Zhangjiajie Via Ferrata & Sky Ladder: Everything You Need to Know
I was on a five-week journey across China. Five weeks may sound generous on paper, but in a place this vast, it barely scratches the surface. When planning the trip, I spent a lot of time negotiating with myself which places to visit, and which ones to leave out. But Zhangjiajie was non-negotiable from the start.
I’d already had my quarter-life crisis in my early twenties, and it was definitely too early (or at least I’d like to believe so) for a midlife one. Whatever this phase was, it suddenly sent me into a frenzy to do all the crazy stuff I’d always wanted to try. Because life is short, and I’m not getting any younger.
So apart from climbing a tower mast all the way to the highest point of Macau and trekking between roaring rapids and soaring cliffs at the Tiger Leaping Gorge, I also decided to climb a Sky Ladder suspended in the clouds in Zhangjiajie.
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Qixing Mountain, Zhangjiajie
Qixing Mountain (七星山), also known as Qixing Shan or Seven Star Mountain sits in Daping Town, Yongding District of Zhangjiajie in China’s Hunan Province. Rising to about 1,528 m above sea level, it’s the highest peak in Zhangjiajie urban area, even higher than nearby Tianmen Mountain.
In the past, before modern access was developed, it was remote enough that only a few families lived above 1,200 m. Today, the area is being developed into a major adventure and nature destination, combining hiking, eco-tourism, and high-adrenaline experiences set against dramatic karst peaks and forests.
The Via Ferrata on Qixing Mountain
Qixing Mountain itself is worth visiting. The scenic area includes viewpoints and walking trails that showcase Zhangjiajie’s famous sandstone peaks. You can take a cable car up for peaceful sightseeing, enjoy picnics and photography, and just soak in the view. But what truly sets this mountain apart is its Via Ferrata.
A via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) is a protected climbing route: steel rungs, fixed cables, and anchors are built into the rock so non-climbers can climb exposed faces while staying continuously clipped into a safety system.
And the via ferrata on Qixing Mountain is not just any iron path. It’s easily one of the highest and most dramatic via ferrata experiences out there. Not only that, it’s also the first iron road along palisades (meaning long, narrow rock faces or vertical cliffs that resemble a row of stakes/poles) and is claimed to be the world’s most challenging.
At the center of it all is the Sky Ladder (also called Tianti in Chinese) — a long, suspended ladder strung between two cliff faces, climbing roughly 168 meters straight up and topping out at around 1,480 meters above sea level.
There are two different routes you can take at the Qixing Mountain Via Ferrata:
Route 1 - The Sky Ladder
Considered the flagship experience, Route 1 combines several elements:
- Traditional via ferrata segments on the cliff face.
- A steel cable bridge that sways between anchor points.
- The Sky Ladder itself — 168 m of vertical ladder climbing with empty space below.
- Mountain trail walkovers and more moderate sections toward the finish.
This route has a total traverse of roughly 1.2 km and involves around 1,000 m of vertical gain on big walls. It generally takes climbers about 3 hours to complete.
Route 2 - The Viva Wall
For those seeking even tougher terrain, Route 2 is the step up:
- Begins near the summit plateau at about 1,480 m.
- Includes a vertical cliff climb section along a dramatic rock face.
- Features a longer steel cable bridge (around 80 m) and a near-90-degree vertical ladder section.
- Adds mountain trail segments alongside the ironwork.
At about 1.1 km in total length and often taking 3–4 hours, this route is more physically demanding and is geared toward climbers with better fitness and confidence on sustained vertical terrain.
My Experience Doing the Via Ferrata at Qixing Mountain
I started the day early from my accommodation in Zhangjiajie’s city center, feeling quietly proud of myself for being so organized. That confidence lasted all of ten minutes.
My first mistake was heading to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Terminal. After standing in a long queue for at least 20 minutes, I finally reached the ticket counter only to be told that there was no bus to Qixing Mountain from the station itself. The bus I needed actually stopped behind the building, at a separate roadside bus stop.
