Bailong Elevator of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Bailong Elevator of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Bailong Elevator Facts

The Bailong Elevator or Hundred Dragons Elevator is a glass elevator built onto the side of a huge cliff in the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area of Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area that is 335 m high. Construction of the elevator began in October 1999, and it was opened to the public by 2002. At the cost of 120 million yuan or $19 million, the elevator can take 48 passengers at once to the top, rated speed 3.0 m/s, a journey that takes 2 seconds shy of 2 minutes.

Chinese Name: 张家界百龙观光电梯

Type: The hghest glass elevator in the world

Address: Inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China

Best Seasons: All year round

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 2-4 hours

Opening Hours:  08:00 – 17:30 on normal days, 07:00 – 20:00 on public holidays, and maybe closed in the severe weather

Tickets: CNY 72 for a single trip; CNY 144 for a round-trip;
CNY 43 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m (4.3 - 4.9 feet).
Free for children below 1.3m.

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Why is Bailong Elevator So Special?

  1.  Zhangjiaije National Forest Park is the main part of Wulingyuan Scenic Area which was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992; Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first national forest park in China. It is noted for more than 3000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks with striking beauty of landscape.
  2. It connects Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and other main scenic areas together, saving a lot of time for tourists to explore and visit the scenic sites. The elevator is made of glass and transparent. During the ride, passengers can appreciate the Magic Gathering, one of the greatness in Zhangjiajie, and Gardens in Air, local residents’ cottages scattering on the top of the opposite mountains, harvesting a novel sightseeing experience.

Brief Introduction of Bailong Elevator

Located in Yuanjiajie, Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area of Zhangjiajie , Bailong Elevator is the highest, fastest, fully exposed outdoor double-decker sightseeing elevator with the largest capacity in the world. Bailong Elevator goes up and down very fast with a speed of 3 meters per second (10 feet/s), which can finish a height of 326 meters (1,070 feet) within 1 minute and 58 seconds. It connects Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream and other main scenic areas together, leaving more time for tourists to enjoy the beauty of Zhangjiajie.

Function of Bailong Elevator

Bailong Elevator provides visitors with convenient transportation and it plays an important role in moving the sites of hotels and other reception facilities out of the scenic area. So it helps to effectively protect the environment.

Yuanjiajie is another world natural heritage in Wulingyuan scenic area. Previously, visitors must take more than three hours to drive on dangerous mountain road to Yuanjiajie. It would take more than five hours if you drive from the foot of mountain to Yuanjiajie scenic spot. Since Bailong Elevator was accessible to visitors, the time has shortened to be one minute and 58 seconds, which is considered to be a miracle.

After doing the environmental assessment, experts who is responsible to the protection of the World Natural Heritage says Bailong Elevator do more good than harm. The elevators contributed to the stay of visitors and the removing of hotel accommodation. There used to be plenty of hotels, guesthouses and other accommodation facilities. 

Main Attractions of Bailong Elevator

The Fastest Sightseeing Elevator in the World

Normally, it takes the elevator only 1 minute and 58 seconds to run from the foot to top of the mountain, and the running speed of the elevator gets to 3 meters per second. The fastest running speed can reach 5.5 meters per second (18 feet/s) and the whole riding lasts only 66 seconds. In the previous days when there was no elevator, it took tourists about 2 hours to climb up to the mountain top. 

The Highest Outdoor Sightseeing Elevator in the World

With a vertical height of 335 meters (1,100 feet) and a running height of 326 meters, Bailong Elevator is acknowledged  as the highest sightseeing elevator in the world. It mainly contains two parts in structure: 154 meters’ (500 feet) solid well inside the mountains and 172 meters’ (560 feet) steel derrick against the mountains. How long did it take to build Bailong Elevator? It is not easy to build this elevator, taking 2 years and 7 months from September of 1999 to April of 2002, costing CNY 180 million.  

The Sightseeing Elevator with the Largest Capacity in the World

With three double-decker fully exposed sightseeing elevators, Bailong Elevator has the largest capacity among all sightseeing elevators all over the world. Three elevators run side by side to serve tourists and one elevator can bear up to 50 persons. When three elevators are in service at the same time, Bailong Elevator can serve 4,000 tourists per hour.     

Best time to visit Zhangjiajie

Generally April through Mid-November is a good time to visit Zhangjiajie. April and October are the two best months to visit Zhangjiajie. The best time to view the red leaves and fall foliage in Zhangjiajie ranges from later October to Mid-November. The weather in spring of Zhangjiajie is pleasant.

How to Get to Bailong Elevator

Travel with China Dragon Tours (top recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Bailong Elevator with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on travel.

Independent Travel

There are 5 ticket windows in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The nearest one to Bailong Elevator is Zimugang Ticket Office, also known as Shuiraosimen Ticket Office. From Shuiraosimen Ticket Office, tourists can follow direction signs walking to Bailong Elevator in about 15 minutes. From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket office, battery cars are available for the transfer. It is not recommended to get to the elevator from other ticket offices, for the distance is far and there is no transportation available.

Useful Travel Tips

  1. Try to avoid visiting during Golden Week and summer holidays.
  2. Accommodation: There are hotels and inns in the park and near the Wulingyuan Entrance, most of which do not provide toiletries. A standard double-bed room costs CNY 300 or so. Suoxi Shanju Light Luxury Resort Hotel is a good recommendation.

  3. Fees for elevator, cable car and tourist train

    Items Fees
    Bailong Sightseeing Elevator (Single Trip) CNY 72; CNY 43 for children between 1.3 – 1.5m.
    Yellow Stone Village Cable Car Single Trip: CNY 65; CNY 40  for children between 1.3 – 1.5m.
    Round Trip: CNY 118; CNY 70 for children between 1.3 – 1.5m.
    Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (Single Trip) CNY 72; CNY 43 for children between 1.3 – 1.5m.
    Yangjiajie Cable Car (Single Trip) CNY 76; CNY 46 for children between 1.3 – 1.5m.
    Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train (Single Trip) CNY 38; CNY 24 for children between 1.2 (3.9 ft) and 1.5m

  4. Standing beside the windows to better appreciate beautiful scenery. But this is not advised for those with fear of heights.
    In peak season, it usually takes around half an hour to queue in line to get onboard. Therefore, it is suggested to take it in the early morning where there are relatively less tourists.   
    Tourists buying a round-trip ticket can go through exclusive channel without queuing.
    Bailong Elevator is open all the time, except snowy days and other bad weathers.   

Nearby Attractions

Edited by Bella Ren/任新月