According to Huang Xinming, general manager of the company operating the Bailong Elevator, the structure Ma Jin will challenge on May 18th stands 176 meters tall, is fully exposed against the mountain face, and offers no safety protection whatsoever during the ascent. The steel pipes are particularly wide in diameter, making it difficult to get a firm grip with the hands and apply force. Moreover, their slight incline makes it hard to push off with the legs or feet, making this building arguably the most challenging to climb in the world today. As such, this free climb will be one of the most dangerous and technically demanding life-risking feats ever attempted.
It is understood that Ma Jin has previously conquered Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower and more than half of the world’s most famed climbing spots. In addition to scaling cliffs alongside his companions, he has also used cameras to document each life-threatening moment of their ascents. He is regarded as the world’s top outdoor climbing instructor and has been named among the world’s top ten rock climbing photographers. Notably, his role in *Iron Man 3* showcased thrilling and death-defying stunts through his unique climbing skills, captivating countless movie audiences.
In recent years, Zhangjiajie has launched a series of globally sensational extreme challenges, such as airplanes flying through Tianmen Cave, French “Spider-Man” Alain Robert’s free climb of Tianmen Cave, the high-wire walk across Tianmen Mountain’s steep slope by “Dawaz” descendant Saimaiti Aijiang, and extreme breath-holding challenges in Baofeng Lake by Danish world-record holder Stig Severinsen and Italian David Mereu. These events have made Zhangjiajie a focal point of global attention. Now, Ma Jin’s challenge of the world’s tallest elevator in Zhangjiajie will undoubtedly become another milestone in the area’s tourism planning, promotion, and brand marketing.
According to Deng Jian, deputy head of the Wulingyuan District People’s Government and organizer of the event, preparations for the May 18th challenge are proceeding in an orderly manner, and over 100 global news media outlets are expected to live broadcast or report on this extraordinary climbing event.
Whether Ma Jin can write a “world’s No. 1 legend” at this World Natural Heritage site and successfully conquer the limits of human endurance is something the whole world will be watching.
The world watches with bated breath to see if Ma Jin can write “the world’s No. 1 legend” in a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and whether he can successfully challenge the limits of life.