When Bing showed the surreal stone pillars of the Tianzi Mountains, the quiz became one of its most-searched, another case of a single jaw-dropping landmark carrying a whole round. The facts are specific and easy to lock in.

Where and what they are

The Tianzi Mountains lie in the Zhangjiajie area of Hunan Province, China, a landscape of thousands of towering quartz-sandstone pillars rising from the mist. They sit within Wulingyuan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1992.

The Avatar connection

The pillars are widely cited as inspiration for the floating 'Hallelujah Mountains' in James Cameron's film Avatar, and one column was even renamed in the film's honour. 'Which movie were these mountains linked to' is close to a guaranteed question.

Why they look that way

The spires formed over millions of years as water and ice eroded a sandstone plateau, leaving harder columns standing. Frequent mist makes them appear to float, which is exactly the effect the homepage images capture.

Answering approach

China, Zhangjiajie/Hunan, UNESCO, Avatar inspiration, these four facts answer almost everything. The caption names the site, and its official or UNESCO page confirms the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Tianzi Mountains?

In the Zhangjiajie area of Hunan Province, China, within the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan scenic area.

Which movie were the Tianzi Mountains linked to?

James Cameron's Avatar, they're cited as inspiration for the floating 'Hallelujah Mountains'.

How did the Tianzi pillars form?

Millions of years of water and ice erosion carved a sandstone plateau into thousands of towering columns.