Tianmen Mountain right now: one route, four to six hours

How you get up the mountain (from 13 October 2026)

Since 13 October 2026 there is one route, Route C: check in at the mountain gate, express cableway to Tianmen Cave, seven escalators through the rock to the summit, and back the same way. The 7.4 km cableway from the city and the 99-bend road are closed and Routes A and B are not on sale. Allow four to six hours; the price is unchanged.

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

Adults pay ¥285 plus ¥3 insurance, ¥288 in all; ages 14–17, students and 60–64 pay ¥152; 65 and over pay ¥116, and foreign passports qualify. The seven escalators through the mountain are included; the optional escalator that skips the 999 steps up to the cave is ¥32 extra. There is no paid fast lane. Official listed prices, checked October 2026.

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

On top: Tianmen Cave, the natural arch 131.5 m high, 57 m wide and 60 m deep, reached by the 999 steps from the plaza; three open glass skywalks, the east line, the west line and the 100 m Coiling Dragon Cliff walk; and the cliff-edge loop above the city. The long cableway and the 99-bend road are closed while Route C runs.

• 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 cave’s history, the flights through it and the climb itself are on the Heaven’s Gate page.
• 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 reroutes everyone, which at present means Route C anyway. Visitors report that morning fog usually lifts later, so going up later beats cancelling. With a train the same day, book 16:00 or later and allow four to six hours door to door.

• 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.