Tianmen Cave 天门洞
A giant natural arch through the mountain, reached by 999 steps or escalators and visible from far below.
Take the escalators up if the stairs are crowded, then walk down for the classic view.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Tianmen Cave in advance?
Advance real-name reservation is required — book 1–3 days ahead (3–5 days in peak season) via the official WeChat account 「张家界天门山景区」 (tickets released daily at 08:00); tickets are often sold out on site. No paper ticket exchange needed: enter by scanning your ID card at the gate, and foreigners can use their passport (passport details must be supplied when booking, and the physical passport shown on the day).
What are the opening hours of Tianmen Cave?
08:00–19:00
How much is a ticket to Tianmen Cave?
About ¥288. No separate ticket for Tianmen Cave — it is covered by the Tianmen Mountain combo ticket (¥288 adult: main cableway + shuttle buses + mountain-crossing escalators). Concessions ¥149 for students/60–64; free for 65+ and children under 1.2 m. Optional extras paid on site: Tianmen Cave escalator (instead of the 999 steps) ¥32, glass walkway shoe covers ¥5, summit mini-cableway ¥25.
How long do I need at Tianmen Cave?
Plan about 1 hours.
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