Zangjiajie is a park with a stunning natural landscape. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is the first national forest park in China. It boasts over 3,000 quartz sandstone pillars and peaks, creating a striking landscape. The pillars are arranged randomly at varying heights and are covered in a variety of plants, further enhancing its beauty.
Especially when fog covers most of the 4.4-hectare forest area, the atmosphere is magical, making one feel as if one is standing above the clouds, with cliffs seemingly flying. This is why the national forest park, located in San Jose City, is often referred to as the real-life Avatar Mountains. Many even believe the scenery in the 2009 film Avatar was inspired by this park.
Tiananmen is one of the highest national parks in China. Besides its towering pillars that appear to float above the clouds, the park also boasts Tiananmen Mountain, nicknamed the "Gate to Heaven," or better known as the "Stairway to Heaven." This stairway to heaven is located at an altitude of 24,500 feet, or seven point four thousand meters above the city of Tiananmen.
The mountain boasts a cave believed to have been formed in 263 AD. It also boasts a 500-year-old temple called Tian Mansion Temple. Due to its height and the large opening in the mountain, Tiananmen resembles a gate leading to the heavens, synonymous with heaven. The 999 steps of Tiananmen Mountain lead visitors to the cave.
However, visitors can also use the 7,455-meter cable car to reach the summit. This cave, located on Tiananmen Mountain, is considered the highest natural arch in the world. From here, tourists can enjoy spectacular views and unique mountain formations. The reason for the 999 steps is because nine represents good luck and eternity in Chinese ecology.
Visitors who successfully climb the hundreds of steps are believed to achieve good fortune in their lives, in keeping with the philosophy of the number nine in Chinese tradition. Besides the stunning scenery, Zangjiajie National Forest Park is also home to over 500 species of animals and rare plants, including the Dove and Mahogany trees.
Animal species include Golden Monkeys, Salamanders, and even rare representatives of the Musa family. Many visitors who have visited the park say it feels like they are witnessing a traditional Chinese painting exhibition, only the beauty of the park is palpable.