A via ferrata facility within Taohua Island of Putuo district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: zsqdly] 

The via ferrata facility on Taohua Island in Putuo district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province commenced trial operations on Aug 13. 

The facility, which consists of three routes spanning a combined 762.95 meters in length, is China's first via ferrata route built on cliffs within an island. 

Via ferrata, which means "iron way" in Italian, is a form of mountain climbing that involves using a series of fixed cables and rungs. It allows people with no mountaineering skills to enjoy the sport of mountain climbing. 

The activity first originated in the Alps during World War I before gaining popularity in Europe starting in the late 1990s. France is considered as the official center for contemporary via ferrata sport styles.