travel to zhangjiajie national forest park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the inspiration of Avatar, is a must-see place for its out-of-this-world scenery. But your experience may be ruined by huge crowds and bad weather if you fail to plan well.

Continue to read for insiders' recommendations and tips coming from thousands of customer feedback forms and our inspection trips.

What to See in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The whole of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is huge with many different scenic areas. Plan well in advance to maximize your time in the places you are most interested in.

The top-rated scenic areas are Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Gold Whip Stream. These three areas can be visited by tourists any age.

Walking is not hard at the main attractions, where cable cars, elevators, a tram, and shuttle buses are available andconcrete paths and steps have been built.

The off-the-beaten-path scenic areas are quieter but require more hiking: Yangjiajie, Yellow Stone Village, and Old House Area.

• Yuanjiajie (Yuan Family Territory) — the most popular and most crowded area
• Tianzi Mountain (Heaven Son Mountain) — famous for its clouds and mists
• Yangjiajie (Yang Family Territory) — newly discovered, and most steep
• Gold Whip Stream (Jinbian Xi) — easy and relaxing walking
• Yellow Stone Village (Huangshi Zhai) — similar to Yuanjiajie, but less spectacular
• Old House Area (Laowuchang) — undeveloped, quiet and natural, a must for photographers

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

• Visiting time: 2½ hours
• Fitness needed: Moderate

Yuanjiajie ('Yuan Family Territory' 袁家界) contains " Avatar Hallelujah Mountain ". It is the most popular sight in Zhangjiajie.

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Yuanjiajie is a butte (steep-sided platform mountain), surrounded by higher peaks, grotesque rock pillars, and deep valleys. The highlights of Yuanjiajie include the First Bridge under Heaven, Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, and 'Lost Souls Platform'.

Insider tips: The easiest way to get up to Yuanjiajie is by the famous Hundred Dragon Elevator (Bailong Elevator). But we don't recommend it (unless you arrive before 7 am or descend before 4 pm) due to typical 2-hour lines for the 2-minute ride. A 1–1½-hour hike is a better way if you are fit.

The fame of Hallelujah Mountain and the views mean there are always crowds in this area, especially during peak travel season when you may find it hard to find a place free of people for photos.

Our guides select a time of day to visit Yuanjiajie when people are not yet arriving or are moving to other areas based on their experience and real-time information shared by the staff and other guides.

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Tianzi Mountain

• Time needed: 2 hours
• Fitness needed: moderate

Tianzi Mountain ('Heaven Son Mountain' or 'Emperor Mountain' 天子山Tianzishan) offers the best chance of photographing asea of clouds, mainly during spring or early autumn.

Don't miss the cable car up to this area. The 30-minute ride will take you through the towering formations and give you the opportunity to take great fly-by photos.

If your time permits, you can visit Ten-Mile Gallery where you can take a monorail train . After the train, you can hike up to Tianzi Mountain.

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Gold Whip Stream

• Visiting time: 2 hours
• Fitness needed: low to moderate (easy and relaxing walk)

Gold Whip Stream (Jinbian Xi 金鞭溪) is a brook at the foot of the towering mountains. It is about 7½ km (4½ miles) long, about two hours' walk.

It is an easy and relaxing walk along the stream. It gets quieter as you walk farther from the shuttle bus stop.

The 400-meter-high cliff by Gold Whip Stream is spectacular, especially at sunset. One thing to watch out for is the wild monkeys along the stream.

Yellow Stone Village

'Yellow Stone Village' (HuangshiZhai 黄石寨) is 2 km north of Gold Whip Stream. This large mountain village is another essential tourist sight. The main attractions include Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak, the Southern Gate to Heaven, and Five-Finger Peak.

Yangjiajie Scenic Area

• Time needed: 3 hours
• Fitness needed: serious hill-climbing fitness

Yangjiajie ('Yang Family Territory' 杨家界) is a newly developed area of the park. It is the least-crowded area, with spectacular scenery and challenging hiking .

Yangjiajie Scenic Area involves a lot of hard and steep climbing — about 2 hours up. The steepest path is made up of slippery stone steps, going up at 70 degrees and only allowing people to pass sideways.

The highlight of this area is its 'Natural Great Wall', towering walls of rock snake through the landscape like the Great Wall of China, quite different to the pillars in the rest of the national park.

