The Bailong Elevator (Chinese: 百龙; literally Hundred Dragons Elevator) is a glass elevator built onto the side of a huge cliff in the Wulingyuan area of Zhangjiajie, People's Republic of China that is 326 m (1,070 ft) high.[1][2][3] It is claimed to be the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world.[3] Construction of the elevator began in October 1999, and it was opened to the public by 2002.[3] The environmental effects of the elevator have been a subject of debate and controversy, as the Wulingyan area was designated a World Heritage Site in 2002.[3][4] Operations were stopped for 10 months in 2002–2003, reportedly due to safety concerns, not environmental ones.[5]

On 16 July 2015, the elevator was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest outdoor lift.

Work on the elevator began in 1999 and was completed in 2002 at a total cost of around £12 million or 120 million yuan, practically a steal. The project was not without criticism at the time, however. The entire region is a world heritage site and proposals for the project were met with opposition from environmentalists. Campaigners were concerned that the area already has a high saturation of tourists, around 5 million a year, and the environment wouldn't benefit from another boost for attractions in the area. The entire region was originally listed on the UNESCO list to preserve its original beauty. Supporters argued, however, that the elevators would save mountain trails from further traffic damage.
Lift shafts and tunnels were hewn from the quartz sandstone column, which was chosen specifically from thousands in the area. The lift cars are even fitted with earthquake detectors to allow them to be evacuated quickly in case of trouble. Shortly following its opening in 2002, the elevator was shut down temporarily for safety concerns rather than environmental ones. It was soon reopened in 2003 and is now a favored tourist attraction for those with wreckless abandon for heights.

154 meters of the elevator's total height are sighted in mountain walls with the rest of the 172 meters exposed steel derrick and other components. The lift has three separate sightseeing elevators that run in parallel. The cars run at around 3 meters per second and can carry 4,000 people an hour if all three are in operation.

Bailong Elevator: Would You Dare Ride This Insanely Tall Outdoor Lift?

View from the Cabin of Bailong Elevator [Image Source: Kazuhito Kidachi via Flickr]

Bailong Elevator controversy
Despite opposition to its construction Chinese authorities insist the structure has helped protect rather than damage the region. They claim that the Environmental Assessment of the project concluded that its completion would help protect the world heritage site. The area used to have plenty of hotels, guesthouses and other accommodation facilities. These have all since demolished and removed which, it is claimed, decreases the impact on the environment during peak seasons. As the elevator has radically reduced the travel time of tourists in the region, visitors no longer need to stay overnight.

"I do not agree with the experts. They say building elevators will harm the mountain. But as we all know, the mountain is lifeless. When digging the tunnels, many steel structure and roof bolts were installed. They can consolidate the mountain. If a light earthquake happens, the mountain will be less vulnerable to collapse than others. So can you deny it's protective?" - Sun Delong (Bailong Elevator Manager).

Opponents, on the other hand, took a very different view of the proposal during construction. The digging of tunnels and shafts, and constructions of steel structures in a world heritage site goes against the principle of protecting areas of natural beauty. The geology of the area, which is quartz sandstone, means that large scale construction projects should really be avoided and tourist levels should be minimised to help preserve it. The site is and was a popular scenic spot that already suffers from heavy tourism. The addition of such a unique structure would further impact the area even if hotels were removed.


The elevator cars are fully glazed allowing visitors to get wonderful panoramic views of the outstanding beauty of the region. You can also scare yourself out of your wits by looking down as you ascend or descend if you like that sort of thing. The main assembly was designed and constructed by Rangger Elevator Company from Germany.

The elevator allows people to “go sightseeing up the mountain during the day, stay down the mountain at night in one day". It provides great convenience for tourists who can save themselves from a very tiring walk along the alternative mountain trails. Plus, why walk when you can travel in style? Despite the controversy of its construction, there is no doubt the structure offers a fabulous and unique experience for visitors. It also provides a fantastic way to marvel at the natural beauty of the area and provide income for the local economy.

damm.... from foot to top is like a day journey and half.

more photos

Imagine this thing loses power

Humans we play too much

Sportwin:
Imagine this thing loses power

Humans we play too much

I'm sure they've thought of that

They should do this on Mount Everest so we don't have to go thru the Mountaineering experience..

Waiting

my question is, when they were building it how do they carry the equipment up there.

When we are still spending days after election and finally declare the results inconclusive.

See, the only thing Nigeria is best at is politics.

gebest:
my question is, when they were building it how do they carry the equipment up there.

They have their way.

gebest:
my question is, when they were building it how do they carry the equipment up there.

.
Omo I tire ooo

It just has to be China.. They never cease to amaze me with mad Engineering.. Naija which way na?

At first I was surprised that a country have build such a thing but when I saw the country that built it I remembered my first China phone. The phone was good, looks real but when you turn it on even a child will shout china!!!!!! Fake product from far.
If you know you know

Na snakes and scorpions get una thete

Na snakes and scorpions go dey visit una there

Greyworld:
damm.... from foot to top is like a day journey and half.

Who told you ?

wow,just $12m AND BUILT within 3years ,such a master piece at such cost lagos light rail comes to mind

sdvd

Sportwin:
Imagine this thing loses power

Humans we play too much

So all you can think of from this amazing feat is this.

Some people will always see the bad side of things.

I give them

Meanwhile somewhere in Africa, a group of strange bed fellows forced together to form an unfortunate country are still planning the design of a toothpick manufacturing factory

Amosun should have built this type to access Olumo.Rock

Humans...always looking for a way to kill ourselves.