Glass Plank Road at Tianmen Mountain in China 2024

A simple walk on the Glass Road, circling around Tianmen Mountain, can bring much thrill and excitement. Located near Zhangjiajie City, this 197-feet (60 m) long glass road is set up on the side of Tianmen Mountain at the height of 5000 feet (1524 m). Every year, the road, known as the Coiling Dragon Cliff, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. While the glass bridge is just part of the walkaway, the rest of which largely consists of stone and stairs, it remains one of the highlights during the climb.

Best Time to Visit the Glass Road

Tianmen Mountain is extremely popular among Chinese tourists, so be prepared for crowds any time of the year. The peak season lasts from June to August. During this period, you'll most likely experience large crowds and long lines to cable cars. The best time to visit Glass Road is between September and November, when temperatures are more pleasant and the weather is dry. Spring brings too much fog and rain, and winter might be too cold for an uphill climb.

Tianmen Mountain Routes

There are three routes with varying difficulty, and access you can take to get to the Glass Plank Road. Both Routes A and B have nearly identical itineraries and feature a ride on the longest cable car in the world, with 98 cars. Route A begins at the Lower Station of the Large Cableway, while Route B starts at the entrance gate with the shuttle bus. Route C, unfortunately, only involves a small cable car. Those traveling along Route B need to stop by Li Na's Villa to get a downhill cable car ticket number.

After your scenic ride, you can choose either the East or West line, but most of the mountain attractions, including the Glass Plank Road, can be seen and visited along the West line. If you have enough time, you can even walk both lines to witness the beauty of Tianmen Mountain to the fullest.

Tickets & Park Hours

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is usually open from 7 am until 7 pm during the peak season, but entry is only allowed until 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased from the Tianmen Mountain official WeChat or Alipay. The price of tickets is around 278 Chinese Yuan per person, which includes a cable car ride. Discounted prices are available for children and elderly.

Accommodation & Transportation

It's recommended to stay in Zhangjiajie City, specifically in Yongding district, as it's located just 8 miles (13 km) away from Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, which you can easily get to by bus or even by foot. Get on a bus to the Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station and then go on foot to the Tianmen Mountain lower cable car station, which is situated just over half a mile (0.9 km) away. If you just arrived by train to the Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, you can take bus on route 4 or 17 straight to Tianmen Mountain.

Tips for Your Climb

Despite its dizzying heights, the Glass Plank Road is completely safe to visit and can withstand heavy loads. The skywalk is made of tempered glass and equipped with a sturdy railing, but if you're scared of heights, consider standing closer to the cliff side of the path. Since it can get windy at this altitude, wearing a windbreaker and warm layers is recommended. To protect the glass, all visitors are provided with shoe coverings.

Attractions Along the Walkway

As you take your first step on the bridge, you can look through the glass and see the steep cliffs and the breathtaking views below. This activity is definitely not for the faint-hearted and those afraid of heights. Some people don't dare to step on it when they come and see it. However, the experience is well worth the effort since it reveals stunning vistas of the 99-Bend Road, winding down Tianmen Mountain, the sacred Tianmenshan Temple, and a cave, known as Heaven's Door, with 999 steps.

Places to Visit in Zhangjiajie

In addition to the Glass Plank Road, Zhangjiajie City boasts numerous must-see attractions. Highlights include Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, Baofeng Lake, and Yellow Dragon Cave. These destinations offer breathtaking natural landscapes, remarkable rock formations, and exciting activities such as hiking, cave exploration, and boating.