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Old House Area

• Time needed: 1½ hours
• Fitness needed: low to moderate, for the 30-minute walk on a dirt road

'Old House Area' (Laowu Chang 老屋场) is an undeveloped part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. As it is well off the ordinary travel route, it is mostly visited by private groups with private cars arranged by travel agencies like us. Contact us to add it to your tour.

The scenery in the area is incredibly beautiful and overwhelming. Sunrise is considered by photographers to be the must-shoot scene in Zhangjiajie.

The highlight of this area is 'Sky Field Garden' or 'Paddies in the Sky' (KongzhongTianyuan 空中田园). It is a small area of paddy fields, seemingly hanging on an outcrop surrounded by Zhangjiajie's typical peaks. The paddy fields are farmed by local ethnic people.

How Many Days to Spend in the Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is so huge that you would need a week to explore all the scenic areas. (Entry tickets are valid for 4 days.)

If your time is limited, we recommend you spend at least 2 days in the park. That would allow you to visit the must-see attractions and would give you a better opportunity to enjoy the scenery if you happen to have fog or bad weather on one day.

You could spend one day on the mountain attractions such as Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, and the other day at attractions in the valleys such as Gold Whip Stream.

Book a Tour or Go Independently

Can you read or speak some Chinese? If not, going on a private tour with an English-speaking guide is advisable.

Zhangjiajie's forest park is a challenge if you go on your own , because there is a lack of clear signage/maps, and you will waste a lot of time to figure out where to take a bus and where the bus will stop.

Traveling with a private tour you can explore at your own pace, with a flexible itinerary . You can stay longer for great photos in front of "the Hallelujah Mountains" and travel around smartly to avoid the Chinese tour groups. The choice is yours.

If you travel with young kids or don't want to walk so much, your travel advisor and guide will select attractions requiring less hiking. If you are fit and seeking adventure, your guide can recommend more attractions with fewer tourists and stunning scenery.

How to Avoid Tourist Crowds

1. Arrive early. We recommend you to arrive at the park before 7:30 am. Arriving half an hour earlier may save you two hours in line for the cable car or Bailong Elevator.

2. Do more hiking instead of taking the cable car or elevator. There is a little physical effort but you will feel like you have the entire park to yourself in some parts.

3. Visit less-visited attractions. Chinese groups only go to the most famous attractions for a snapshot visit. Areas like Yangjiajie and Yellow Stone Village are much quieter.

4. Visit in the slack seasons , such as winter. It is cold, but you will be rewarded with no crowds and possibly rare snowy mountain scenery.

How to Get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is about 30 km (18 mi) from central Zhangjiajie. There is no direct bus from the airport or train station to the national park. You can take a taxi or a local bus to get there to save some money if you don't mind spending some extra time.

• From the airport: Take a taxi. Or take public bus 4 to GuanlipingZhuanpan (官黎坪转盘), then a local bus from there to Zhangjiajie Scenic Area.
• From Zhangjiajie Train Station: Take a taxi. Or turn left and walk 150 meters for Zhangjiajie City Bus Station where you can buy a bus ticket to Zhangjiajie National Park. The journey is about 40 minutes.

The most convenient way is to book a tour with private transport . It is the best way especially during peak times when the local buses are filled with tourists and taxis are in high demand and raising their fares.

The Best Time for a Visit

Zhangjiajie National Park can be visited all year round . But when is it best to go? It depends on the experience you're looking for.

For weather, September and October are the best times to go, when the weather is clear and comfortable.

The national park is busy year-round except for winter from December to February. The peak season is from May to October .

The short period from early-November to mid-November is considered to be the perfect time with good weather and without heavy crowds.

If you plan to visit during the busiest periods: May Day Holiday (May 1–3), National Day Holiday (October 1–7), and summer holiday between July and August, book as early as possible and expect massive crowds.

See more detailed information and discover our month-by-month recommendations on Zhangjiajie Weather .

Where to Stay

There are no hotels in the national park , but you can stay in a hotel adjacent to the forest park.

Wulingyuan , a small town next to the park, is a great option. It offers many options, ranging from hostels to 5-star hotels and offers entertainment activities at night. From there you can have the best access options to all the main attractions and hiking trails.

See more detailed information about where to stay .

