Mt. Tianzishan, Monarch of the Peak Forest

Located in the northeast of Wulingyuan Scenic Area in the city of Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, Mt. Tianzishan is a splendid vista of bizarre rock formations, precipitous cliffs, misty clouds and cascading waterfalls.

It is one of the four scenic spots in Wulingyuan National Park, together with the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Suoxiyu National Resource Reserve and the Yangjiajie Scenic Area. In 1992, Wulingyuan National Park was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Origin of Name

Mt. Tianzishan takes its name from a man, Xiang Dakun, who was the leader of the Tu ethnic groups during the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty. Xiang Dakun led a revolution and avowed himself as Tianzi (Son of Heaven). Visiting the Tianzi Mountain Area, visitors can see many sites about his stories, the most impressive being: the Yu Bi Peaks, the Xian Nü San Hua, and the Shen Bing Ju Hui.

The Enchanting Features

Mt. Tianzishan is a typical sandstone formation, characterized by a multitude of densely gathered peaks, enjoying a reputation as "the king of all mountains." Most notably, almost half of the 3103 peaks of Zhangjiaje can be viewed from this lofty stage. It is not just an ordinary place: it is a "forest" of mountains, a "kingdom" of peaks, and a "sea" of summits.

A saying about Mt. Tianzishan goes: "Being not Yellow Mountain but better than it." The landscape here varies in different seasons and also in one day, which makes Mt. Tianzishan a very interesting destination.

In bygone days, the elderly would say, "Once you have seen the five holy mountains, you will lose interest in all others, but once you have viewed Yellow Mountain, the five holy mountains will lose their allure." However, today's experienced travelers exclaim, "Once you behold the awesome face of Mt. Tianzishan, it is unnecessary to venture elsewhere!"

Highlights to See

Ascend Mt. Tianzishan by cable car and you may think you have entered a fairyland. Four wonders for the breathtaking sceneries will catch your eyes: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter. Cloud and mist in the Mountain enjoys high reputation nationwide, especially just after the rain, which adds much charm to Mt. Tianzishan. Clouds and mists are the most common and wonderful sights here. It also has the largest bronze statue in China, the Statue of Marshal He Long.