Three double-decker elevators in Zhangjiajie Chinese Forest Park ascend the cliff in as fast as 88 seconds
Zhangjiajie, China:
Rising over 300 meters (1,000 feet) over the bluff that inspired the landscape of the hit movie “Avatar,” the world‘s tallest outdoor elevator takes brave tourists to breathtaking views.
The three double-decker elevators at Zhangjiajie Forest Park in central China ascend the cliff in just 88 seconds, a quick draw as domestic tourism slowly recovers in China after coronavirus imposed travel measures strict and lockdowns earlier this year.
It takes tourists to the top of the sandstone rock face that inspired the fictional Pandora jungle moon – home to the blue-hued Na’vi people – from the 2009 James Cameron hit.
“One of the main reasons we came is that the site inspired Avatar,” said Qiao Ke, 45, who went to the elevator with his family.
“The film really impressed us. And it’s really beautiful here.”
“Its geological structure is very suitable for the use of elevators as a means of transportation, which is why we made this Bailong elevator,” said Liu Jie, director of the company managing the elevator, whose name means ” One 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 on foot.
“It’s super fast,” retiree Jin Shihao told AFP after completing the ride, which costs $ 19 (129 yuan) for a return ticket.
About 8,000 tourists take the elevator every day. However, the numbers are still significantly lower than an average of 14,000 before the pandemic.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
