyuan Scenic Area

With an area comprising only 67 square kilometers, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve is one of the four subsections of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, added to the World Heritage List. However, its unparalleled peaks are the must-visit scene of Wulingyuan and even appear on the entrance ticket of the large scenic area.

Tianzi Mountain provides stunning views of peaks, which rise one after another. It is known as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest'. At the top of the mountain, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is said to combine the beauty of Guilin, the grotesqueness of Huangshan ("Yellow Mountain"), the awesomeness of Mount Hua and the magnificence of Mount Tai.

Tianzi Mountain greet visitors with its beautiful scenery, and if you are lucky enough, you would see the four wonders: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter. Tianzi Mountain also attracts travellers with the iconic landscape of Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, forbidden Shentang Gulf, magical Fields in the Air, beautiful Ten Mile Gallery, etc.

Just come to explore this cute spot!

Tianzi Mountain Related Reading:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Yuanjiajie | Ten Miles Gallery | Golden Whip Stream | Huangshizhai

Tianzi Mountain owes its name to the Tujia chieftain Xiang Dakun, who during the Song Dynasty, uprising in this region and self-proclaimed as ”Xiang Wang Tianzi,“ stood for the Tujia and other ethnic minorities' interests. In 1353 AD, during the Yuan Dynasty‘s reign, Xiang Dakun, along with his troops, scaled the mountain to set up a stronghold with Tianzi Mountain at its heart. Following his defeat by the royal forces and his demise at Shentang Bay's precipice in 1385 AD, the locals commemorated him by christening the locale ”Tianzi“ in his memory. Although the Qing Dynasty tried to forbid this title, the Tujia people's steadfastness kept the name "Tianzi Mountain" in circulation.

Tianzi Mountain Formation

The Mountains are quartz sandstone and were formed about 400 million years ago through irregular rising patterns of the earths crust, and with about 318 million years of erosion these tall and skinny mountains were formed. Furthermore, the erosion has created distinct, stratified layers that have developed different coloring and shape over the years of exposure to the elements. Meanwhile, younger and less eroded mountains also dot these mountains, further contributing to the unique variety of mountain formations found here.

Tianzi Mountain Recommended Tours
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Helong Park 贺龙公园

Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (御笔峰) - King of Peaks

No matter painters or photographers, they are all fascinated by Imperial Writing Brush Peaks. You may see it in many pictures both at home and abroad. Legends goes that King Xiang leaves his writing brush here. Looking from the vantage point on the northeast, ten rolling peaks soar up to the blue sky. The right peak looks like an inverted brush. And the peaks on the left looks like a finished picture.

Tianzi Pavilion (天子阁) - The Best Viewing Deck

Tianzi Pavilion, a man-made pavilion with the characteristics of traditional Chinese architecture, is the best viewing deck to overlook Tianzi Mountain. With the height of 30 meters, Tianzi Pavilion is located at the platform that is about 200 meters east away from the Helong Park. While you enter the pavilion, you could see three big Chinese characters: Tian Zi Ge (天子阁). The pavilion has 6 floors and four double-hipped roof, which is the same as other ancient Chinese pavilion.

You can’t image that the scene in the fairy tale can come into the real life. Fields in the Air rises 1,000 meters above sea level. You could see a piece of terraced field covering 3 hectares, beneath which is a chasm with protruding sheer cliffs. The field is on three sides surrounded by trees and white clouds, just like a splendid landscape painting.
Note: You need to pay additional CNY 64/pp for Kong Zhong Tian Yuan Sightseeing Car. You could contact our private consultant for the updated information.

Ten Miles Gallery is a valley of Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve with about 10 miles, and you could choose to explore the beautiful scenery along the road by taking the little green train. In this small valley, you could see picturesque scenery. Those peaks with various shapes are major scenic spots of this area. They look like what they are named after, such as The God of Longevity Welcoming Guest (寿星迎宾), An Old Man Gathering Herbs (采药老人), Conch Peak (海螺峰), etc.
Note: You need to pay extra fee for the little green train (tourist tram). The single way ticket is ¥38 and round trip ticket is ¥52. It may change according to situation.

