Chinese Automaker's Failed Attempt to Climb Tianmen Mountain's Famous Staircase Results in Damage

A Chinese automotive company's daring endeavor to ascend the renowned "Heaven's Staircase" at Tianmen Mountain in China on Wednesday ended in disappointment and caused damage to portions of the iconic stairway.

Chery Automobile attempted to drive their newest SUV model, the Fengyun X3L, up the formidable 999-step, 300-metre-high staircase, commonly referred to as the "Sky Ladder," located within Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park.

The staircase, which leads to Tianmen Cave, features narrow 30-centimetre steps with extreme inclines exceeding 60 degrees in certain areas, creating an exceptionally difficult challenge for any vehicle to overcome.

Video documentation of the incident shows the SUV encountering difficulties halfway up the staircase, subsequently losing traction, sliding backwards, and colliding with a guardrail, causing partial breakage of the protective barrier.

According to reports, tourists at the scene exclaimed in alarm as the incident unfolded. A witness stated that the vehicle remained stranded on the staircase for approximately two hours following the accident.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The management closed the staircase to visitors on November 12 and 13, though tourists could still access the mountain attraction via the alternative tunnel elevator system.

On Thursday, Chery issued an official apology explaining the accident's circumstances. The company reported that a metal shackle on the safety rope's anchor point unexpectedly detached, causing the rope to entangle around the vehicle's right rear wheel, which impeded power transmission and triggered the backward slide.

The automaker acknowledged significant lapses in their risk evaluation and preparation, stating: "We not only chose a famous tourist site as the test location but also failed to sufficiently assess potential risks and were negligent in detailed controls."

Chery committed to completely restore the damaged infrastructure, provide appropriate compensation, and enhance safety protocols for future testing activities. "We sincerely apologise to the public and Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area for the damage caused," the company declared in their official Weibo statement.

"The outcome has exposed our insufficient assessment of potential risks and lapses in detail control during the planning and execution of this test. In particular, we deeply reflect on the public concerns caused by choosing to conduct the test in a public scenic area," according to the statement reported by Global News.

Chery's unsuccessful attempt follows Land Rover's achievement in 2018, when Tung Ho Pin, a driver for the Jaguar Formula E Racing Team, successfully navigated all 999 steps in a New Range Rover Sport, completing the ascent in 21 minutes and 47 seconds. Land Rover marketed this accomplishment as the "Dragon Challenge."