So off I ran, trying to find my way out of that huge bus station, asking around in my very limited Mandarin where the bus stop was. After some pointing and a bit of confusion, I eventually found it.
There was a minibus waiting that would go in that direction, but it was clearly waiting to fill up first, and time was no longer on my side. I had booked a 10am slot, and by then it was already 9:30am.
After another ten minutes of indecision, I gave up on public transport and flagged down a taxi. Thankfully there was no traffic, and about 20 minutes and 30-something CNY later, I finally arrived at Qixing Mountain Scenic Area.
Because I already had a reservation and QR code, I assumed I could head straight to the cable car entrance. Wrong again. I had to double back to the main entrance to collect my ticket at the via ferrata information counter first.
No one said anything about my late arrival though, so perhaps the time slots aren’t quite as rigid as they sound.
Once that was sorted, I boarded the cable car. Like most cable car rides in China, it was scenic and smooth. Forests stretched out below, cliffs rose around us, but I had to try not to look down. I found that taking selfies was a great way to distract myself from panicking.
After disembarking, there was still one more transfer: a shuttle bus to the via ferrata starting point. Make sure you tell the driver that you’re heading to the via ferrata.
It was on this shuttle that I met another climber, a guy from Guangzhou who spoke some English. I didn’t know it yet, but that small stroke of luck was going to make the rest of the day much easier.
At the via ferrata starting point, the staff took down my details, fitted me with a harness and helmet, and gave a safety demonstration. I was the only non-local in the group, and the briefing was entirely in Chinese.
Language was definitely a challenge, but the demo itself was quite self-explanatory. I suppose they could have used a translation app if they really needed to, but the Guangzhou climber kindly offered to interpret anything important that I missed.
In short, the system works like this: we were clipped into the steel rail using two carabiners. One carabiner stays permanently attached to the rail; it physically can’t be removed until you reach the end of the section, which also means no one can overtake anyone else on the route. If someone ahead is slow, everyone behind simply has to wait their turn.
The second carabiner is the movable one, which you clip and unclip at anchor points as you go. That way, even while transitioning between sections, you’re always attached to the system in some way. There was also a third, smaller carabiner that we only used if we wanted to lean back and take a break.
Before starting, we practiced the basics on a short practice wall — clipping and unclipping, shifting weight onto the rungs, and getting used to the system — until everyone felt comfortable. That helped a lot, especially for calming first-timer nerves.
In my morning rush, I hadn’t eaten anything (so much for being organized). Based on my past experience in China, I assumed there would be restaurants or food stalls somewhere up on the mountain.
Well, there weren’t.
At least not at the via ferrata section. The only thing available was a small selection of soda drinks at the staff area. I’m not even sure if they were actually for sale, but I asked if I could buy one and they said okay, so I bought a bottle of Pepsi and accepted that this would be my breakfast and sustenance for the next three hours. Not ideal, but definitely better than nothing.
Then, it was time to start.
That first step was the most nerve-wracking for me, as I went from solid ground to the first iron rung, with nothing else below it but empty air. That was when I really started to question my sanity.
Then, as we rounded the corner, the view suddenly opened up and the true scale of the mountain revealed itself, with pinnacles rising dramatically from the nothingness below. But at that point, I had already talked myself into some sort of a trance where I had blocked everything out except the next step in my path.
While the climbing uses more leg strength than anything else, there’s still a significant amount of arm strength involved, especially on vertical sections and ladders.
I’m not totally unfit, but I’m not a gym rat either, and I’ve never done wall climbing or any arm-specific training. By the second hour, my forearms were burning and my grip was crying for mercy, but there was no option other than to keep going.
One section that caught me completely off guard was the steel cable bridge. I mean, literally a bridge made of a single steel cable connecting one cliff face to another. Like a tightrope, with just another cable at chest level to hold on to for balance, and hundreds of meters of empty space below.
