Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
Tianzi Mountains (Tianzishan) are regarded as the top site to see sandstone peaks in high density. It is located in the northeast of Wulingyuan National Park, covering 9,000 hectare with the highest altitude 1262.5 meters at Kunlun Mountain. The Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve together with Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Yangjiajie Nature Reserve constitute Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Tianzi Mountains were originally named Qingyan Mountain. It got its new name after the ancient Tujia leader Xiang Dakun who led the local peasant uprising and called himself “Tianzi” which literally means "The Son of Heaven".
Located in the central region of Wulingyuan, Tianzi Mountains are higher than the surrounding area. Standing on the main peak of Tianzi Mountains, you have a wide field of vision, with rich layers of peak forest.
Geologically, it can be divided into upper and lower parts. The part above 900 meters is the Permian argillaceous limestone. The part below 900 meters is Devonian primary sandstones and quartz sandstones. Due to the own development and long-term impact of external forces, the peculiar topography appeared. This kind of geological formation impresses tourists all over the world.
Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve Facts
How Were Tianzi Mountains Formed & Geology
Tianzi Mountains were sedimentary rocks (aqueous rock) that gradually sank from a vast ocean 318 million years ago. The water flow eroded and softened the sand and stones, leaving only the stone pillars. Later, due to a complex and lengthy diagenetic process, the quartz sandstone with a total thickness of five to six hundred meters that we see today was formed, creating various strangely shaped landscapes.
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Why It was so Named?
In the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, there are many places named after "Tianzi" : Tianzi Peak, Tianzi Cave, Tianzi Courtyard, Tianzi Weir, Tianzi Temple, Tianzi Island, and so on. Tracing back to its history, before the Ming Dynasty, this place was called Qingyan Mountain together with Zhangjiajie, and it got its name because of the numerous bluestone rocks.
In 1353, Xiang Dakun, the leader of the Tujia ethnic group in Zhangjiajie, led his attendants and family members to Qingyan Mountain and rose in rebellion. He established a state, presumptuously styled himself as a king, saying "Xiang Tianzi (which literally means The Son of Heaven)", and built a mountain stronghold centered around "Tianzi Mountains".
In 1385 (the 18th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty), Emperor Taizu of the Ming ordered King Zhen of Chu to suppress the army of Xiang Dakun. Xiang Dakun died in battle. Since then, the local Tujia people have commemorated and remembered him. All the places where he fought and lived during his lifetime were named "Tianzi".
What to Do and See in Tianzi Mountains Nature Reserve
Tianzi Mountains Nature Reserve is known as the "king of the peak forest". The east, west and south sides are lined with pinnacles and peaks. This nature reserve includes several small scenic areas such as Shijiayan, Chapanta, Laowuchang, Yuanyang Creek, Huanglong Spring and Fengqi Mountain. Among these areas, here below are some of the highlights and top things to do/see from each scenic area. Having this information in mind will help you a lot in planning your Zhangjiajie tour including the Tianzi Mountains National Park.
Cable Car Ride
The Tianzi Mountain Cable car is the second sightseeing cableway in Zhangjiajie after the Huangshizhai Cableway. It is the main transportation for tourists to enter the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. It makes your travel in Zhangjiajie Tianzi Mountain easier.
In June 1996, the construction of the Tianzi Mountain cable car began, and in May 1997 it was officially opened to the public. It is a single-line circulating detachable grip passenger cable car. All the equipment was imported from Doppelmayr Company in Austria. The horizontal line is designed to be 1960m long, the diagonal line is 2084m long, and the height difference between the two ends is 692 meters. It is equipped with 41 single-line automatic circulation carriages, each carrying 6 people. The transportation speed is 5 meters per second, and the one-way transportation capacity is 900 people per hour.The cable ride of Tianzi Mountain greatly reduces the waiting time for tourists.
The Air Field
The Air Field (Aerial Pastoral) is located on the middle terrace of the Laowuchang scenic part of Tianzi Mountains in Zhangjiajie, facing Yuanjiajie Scenic Area across the valley, with an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. At the top of the cliff there is a terraced farmland with a large slope of 3 hectares. The edge of the terrace forms nice curves, making the paddy field natural and charming. The terrace field covers about 7 hectares, with rice growing inside. In spring and summer, the terraces are full of water, with different reflections on. There are more than ten families living in the nearby village. Decorated with green walls and black tiles, the view looks more vibrant and like a fairyland on earth.
Helong Park
It is located on the left side of the 1,200-meter-high thousand-layer rock. In the park, the bronze statue of He Long standing on the "Yunqing Rock" integrates seamlessly with nature, creating a unique artistic style. It is the largest bronze statue made in China in nearly a hundred years.
Yubi Peak (Imperial Writing Brush Peak)
Yubi Peak is one of the best scenic spots that fascinate photographers and painters. More than 30 pictorial magazines have once shown its image. Yubi Peak is located in a valley of Tianzi Mountains. Standing on the viewing platform, tourists enjoy a view where there are dozens of beautiful peaks in the valley protruding to the blue sky. Given more imagination, you will find that the peak on the right is like a brush pen, and the peak on the left is like a pen holder.
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Dianjiang Terrace
Located in the deep valley surrounded by mist, the grotesque rocks resemble dozens of human figures. See, the "Emperor" is in the middle, and the "herald" in front is reading the imperial decree. The rest officials listen very carefully.
