Tianzishan Cableway in Zhangjiajie

The Tianzishan Cableway (天子山索道) is the second sightseeing cableway in Zhangjiajie (张家界) after the Huangshizhai Cableway (黄石寨索道). It serves as the primary transportation method for visitors entering the Tianzishan Scenic Area (天子山景区).

Compared to the original cableway, the upgraded Tianzishan Cableway operates faster. With a total length of 2091 meters, the one-way ride takes just six minutes, which is 33% faster than before. The capacity has also been increased, with the individual gondolas now holding 8 people, up from 6, allowing a maximum hourly capacity of 2100 people—2.3 times higher than previously. After the new cableway opened, it joined the Huangshizhai Cableway (黄石寨索道), Bailong Elevator (百龙天梯), and Yangjiajie Cableway (杨家界索道), forming a network of four aerial transportation lines in Wulingyuan (武陵源). This network greatly reduces the waiting time for visitors. The one-way ticket costs 72 yuan per person, with a discount ticket priced at 43 yuan.

In February 2020, in tribute to healthcare workers, the scenic area provided free access to all medical staff nationwide from the end of the pandemic until the end of 2020.

Company Information

• Company Name: Hunan Wulingyuan Cableway Co., Ltd. (湖南武陵源索道有限公司)
• Established: December 7, 1995

Company Introduction

The company purchased five new environmentally-friendly buses to offer free shuttle service from the cableway’s upper station to the Tianzishan Helong Park (天子山贺龙公园). The total investment for this project exceeded 80 million RMB. Construction started on June 28, 1996, and the cableway began operations on May 19, 1997.

Historical Significance

The opening of the Tianzishan Cableway dramatically improved the tourism transportation system in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源风景区). Visitors who once spent half a day climbing Tianzishan (天子山) just to catch a glimpse of the view can now enjoy the expansive “magnified bonsai, shrunk fairyland” scenery effortlessly from the cableway, which offers comfort and safety. The cableway offers visitors a sweeping view of the stunning natural landscapes along the way, including strange pines, odd rock formations, vast green forests, tranquil springs, and playful monkeys. The experience is especially magical when surrounded by mist, giving travelers a sensation of flying like an immortal.

Popularity and Queue Management

With the increasing number of domestic and international tourists visiting Zhangjiajie, waiting in line to board the cableway has become a common sight during peak travel seasons. To enhance the visitor experience and reduce the stress of waiting, Hunan Wulingyuan (Tianzishan) Cableway Co., Ltd. has implemented various measures. These include building waiting pathways with rain shelters, installing scenic video screens, providing electric fans in corridors, and offering free herbal tea. Additionally, from early April to early November each year, during the peak season, the company hires two local talented folk singers to perform traditional songs for visitors waiting in line. Over the years, countless tourists not only experienced the breathtaking beauty of Tianzishan but also enjoyed the authentic local folk music, leaving with unforgettable memories.

Honors

The Tianzishan Cableway Co., Ltd. has earned widespread praise for its safe and advanced facilities and high-quality service. It has been recognized as one of the “Top Ten Tourist Cableways in China.” The company is also actively involved in poverty alleviation efforts, supporting the economic development of Huanghe Village (黄河村) in Tianzishan Town (天子山镇), and has contributed to building strong ties between the local village and the company.

Tour Route

Visitors entering the core scenic area can directly take the Tianzishan Cableway (天子山索道) to the top of Tianzishan Mountain (天子山) to visit attractions such as Yubi Peak (御笔峰) and Xian Nv San Hua (仙女散花). They can then transfer to the environmental protection vehicle to visit the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (袁家界景区), which features the World’s First Bridge (天下第一桥) and the prototype of the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar” – the Qiankun Pillar (乾坤柱), also known as the South Sky Pillar (南天一柱). Afterward, visitors can take the Bailong Elevator (百龙天梯) to descend the mountain.

About Tianzishan Mountain (天子山)

Tianzishan Mountain, with an elevation of 1,262.5 meters, is known for its commanding view of the surrounding peaks. According to legend, the mountain was named after the Tujia ethnic leader, Xiang Dakun (向大坤), who led a revolt here during the Song Dynasty and self-proclaimed himself as “Tian Wang” (King of Heaven). The view from Tianzishan offers vast, majestic, and layered vistas, especially when looking at the peaks, observing the sunrise, appreciating the mist, or enjoying the snow. It is said that after seeing Tianzishan, one need not see any other mountain. The area is filled with vast stretches of primeval secondary forest, exotic flowers, strange trees, and rare animals. Due to its high elevation, the views from the southeast, southwest, and north offer long sightlines and wide panoramic views, with multiple layers of scenery. From the Tianzi Peak (天子峰) or Seven Stars Mountain (七星山), visitors can look down on thousands of features below, providing a thrilling experience. The terrain of Tianzishan is high in the center with lower areas surrounding it, resembling a giant pagoda rising from the earth. Unique geological formations, such as majestic waterfalls, perilous fairy bridges, rock gates, caves, and steep peaks and stone pillars, abound, satisfying visitors’ curiosity.

Cableway Operation Details

The Tianzishan Cableway is located within the AAAA-rated Tianzishan Natural Reserve (天子山自然保护区). It spans a length of 2,084 meters with a vertical height difference of 692 meters.

• One-way ticket: 67 RMB, round-trip: 134 RMB.
• Students aged 1.2 to 1.5 meters with a student ID can purchase a discounted one-way ticket for 40 RMB.
• Active military personnel with a soldier’s card or officer’s ID can purchase a discounted one-way ticket for 40 RMB.
• Senior citizens over 70 years old with an ID or senior citizen card can purchase a discounted one-way ticket for 40 RMB.
• Disabled individuals with a national disability certificate can purchase a discounted one-way ticket for 40 RMB.
• Low-income households with a “Minimum Living Guarantee Certificate” can purchase a discounted one-way ticket for 40 RMB.
• Children under 1.2 meters ride for free.

The cableway operates daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with a safety inspection usually taking 30 to 60 minutes. After the inspection, if there are still many visitors waiting for the cableway, the station ensures that all passengers are sent before the service ends for the day. The cableway may not operate during severe weather or power outages.

VIP Service

On May 29, 2024, Zhangjiajie Tianzishan Cableway Company launched a VIP custom service. Tourists choosing this option can enjoy an exclusive ticket inspection channel and ride a VIP cable car cabin, offering a 360-degree view of the stunning Zhangjiajie landscape and peak forests.

Company Tidbits

On November 23, 2005, a 15-person crew from Hong Kong’s Wireless Television (无线电视台) was invited by Tianzishan Cableway Company to film a scenic promotional video in Wulingyuan District (武陵源区). The crew spent five days filming key scenic spots such as Tianzishan, Huangshizhai (黄石寨), Jinbian Creek (金鞭溪), and Baofeng Lake (宝峰湖), showcasing the region’s tourism resources and local culture. The promotional video was hosted by Chen Farra (陈法拉), the 2004 New York Chinese Miss and the 2005 International Chinese Miss finalist. It was later broadcasted on Hong Kong’s Wireless Jade Channel (无线翡翠台) as part of the Lunar New Year promotional campaign.

Free Ticket Policy

In February 2020, to honor healthcare workers, the scenic area announced that all healthcare workers in China would be eligible for free entry to the park and its transport services from the end of the pandemic until the end of 2020.