The moment I stepped onto the cable, it began to shake a little, responding to the shift in my weight. I moved slowly, placing one foot carefully in front of the other, fingers clenched around the upper cable. Behind me was a more experienced climber, who kindly waited till I got to the other side. He told me it would sway far more if he stepped on before I’d crossed.
All through the trail, the climber from Guangzhou, who was ahead of me, kept turning back to give me a thumbs up. Every time I managed to close the gap between us, he offered words of encouragement. Honestly, he felt like an angel sent from above.
After roughly two hours of torture, we reached a section where the via ferrata pauses and transitions into a short walk along the mountain face. Here, we were able to unclip, take a break, and even use the toilet if needed. It was a small mercy before the final challenge.
This was where the Sky Ladder began.
Those who had pre-booked the photography service began their ascent by having their photos professionally taken. The photographers expertly instructed them to do cool poses on the ladder and they looked incredible. I immediately regretted not booking the service.
I really wish they’d done what many other attractions in China do — take photos of everyone and let people decide at the end whether to buy them. They would absolutely have made more money that way, because I would have bought mine without hesitation.
Then we climbed. The ladder is long, steep, and totally exposed. While the iron rungs on the rock faces feel sturdy under your feet, this one wobbles.
The climb itself could have been much faster, but it wasn’t, largely because one participant was taking ages posing for selfies, livestreaming, holding up banners, and even flying a drone. It looked like some kind of promotional shoot, possibly for an energy drink, because I saw her posing with a can.
Because of that, the rest of us had no choice but to sit down on the ladder and wait. And take photos of ourselves while we were at it, because why not?
That’s when things got hard for me. To sit, I had to turn around, which meant I had to face downwards. Up until that point, I had very deliberately not looked anywhere but up. Now, staring straight into the sheer drop below, I started to feel the vertigo. In the end, I had to close my eyes and think happy thoughts. I believe my recent freediving training helped a lot in teaching me to stay (relatively) calm.
Then something worse happened.
I had brought my Insta360 action camera, which was attached to me by a wrist strap. Only problem was I trusted that wrist strap far too much. It failed, and my camera — my baby, my most prized possession — slipped free and went plunging down into the ravine.
Watching it fall in slow-mo and finally disappear was heartbreaking, to say the least. It contained footage not just from that climb, but from the rest of the trip and several others that I hadn’t backed up yet.
I was devastated. This was definitely worse than breaking up with any of my exes.
But something unexpected happened too. I asked the others, awkwardly, with terrible Mandarin and hand gestures, if they could help take photos and videos of me.
Despite the language barrier, and despite being complete strangers, everyone helped without hesitation. I don’t have a single photo of myself on the earlier parts of the via ferrata, but at least I do have proof that I made it up the Sky Ladder, and that counts for something.
Just when I thought it was finally over, there was one last section of via ferrata on the cliff wall after the ladder. By then my arms were basically done.
But somehow, I made it.
At the end, there were hugs and congratulations all around, numbers exchanged, and a shared sense of relief and achievement. We took the cable car back down, collected our certificate and trophy, and officially completed Route 1 of Qixing Shan Via Ferrata.
The trophy was beautiful, but it was also glass, heavy, and I still had a long journey ahead of me. After some internal debate, I made the difficult decision to leave it behind and take only the certificate home.
Best Time to Go to Qixing Shan
I went in early November, which turned out to be one of the best times to do the via ferrata on Qixing Mountain. In autumn (mid-September to early November), the weather is cool, dry, and visibility is at its best.
Spring (March to May) is also a good option if you don’t mind mist and occasional rain. Temperatures are mild and the landscape looks fresh, but fog can sometimes limit views, especially in the mornings.
Summer (June to August) brings a lot of greenery but also heat, humidity, afternoon storms, and the biggest crowds, particularly during Chinese school holidays.
