Tianmen Cave - Heaven Gate 天門洞

Tianmen Cave is the natural water-eroded cave with the highest elevation in the world. In year 263, the thousand meter high cliff of Songliang mountain suddenly broke up into a door-like cave which became a rare wonder of the world. Hence the name of Songliang mountain changed to Tianmen(heaven gate) mountain.

Tianmen cave runs south-northward with a height of 131.5 meters, a width of 57 meters and a depth of 60 meters. It rises above the ground and nears the sky with a lofty and towering  posture. The shadow of it reaches the north of the vast sea, the clouds over it near the south of the handle of the Dipper. It is much like a gate towards the heaven. The wonder attracted the visits and appreciations by emperors, officials, sages, hermits, dignitaries and men of letters of different dynasties.

 

After the accumulation over the dynasties, the unique profound Culture of Heaven is buit up. In 1999, the masters of International stunt flying piloted the planes to fly through Tianmen Cave. The activity gave rising to sensational reactions in the world. There were 800 millions audiences watching the live broadcasting. (quoted from a tourist guide book)

The number of stairs is nine hundreds and ninety nine.  The figure 9 means many to them. Then 999 means many many stairs?  The construction of the 999 stairs seemed well engineered in terms of shape and safety.                        

On December 11, 1999 the first class aerobatics pilots flew through the Tianmen Cave for the first time in human histroy. The cave is 131.5 meter high and 57 meters in width.

At the Tianmen Cave - Heaven Gate(天門洞)

a Gate top at high above over my head.

When I returned to the cablecar station, the sun already set and it was dark.... and my China trip ended with satisfaction at having finally wonderful sunny day.