Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area lies in the northwest of Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area and is designated a Provincial Nature Reserve. It was originally named Qingyan Mountain. In the early Ming Dynasty, Xiang Dakun, a chieftain of the Tujia ethnic group, raised an uprising here, occupied the mountain and proclaimed himself Prince Xiang Tianzi (Son of Heaven).

In the 18th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1385), Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang dispatched generals Tang He and Zhou Dexing to suppress the Tujia peasant rebellion. Outnumbered, the rebel army suffered a crushing defeat. Prince Xiang Tianzi plunged into Divine Hall Bay and sacrificed his life. To commemorate him, local Tujia people renamed Qingyan Mountain Tianzi Mountain. In July 1983, the People’s Government of Sangzhi County issued an official document formally changing the mountain’s name to Tianzi Mountain.

Covering a total area of 67 square kilometers, the scenic area features a central highland surrounded by lower terrain, with Tianzi Peak as its highest point at an altitude of 1,262.5 meters. Beneath an elevation of 800 meters lies a 500-meter-thick layer of quartz sandstone. The scenic area boasts profound gorges, jagged stone peaks, countless gullies and vast stretches of lush green woodland. Mesa platforms protrude mid-air atop mountain summits and slopes, crisscrossing to form countless natural viewing terraces.

Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area consists of five natural sub-districts: Yellow Dragon Spring, Phoenix Perching Mountain, Old House Yard, Tea Tray Pagoda and Shijiayan. Two sightseeing zones — Shijiayan and Tea Tray Pagoda — have been fully developed. Its core landscapes are gorge peak forests, with more than 80 representative scenic spots including Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, Warrior Taming a Horse, Brush Blooming with Dreams, Fairy Presenting Flowers, General Rock, General Review Platform, Divine Hall Bay, Grand View Platform, Tianzi Peak, Natural Bridge and One Step Too Hard. There is also Marshal He Long Memorial Site — He Long Park.

Tianzi Mountain is most spectacular for its peak forests, sea of clouds, rosy sunrise glow and winter snow, earning it the famous praise: "Whoever beholds Tianzi’s grace will seek no other mountains after returning home."

A. Take the scenic eco-shuttle from the Symbol Gate to the lower station of Tianzi Mountain Ropeway, then ride the cable car uphill. Ropeway fare: 67 RMB per adult for a one-way trip.

B. Take the scenic eco-shuttle from the Symbol Gate to Ten-Mile Gallery, then hike uphill along Wolong Ridge Trail.

C. Take the scenic eco-shuttle from the Symbol Gate to the lower station of Bailong Elevator at Shuirao Simen, ride the elevator up to Yuanjiajie, then transfer to another scenic eco-shuttle at the No.1 Bridge Under Heaven Parking Lot bound for He Long Park on Tianzi Mountain.

Take the scenic eco-shuttle to the lower station of Yangjiajie Ropeway, ride the cable car uphill to Black Dragon Stockade in Yangjiajie, then transfer to a scenic eco-shuttle heading for He Long Park on Tianzi Mountain.

Admission to Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area is included in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area ticket (248 RMB, valid for four consecutive days).