D.Y.K.

Floating mountains

Tianzi Mountains of China

The stunning weathered sandstone peaks of the Tianzi Mountains, also known as ‘imperial brushes’, are part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China and the Wulingyuan UNESCO World Heritage site. Formed underwater 380 million years ago, the flow destroyed surrounding sandstone, leaving only resilient stone pillars that are now covered with tropical forests and ancient pine trees. The highest peak of the mountains is 1262.5 metres above sea level. Often seeming to ‘drift’ among the clouds, they provided the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.