Bailong Elevator

百龙天梯

The world's tallest outdoor sightseeing elevator, built into a cliff: it rises 326 metres in about 2 minutes to Yuanjiajie, with peaks rushing into view through its transparent cabin.

The Bailong Elevator is built into a cliff near Shuirao Simen in Wulingyuan. Construction began in 1999, and it opened in 2002. It consists of three double-deck sightseeing elevators side by side, with a total height of 326 m. Of this, 154 m runs inside the mountain, and 172 m is an open steel-frame shaft. It travels at 3 m per second and takes only about 2 minutes from the foot of the mountain to the top of Yuanjiajie. Certified by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest and highest-capacity outdoor sightseeing elevator, it is also the most important route up the mountain in Wulingyuan. The cabin has transparent walls on two sides. As it rises, the Jinbian Stream gorge and the peaks across the valley gradually unfold, and the moment the cabin bursts out of the mountain in the final few dozen seconds offers the most dramatic view. Fare: about 72 yuan one way (not included in the Wulingyuan combined ticket). Tickets can be bought on site at the elevator station or online. Tips: The elevator links the Jinbian Stream hike to Yuanjiajie route, and riding up gives the strongest visual impact. For the descent, take the Tianzishan Cableway to form a loop and avoid retracing your steps. In peak season (National Day and summer holidays), the queue for going up often exceeds one hour, so aim to arrive before 8 a.m. or after 2 p.m. Those afraid of heights can stand on the inner side of the cabin. Note: Each cabin carries about 50 people, and when it is crowded your view can be blocked, so try to stand by the glass. On foggy days, you may see nothing on the way up, so wait at the foot of the mountain for the fog to lift. The elevator stops in thunderstorms and high winds. In that case, you can hike up the Luanchuan Slope trail.

Bailong Elevator

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