'Sky Ladder' via ferrata in Zhangjiajie draws global thrill-seekers

A 168-meter via ferrata route on the sheer cliffs of Zhangjiajie in Central China's Hunan province is attracting thrill-seekers from around the world, with first-person climbing videos recently going viral on social media.

Dubbed "China's highest via ferrata", the route is located on Qixing Mountain, a karst tableland formation approximately 13 kilometers from downtown Zhangjiajie. With an average elevation of 1,328 meters, the mountain's sheer cliffs, deep gorges, seas of clouds, and cascading waterfalls are ideal for hiking and adventure.

"When I looked at those thousand-meter vertical cliffs wrapped in mist, I immediately knew this was the perfect place to build a via ferrata," said Wang Guanyi, deputy general manager of Qixing Xianshan Cableway, the facility's operator. "The cliffs here are a dream come true for extreme sports fans."

After years of construction, the "sky ladder" opened in November 2024. The route immediately captured the attention of outdoor types worldwide.

In July last year, the attraction was featured on the French television channel TF1's flagship news program Le 20 Heures. The segment showed visitors using steel handrails, foot rungs, and fixed safety cables to climb safely with a guide.

"Foreign visitors come every day. They tell us it's incredibly thrilling, and many bring friends to try it again," Wang said.

The operating team has introduced immersive experiences, including guided climbs with personal photographers and drone filming. Climbers who complete the route receive a certificate and a trophy. Many proudly share their videos and trophies on social media platforms.

"Our videos are very popular on TikTok and Instagram," Wang said. "Many foreign visitors arrive holding their phones with our videos, telling us they've watched them so many times that they just had to come and try it for themselves."