Winter (December to February) is the quietest season and can be stunning in the snow, but expect cold temperatures, fog, and earlier closures (you need to be there before 2 pm).
No matter the season, early morning slots are best, and it’s worth avoiding major Chinese public holidays if you want a calmer climb.
How to Get to Qixing Mountain
1. Getting to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie (the city that serves Qixing Mountain) is reachable by direct flights, regular trains and high-speed rail with transfers from major Chinese cities.
a) By Flight
The city’s airport is Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) and it offers frequent domestic flights. If you’re coming from abroad, most international visitors fly into a major gateway (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Hong Kong) and then take a domestic flight to DYG.
b) By Train
If you prefer rail, Zhangjiajie is connected by the rail network, but you may have to transfer in a nearby city. For example, I took the train from Kunming to Zhangjiajie with a transit in Huaihua.
2. Getting to Qixing Mountain
a) By E-Hailing
From Zhangjiajie city center, the easiest, most point-to-point option to get to Qixing Mountain is to use Didi (ride-hailing). It picks you up from wherever you are and drops you right at the entrance.
b) By Taxi
Taxis are the next best option. Insist they use the meter or agree the fare before you start to avoid overcharging. Expect a drive of roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
c) By Public Bus
There are also public buses that run from Zhangjiajie’s main bus station to Qixing Mountain. The bus stop is in front of Orange Hotel near Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (not inside the station). These buses operate from 7 am – 5:30 pm. They are cheap but can be slower and make multiple stops.
d) By Minibus
Near the same bus stop (see above), you’ll also find minibuses to Qixing Mountain parked at the roadside. They are cheap but will wait until full before departing, so they can take longer if demand is low. If you’re on a tight schedule, Didi or a metered taxi is a safer bet.
What to Wear & Bring to Qixing Mountain
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip (trail runners or light hiking shoes should do well).
Comfortable athletic clothing. I did the climb on a sunny day in early November, wearing just a Uniqlo Extra Warm Heat Tech turtleneck, leggings, and a thin windbreaker. Once we were moving and under the sun, it was perfectly comfortable. However, I did shiver at the beginning while waiting to get harnessed, watching the safety demonstration, and standing around in the shade before warming up. If you get cold easily, consider an extra layer you can remove and stow before starting the climb. And if you’re climbing during the warmer months, it’s still recommended to wear long sleeves and long pants to prevent scrapes.
Gloves, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You’ll be exposed to the sun for at least three hours, and the UV rays are stronger at high altitudes. Gloves help on the metal rungs and reduce blistering.
Phone and/or action camera, but make sure to secure it to yourself with a proper tether, mount, or wrist strap. Don’t be like me!
Small daypack (water, energy snacks, compact rain jacket).
ID/passport (for booking/ticket check) and your booking confirmation.
The operators will clip on a small upright pouch to your harness, similar to the chalk bags rock climbers use, except this one is empty, so you can carry small belongings like your phone, energy bar, or a small bottle of water without anything swinging around. The pouch stays upright throughout the climb, which is crucial when you’re on the iron trail.
Things to Avoid Bringing on the Climb
- Valuables. During the climb itself, keep your backpack and valuables in the lockers provided.
- Long, flowing garments, dangling accessories, or any loose items that can fall, snag, or impede movement.
- Bulky photography gear, like DSLRs or tripods. Not only can they get in the way and create safety issues for others, they’re also likely to get damaged on the rock surface. If having high-quality photos or videos matter to you, I suggest investing in a good action cam, or paying for the official photography service, which you can book also book on Trip.com
Health & Other Requirements
- Age: 12–60 years old for Route 1, 16–55 for Route 2 (based on the traveler’s age on the date of travel). Children must be accompanied by a parent / guardian throughout the activity.
- Minimum height: 140cm
- Maximum weight: 100kg for Route 1, 90kg for Route 2
- You should be in reasonably good health. People with serious heart conditions, high-blood pressure, serious vertigo, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, recent surgeries, or pregnancy should not attempt it.
