Tianmen Mountain Road
China, asia
11 km
1,300 m
difficult
April to October
# Tianmen Mountain Road: The Road to Heaven
Ready for one of the most intense drives in the world? Welcome to Tongtian Avenue, or as locals call it, "The Road to Heaven" — and trust me, this 11-kilometer stretch in Hunan Province isn't for the faint of heart. Snaking up Tianmen Mountain near Zhangjiajie, this engineering marvel climbs from 200 meters straight up to 1,300 meters, gaining elevation so fast your ears will pop.
Here's what makes this road legendary: 99 hairpin bends. And no, that number isn't random — in Chinese culture, nine is sacred (representing heaven's nine palaces), so 99 feels pretty cosmic. Built in 2005 as the centerpiece of Tianmen Mountain National Park, this road was designed to challenge and impress in equal measure.
Expect white-knuckle moments as your bus winds through lush subtropical forest with impossibly tight turns and steep grades that'll have you gripping your seat. (Pro tip: private vehicles aren't allowed up here — it's bus-only for good reason.) Every bend is numbered and named, and the views? Absolutely breathtaking.
At the summit, you'll spot the jaw-dropping Tianmen Cave, a massive natural arch punching clean through the mountain — 131 meters high and 57 meters wide — visible all the way from Zhangjiajie below. Reach it by climbing 999 more steps if you're feeling ambitious.
Not thrilled enough? The summit also features a glass skywalk suspended 1,432 meters above the valley (it's as terrifying as it sounds) and the world's longest commercial cable car ride at 7,455 meters. Car manufacturers have even staged promotional events here to show off their vehicles. Visit year-round, but expect cold, foggy conditions if you go in winter.
Where is it?
Tianmen Mountain Road is located in Hunan Province, China (asia). Coordinates: 29.0458, 110.4767
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
You'll need to hop on the park's shuttle bus to get around—private cars aren't allowed in there. If you're planning to visit during busy seasons, grab your tickets ahead of time so you don't get stuck waiting in long lines.
Want a real adrenaline rush? The glass skywalk is definitely worth checking out if you're brave enough! Fair warning though—it's pretty intense walking over that transparent glass.
If you're up for a serious workout, tackle the 999 steps leading up to Tianmen Cave. It's a solid hike, but the payoff is amazing. Just heads up: the summit gets pretty foggy pretty often, so don't be surprised if visibility gets hazy when you reach the top. You might not see as far as you'd hoped, but there's something kind of magical about the mist rolling through those cliffs anyway.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Region
- Hunan Province
- Length
- 11 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,300 m
- Difficulty
- difficult
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- April to October
- Coordinates
- 29.0458, 110.4767
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