A challenge organized by Chinese automaker Chery at the “Stairway to Heaven” on Tianmen Mountain took an unexpected turn on November 12, 2025. The Chery Fulwin X3L test vehicle slid down the steep steps, colliding with and damaging the protective railing. The incident was captured in multiple videos by bystanders, sparking debates about safety and the use of scenic landmarks for promotional activities.
Video footage of the incident.
The accident occurred around noon on November 12. Witnesses reported that the Chery Fulwin X3L failed to ascend the steps, then slid backward, breaking a section of the railing. “The car remained stationary for two hours without moving,” a bystander told *Jimu News*. A local tour guide confirmed that the “Stairway to Heaven” was closed to visitors on both November 12 and 13 for Chery’s event.
The “Stairway to Heaven” on Tianmen Mountain is a renowned tourist attraction, featuring 999 steps spanning nearly 300 meters, rising 150 meters high. The path is notoriously difficult due to its narrow 30 cm steps, slippery surface, and average gradient of 45 degrees, with sections exceeding 60 degrees. *Jiangnan Metropolis Daily* described it as a route “rarely conquered even by imported off-road vehicles.”
The Chery Fulwin X3L, under Chery’s Fulwin brand, was launched on September 18, 2025. On September 21, 2025, Chery’s Executive Vice President emphasized the challenge’s difficulty on Weibo, highlighting the demands on the vehicle’s power, performance, and four-wheel drive system.
Before the incident, a Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park employee stated that the “Stairway to Heaven” had been closed for Chery’s event, directing visitors to use the mountain’s cable car to reach Tianmen Cave.
On November 13, 2025, Chery issued an apology for the “unexpected situation” during the Tianmen Mountain challenge. The company’s initial investigation identified the direct cause as “the safety harness buckle unexpectedly detaching from the testing equipment’s anchor point.” This caused the harness to become entangled in the right wheel, hindering the drivetrain and leading to the vehicle’s descent and collision with the railing. Chery confirmed no injuries and no environmental damage from the incident.
Chery acknowledged “inadequate risk assessment and oversight shortcomings” in planning and execution, particularly in choosing a public scenic landmark for testing. The company expressed deep regret for the damage to the Tianmen Mountain scenic area and pledged to repair and assume full responsibility for compensation.
Chery is not the first automaker to attempt the “Stairway to Heaven” challenge. In 2018, Land Rover successfully completed the ascent with a Range Rover Sport in 21 minutes and 47 seconds as part of its “Dragon Challenge” campaign.
Video of the Range Rover Sport successfully completing the 999-step challenge.
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