Tianmen Mountain switched to Route C on 13 October

Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China, switched to Route C on 13 October 2026 after the scenic area suspended its other cableway routes during an upgrade. The mountain is also known as Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, and the current arrangement changes how visitors reach Tianmen Cave and the summit.

Tianmen Mountain now operates Route C only

The park operator announced on 10 October that the full Tianmen Mountain Cableway would stop carrying passengers from 13 October 2026. Routes A and B, as well as one-way Routes 1 and 2, are suspended while construction continues, and no reopening date has been announced.

The operator announcement for Route C says visitors enter at the Mountain Gate and take the Tianmen Cave Express Cableway up to the cave area. From behind the cave, a seven-stage mountain-piercing escalator leads to the summit, with the same route used in reverse for the return journey.

What Route C changes at the Zhangjiajie landmark

The change removes the main cableway from the visitor journey for the time being. It also means that the traditional transport pattern associated with Routes A and B is not available during the upgrade, while the summit attractions remain part of the Route C itinerary.

The operator says the shuttle between the lower cableway station and the Mountain Gate continues to run. The official route description also lists the West Line Glass Skywalk, East Line Glass Skywalk, Panlong Cliff Glass Skywalk and Tianmen Cave Stairway to Heaven, but warns that weather, maintenance or events can close them temporarily. A current route guide likewise describes Route C as the only operating line during the cableway works.

A 1,518.6-metre summit south of Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain stands about 8 km south of downtown Zhangjiajie, according to the park’s current visitor information. Its summit reaches 1,518.6 m (4,982 ft), and the site is identified by the natural Tianmen Cave, sheer cliffs, summit paths and glass walkways.

The route adjustment is therefore more than a cableway timetable change. It moves the transport starting point to the Mountain Gate while preserving access to the cave and summit, linking the October 2026 construction programme directly to the parts of the mountain most visitors come to see.

Visiting Tianmen Mountain: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Route C has operated as the only visitor route from 13 October 2026; Routes A, B, 1 and 2 remain suspended until further notice.
• Access begins at the Mountain Gate, followed by the Tianmen Cave Express Cableway, the cave area, the seven-stage mountain-piercing escalator and the summit.
• The site is about 8 km south of downtown Zhangjiajie, and the shuttle between the lower cableway station and the Mountain Gate continues to operate.
• The landscape includes steep cliffs, a natural cave, summit paths and glass skywalks, while individual sections may close because of weather or maintenance.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Tianmen Mountain

What changed at Tianmen Mountain?

From 13 October 2026, the park suspended Routes A and B and one-way Routes 1 and 2 during the cableway upgrade. Route C is the only operating visitor route.

How does Route C work at Tianmen Mountain?

Visitors enter at the Mountain Gate, take the Tianmen Cave Express Cableway to the cave area, use the seven-stage mountain-piercing escalator to reach the summit and return by the same route.

Where is Tianmen Mountain and how do you get there?

The mountain is about 8 km south of downtown Zhangjiajie in China. The park says the shuttle between the lower cableway station and the Mountain Gate continues to operate.