Where to Eat

Food supplied in the national park is limited. You can find a few restaurants offering local flavors, a McDonald's, and a KFC, although there are often long queues.

Your guide will choose the best available restaurant based on your requirements and select the best time for lunch to avoid the large Chinese groups.

Local villagers sell food like corn and fruit on the mountain, and there are small snack stalls selling water and snacks.

Entry and Other Fees

Entry ticket: 248 yuan (valid for 3 or 4 days)

Additional fees:

• Yellow Stone Village Cableway: 65 yuan for a single trip, saving 1½–2 hours walking
• Tianzi Mountain Cableway: 67 yuan for a single trip, saving 2–3 hours walking
• Bailong Elevator: 72 yuan for a single trip, saving 1½–2 hours walking
• Yangjiajie Cable Car: 79 yuan for a single trip
• Ten-Li Gallery Mini Train: 38 yuan for a single trip

Know What's What in Zhangjiajie — Avoid Place Name Confusion

We often have customers who are confused by some of the attraction names. We will give you a brief explanation below.

Wulingyuan Scenic Area or Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

You can treat them as the same large national park. The difference is created by the local government for the management of the areas. Wulingyuan Scenic Area consists of four adjacent areas and the national forest park is the largest of these.

A Glass Bridge, Glass Skywalks, and a Glass Elevator

The Glass Bridge spans two cliffs in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park's main gate.

The glass skywalks are built along the edges of the summit of Tianmen Mountain, which is in Zhangjiajie city proper.

Bailong Glass Elevator is inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Built onto the side of a huge cliff, it provides an easy way to ascend to the top of towering cliffs near Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.

A map will help you to visualize the locations of the above attractions. Or you can read Top 10 Tips for Visiting the National Forest Park

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Tour Zhangjiajie with Us

Zhangjiajie Forest Park is big, access is convoluted, and people in the park cannot speak English. In order to avoid hassles, a guide is recommended. The guide can show you around the park and help you find good places for hiking, photos, food, etc.

See our popular Zhangjiajie tours for inspiration or contact us to tailor-make a unique tour for you.

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How To Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (The Avatar Mountains)

• Last Updated: January 9, 2023

The Avatar Mountains. That is how Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is being promoted across China and around the world.

Giant sandstone pinnacles rise skyward from the valley floor, some up to 200m tall with tufts of evergreen shrubs clinching to their narrow summits.

Thousands of these striking monoliths are eroded into the earth like a towering stone forest. Their powerful beauty is contrasted by its remote inaccessibility.

This is a place of awe and humility. Somewhere that one would think had never had human eyes laid upon them. It is easy to see the comparison between Zhangjiajie’s mountains and those of the mythical Pandora.

Buried deep in the Hunan province, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, part of the greater Wulingyuan Scenic Area, holds the esteemed title of being China’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The unique geological formations that have formed over the aeons are almost unparalleled in their magnificence. It is little wonder that tourist development now sees the area attract millions of visitors every year.

Unfortunately this level of tourism has become unsustainable, and it is not just from becoming overcrowded or failure to implement beneficial resources.

Tragically, it is the type of people arriving that is ruining Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and no one there seems to care.

China’s biggest visitor numbers in almost every location comes from domestic tourists. With a population of 1.4 billion people and a booming economy, more and more locals are in a position to travel and explore their own country, and abroad.

China has an unrivalled list of incredible and unique attractions that deserve both our attention and preservation. Many of us who travel are given an appreciation of nature and an education in why it is important to protect it.

Sadly this does not seem to be the case with China’s own tourists.

From the moment we had arrived in the town of Wulingyuan, on the edge of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it was apparent that this was an immensely popular destination.

Huge hotels were being constructed on every street, trying to match the occupancy rates expected in the coming years. Dozens of enormous tour buses dropped off hordes of tourists, who haphazardly followed their guides around, directed by a flag and megaphone.

We ducked and weaved through the crowds to the new visitor’s centre, where we were relieved of 255RMB, the equivalent of US$40, for entry to the park. Quite a high price that we believed went into the conservation of the area.

We asked for a map and were instead directed to a large billboard. On this we noticed two cable cars and an elevator that were aimed at making the access to the park easier for those unable (or too lazy) to hike themselves.

Of course these were not included in our entry ticket and would cost more to use. They also failed to mention that the cable cars were not running at the time of our visit.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is different to many of the other national parks in China – the entry ticket actually lasts for four days (now only 3 days) instead of the typical one, and here bus transport is included in the price.

