The event, which was supposed to be a demonstration of power and technology, ended in public embarrassment for Chinese automaker Chiray. This Thursday, the brand sought to recreate Land Rover’s famous campaign by sending its Fengyun X3L SUV up the so-called “Stairway to Heaven” of Tianmen Mountain, one of China’s most iconic tourist attractions.
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The event, held behind closed doors, went viral on social media after a vehicle lost traction and slid backwards, hitting a guardrail on a staircase and damaging part of the historic building.
Images circulating online show the driver trying to regain control of the SUV, but without success. The impact immediately halted the test in front of tourists and onlookers watching the scene.
In an official statement, Chiray explained that the accident occurred because a safety rope used during the test came loose and got caught on one of the wheels, impeding the vehicle’s traction. The company publicly apologized and promised to pay the full cost of repairing the Tianmen Stairs.
The brand said, “We deeply regret this incident and will take full responsibility for any damage caused.”
The 999-step “Stairway to Heaven” carved into Tianmen Mountain in Hunan province has already been the scene of a legendary feat by Land Rover, which was successfully climbed during the 2018 campaign.
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