- Route 2 is more challenging and is only recommended for those with good physical fitness or regular exercise habits, otherwise you may not be able to complete the route.
- This activity also requires a calm head. I’m all for challenging yourself to do things that scare you, but if your fear of heights is so intense that it leaves you frozen and unable to move, it might be wiser to rethink this and start with easier hikes first.
How to Book Qixing Mountain Via Ferrata
If it’s your first time in China and you don’t speak Chinese, booking anything independently without a tour agent can feel almost impossible.
Information online is often limited, and this particular activity isn’t even listed on many popular booking platforms. It’s not available on Klook, for instance, despite Klook originating in Hong Kong and focusing heavily on tours around Asia.
However, it’s actually not impossible.
You can book the Qixing Mountain via ferrata directly on Trip.com, and payment is straightforward.
After booking, you’ll still need to confirm your preferred date and time with the operator via phone call or WeChat, at least one day in advance. They’ll also send follow-up instructions through WeChat, so it’s a good idea to have the app set up and working before you go.
I didn’t have a local SIM card at the time, and on top of that, there was an issue with my WeChat account making me unable to send or receive messages. So what I did instead was contact Trip.com’s customer support and asked them to help call the tour operator on my behalf.
It wasn’t my first time dealing with their support, and they gave excellent service every time. I was connected to a real human (not a bot) almost immediately, and the issue was sorted out in under ten minutes.
The ticket itself includes the scenic area entrance fee, a round-trip cable car ride, and shuttle bus transfers within the scenic area. When you arrive, you’ll need to head to the via ferrata information desk to collect your ticket before starting.
While I was there, I saw someone walk in without a prior booking and still manage to get a slot on the spot. So I guess it is possible to do so outside peak season. Still, I wouldn’t rely on that. If you’re on a tight schedule, booking ahead is the safest way to avoid disappointment.
Additional Tips
Prepare yourself physically.
I underestimated the stamina and arm strength needed for the trail. Do a few pull-ups and weight training a couple of weeks before to help.Eat properly before the climb, but keep it light.
You’ll need real energy for the Via Ferrata, so don’t go in on an empty stomach. At the same time, avoid anything too heavy or greasy. A solid breakfast or brunch with carbs and protein works best; you don’t want nausea kicking in halfway up the trail.Stay hydrated.
Bring water, and also make sure you’re already well-hydrated before starting, especially if you’re going in warmer months.Go to the toilet before gearing up.
It sounds obvious, but once you’re in a harness and clipped onto the route, there’s no stepping away for a quick break. Facilities are only at the base area and just before the Sky Ladder.- Take it rung by rung.
If you’re a bit of a scaredy cat like me, it’s best not to look down. Focus on the next move, and remember to breathe! This mental trick helped me far more than I expected.
Final Thoughts
After I got home and the adrenaline had worn off, I did what any hopeful person would do: I contacted the operator to let them know about my lost camera and left my number, just in case some miracle happened.
Their reply was a facepalm emoji, followed by a laughing one.
They explained that if the camera had fallen into bushes or landed somewhere near the rock face, the coaches sometimes rappel down to retrieve lost items. Unfortunately for me, the Sky Ladder sits above a deep ravine, and if something drops there… it’s pretty much goodbye forever. We were more than a kilometre up.
I guess I deserved to be laughed at.
But on the extremely off chance that someone reading this is both brave and unhinged enough to hike deep into the ravine below the Sky Ladder and happens to find a very battered Insta360 lying among the rocks, please, please let me know.
It’s not about the camera anymore at this point. I just want to see if the memory card survived. I would be eternally grateful, owe you many meals, and tell the story of your heroism at every opportunity for the rest of my life.
Camera tragedy aside, if you’re curious about more of my travels in China, or looking for inspiration for your own adventures (high-altitude or otherwise), have a wander through my other China posts and the rest of the blog.
