Tianmen Mountain Cableway Suspension: Route Changes from October 13, 2026

Due to construction work on the Tianmen Mountain Cableway and its lower-station complex, the Tianmen Mountain Cableway will be suspended from October 13, 2026.

Routes A and B will also be unavailable because Route A uses the Tianmen Mountain Cableway for the uphill journey, while Route B uses it for the downhill journey. The Tianmen Cave Express Cableway will continue operating, allowing visitors to explore the mountain via Route C. The reopening dates for Routes A and B have not yet been announced.

1. How to Visit Tianmen Mountain During the Suspension

Route C will remain available, following this step-by-step flow:

• Enter through the Mountain Gate Entrance at the foot of the mountain.
• Take the Tianmen Cave Express Cableway uphill to its upper station, then walk along the Fuyuan Walkway to Tianmen Cave Square.
• From Tianmen Cave Square, climb the 999 steps to Tianmen Cave or take the optional Heaven’s Gate Escalator (CNY 32).
• From Tianmen Cave, take the seven-section tunnel escalator up to the summit.
• Explore the summit's scenic attractions and finish sightseeing.
• Take the tunnel escalator back down to Tianmen Cave, then take the Heaven’s Gate Escalator down to Tianmen Cave Square (the downward ride on the Heaven’s Gate Escalator is free).
• Walk through the Fuyuan Walkway to take the Tianmen Cave Express Cableway downhill back to the Mountain Gate Entrance.

2. What Does This Mean for Visitors?

Summit attractions remain accessible

Visitors can still reach the summit and explore its scenic attractions via Route C. However, the usual transportation experiences offered by Routes A and B—including the long downtown cableway ride and the drive along the famous 99-bend mountain road—will not be available during the suspension.

Expect some additional walking

Compared with Routes A and B, Route C may involve approximately several hundred meters to 1 kilometer of additional walking, depending on the specific sub-route.

The walking paths are generally paved and relatively level, with gentle slopes rather than long, steep climbs. For most visitors with reasonable mobility, including families with children and older travelers, the additional walking should be manageable.

Shuttle buses and ticket services

Shuttle buses between the Tianmen Mountain Cableway lower station and the Mountain Gate entrance at the foot of the mountain will continue operating. The ticket office and customer service counter at the cableway lower station will also remain open.

3. When Will Routes A and B Reopen?

No reopening date has been announced. The timing will depend on construction progress, and further information will be released separately. The suspension is expected to last at least several months.