The 2hr Walk Across the World’s Tallest Outdoor Passenger Lift

Do you have a fear of heights? It’s one of the most common phobias in existence, and whilst some would advocate tackling your fears head-on, a 330-metre elevator might not be the best way to do it.

China’s Record-Breaking Lift

The Bailong Elevator in China, which translates into English as the ‘One Hundred Dragons’, is the tallest elevator in existence outdoors. It carries its passengers past an ancient sandstone column and up to an incredible height of 330 metres, and it is located in China’s Zhangjiajie region of the Hunan province.

Its holds up to fifty passengers at a time, which is perhaps ideal if you need someone to hug if the fear kicks in. That translates to 1,380 passengers every single hour of operation. Five million visitors are being attracted to take the ride of their lives each year. There’s no denying that the views are breathtaking.

Not for the Faint-Hearted

In fact, for those who aren’t afraid of heights the elevator ride could be the experience of a lifetime, taking in incredible and vertiginous sights to the depth of a deep mountain range. It takes one minute from bottom to top, and many repeat the experience.

A Huge Construction Project

The makers of this incredible piece of engineering took three years on their project, beginning in 1999 and completing it in 2002. Tunnels and lift shafts were dug into a vast natural column of quartz sandstone, and earthquake detection software was installed at key points to ensure that timely evacuation of all three lifts could occur if an earthquake were to happen. The cost of the build was around £12 million, and the elevator has been confirmed as the world’s highest sightseeing lift with a double deck capacity. It is also believed to be the elevator with the greatest capacity for carrying multiple passengers.

Criticism from Environmentalists

However, the build hasn’t been met with open arms by everyone. Environmentalists and green lobby groups were extremely critical of the project, as it is located in the centre of a protected World Heritage Site. They said that the area is already too popular with tourists and that further increases to visitor numbers would stress the local eco-system. However, project supporters have said that the new elevators actually preserved the mountain range by minimising traffic on its trails and preventing further erosion.

The elevator build hasn’t been without its dramas to date, either. After being formally opened for public use in 2002, it was rapidly closed again, albeit for a temporary period, because of concerns around its safety. Happily, it opened to visitors once again the following year and has since gained a cult reputation amongst daring visitors who wish to ride the world’s most terrifying elevator and see its surrounding sheer drops and panoramic views.

Those who bottle out of the ride can take an alternative route — a walk up and along the valley which takes a rather longer two and a half hours.