The Tianmen Mountain Winding Road, 99 Bends Through a Fairyland
Location of the Tianmen Mountain Winding Road
Tianmen Mountain is located in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, part of the Wulingyuan UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zhangjiajie’s Enchanting Mountain Scenery
Zhangjiajie’s mountains, one of China’s most iconic tourist destinations. The floating mountains in the movie Avatar were inspired by Zhangjiajie’s extraordinary peaks and rock formations. These mountains blend the elegance of Mount Emei, the serenity of Mount Qingcheng, the grandeur of Mount Tai, the precipitousness of Mount Hua, the cascading waterfalls of Mount Lu, and the ever-changing vistas of Mount Huang. Their myriad forms are truly breathtaking. Cycling through this landscape feels like moving through a traditional Chinese painting, where mountains and rivers flow together in harmony. For travel to Zhangjiajie, learn about ticket policies—Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket Price 2025 Official.
The Construction of Tianmen Mountain’s Winding Highway
Dubbed the “Heaven-Linking Avenue,” this road ascends toward the heavens and serves as the sole passage to Tianmen Mountain Cave. This 10.77-kilometer road ascends from 200 meters to 1,300 meters in elevation, featuring 99 winding turns that coil upward like a giant dragon. It serves not only as a vital transportation route to Tianmen Mountain Cave but also stands as a remarkable engineering marvel. Construction began in 1997 and concluded in 2005, spanning eight years and costing 160 million yuan. Each curve was meticulously designed to follow the mountain’s contours while maintaining visual elegance. Cycling along this road, every incline feels like pushing the limits, and every turn becomes a test of one’s physical and mental endurance.
The Grand Scale of the International Cycling Challenge
On September 14, 2025, the day of the Tianmen Mountain “Heavenly Road” Cycling Challenge, 1,500 riders from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other nations gathered at Tianmen Mountain. At 8:30 AM sharp, the starting gun fired, and the competitors shot off the starting line like arrows released from a bow. Along the course, each bend was marked by a stone monument bearing its number. Those bearing the number “9” were guarded by Tianmen Mountain’s symbolic stone carvings of guardian creatures, as if protecting every challenger. Riders pushed forward along the winding mountain roads, racing against time and competing against themselves.
Voices from the Cycling Challenge Participants
American competitor ICEMAN shared in an interview: “I come to Tianmen Mountain every year for this race because it’s incredibly tough and challenging. When you reach the finish line, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views—especially the steep stairway. It’s truly magnificent.” His words echo the sentiment of all participants: conquering Tianmen Mountain’s “Heavenly Road” isn’t just about victory, but about overcoming personal limits and savoring the scenery.
Walking along this “Heavenly Highway,” it feels like traversing time and space, conversing with nature, and resonating with history. Whether it’s a misty dawn or a sun-drenched afternoon, every inch of this land radiates a unique charm. Cyclists weave through the curves, as if crafting their own legends. Each turn marks a fresh beginning; every burst of speed is a liberation of the spirit.
Tianmen Mountain Cave at the summit of Tianmen Mountain’s winding road
Standing before Tianmen Mountain Cave, gazing up at this natural stone arch—soaring 131.5 meters high and spanning over 50 meters wide—one cannot help but marvel at nature’s extraordinary craftsmanship. During the Three Kingdoms period, Sun Xiu, Emperor of Eastern Wu, saw profound symbolism in this cave and named it “Tianmen Mountain Cave.” From then on, the mountain itself became known as “Tianmen Mountain.” As modern travelers describe it: “Heaven’s Gate opens wide, where clouds and mist swirl in brilliant light. Thousands of majestic peaks rise straight from the earth to touch the sky.” This is not only a tribute to Tianmen Mountain but a celebration of Zhangjiajie’s entire landscape. Want to experience it for yourself? Click to learn: What is the best month to visit Zhangjiajie?
