Seven Star Mountain

Seven Star Mountain, also called Qixing Mountain, is a good destination for challengers, with the breathtaking via ferrata, giant suspended glass viewing platform, and the longest glass walkway in Zhangjiajie. Located in the southern part of the city, the mountain owns hundreds of peaks, some with an altitude of over 1,500 meters (4,920 feet), gorges, valleys, streams, and lakes, as well as historical sites. In a word, it combines exciting programs and charming mountain scenery.

Seven Star Mountain

It’s not difficult or energy-consuming to visit the scenic area, with the help of cableway, shuttle bus, and optional slideway, thus suitable for visitors of all ages, particularly for family travelers. Without as many tourists as the most popular Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain, Seven Star Mountain often serves as an alternative for a Zhangjiajie trip in high season to avoid the tourist crowds. 
 With an average altitude over 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), Seven Star Mountain is a “sky city” literally. Among the 100 peaks of various sizes, 7 in different shapes are particularly spectacular, looking like the Big Dipper. Therefore, local people gave the name Seven Star Mountain.
  1520 Eye of Sky Platform
It is an independent circular observation deck entirely made of glass, extending 16 meters (52.5 feet) outward from the cliff edge via red steel frames, and covering an area of approximately 200 square meters (2,152.8 square feet). There are no obstacles around and under the platform, making it an eye suspended in the clouds, hence its name.

Looking from the high platform, one can clearly see the full view of Tianmen Mountain and Tianmen Cave from the east and the entire Zhangjiajie city below. What’s more, the transparent glass allows you to see the deep canyon under your feet clearly, as if you are standing in the air. It’s really a bit heart-beating; if you are a little afraid, walking slowly by holding onto the railings can also give you a nice experience.

1520 Eye of Sky Platform

Admire the View from Eye of Sky

 Picking Star Platform
Picking Star Platform, at an altitude of 1,528.6 meters (5,015.1 ft), the highest of both the scenic area and downtown Zhangjiajie, serves as the best place to see the panorama of Seven Star Mountain. Standing on it, the intertwined and continuous peak forests and meandering streams in the canyon are all before your eyes. For those afraid of heights, this platform with a solid stone floor seems better for admiring the views from afar than the transparent glass one.
 This 200-meter-long (656.2-foot) and 1.9-meter-wide (6.2-foot) boardwalk is the longest and widest one of its kind in Zhangjiajie. It is paved with high-strength tempered glass, with sturdy metal guardrails on both sides. The walkway winds along the cliff, with a lotus-shaped viewing platform that has a diameter of 8 meters (26.2 feet) and protrudes 30 meters (98.4 feet) outward in the middle. Bold tourists can wander leisurely; when it clears up after rain, it feels like strolling through the clouds. Standing by the railings, one can clearly see the towering mountains in the distance with good visibility in sunny weather. 

Ruyi Glass Walkway

 The 1-km-long (0.6-mi) slideway is built on the mountaintop along the mountain body, winding through the forests. In a 3-minute fast ride, you can feel the wind whistling by while seeing a low-angle mountain view that is completely different from the boardwalk on high. Only a few sharp turns will bring a sense of eccentricity, not like the strong weightlessness of roller coasters. Tourists fully control the speed on your own by pulling and pushing the handle back and forth.

Other than for amusement and sightseeing, the slide can also be used as a transportation tool. It connects the tourist center of 1520 Eye of Sky located halfway up the peak and the mountaintop viewing platform and runs for both ascending and descending, saving nearly half an hour of walking in a single ride. Tourists who want to conserve energy or are tired after sightseeing are recommended to choose the slide without hesitation.
 Time needed: 3 – 4 hours

1. Take a cable car at the lower station to reach the summit in about 10 minutes.
2. Get on the shuttle bus near an octagonal pavilion heading towards the tourist center of 1520 Eye of Sky in about 15 minutes. 
3. The drop-off is located on the hillside, so you still need to walk about 25 minutes along the uphill plank meandering in the mountain, or take a 3-minute toboggan, to ascend to the 1520 Eye of Sky sightseeing platform.
4. After sightseeing at Eye of Sky, 
a. Hike for 40 minutes to reach the glass walkway. On the way, you will pass by the entrance of via ferrata, where to overlook the brave challengers walking on the cliff.
b. Or slide back down to Shenjiwei Parking Lot, and transfer to the shuttle bus to reach the Picking Star Platform parking lot, the beginning of the glass walkway. 
5. Experience walking through the transparent boardwalk while appreciating the view.
6. Trek forward along the path to immerse yourself in the mountain view until arriving at the camping ground, where the downhill shuttle bus is waiting. This section takes about 1 hour in total.
7. Get to the upper station of the cableway by bus, and descend the mountain via cable car.

Tip: Full hiking is not feasible here, unless you are guided by a local old stager, as there is only one wild path without any maintenance.

Go up the Mountain by Cable Car

Hike on the Cliff Walk

 It’s the first thing for many brave tourists to walk along a sheer cliff with a drop of 1,480 meters (4,855 feet), equivalent to 56 floors, and climb the 168-meter-long (551-foot) steel ladder, which is inclined 51° and hangs directly outside the cliff. It’s truly a game that tests the endurance of brave players. All you can rely on throughout the whole journey is the three secure buckles clipped to the steel cableway. 

