Chery apologises as test vehicle rolls down Tianmen Mountain’s 999-step staircase

CHINA: A rare incident occurred at Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, when a vehicle slid down the steep “Heaven’s Stairway” during a test challenge, ultimately crashing into a railing.

According to local media, videos shared on 12 November 2025 showed a yellow car driving up the staircase before suddenly losing control mid-way.

The car slipped backwards and struck the protective barrier, damaging parts of the structure.

Park staff said the staircase was temporarily closed from 12 November to 13 November to facilitate an event by Chery, with visitors redirected to a lift leading to Tianmen Cave.

Safety shackle failure identified

A preliminary investigation found that the accident was caused by an unexpected detachment of a safety shackle at the rope’s fixed point.

This led the safety rope to wrap around the vehicle’s right wheel, restricting power and causing the downhill slide.

Chery issued a statement early on 13 November apologising for the incident. It said the Fengyun X3L was undergoing an extreme challenge test at noon on 12 November when the malfunction occurred.

The company apologised to the park, visitors, partners, and the public, emphasising that no one was injured and no environmental damage occurred.

The apology quickly climbed to the top of Weibo’s trending list, drawing widespread discussion.

Some questioned the purpose of driving a car up a tourist staircase, while others argued such tests should take place in professional facilities.

Concerns over tourism impact

The “Heaven’s Stairway” stretches almost 300 metres with 999 steps, forming a main pedestrian route to the scenic Tianmen Cave.

Some online users expressed concern that using tourist areas for vehicle testing affects both visitor experience and park infrastructure.

Authorities in Zhangjiajie said they will seek further information about the event’s arrangements.