Tourists take world’s highest outdoor lift to the top of China’s ‘Avatar’ cliff
- In just 88 seconds, they’re taken up the sandstone rock face that inspired the fictional jungle moon of Pandora in the 2009 hit film
- Visitor numbers to the Zhangjiajie attraction are significantly down from the pre-pandemic average
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Towering more than 300 metres (1,000 feet) up the cliff face that inspired the landscape for the blockbuster movie Avatar, the world’s highest outdoor lift whisks brave tourists to breathtaking views.
The three double-decker elevators in central China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park zip up the cliff in just 88 seconds, a speedy attraction as domestic tourism slowly recovers after the coronavirus forced strict travel measures and lockdowns earlier this year.
“One of the main reasons we came is that the site inspired Avatar,” said Qiao Ke, 45, who travelled to the lift with his family.
“The film really made an impression on us. And it really is beautiful here.”
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World's tallest outdoor lift brings tourists up China's ‘Avatar cliff’
Liu Jie, director of the company managing the elevator, said the geological structure of the area was suited to using lifts for transport.
“So we made this Bailong Elevator,” he said, using the Chinese name for the lift, which means “Hundred Dragons”.
“Before, there was only a cable car with limited capacity, so tourists had to wait a long time,” Liu added.
The alternative was to brave a three-hour climb up on foot.
“It’s superfast,” retiree Jin Shihao said after completing the ride, which costs 129 yuan (US$19) for a return ticket.
Around 8,000 tourists take the lift every day. However, numbers are still significantly down from an average of 14,000 before the pandemic.
