Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, is famous for its towering sandstone pillars, mystical cloud-shrouded landscapes, and adventurous climbing routes on Qixing Mountain, which stands at 1,528 m above sea level. Tourists can choose one of two climbing routes, depending on their ability. Most opt for route one (1,2 km long, taking about 3 hours to experience) because it is easier and includes the 'Sky Ladder' climb.
The 'Sky Ladder' is 168 m long and hangs suspended at an altitude of 1,500 m above the ground, earning it a Guinness World Record for "the highest ladder in the world". From the starting point, looking up at the 'Sky Ladder', climbers appear tiny, like ants clinging to the rungs amidst centuries-old mountains.
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The 'Sky Ladder' at 1,500 m altitude. Photo: Zhangjiajie Tour Guide
Yan, a local guide and owner of the "Little Chinese Everywhere" channel, led Flo, a foreign tourist, to the 'Sky Ladder' experience area in July. Despite mentally preparing to join her guest, she backed out at the last minute after looking down into the abyss below.
The initial section of route one is not difficult, as tourists follow the cliff face. In this section, visitors are given a piece of betel nut to chew, which is believed to warm the body and increase alertness.
The greatest challenge lies at the end of the journey with the suspended "sky ladder", stretching across a vast void with a deep abyss directly below. This rope ladder constantly sways and shakes vigorously whenever someone moves on it. Furthermore, water seeping from the cliff face makes the rungs slippery, forcing climbers to maintain intense focus with every movement.
Flo experiences climbing the 'Sky Ladder' in Zhangjiajie. Video: Minh Trang
"My knees were trembling, and I kept asking myself what I was doing here", Flo said after a few minutes on the ladder. He reported that the ladder "shook violently", forcing him to grip tightly with both hands and avoid looking down.
At the end of the journey, instead of hiking down, tourists can choose a high-speed slide to descend to the base of the mountain. The sensation of hurtling downhill amidst the magnificent natural scenery offers an exhilarating experience for participants.
Minh Trang (According to Little Chinese Everywhere, CNN, Yahoo)
