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
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.