Tianzi Peak
On the southwest side of the Chapan Tower, there is a mountain with an altitude of more than 1,200 meters. This is the "Tianzi Peak". Tianzi peak looks like a sitting warrior, wearing iron armor, holding an arrow in his right hand, with thick eyebrows raised, and his eyes glaring forward, as if he was about to give the word to fight a battle.
Immortal Bridge
The Immortal Bridge of Tianzi Mountains, also known as the No. 1 Bridge in the world, is located on the Monkey Slope, opposite the Prince's Cave at the foot of the Emperor Peak. The bridge is naturally formed and spans over the sheer cliffs on both banks. It is 26 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, over one meter thick and about 60 to 70 meters high.
At the eastern end of the bridge, there are naturally formed stone steps. People can descend along the steps and walk onto the bridge. Looking down at the bottomless abyss, one can feel dizzy and disoriented. Only those who are not physically strong dare not cross it.
Shentang Bay
A mysterious paradise, a green maze, Shentang Bay in Tianmen Mountain National Park remains untouched to this day. It is a concave deep valley, surrounded by sheer cliffs cut by knives on all sides, and is shrouded in mist and rain all day long. The bottom of the valley is unfathomable. Legend has it that this is the place where one Xiang Tianzi died.
What is particularly strange is that at any time, the sounds of gongs and drums, people shouting and horses neighing can be faintly heard from within the bay. After investigation, it was found that the natural sound was formed because the air currents from the deep valley and the viewing platform collided in the two canyons.
Fairy Scattering Flowers
Fairy Scattering Flowers is located diagonally opposite to the Yubi Peak. The sea of clouds has turned the countless peaks and cliffs of Tianzi Mountains into isolated islands. And then the wind drives the white mist, which seems to reveal the silhouette of a young girl. She embraces a delicate flower basket, with her head inserted with flowers. And her right hand grabbed a handful of flowers to the earth.
How to Visit Tianzi Mountain - Recommended Hiking Route
Take the shuttle bus to the Tianzishan cable car station, or hike up to the top of Tianzishan. Visit the famous scenic spots such as the Viewing Platform and the Fairy Scattering Flowers. From the top of Tianzi Mountain, there are mainly the following hiking routes:
- West route: to the Ten Mile Gallery.
- East Route: Go to the Grand View Terrace, where there are famous attractions such as “One Step is Hard to Walk” and “Gathering of Divine Soldiers”.
- South route: to the South Heavenly Pillar, Monkey Viewing the Sea and other attractions.
>> Related reading: Hiking in Zhangjiajie: Best Hiking Trails
Tianzi Mountains Weather and Best Time to Visit
Zhangjiajie Tianzi Mountain National Park has an annual average temperature of 12°C, an annual rainfall of 1,800 mm. There are around 240 days of frost-free. The best months for a trip to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve are April, May, June, July, September, October and November. Doing a Tianzi Mountain trip in Zhangjiajie in different season, you will be offered different kinds of natural view. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to enjoy scenic wonders of Tianzi Mountain, such as Cloud Sea, Sunrise, Moon Brightness and Winter Snow. >> Read more about Zhangjiajie weather
How to get to the Tianzi Mountains Nature Reserve?
From Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport: 1. Then take taxi or public bus No.4 to Zhangjiajie Centre Bus Station, and then take the tourists bus to Wulingyuan ticket station. Get in the park and take tourists shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain cable car station. 2. Take taxi to Wulingyuan ticket station directly. 3. The most convenient and recommended way from airport to the park is taking the private vehicle service of Easy Tour China. Please book the service at least one day in advance.
From Zhangjiajie Bus Station: take the tourists bus to Wulingyuan ticket station. The journey takes about 40 minutes.
From Zhangjiajie Rail Station: from the exit of the rail station, walk to Zhangjiajie Centre Bus Station which is about 100m away. Take the tourists bus to Wulingyuan ticket station.
If you enter the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area from Zhangjiajie Forest Park or Suoxiyu, you can take a free shuttle bus.
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Travel Tips
1. It’s very easy to get confused by the names of difference scenic areas in Zhangjiajie. So it’s important to be clear about what is what, or just join Easy Tour China for your private guided Zhangjiajie tour.
2. Good walking and antiskid shoes always help.
3. Ready for crowds and queues before taking the Tianzi Mountain cable car especially in peak season.
4. Be careful of the wild monkeys. They sometimes rob tourists for food.
5. Restaurants in the park are basic and offer simple food. So take some snack as backup.
6. Shared shuttle buses inside the park can be used for transfer between different sites.
7. Ready for steps and moderate hiking.
8. Don’t miss the latest cable car down which is at 18:00.
9. Is there glass bridge on Tianzi Mountains? The answer is NO. For thrilling seeker, you are suggested to extend your Tianmen Mountain tour to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge or/and Tianmen Mountain glass skywalk.
10. A tour guide is highly recommended.
Plan a Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountains Tour with Easy Tour China
One of the most beautiful mountains in China, Tianmen Muontain in Zhangjiajie has always captured the imagination. It welcomes travelers who love nature, especially mountains, with natural wonders. A customized private Zhangjaijie tour with Tianmen mountain with ETC offers hand-picked hotels and life-time experiences that will charm everyone of you.
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