Tianmen Mountain Route A vs B vs C | Which Is Better 2026

Which Tianmen Mountain route is better: A, B or C

Planning a trip to Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and confused about Route A, B, or C? You’re not alone! As the most popular national forest park in Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain features three official routes with the same ticket price but different

experiences, crowds, and highlights. Choosing the right route directly impacts your day: wait time, energy use, and whether you enjoy the world’s longest cableway, Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate), and the iconic glass skywalk. In this 2026 updated guide, we break down Tianmen Mountain Route A vs B vs C—their differences, pros and cons, and which one fits your travel style.

Due to maintenance of the upper section of the main Tianmen Mountain Cableway, the routes are currently adjusted. The main cableway only runs halfway (from Downtown to Middle Station), and you must take a shuttle bus to reach Tianmen Cave. The Express Cableway (short cableway) is used for the final descent.

Route A

Downtown → Main Cableway (halfway only) → Shuttle Bus up 99-Bend Road → Tianmen Cave → Escalator to Mountain Top → Explore → Express Cableway down → Shuttle back to city

Pros

Experience part of the famous 7.5km main cableway
Most complete sightseeing experience

Cons

Extra shuttle transfer due to cableway maintenance
More crowded during peak seasons
must enter the park during your booked time slot. You cannot enter earlier, but you may enter later if you arrive behind schedule.

Route B

Mountain Gate → Express Cableway up → Tianmen Cave → Escalator to Mountain Top → Explore → Shuttle Bus down 99-Bend Road → Main Cableway down to Downtown

Pros

Less crowded than Route A
Enjoy the long main cableway on the way down
Reverse route, different views
no strict time slot control—you can enter anytime on the day of your tour.

Cons