Nature and Wonder: Phenomenal Sea of Clouds at Tianmen Mountain and the Grandeur of 72 Qilou

#chinatravel #travel #zhangjiaje #tianmenshan #seaofclouds #nature #familytravel The landscape was breathtakingly surreal — a magical sea of clouds floated over mist-shrouded mountains during our visit to Tianmen Mountain in May 2025. We would have missed this rare and unforgettable phenomenon if not for the official guide’s wise advice to wait until the afternoon for the day-long rain to clear. At nightfall, we explored the 72 Strange Buildings (72 Qilou), the highest stilted buildings in the world, as it transformed into a vibrant night scene — a visual feast that offered visitors a glimpse into Tujia culture and a lively nightlife experience. Getting There: High-speed rail from Changsha to Zhangjiajie > Car to Tianmen Attractions: Tianmen Mountain + 72 Strange Buildings (72 Qilou) Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province Hotel: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Century Yijun Hotel (free pick-up from train station + free flow of coffee) Food: 李嘎三下锅 (希尔顿欢朋店) (fish + okara + steamed pork ribs with yam)