Khao Tianmenshan, Heaven's Gate

Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWe3roErS7Va5j3W8

Khao Tianmenshan is not the real name of this mountain but has been nicknamed after the famous mountain found in China. It is in fact Khao Thalu which is within the Tenasserim Mountain Range. Perched high on this mountain a shrine can be found, some 51km south of Chumphon Town. Take Highway 41 south for 34km, take the U-turn (after the TOT Sawi building on the left) and then the first left. Follow this road until you meet the mountain range. Turn left just before the range.

Follow this road keeping the mountain to your right and immediately after crossing a bridge you should see the start area for the walk up to the shrine. Note: To the right of this area is the western entrance of  Nam Lot Cave.

Behind the stone elephant you will find the steps up to the shrine.

Now a little warning! It is long and steep in places climb up to the shire. We counted a total of 562 steps! However all the way you are under the shade of trees plus there is lots to see as you ascend. It is worth the effort for the view is rather good at the top.

No climbing over rocks for a concrete path/steps have been installed all the way. And for all steep sections you will find steel ladders.

Whilst under the shade of the trees we were glad to get to the shrine for there was a nice breeze blowing to cool you down.

Here you will find a large Buddha image sitting on a lotus flower.

It is certainly a long way down looking at the bridge we crossed before the climb up.

If you still have energy, it is possible to go up to the ridge where you can also get the view looking westwards. The path to the ridge starts just before the bridge over to the shrine.

The path works its way round to a clearing where there are a row of Buddha statues.

To the left of the statues the path continues up through a short cave. 

The locals have named this Heaven's Gate ประตูสววรค์ for the path goes right through the cave and out onto the other side of the mountain. Currently the 'Caves & Caving in Thailand' website has not referenced this Cave.

From Heaven's Gate its a short climb to the two platforms on the ridge.

From here you get a nice view to the west over the farms of Khao Thalu. Sadly a cloudy day when we visited so its back on the to do list.

And a slightly higher view looking eastwards.

You can also look down onto the shrine.

One thing noted during the climb up was that in places the rock was extremely jagged. This is certainly an unusual form of erosion, possibly from acid rain or reaction to certain plants.

Also there seems to be markings as if fossils were present or maybe this might just be erosion. No expert in this field. Where the rocks have been damaged through the building of the path seams of quartz can be seen.

Also on the climb up we came across giant Elephant's Ears (the plant not the mammal). Amazing how they have established halfway up a rocky mountain when supposedly they need moist soil or shallow water. In my plant book they are in the 'Water and Pool Plants' section! Those growing beside our local stream are half the size.

Also came across these mushrooms/toadstools. Still unsure what they really are!

Found taking photo's of the shrine from the bridge a little difficult. All you can see is the underside of the platform. So you have to venture out a bit, but then the shrine looks small! Best view we found was on the road to Kangkrome Waterfall.

Found these drone photos on the net.