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ZHANGJIAJIE, Hunan: Towering more than 300 meters above the cliff that inspired the landscape of the blockbuster film “Avatar,” the world’s tallest open-air elevator takes brave tourists to breathtaking views.
The three double-deck elevators in central China’s Zhangjiajie Forest Park climb the cliff in just 88 seconds, a quick attraction as domestic tourism slowly picks up in China after coronavirus forced take strict travel measures and closures earlier this year.
It takes tourists to the top of the sandstone rock that inspired the fictional jungle moon of Pandora, home of the blue-hued Na’vi, from James Cameron’s 2009 smash hit.
“One of the main reasons we came here is that the site inspired Avatar,” said Qiao Ke, 45, who rode the elevator with her family.
The three double-deck elevators in central China’s Zhangjiajie Forest Park go up the cliff in just 88 seconds. (Photo: AFP / Wang Zhao)
“The movie really blew us away. And it’s really beautiful here.”
“Its geological structure is very suitable for using elevators as a means of transportation, that’s why we made this Bailong Elevator,” explained Liu Jie, director of the company that manages the elevator, whose name means “Hundred Dragons.”
Tourists can climb the cliff in just 88 seconds, or brave a three-hour climb to the top. (Photo: AFP / Wang Zhao)
“Before, there was only one cable car with limited capacity, so tourists had to wait a long time,” Liu added.
The alternative was to face a three-hour climb on foot.
“It’s super fast,” retiree Jin Shihao told AFP after completing the trip, which costs US $ 19 (129 yuan) for a return ticket.
Around 8,000 tourists take the elevator every day. However, the numbers are still significantly below an average of 14,000 before the pandemic.
