The Fast Food Stop You’d Never Expect at the Top of a Mountain

Nothing says “I made it to the top” like a burger with a view.

For most foodies and travelers, the thrill of discovering local eats in faraway places is half the adventure. From night markets in Thailand to mom-and-pop pasta joints in Rome, the idea of jet-setting just to taste something new is more popular than ever. But what if I told you that one of the most surprising foodie experiences out there involves grabbing a Whopper… at the top of a mountain?

Welcome to Tianmen Mountain in China — and meet the Burger King that’s literally above the clouds.

The Flame-Grilled Thrill at 4,600 Feet

Set high in the ethereal peaks of Zhangjiajie, a city in China’s Hunan Province, this particular Burger King isn’t your average roadside pit stop. It’s perched near the legendary Tianmen Cave (also called Heaven’s Gate), a giant natural arch carved into the mountain and reached by climbing 999 heart-pumping steps — or, if you’re feeling less adventurous, a scenic cable car or bus ride.

Once you reach the summit — sweaty, exhilarated, and likely starving — there it is: a full-fledged Burger King, flame-grilled and ready to serve. It’s part of the mountain’s larger dining area that includes various eateries offering both local Chinese fare and international options. But let’s be honest: there’s something uniquely surreal about ordering fries and a Coke at a restaurant overlooking the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park.

Why Is It Even There?

While there’s no official statement explaining why Burger King chose this unexpected location, the logic is pretty clear. Tianmen Mountain draws thousands of visitors daily — and food options are limited at that altitude. Having a globally recognized name like Burger King serves two purposes:

1. It satisfies tourists (especially international ones) who want a taste of something familiar.

2. It plays into the novelty of where you’re eating just as much as what you’re eating.

For Western travelers, it’s comfort food with a once-in-a-lifetime view. For local tourists and visitors from other parts of the world, it’s a quirky cultural moment — eating American fast food steps from a sacred natural wonder.

Planning Your Visit to the “King of the Mountain”

Tianmen Mountain is open March through November, and with only 37,000 daily tickets available, advance planning is key. You can buy entry through tour providers or on the day at the mountain base — but booking early is recommended.

There are three visitor routes (A, B, and C), all offering different combos of cable cars, buses, and skywalks — plus, of course, the option to test your stamina on the 999 steps. Most routes include time at the glass skywalk, a heart-racing 200-foot stretch of transparent flooring hanging 4,600 feet above the ground.

Just don’t forget to make a pit stop at the summit’s most unexpected attraction: a burger joint that defies altitude and expectations.

Fast food isn’t typically at the top of a traveler’s bucket list — but when the “king” of burgers sets up shop in the clouds, it’s hard not to be intrigued. Whether you go for the hike, the views, or the sheer novelty, this mountaintop Burger King is a travel story you’ll be telling for years.