Levitating Mountains of Tianzi

#hikingtime Often surrounded by mist like towers, the peaks of Mount Tianzi rise abruptly from the tree-covered ground below, creating a landscape unlike any other. These 21 km2 of mountainous landscape, located in the picturesque Wulingyuan District against the backdrop of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province of China, really represent one of the most unique formations on Earth. It is fitting that when James Cameron needed inspiration for the alien Pandora landscape depicted in Avatar, he turned to the Tianzi Mountains. The landscape here changes not only in different seasons, but can change in a matter of hours or days, which makes Mount Tianzi a very interesting place. There are four main points for breathtaking landscapes: fir forest, sea of clouds, sunrise and winter snow. Clouds and fog on Tian Tzu Mountain enjoy a high reputation throughout the country, especially immediately after the rain, which adds to its charm. The Tianzi Mountains are the product of millions of years of sedimentary rock erosion. Their ancient sandstone peaks, which are up to 300 million years old (sources vary), were slowly carved by water and wind. As a result, there are thin towers (some about 1200 meters high) that look more like overgrown skyscrapers. In addition, erosion has created distinct layers that have acquired different colors and shapes over the years of exposure to these elements. Meanwhile, younger and less eroded mountains also dot the rest of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, further contributing to the unique variety of mountain formations found here. At the same time, erosion occurs at different rates, which gives the Tianzi mountain formations their jagged shape, unevenly protruding in different places around the rock. It is on the jagged protrusions of the towers that soil accumulates over the years, which allows many different types of flowers, shrubs and trees to grow on the sides of the formations. In turn, the vegetation also attracts wild animals, especially many species of birds that make their nests among the trees.