Gateway to Heaven: Tianmen Cave in Zhangjiajie, China

By the time I reached the site, I had no much more energy.

All that was left of me was a powerful urge to eat anything that crosses my path. The huge rocky cave towering above me, the very reason I was in Tianmen mountain in the first place, appeared to me as a gargantuan donut. Thankfully, there were food stalls lining one edge of the traveler area. Otherwise, I would have eaten the cave too. I followed the scent of what smelled like fried eggs and longganisa (native Filipino sausages). Of course, there was no longganisa. but the Chinese version tasted very much like it. With six pieces of buns (siopao), they made up my first meal of the day. It was already past three in the afternoon.

Sausage and buns! These mini-sausages taste practically exactly like longganisa hamonado. To my delight!
Tianmen Cave is often referred to as Gateway to Heaven

After the quickest meal of my life, I finally had the chance to take a look at Tianmen Cave. The centerpiece of the Tianmen mountain national Park, it is a natural hole that cuts through one side of the peak. At 1520 meters above sea level, it is the highest natural arch in the world, earning its nickname “Gateway to Heaven.”

The cave alone is 131.5 meters tall, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. but it wasn’t always like this. It used to be an ordinary cave. At the time, the site was called Songliang mountain until Year 263, when one face of the cliff collapsed and created a door-like opening. The name was then changed to Tianmen, implying sacred. Today, this gateway has become one of the most renowned structures in Hunan Province.

The hole is available through a 999-step staircase that climbs straight to the base of the hole. nine is one lucky number in numerous Chinese cultures. The road that leads to this place is Tongtian Avenue, a dangerously winding path that turns 99 times. In 1999, a stunt exhibition was staged, allowing planes to fly through the cave. It was a momentous event that was witnessed by 800 million people through a live telecast.

Tianmen Cave (Gateway to Heaven) as seen from the base of the mountain!
A waterfall cascades just next to the 999-step stairway to Tianmen Cave.
Me and the huge hole. Haha.
View of the big gate road from the end point, the Tianmen Cave
As I sat there, staring at the arch, I began wondering whether it would be a good idea to still climb to the lofty viewdeck. It would have been another beautiful climb: Not only are the stairs set just next to a gentle waterfall, they also face the city of Zhangjiajie, cradled at the foot of a mountain range. but the first sign of sunset loomed overhead. suggestion of the cliff bathed in orange light, reminding me of the time. The choice was quite apparent now. I needed to catch the 6:30pm train to Liuzhou.

Reluctantly, I grabbed my bag and headed to the bus terminal and made my way back to the city. had I had much more time, I would have stayed a lot longer. It was a shame that I saved Tianmen mountain for last.

Tian men Shan cable television Car
Tian Men Mountain National Park,
Zhangjiajie, Hunan -provinsen, Kina

Admission Fee: CNY 258 (inclusive of cable television car rides)
Öppettider: 8 till 18 (16:00 sista inträde)

How to get to Tianmen Mountain: The nearest aerial gateway is Zhangjiajie Airport, but visitors from the Philippines may fly through Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia) to Wuhan or Guilin. Från Wuhan, ta en 9-timmars tågresa till Zhangjiajie City. Från Guilin, gå ombord på ett tåg över natten till Liuzhou eller Changsha sedan en annan till Zhangjiajie (total restid är cirka 18 timmar exklusive utformningar). From Zhangjiajie Train Terminal, the Tianmen mountain cable television car station can be reached on foot (around 10-15-minute walk).

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