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Heaven Gate Mountain is located in a national park in Zhangjiajie, Hubei Province (China). Traveling from Vietnam is quite convenient, with various transportation options.
Heaven Gate Mountain is a peak situated in the Tianmen Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie, in the northwest of Hubei Province, China. This mountain is widely known for its sky-high pathway and cable car system, declared in travel brochures as the 'longest cable car on the highest mountain in the world.'
From Vietnam, you can fly to the city of Nanning in China. However, a more common and cost-effective way is to travel by road, taking a bus from Hanoi to the Huu Nghi border gate in Lang Son city, then continuing by bus or renting a private car directly to Nanning if traveling with a group. Another option is to take a train from Gia Lam station in Hanoi straight to Nanning. The train runs at 8:30 PM and arrives in Nanning the next morning. From Nanning, there is a daily train numbered 2012 departing from Nanning station at 4:00 PM and arriving at Zhangjiajie station at 5:00 AM the following day.
The entrance to Heaven Gate Mountain is not far from the train station; you can take a taxi directly there. After purchasing tickets, you will ride on the famous cable car route with 98 cable car cabins and a total length of over 7,400 meters. The altitude of the top station of the cable car is 1,279 meters. The scenery changes rapidly as the cable car begins to operate, and just halfway up, you will be surprised, even overwhelmed, by the sights below the cable car. White clouds surround the azure mountain peaks, rows of trees with golden and red leaves create a colorful painting. Looking down from the cable car, you will see the winding path, likened to a giant white dragon, if viewed from above. The nearly 11 km long road is quite steep, rising from 200 meters to an altitude of 1,300 meters with 99 dizzying turns. At this point, I suddenly thought that riding a motorcycle on this breathtakingly beautiful road would be an unparalleled experience. However, the Chinese government only allows cars to travel on this road.
Especially at Heaven Gate Mountain, there is a path made of transparent glass panels over 6 cm thick called the Skywalk - the sky-high path. The path clings to the vertical mountain wall, allowing you to see the height of the cliff, although the manufacturers assure that they are made of extremely sturdy tempered glass, it still makes your heart race, stepping cautiously and feeling very nervous. Excitement, thrill, and fear, these feelings are very interesting and unforgettable, which is why the skywalk has become one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Zhangjiajie.
Upon reaching the summit of Heaven Gate Mountain, you will traverse a path around the mountain peaks, moving from one peak to another. On one side is the mountain, on the other is the clouds, occasionally adorned with vibrant red lucky prayer flags that will make you feel like you're lost in a celestial paradise, as if walking on the 9 layers of heaven. A large temple sits atop a mountain near the cable car station. The original temple was built during the Tang Dynasty, with a dome height of 130 meters and a width of 57 meters. The structure features Tang Dynasty architecture, including a large vegetarian restaurant.
After experiencing the thrill of the cable car and the unique path, pause at another famous landmark of Heaven Gate Mountain, the Heaven's Gate. To climb here, you will challenge your perseverance and physical strength with 999 stone steps to Heaven's Gate. These steps are carved from stone, straight, divided into 3 lanes, and equipped with handrails. The number 999 is chosen with the meaning of being an auspicious number for the Chinese, capable of bringing much luck. On days when the clouds cover the area, it is enveloped in a surreal, shimmering atmosphere, making you feel that just stepping outside that gate, you will be lost in a fairyland, a Buddha's realm.
As per Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourMarch 19, 2015
