Quck answer

Heaven’s Gate is a religious cult that believed in an extraterrestrial life and committed mass suicide in 1997. They believed that by leaving their physical bodies, they would be transported to a higher level of existence. The cult was led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. The members believed that their souls would be taken by a UFO that was hiding behind the Hale-Bopp comet. The cult gained notoriety for their tragic end, but their beliefs and practices continue to be studied and analyzed by experts in the field of psychology and sociology.

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Do you have a bucket list of destinations you want to visit in your lifetime? What places are on it? The Eiffel Tower? Mt. Everest? Timbuktu? While considering the numerous places you can explore, make sure to include China.

Along with the Great Wall of China, you should make your way to Zhangjiajie in China’s Hunan province. From there, it’s just a short journey to visit Tianmen Mountain, where you’ll find the famous “Heaven’s Gate.”

Once you catch a glimpse of the massive and gaping hole known as Tianmen Cave, you’ll understand why it is nicknamed Heaven’s Gate. Originally, it was just an ordinary cave until 263 C.E. Then, one of the mountain’s colossal cliffs collapsed, taking the back side of the cave along with it.

What remains is now the highest naturally formed arch in the world, standing at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet. This arch creates an enormous opening that measures 430 feet in height and 190 feet in width. Some say it resembles a portal to another world!

How can you reach Heaven’s Gate? There are a couple of options. Many visitors opt for the Tianmen Mountain Cableway. This is the longest aerial tramway ride in the world, starting in Zhangjiajie and taking around 30 minutes to travel over four miles to the mountaintop. As the tram ascends at a steep angle of about 37 degrees, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of sheer cliffs.

If the line for the tram is too long, you can always take a bus. The bus will transport you to the base of the mountain via a narrow road. And don’t expect it to be boring! The road features the famous “99 Bends,” which are 99 sharp curves that zigzag up the mountain.

Once the bus drops you off, you’ll face one final challenge before you can pass through Heaven’s Gate. This is the “Stairway to Heaven.” Prepare yourself for a climb! The stairway leading to Heaven’s Gate consists of 999 steps!

After reaching the top of Tianmen Mountain, there’s more to discover. In addition to visiting Tianmenshan Temple, visitors can stroll along several walkways that cling to the sides of the steep cliffs.

Three of these walkways are made of glass. With names like “Coiled Dragon Cliff Glass Walkway” and “The Walk of Faith,” they’re not for the faint of heart. Can you imagine walking on clear glass along the edge of a cliff, with thousands of feet below you? Many claim that the breathtaking views are worth it, if you can gather the courage!

Give It a Try

Are you prepared to climb the Stairway to Heaven? Enlist the help of a friend or family member to join you in exploring the following activities:

Explore Tianmen Mountain Online

If you can’t make a trip to China in the near future, don’t worry! You can still get a glimpse of the stunning Tianmen Mountain through these online photos. Share your thoughts on what you find most impressive about Tianmen Mountain and why. Explain your perspective to a friend or family member.

Are you daring enough to venture onto the glass skywalks that wrap around Tianmen Mountain? Take a look at these pictures of the Coiling Dragon Cliff Skywalk. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted! However, can you imagine the incredible selfies you could capture while braving the skywalk? Write a letter or email to a friend or family member, expressing your reasons for wanting or not wanting to visit the skywalk.

The world’s longest cable car offers some of the most breathtaking views of Tianmen Mountain. This cable car takes you from the city to the mountain’s summit. To get a taste of this incredible journey, watch the mesmerizing time-lapse video of the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car online. The scenery is truly awe-inspiring!

References

• https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/gateway-to-heaven-tianmen-mountain-china (accessed on 24th August 2020)
• https://www.chinahighlights.com/zhangjiajie/attraction/tianmen-mountain.htm (accessed on 24th August 2020)
• http://www.naturalarches.org/db/arches/china02.htm (accessed on 24th August 2020)