Recommended Tianzi Mountain Tours with Ten Miles Gallery

Tianzi Mountain Classic Visiting Route (Visiting Hours: about 2~3 Hours): Many visitors opt to explore Tianzi Mountain along with Yuanjiajie in a single trip. After concluding your visit to Yuanjiajie, board the complimentary shuttle bus at the No.1 Bridge in the World (天下第一桥), which is a notable landmark, and alight at Helong Park (贺龙公园). While at Helong Park, take in the views of the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, the Tianzi Pavilion, and the scene known as The Warrior Training Horses. Once you've explored these landmarks, head back to the bus stop to catch a ride on the shuttle bus that will take you to the upper station of the cableway, from where you can descend the mountain. This route is a well-loved combination that allows for a comprehensive experience of the area's natural beauty and iconic spots.

Tianzi Mountain In-depth Exploration Route (vice versa): (Yuanjiajie - Yangjiajie) Kong Zhong Tian Yuan Scenic Zone (空中田园, 1-2 hours, highly recommended) - Shentang Gulf (神堂湾, 1 hours, optional) - Helong Park (贺龙公园, 1-1.5 hours, must-visit) - Tianzi Mountain Cableway (天子山索道) - Wulingyuan Sign Gate/East Gate (武陵源标志门/东门)
Travel Suggestions for Tianzi Mountain + Ten Miles Gallery:
1. If you have ample time and energy, consider incorporating a leisurely visit to the Ten Miles Gallery early in the day before your excursion to Yuanjiajie. Alternatively, you might choose to save this for last, especially after descending from Tianzi Mountain via cable car. From there, you can take a scenic bus to the entrance of the Ten Miles Gallery.
2. For those planning a full day dedicated to exploring Tianzi Mountain and who enjoy outdoor activities, begin your journey at the Ten Miles Gallery. You can then embark on a hike up to Helong Park, which should take about 2-3 hours. Following this, you can proceed to discover the other picturesque areas that Tianzi Mountain has to offer for the remainder of your day.

4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain

Itinerary: Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountain, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Yellow Dragon Cave

The total length of Tianzi Mountain cable car is about 2,084 meters, and the speed of which is about 5 m/s. Most travellers choose to take it to up/down the mountain, which could highly save your energy. The time needed for a single way is about 10 mins. You could enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way in relax.
Note: 1. The single way ticket is ¥72/person, and the round-trip ticket is ¥144/person.
2. The opening hours are 7:30-17:30 (Peak Season), 8:00-17:00 (Off Season).
3. The price and opening hours may vary under different situations.

Tianzi Mountain is located at the north part of Wulingyuan-Zhangjiajie Core Scenic Area. It is about 35km to Zhangjiajie City by car (1h’s driving distance). You can take a scenic bus directly from Wulingyuan Sign Gate (East Gate) to reach the lower station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway.
The transportation time to Tianzi Mountain:

• No.1 Bridge in the World, Yuanjiajie - Helong Park, Tianzi Mountain: 40-minute by sightseeing bus.
• Lower Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway - Ten Miles Gallery: 20-minute by sightseeing bus.
• Lower Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway - Golden Whip Stream: 30-minute by sightseeing bus.
• Lower Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway - East Gate - South Gate - Lower Station of Huangshizhai: 15-minute by sightseeing bus + 30-minute by car + 15-minute on foot.
• Lower Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway - East Gate - Yellow Dragon Cave: 15-minute by sightseeing bus + 20-minute by car.
• Lower Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway - East Gate - Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: 15-minute by sightseeing bus + 40-minute by car.

Other Useful Tianzi Mountain Transportation Tips: Zhangjiajie Train Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Zhangjiajie Airport to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Most travellers would visit Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain in one day, and they would visit Yuanjiajie first and then visit Tianzi Mountain. Generally, they would take about 2-3 days to visit the core attractions of Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

The first day they will arrive at Zhangjiajie and check in hotels in Wulingyuan Central Area. Then the next day they will visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, where they could enjoy Huangshizhai - the viewing deck - to overlook the whole view of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and then hike to Golden Whip Stream. The third day they will go to Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. Then they will go back.

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If they have 1~2 more days, then they could have a in-depth tour of Zhangjiajie by visiting Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Yellow Dragon Cave, Tianmen Mountain, etc. Or they would explore the nearby Fenghuang Ancient Town or Furong Ancient Town to see the featured western Hunan ethnic minority or to Fanjingshan Mountain to see the mushroom stone and odd mountains.

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