Construction workers walk up a makeshift flight of steps to the cliff elevator site amid breathtaking views. (LI KE / FOR CHINA DAILY)

For some people, the fun in mountain hiking lies in climbing up the never-ending steps and strolling through untainted forests. However, for others, it is about making it to the top.

If you happen to be in the second group, the Wuzhi Peak of Mangshan Mountain in Hunan province will be ideal, overlooking the lush forest and rocky columns at the Mangshan Mountain Scenic Spot.

Visitors can reach the top of the peak via a soon-to-be-completed pathway complete with four vertical elevators, a world-class cable walkway and a cliff plank. Through this path, even disabled visitors can go up the mountain.

Work on the project started in 2018. So far, the Wuzhi Peak ropeway, hanging plank and the Motianling elevator have already been completed. The Xiaotiantai elevator is expected to open to the public before the upcoming National Day holiday.

Gu Lin, sales director of the Mangshan Mountain project, said that there has not been anything like this before. "Upon completion, the 8-kilometer pathway project will be barrier-free in a mountain scenic area, the first of its kind in China," he said.

A worker welds pieces of metal in the machine room. (LI KE / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Behind the path to the top are construction workers who have toiled throughout the year to complete the project.

"There are more than 100 workers involved in the entire project, of whom around 50 are working on the elevator at the Xiaotiantai mountain area. They work and live most of the time on the mountain due to the limited conditions," said Gu, adding that the workers are proud to be involved in the project as this will bring convenience to all visitors.

Cao Peng is one of the skilled workers employed at the cliff elevator construction for the last three years. With only a set of safety ropes, he easily moves around the site as he works on the site. "I work for the good of others, and I can also appreciate the sights that others can barely see. Why not?" said the 32-year-old when asked to describe his feelings about the job.

At a height of 130 meters, the Motianling elevator is built on the mountainside. The height of the Xiaotiantai elevator is about 128 meters.

Each elevator will run at a speed of 2 meters per second and it will take about 1 minute to reach the top. Once it is completed, the elevator can transport visitors to the top of the mountain in only 40 seconds, as compared to the 40-minute hike that visitors previously needed to take.

"We will always prioritize safety," Gu said. "But the barrier-free path for all travelers is our final goal and we are already there."

Contact the writer at zhouxingzuo@chinadaily.com.cn

An aerial view of the cliff elevator construction site. (LI KE / FOR CHINA DAILY)

A close-up of a worker's gloved hand. By the end of six months, each worker would have used several pairs of gloves. (LI KE / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Workers eat and sleep at a temporary shelter near the construction site. (LI KE / FOR CHINA DAILY)

A temporary ladder was built to allow workers easy access up and down the mountain. (LI KE / FOR CHINA DAILY)