A U.K.-based travel creator is grabbing attention on social media after documenting her adrenaline-filled climb up the 999 stairs of Tianmen Mountain in China’s Zhangjiajie region.
The destination is famous for its glass walkways, sweeping cable-car routes, and mountain views straight out of Avatar.
In a TikTok video posted by @loulouexplores, the vlogger takes viewers through a full, unfiltered account of her ascent, which looked exhausting, hilarious, and awe-inspiring at the same time.
From scrambling up steep steps to calming herself on the mountain’s glass-bottom walkway, her journey offers a raw, relatable look at one of China’s most dramatic travel experiences.
Before the climb even began, she issued a key warning many international tourists overlook: you cannot access the mountain without your physical passport.
“They have to scan you in—do not forget it,” she stressed, urging travelers to avoid being turned away at the gates.
Once inside, timing was everything. Instead of waking up before dawn to beat the crowds, she went midday—and lucked out. That gamble gave way to one of the world’s most scenic cable car rides, a 25-minute voyage along what’s considered the longest cable car route on earth, stretching more than 7,400 meters.
But the real test? The legendary 999 stairs leading to the Heaven’s Gate archway.
“I’m putting a lot of trust in my legs,” she joked while counting each step out loud—at one point announcing “618… 619…” before powering through the final stretch. Along the way she spotted older hikers, some using walking sticks, climbing the same route, a moment that pushed her to dig deeper.
Reaching the top comes with a local tradition: touching the carved stone dragon for good luck, despite what she jokingly calls “a bajillion people’s bacteria.” The area also features a peaceful man-made reflective lake, adding a serene payoff after the grueling climb.
And after the stairs? More climbing; this time via escalators embedded inside the mountain.
“Another one—seriously this is nuts,” she said, counting up to six.
For thrill-seekers, the glass walkway edging the cliffside offers another heart-pounding challenge. When fear hit, she hyped herself up:
“It’s thick glass! I’m a bad man! I’m a daddy!”
The day ended with the one part no traveler can avoid: crowds. The return cable car line took nearly an hour, but the ride itself, floating thousands of feet above Zhangjiajie—made it worth it.
Her verdict? “It’s not an experience… you guys gotta come here. It’s so great.”
For U.S. travelers craving a mix of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and adrenaline, Tianmen Mountain continues to prove why it’s one of China’s must-see destinations.
