Ling Wu
What You'll Find Here
I've lost count of how many groups I've taken up Tianmen Mountain. And every single time, the bus station is where I see the most frustrated faces. Tourists clutching maps, staring at a sea of people, wondering why no one told them this part would be so painful.
So here it is — the unfiltered truth about the Tianmen Mountain bus. How to actually ride it without wasting half your day in line, and what no one mentions about the notorious 99-bend road.
Why Most Tourists Get the Bus Wrong
Here's the thing — most visitors assume they can just show up, buy a ticket, and hop on. Nope. The bus is part of a combined ticket with the cable car, and the system is strictly timed. Show up at 10 AM without a reservation? You'll be staring at a 2-hour queue under the sun.
The bus mainly serves two purposes: get you from the to the Tianmen Cave and then down the winding road, or shuttle you between different scenic spots on the mountain. It's not a city bus — it's a scenic shuttle, and it only runs when full.
Bus Route Breakdown: East Line vs West Line
The Tianmen Mountain bus network has two main branches. Don't confuse them — they lead to very different experiences.
| Route | Key Stops | Best For | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Line (Blue Bus) | East Square → Glass Skywalk → Tianmen Cave | First-timers, photo lovers | Every 15 min, until 5:30 PM |
| West Line (Green Bus) | West Square → Ghost Valley Plank → Tianmen Temple | Hikers, avoiding crowds | Every 20 min, until 5 PM |
Personally, I recommend the West Line if you want to skip the worst of the crowds. The East Line is packed with tour groups because that's where the glass skywalk is. The West Line is quieter, and the bus wait is usually under 10 minutes.
Important: The bus that goes down the 99-bend road (the famous winding road) is a separate shuttle that departs from Tianmen Cave area. If you want that thrill ride down the mountain, you need to take the cable car up, then walk to Tianmen Cave, then board that specific bus. Miss that bus, and you're walking down 999 steps — not fun after a long day.
How to Buy Tickets for the Bus (Without a Chinese Phone Number)
This is where 90% of my foreign clients get stuck. The bus ticket is not sold separately — it's bundled with the mountain entrance fee. And the official booking system requires a Chinese phone number to reserve a time slot.
Here's the price breakdown (no changes expected):
| Ticket Type | Price (CNY) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (Bus + Cable Car) | 278 | Entrance, cable car up, bus down |
| Child (1.2–1.5 m) | 147 | Same as adult |
| Senior (60+) | 147 | Need ID proof |
| Bus-only (if you walk up) | 98 | Must have mountain entrance ticket already |
Payment: WeChat Pay or Alipay only — international credit cards won't work at the counter. If you don't have Chinese payment apps, buy online through Trip.com (they accept Visa/Mastercard) and they'll issue a QR code that works at the gate.
Best Time to Board the Bus (Avoid the 2-Hour Queue)
I've seen the queue at the East Square bus stop stretch for over 200 meters at 11 AM. Here is the timing secret that almost no guidebook tells you:
- For the bus down the mountain: Board before 8:30 AM or after 3:30 PM. The middle of the day is chaos.
- For the bus between scenic spots: Midday is fine, but avoid the 12–1 PM lunch rush when bus drivers take breaks and frequency drops.
- The absolute worst time: 10 AM to 2 PM, especially on weekends. I always tell my groups to start at the West Line, take the bus early, then hit the East Line after lunch.
Reality check: Even with perfect timing, you might wait 20–30 minutes during peak season (October, May holidays). Bring a hat and water — the bus stops are exposed.
What I Wish I Knew Before Boarding
I've made every mistake so you don't have to. Here are the details that'll save you time and sanity:
- The bus floor is metal and gets slippery when wet. I've seen three people slide on rainy days. Wear grippy shoes, not fashion sneakers.
- The 99-bend road makes people queasy. If you get motion sickness, sit in the front rows and don't look at your phone. I always carry ginger candy for my groups — works better than Dramamine for mild nausea.
- Last bus down leaves at 5:30 PM sharp. Miss it, and you're either walking down 999 steps (then a 5 km road) or paying for a private car that costs 10x the bus. The park rangers will not wait.
- Toilet break before boarding! The bus ride is 25 minutes of twists and no toilet at the lower station. If you're desperate, the toilet near the East Square bus stop is actually clean (surprisingly) and rarely has a line.
One thing that annoys me: the bus drivers here are skilled — watching them navigate those hairpin turns is impressive. But they brake hard. If you're standing (rare, but happens when full), hold onto the rail with both hands. I once saw a guy drop his phone out the window. Gone forever.
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