[China|Hunan] Heaven Gate Mountain

[Shonendizzycow]

This was pretty interesting that I though I put it in it's own post.

The attraction is mainly a large natural hole in the mountain, which they dubbed heaven's gate mountain (thien men shan)

To me the big surprise was the ride there in the most amazing cable car ride (one of the longest in the world), over really great scenery I've ever taken, then up one of the the most amazing road (which has 99 turns) I've been on, then up some 999 steps to the top!

Both spectacular and scary!

1. We start off right in the JZZ city, going over a people's rooftops.


2. As we pass the hill.....


3. The farming terrain is revealed to us, beyond, mountains and our destination.


4. As we head on, the rolling terrain, begins to become more steep, and valley like


5. As the ride begins to climb at an steeper angle, you can see the mountain of TMS


6. At certain angles, the hole is revealed to you during the ride!


7. Looking down was the amazing road needed to go up there.


8. Most spectacular part of the road taken from the cable car. Carved from the cliff itself, at the narrowest point, the road loops under itself!


9. From the top of the cable car section, can't see the start already. We would then go back to a middle station to catch the bus up the road to the gate.
It's a long, long way down.


10. Great scenery all around


11. This is what you have to climb if you want to get to the top. (999 steps) Notice 2 levels of steepness. The last stretch is steep all the way to the top.


12. At last, reached the top (very hard), people below are like ants. You will definitely be aware of the weight of your DSLR camera and lens.


Needless to say this place is not for the faint-hearted. The cable car ride is trully suspended over huge heights, the bus driver drives like he's an F1 driver, and there are landslides all around.

This should be the last of the 2006 posts. Thanks all who viewed!

[randomnosense]

Wow, really high...and no kidding, the road is really winding!
Nice series!

[Yogi]

That road is amazing!!! I'd probably throw up at every turn.

[rilke]

really nice series......

[Drag]

The road Haven for drifter

[Shonendizzycow]

Tks all.

Yogi :

Drag : Wah heaven ka? Maybe can end up in heaven you mean.

BTW, only their authorized buses can be on that road.

All in all the place is pretty newly developed for tourist. There's very little publicity and many tours and guidebooks don't even include it. We came across it from our guide plus seeing the pictures of it in some books sold in Hunan.

[charlie]

ANOTHER GREAT SERIES, wow, dun thing I can make it up those stairs, heaven or not....! btw FWC, didnt get to know u, u in the travel industry?

[Shonendizzycow]

ANOTHER GREAT SERIES, wow, dun thing I can make it up those stairs, heaven or not....! btw FWC, didnt get to know u, u in the travel industry?

Not in the industry, I'm just a traveler.

[tigadee]

Wow, not only is tourism a major industry there, but automotive maintenance and repair must be a major industry too!

[madamfoto]

Yup...judging from the pics...not a trip for me....GAYAATT!!

[anderson]

WoW!!! nice place and beautiful senery

[Shonendizzycow]

WoW!!! nice place and beautiful senery

Ahaha ya, quite unique eh? I was quite suprised too.