Watch top highline athletes from around the world take on a breathtaking one-kilometre highline above Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Twenty top highline athletes from ten countries, including China, France, Germany and the United States, gathered in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, on August 18. They faced a breathtaking challenge — walking a one-kilometre highline (a type of slackline performed at great heights) stretched between mountain peaks at an altitude of 1,092 meters.
Walking the Line Between Peaks
The event, called the “Slackline King,” takes place at Huangshizhai in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The highline connects the “Shitu Hui” scenic spot with Pipa Peak in the Golden Whip Stream area. Athletes must complete the one-kilometre walk within a limited number of falls—the fastest to finish wins.
At the opening, athletes stepped onto the thin line as if walking on solid ground. Some showed extra skills, performing moves such as “one-leg balance,” “splits,” and even “Tai Chi.” Their routines turned the competition into a mix of sport, art, and thrill.
“The view here is amazing. Walking on a line between these mountains feels like pure enjoyment,” said Archie from Luxembourg.
Sport Meets Scenery
Highlining is often called “ballet on the rope.” It combines balance, strength, and creativity, and has become a rising sport around the world.
The Zhangjiajie contest runs for three days. The winner will receive 100,000 yuan (about £11,000) and the title of “Cultural Tourism Ambassador” for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
This is the eighth highline competition held at Huangshizhai. Over the years, it has attracted hundreds of international athletes and thousands of spectators. Organisers say it is now one of the world’s most challenging and rewarding highline events, uniting extreme sports with stunning landscapes.
Additional reporting by CNS.
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