Sakina Tours loves adventures that feel personal, active and genuinely memorable. In this China highlight, the Aziz family turns a famous climb into a family challenge—testing whether you can reach the “Stairway to Heaven” faster by taking the express route and using escalators, while someone else takes on the legendary 999 steps.
Set your sights on Tinnamon Mountain (Tinaman Mountain in the video), where the scenery can look astonishingly clear, the humidity can be intense, and the climb becomes a race with real energy. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s an experience built for families who want to escape the 9–5 and feel fully present in the moment.
Episode 4: A family race on Tinnamon Mountain
The video centres on a thrilling showdown: the family attempts to climb 999 steps to the top—described as the stairway to heaven—while others take escalators and travel up by the mountain’s express cable car route.
“Whoever reach top of the heaven’s gate first wins,” the family says, making the day feel like a true challenge rather than a routine hike. As you watch, it’s easy to feel the nerves build—especially when the steps start to look bigger than expected.
How to choose your route: express cable way vs the long cable car
The Aziz family explains that there are two cable cars at Tinnamon/Tinaman Mountain:
- One cable car takes you from the bottom to the top but skips the 999 steps.
- The “Express” cable way (with “express” in the name) brings you to the foot bridge area—an important connection for reaching the stairway route.
In the video, the family notes that the longer cable car option is under maintenance, so they choose the express route. They also emphasise that it’s crucial to book the right ticket and arrive at the correct cable car station, because there are two cable car stations at the mountain.
Timing your visit: 11:30 arrival and humid conditions
Want fewer crowds? The family arrives later, aiming to miss busy morning queues. They enter around 11:30–12:00 and find it’s the hottest time of day, with the temperature sitting around 27–28°C and very high humidity. The video highlights that visibility can still be surprisingly good—on this day, visibility is described as clear with the horizon showing some mist in the distance.
It’s a reminder that even when the skies look promising, conditions can feel intense once you’re moving and climbing.
Tickets and what they include
The Aziz family shares the ticket cost from the video: £31.50 (noted as “50 each” in the transcript), and they state it includes:
- Express cable way up and express cable way down
- Use of elevators and everything
- Access linked to the Tinaman cave / express route described in the video
They also mention the need for passports or other ID used for booking, and that entry requires taking your documents through security.
First impressions: escalators, narrow lanes and big views
After security, the family takes escalators that are described as single-person escalators, meaning you can’t walk side-by-side. There’s no doubt why the video feels so cinematic here—the views open up quickly, showing vivid green scenery below and a sense of altitude that builds with every ride.
When the express cable car cabin is reached, the video captures that unmistakable moment of trust and wonder—plus the realisation that you’re going high, fast.
The bridge walk: “Fortune Skywalk”
Once they’re taken up by the express cable car, the family describes a short walkway: Fortune Skywalk, then the path that leads towards the stairway to heaven area.
They also remark on how the cable car interior is air-conditioned, but outside feels hot—another contrast that makes the experience more dramatic.
The challenge begins: 999 steps feel real when you see them
As the race starts, there’s lively banter about who will win. However, the moment they approach the steps, the mood shifts into genuine respect for the climb. The family even suggests they underestimated just how demanding 999 steps can be—especially with bags and the responsibility of keeping children moving safely.
While they joke about the “easy work,” the video clearly shows that once you’re climbing, the effort ramps up quickly. It’s the kind of day that turns a famous landmark into a shared memory.
Why this makes the perfect family adventure
This episode isn’t only about exercise. It’s about choosing your route, preparing for heat and humidity, and turning travel into a game—while still enjoying the dramatic landscapes.
If you’re planning your own trip to China’s mountains, this story offers practical inspiration: arrive thoughtfully, follow the correct ticket and station guidance, and expect that the climb can feel more intense than it looks from the ground.
Plan your visit with Sakina Tours
Ready to experience China beyond the headlines? Sakina Tours can help you plan a family-friendly mountain day—complete with route options, timing considerations and seamless logistics—so you can focus on the moments that matter, like reaching the top with big smiles (and bragging rights).
Note: Details in this article are drawn from the video transcript provided, including the express cable way concept and the family’s described ticket and on-the-day conditions.
Key tips from the video
- Double-check your cable car choice: express route connects to the bridge walk and the stairway experience.
- Bring passports/ID used for booking; security requires documents.
- Consider the time of day: arriving later can mean fewer cues but hotter conditions.
- Expect humidity: even when visibility is clear, it can feel physically demanding once you start climbing.
- Confirm the right station: the video notes two cable car stations at the area.
