Chery Fengyun X3L SUV Fails in Tianmen Mountain Climb Attempt

Post by : Raina Nasser

In a widely viewed stunt gone wrong, Chery Automobiles’ Fengyun X3L SUV struggled to navigate the famous “Heaven’s Staircase” at Tianmen Mountain, China, leading to damage on this historic landmark.

This incident unfolded on Wednesday as the SUV attempted to conquer the 999-step, 300-meter-high staircase, linked to the renowned Tianmen Cave within the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. The staircase's narrow 30-centimeter-wide steps and steep gradients of over 60 degrees present significant challenges for any vehicle.

Video footage from the event depicted the SUV faltering midway, sliding backward and colliding with a guardrail, causing partial damage. Tourists watching were taken aback, and the vehicle remained on the staircase for almost two hours; fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Chery Responds with Apology and Explanation

In the aftermath, Chery Automobiles issued a public apology, admitting failures in risk evaluation and planning. They noted that a metal shackle unexpectedly came loose from the safety rope’s anchor point, allowing the rope to entangle the SUV’s right rear wheel. This complication disrupted power transmission and led to the vehicle's backward slide.

The company committed to repairing the affected area, offering compensation, and improving its safety measures for future demonstrations. “We sincerely apologize to the community and the Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area for the incident. This situation has revealed our inadequate risk assessments and detail management during the planning and execution phases of the test,” stated Chery via its official social media.

A Legacy of High-Stakes Stunts

This unsuccessful attempt mirrors a triumph from Land Rover in 2018, where driver Tung Ho Pin successfully ascended all 999 steps in a New Range Rover Sport within 21 minutes and 47 seconds as part of the “Dragon Challenge” campaign—a landmark event in automotive stunt history in China.

Officials at Tianmen Mountain had temporarily closed the staircase to the public on November 12 and 13 for the stunt, while access to the summit was still available via a mountain-hugging elevator. Chery’s incident has raised important questions surrounding safety, risk management, and the selection of public scenic sites for extreme automotive activities.

As Chery moves forward with its commitments to repair damage and reassess its testing methods, this incident stands as a warning to automotive brands regarding high-profile stunts at historical or busy tourist attractions.