Rural village reaches new heights with sky ladder

A sky ladder climbing challenge hosted on Dec 10 was joined by outdoor enthusiasts and visitors who dared to ascend the steel ladder in Xuanya village of Zhaojue county in Sichuan province.

Formerly known as Atulieer village, it was connected to the outside world only through a 218-step rattan ladder that spans an 800-meter cliff. In 2016, a steel ladder was built with a length of 2.9 kilometers and 2,556 steps.

The route of the challenge is a one-way ascent covering 1.5 kilometers, including 925 meters of steel ladder and two 300-meter paths at the start and finish, featuring a nearly vertical incline at its steepest part.

Full safety measures were introduced, including a comprehensive guide sent to the participants one month in advance, safety training sessions and mandatory helmets and safety ropes used during the climb. Multiple rest platforms and emergency stations were set up throughout the route with staff to provide assistance.

The event emphasized experience over competition and all participants who completed the climb were awarded an honorary certificate. Those who posted on social media platforms could enter a prize drawing.

"Participating in the challenge gave me a real sense of the hardships faced by the villagers in the past. I also appreciate the spirit and strength embodied by the steel ladder," said one participant.

The event also marked the ladder's certification as "the greatest vertical height by a supported steel ladder/staircase" by Guinness World Records.

In recent years, the event's organizer Liangshan Culture and Tourism Investment Group has been developing the Xuanya village Sky Valley Scenic Zone featuring ethnic culture and natural landscapes, which has improved the infrastructure in the village.

"We hope this event serves as a window for more people to witness the village's beauty and uniqueness and to experience the sublimity and charm of our country's magnificent landscapes," a representative from the group said.