'Avatar Mountains,' Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
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Gravity-defying wonders of the world. 'Avatar Mountains', Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
The 'Avatar Mountains' are a beautiful geological formation located in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, in China's Hunan Province. These pillars are popularly known as the 'Avatar Mountains, as they were featured in James Cameron's blockbuster 'Avatar'. The towering quartz-sandstone spires that characterise the landscape inspired the floating mountains, known in the film as the Hallelujah Mountains or the Thundering Rocks. In 1992, the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area—including these mountains—was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and now they attract millions of tourists each year who come to marvel at their otherworldly beauty. The park is dotted with numerous hiking trails and glass-bottomed skywalks, allowing visitors to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of this natural wonder.