
Those knees must hurt after bounding down 999 steps in two minutes.
Tianmen Mountain in China is famous for its water-eroded cave, with an impressive flight of 999 stairs leading up to it. Scaling the stairs is a feat itself, taking 30 minutes to climb the entire thing.
A massive parkour course covering the entirety of the stairs was built just recently for a competition, and 19-year-old parkour practitioner and instructor Calen Chan took a breathtaking POV film of himself vaulting down all its obstacles in just over two minutes.
▼ Watch the dizzying parkour video here.
▼ Calen starts off at the top with a GoPro camera in his mouth.
▼ This slide looks incredibly fun.
▼ The obstacles include people.
▼ “All right, where’s the escalator!?”
Japanese netizens had some things to say about this, most concerning the safety of everyone involved — willingly or otherwise:
“The tourists are in danger!”
“It’s like real-life Mirror’s Edge.”
“Oh god, I got sick after watching for just five seconds….”
“Enh, no big deal. I can do that too.”
“That’s not parkour, it’s just walking down stairs in style.”
While this may seem tame compared to Mario and Luigi parkour or amazing somersaults and ninja flips from highschool girls, keep in mind that it’s a very long climb down. Just look at that unforgiving steep incline!
Any miscalculated jump or flip on tired knees will have the runner crashing badly, crippling or even ending his or her life. Props to Calen for making it down in one piece!
Source: YouTube/Calen Chan via Kotaro
Images: YouTube/Calen Chan





Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
7-Eleven Japan now sells canned water, but does funky packaging mean funky flavor?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Saltiest ramen in Japan? Ikebukuro White goes viral for crazy salt levels
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver, take us to the best seafood restaurant in Noboribetsu!”