The escalator boom continues in China.
We previously reported on a 688-meter-long (2,260-foot) escalator being installed in the scenic Enshi Canyon in Hubei province.
Now China has built a 350-metre-high escalator costing $2.2m or £1.6m that takes visitors up Tianyu Mountain in Zhejiang province – and even sprays them with mist to keep them cool.
Tourists descend the escalator a short distance from the top of the 300-meter-high peak. From there, it is a short walk to the summit.
There is a three-kilometre (1.8 mile) long winding path to the top of the mountain that takes around 50 minutes to walk. The escalator ride takes around 10 minutes and costs 30 Chinese yen (£3.30/$4.32). And it is proving incredibly popular, with videos and images showing the escalator packed to the rafters.
China has built a 350-metre-high escalator costing $2.2m or £1.6m that takes visitors up Tianyu Mountain in Zhejiang province – and even sprays them with mist to keep them cool.
There is a winding path to the top of the mountain which takes about 50 minutes on foot. The escalator ride takes about 10 minutes and costs 30 Chinese yen (£3.30/$4.32).
A worker from the Chun’an City Tourism Development Company said: China Diary:At first we thought about building a cable car.
‘However, given the limited carrying capacity of the cable car and the high safety risk, the escalator is relatively safer and has a high carrying capacity.’
While many praised the staircase from an accessibility standpoint, others called the structure a ruin to the landscape.
One user, ‘Jorge Fernandez’, commented: ‘This is a great idea for those of us who can’t climb to the top due to physical limitations.’
‘M.ch4rmaland3r10’ agreed: ‘While I thoroughly enjoyed climbing the mountain, I think this is an inclusive way for older or disabled people to enjoy the journey up.’
But ‘Magellan-s2p’ said that “takes away some of its charm” and ‘Youxkio’ said: “This is just the beginning. Soon even Everest will have its own escalators.”
Tourists are dropped off at Tianyushan Scenic Spot, a short distance from the top of the mountain, and can easily reach the top on foot.
The Enshi Canyon escalator cost around £4.3 million or $5.6 million and takes 18 minutes to complete.
Approximately 7,300 people can be transported from the top of the complex to the canyon every hour.
A spokesman for Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Spot told MailOnline: “Tourists can take the escalator to go down the mountain to the end. This improves the level of comfort during the trip.”
The Enshi Canyon escalator (above) cost around £4.3m/$5.6m and takes 18 minutes to complete.
At Enshi Canyon (above), about 7,300 people can be transported every hour from the top of the site to the canyon.