Will you be a spectator or a challenger for these world-class events at Tianmen Mountain?

Ken Block, known as the "King of Drift," was a renowned American professional rally driver celebrated for his exceptional performance and innovative stunts in drifting competitions. Beyond his influential status in the racing world, he was also a co-founder of DC Shoes and the founder of the Hoonigan Racing Division. Block captivated global car enthusiasts with his daring driving stunts and the innovative "Gymkhana" racing video series. Tragically, Ken Block passed away on January 2, 2023, at the age of 55, due to a snowmobile accident.

Ken Block had a special connection with Tianmen Mountain in China. He took on the challenge of the 99 bends at Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, a drift challenge of great difficulty. Known for its magnificent natural scenery and perilous mountain roads, Block's performance there showcased his superior driving skills and passion for the sport.

Tianmen Mountain is one of the most iconic attractions in Zhangjiajie, famous for its unique pillar-like geological formations and beautiful natural landscapes. Here are some of the main attractions and features of Tianmen Mountain:

1. **Tianmen Cave**: The mountain's signature attraction, a naturally formed cave 131.5 meters high, which visitors can traverse by cable car or vehicle.

2. **Glass Skywalk**: Approximately 60 meters long and 1.6 meters wide, it hangs on the edge of a steep cliff, offering an exhilarating experience for extreme sports and photography enthusiasts.

3. **Tianmen Mountain Cableway**: The world's longest single-line循环 detachable grip cableway, stretching 7,455 meters, allowing visitors to ride from the base to the summit while enjoying the scenery.

4. **Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park**: Provides an ideal place for natural relaxation, where visitors can hike through the forest, enjoying fresh air and the beauty of nature.

5. **Tianmen Mountain Summit**: Offers an expansive viewing platform overlooking the entire city of Zhangjiajie and the surrounding mountains, making it an excellent spot for photography and watching sunrises and sunsets.

It is recommended to visit Tianmen Mountain during the spring and autumn seasons when the climate is mild, and the scenery is most enchanting. Tianmen Mountain is not only a paradise for nature lovers but also an excellent venue for extreme sports challenges.

Many world-renowned challenges have been completed here, and if you have new ideas, SinoMate can assist you in realizing all your challenge dreams!

Ken Block's Ultimate Drift Challenge at China's Tianmen Mountain's 99 Bends

On September 24, 2011, the "Wingsuit Flight Through Tianmen" extreme challenge took place at Tianmen Mountain with a spectacular display. American adventurer Jeb Corliss, wearing a wingsuit, jumped from a helicopter approximately 1 kilometer away from and 2000 meters above Tianmen Cave, attempting to fly through the cave opening.

On November 18, 2007, French "Spider-Man" Alain Robert challenged the unprotected free climb of the approximately 200-meter-high natural rock face at the mouth of Tianmen Cave. The route included two large overhangs (like eaves overhanging rock walls) and three sections where the rock face was steeper than 90 degrees. Such a route is extremely difficult for even the most skilled climbers to conquer, even with protective gear.

In May 2015 and July 2016, the world's top mountain bike downhill experts gathered in Tianmen Mountain to compete in super shocking downhill and skill competitions on the 999-level ladder in Tianmen Cave. Many players were injured and retired from the competition. It is regarded as the highest level slope in the world. skills competition

Tianmen Mountain Range Rover Hill Climb Challenge

On December 11, 1999, the world stunt flying master Péter Besenyei from Hungary successfully flew a stunt plane through the world's highest altitude natural mountain cave—Tianmen Cave, which is over 1300 meters above sea level, 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and at its narrowest point, only 28.3 meters wide. The plane's passage through Tianmen Cave caused a global sensation.

On June 28, 2014, in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, Freddie Nock walked on the steep cableway of Zhangjiajie's Tianmen Mountain. On that day, Freddie Nock, a record holder and known as the "King of European High-Wire," once again challenged the longest and most dangerous high-altitude sightseeing cableway in Asia, Zhangjiajie's Tianmen Mountain, without any protective measures. After walking 420 meters, due to the steep slope and slippery footing, Nock chose to abandon the challenge. In 2010, Nock had challenged the Tianmen Mountain cableway and stopped around 200 meters because the steel cable under his feet was rolling and swaying too much.

French driver Romain Dumas completed the treacherous "99 Bends" of Tianmen Mountain in a record time of 7 minutes and 38.585 seconds, setting a new benchmark that future challengers will strive to surpass.

On July 22, 2012, Jean-Yves Blondeau, the French rollerblader known as the "Transformer on Skates," wearing his self-made 17-kilogram blue armor, successfully challenged the 99 turns of the Tianmen Mountain "Stairway to Heaven" at a speed of 19 minutes and 34 seconds. His average speed reached approximately 33 kilometers per hour, setting a new world record for the speed and acrobatic rollerblading style on the 99 sharp turns.