Home

>

Travel

>

China Has Escalators On Mountains To Make Scenic Views More Accessible; Netizens Aren’t Onboard With It 

The escalator is touted to help tourists enjoy scenic views without hiking for long durations.

by Sanjana Shenoy
China Has Escalators On Mountains To Make Scenic Views More Accessible; Netizens Aren’t Onboard With It 

With a telos to make mountain views more accessible and less cumbersome, tour operators in China installed escalators on Tianyu Mountain in Chunan county. The 350-metre-long mountainside walkway AKA escalator in the eastern Zhejiang province is touted to help tourists enjoy scenic views without hiking for long durations.

China’s Mountain Escalators: Accessible Or Hampers Natural Beauty?

The moving mountainside walkway makes Tianyu Mountain and its scenic views accessible, especially for the elderly and young kids who might struggle to climb the steep steps. However, many have slammed this escalator for robbing of the thrill and beauty of a mountain climb. After all, many argue that the best part of travelling to a mountain destination is the challenging yet deeply satisfying climb to reach the peak.

So, installing an escalator makes it a no-pain mountain climb that seems to diminish the value of a breathtaking mountain view and the arduous trek that would have made it possible in the first place. An escalator takes away the physical experience and the adventure that comes with mountain views. Many called it activities for lazy tourists. Videos and pictures of this mountain escalator in China have gone viral on X (formerly Twitter).

Also Read: World’s Fastest Train: Beijing To Shanghai In Just 1.5 Hrs As China’s Maglev Train Reaches Speeds Of 1,000 Kmph In Test Run

Netizens Are Mostly Disappointed

However, the comments section speaks another story. Commentators many a time expressed their disappointment in seeing modern conveniences contaminating the unspoilt beauty of the rugged terrain. It seemed artificial, almost like one was heading to the next floor of a mall. This escalator turned a 50-minute exhilarating trek into a 10-minute escalator ride. Visitors can just glide along the moving walkway to reach Tianyu Mountain.

Parents with little kids have welcomed this modern convenience. Some said that people can choose to climb or just take an escalator. An X user Snehasis Miku even suggested that Indian pilgrimage sites like Vaishno Devi build mountain escalators and glass walkways to make the journey accessible for pilgrims.

Also Read: Did You Know China Is Offering Marriage-Related Degree Course To Combat Low Birth Rates?

Well, what do you think about China’s mountain escalators? Should Indian pilgrimage sites also welcome this move?

Cover Image Courtesy: @TripInChina/ X

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.