'Sky Ladder' via ferrata in Zhangjiajie draws global thrill-seekers

A 168-meter via ferrata route on the sheer cliffs of Zhangjiajie in Central China's Hunan province is attracting thrill-seekers from around the world, with first-person climbing videos recently going viral on social media.

Dubbed "China's highest via ferrata", the route is located on Qixing Mountain, a karst tableland formation approximately 13 kilometers from downtown Zhangjiajie. With an average elevation of 1,328 meters, the mountain's sheer cliffs, deep gorges, seas of clouds, and cascading waterfalls are ideal for hiking and adventure.