While strolling in the clouds, you can see the canyon and surrounding peaks underneath your feet and also have a clear view of Tianmen Mountain from afar. With good luck, you will encounter the sea of clouds and spectacular sunrise and sunset.
  Preparations
1. Book a ticket package for via ferrata, which includes the entrance ticket to the scenic area, via ferrata ticket, medal, and certificate. There are 2 routes for your choice.

	Route 1	Route 2
Challenge order	Descending rock-hugging → Steel wire bridge → Downward short steel ladder → Cliff climbing → Rest platform → Sky Ladder	Ascending rock-hugging → Steel wire bridge → Upward short steel ladder → Cliff climbing with multiple overhanging sections → 80-meter-long (262.5-foot) steel wire bridge
Difficulty
Suitable for	Most brave tourists or first-time challengers	Only people with abundant physical energy or those who exercise daily
Limitations: All conditions must be met simultaneously.	Age: 12 - 60 Height: above 140 cm Weight: under 100 kg Children must be accompanied by adults.	Age: 16 - 55 Weight: under 90 kg

 

Long Sky Ladder

2. Contact the customer service staff 2 days in advance, whose information is displayed on the booking interface or confirmation message after you place an order, to reserve a specific date, considering a limit of 100 - 150 participants each day. Precautions and necessities will also be informed to you.

3. Check the weather forecast before setting off. Rainy days are not a good choice for slippery steel cableways, limited actions, and hidden views.

4. Packing list: 
a. Grip gloves: If you don’t want to use the slightly smelly gloves offered free of charge. Those sold at the tourist center are so thin that they cannot protect your hands well. 
b. Phone lanyard: You need to use your hands to hold onto the safety handrails. Or you can buy one on site, which costs about CNY 20.
c. Pants and sneakers. Shorts are not advised, as the rock wall may grind to your knees. If you come in summer, prepare extra clothes for fear that the one you wear gets wet with sweat.
d. Energy food and drink to replenish your strength halfway.

 Embark on and complete this challenging activity
1. Arrive at the entrance of the scenic area as early as possible in case of queuing, where you can take the cable car up the mountain in 10 minutes.
2. Find the green shuttle bus heading towards the via ferrata. There are buses to other places, so double-check your destination. It takes about 6 minutes on board.
3. Walk 3 minutes to the entrance of the via ferrata following the direction boards after getting off the bus.
4. Go to the toilet before putting on the safety devices, as you have no chance to go midway when you are hanging off the cliff or on the ladder. Only one toilet is available on the rest platform at the foot of Sky Ladder, and it’s somewhat difficult to use the toilet with climbing gear on your body.
5. Learn how to conduct the via ferrata from the coach.
6. Start the challenge, and keep going. It’s completely a one-way design, meaning it cannot be retracted halfway up. If you want to give up on the way, call for free rescue. Safety staff can be found along the way to assist. 
7. You will return to the starting point after doing the whole journey.

Ascending Rock-hugging

Rest Platform Halfway

 Usually, it takes you 1 hour to climb Sky Ladder and 1.5 – 2 hours for cliff climbing in Route 1, if you neither take a break halfway nor stop to take photos. As for Route 2, which is more difficult, at least 3.5 hours are required.

However, a locked safety buckle for every challenger on the shared steel cableway makes it impossible to overtake each other, so if someone before you stops due to fear, tiredness, or taking pictures, you have to wait, which takes an inestimable longer time. Besides, if you arrive late, for example, at noon, you need to queue up for the Sky Ladder, as it only gets 10 – 15 tourists across at a time.
 1. Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00; Last entry: 15:00
Cliff climbing section closes at 14:00; if you arrive after 14:00, only the Sky Ladder can be accessed. So, for a fulfilling experience, you need to arrive at the entrance of the scenic area no later than 1 pm.

2. The ladders, no matter the short one or the long Sky Ladder, can be shaky in the wind, so be mentally prepared.

3. If you travel alone, boldly ask your coach or teammate to take a photo for you. Paid aerial photography services are offered on site. 
 It’s not very convenient to reach Seven Star Mountain by public transportation, although it is only 13.4 km (8.3 mi) away from the center of Zhangjiajie city. You can take a coach at Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station, which departs every 1 hour with a duration of 25 minutes at CNY 8.

Taking a taxi is the most efficient option. Here is the estimated time and taxi fare to Seven Star Mountain from transportation hubs in the city: 

From	Time Needed	Taxi Fare (CNY)
Zhangjiajie West Railway Station	30 min	60
Zhangjiajie Airport	25 min	50
Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station	20 min	35
Lower Station of Tianmen Mountain Cableway	20 min	35
Wulingyuan Bus Station	55 min	130

 

Tourist Type	Price
Adults	CNY 239
Minors aged 14 – 18 and seniors aged 60 – 65	CNY 123
Minors aged under 14 and seniors aged over 65	CNY 95

Note: Cable car and shuttle bus fees are included.
 

Via Ferrata Package	CNY 780
Toboggan	CNY 80

 7:30 – 18:30 with last entry at 16:00
 
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