After our initial experience boarding one of these buses, we are glad we weren’t forced to pay more for the privilege. As soon as the doors opened, huge crowds of tourists surged forward, crushing each other and nearly trampling an elderly lady who was trying to disembark.

The level of care from the locals was non-existent. All they were concerned with was getting a seat, so that they didn’t have to stand for the 10-minute journey to the McDonald’s restaurant in the park.

Luckily for us, once we reached our first stop in Zhangjiajie National Park, the Golden Whip Brook, most of the crowds stayed on the bus, instead opting to take the elevator to the top.

The pleasant walk along the river’s edge was gorgeous. The sandstone and quartz monoliths peeked over the surrounding cliffs, standing tall like upright javelins. An unsigned path led up into the forest and we followed it enthusiastically.

After a steady and steep hour-long climb we reached the top, where our efforts were rewarded with some of the most spectacular views we have ever laid eyes on. High above the valley floor, we were near level with the pinnacles’ summits.

More than a few moments passed as we caught our breath from the steep ascent and marvelled at the astounding beauty all around us.

Unfortunately this is also where we rejoined the crowds. Shrill voices echoed across Zhangjiajie National Forest Park as group leaders squawked into megaphones.

Clusters of people in matching hats clapped and screamed in unison, trying to identify their own voice amongst the hundreds of other claps and screams bouncing off of the sandstone.

The illusion of being in Pandora was gone.

Foolishly we remained in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park until sunset, expecting to catch a bus to town afterwards. The lighting and views were impeccable, but we were shocked afterwards when we were told no buses would take us to the bottom.

Instead we were told to either stay on the mountain or take the elevator down. We protested, saying we didn’t have money for the overpriced elevator and that we would prefer to walk down. “No walking – only elevator,” was the only response.

Our options were to scrounge through our pockets to gather the 72RMB each for the two-minute elevator ride, or spend the night on the mountain. Busloads of staff headed down the mountain, but they would not allow us to join them.

Actually pointing and laughing at our protests, they watched as we reluctantly handed over our money to the ticket lady, and then sped off with spare seats to the bottom of the elevator.

Thanks, Zhangjiajie National Park. And for the record, the elevator sucked.

We refused to let the unexpected emptying of our wallets spoil the rest of our time in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and the next two days were far more secluded.

We stayed in the same area of the national park, but opted to do a lot more hiking on some of the quieter trails. As soon as you step away from the main paths, it feels like you have the entire park to yourself.

The park is massive and you could really utilise every one of the four days by venturing out to different sections. Unfortunately we began to feel one of the 7 curses of long-term travel , and started to get ‘templed out’, as it were, with the views.

The marvellous as the mountains are, there is so much of the same thing we could tolerate. We took a rest day before deciding to head on to Xian.

While Zhangjiajie National Forest Park left us with mixed emotions we are definitely glad we took the detour through Chengyang to check out the ‘Avatar Mountains’.

With the new glass bridge being installed in the coming months, we can only expect that tourist numbers will sky-rocket to an even higher, more unsustainable rate. Such is the way of nature’s best in China, though.

Visit Zhangjiajie National Park before it gets any worse.

Table of Contents

Tour vs Going Independently

Qing man hotel, save this pin for later, how to get to zhangjiajie national forest park.

The easiest way to get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is to fly. For those looking at travelling overland, the train to “Zhangjiajie City” ( 张家界 ) is the best option.

It is not a well-connected line in relation to most of the other major destinations in China, but with a couple of changes you can make your way there with minimal fuss. Check out C-Trip to figure out the best train schedule for you.

If you want to stay in Wulingyuan village ( 武陵源 ), you’ll need to take a bus out there. Once you arrive from the train station, exit the terminal and walk into the bus station on the left.

Walk to the back and show the staff the Chinese characters, or keep an eye out yourself. They will point you in the right direction. The bus should take about 40 minutes, and cost 12 RMB.

We did everything on our own, and despite the few issues this was easy enough to do.

However if you’re more interested in going on a private tour with an English-speaking guide, there’s a couple of options now.

It looks like the best one around that you can pre-book is on the massive tour booking platform Get Your Guide, and if we were to head back we’d consider doing their one-day trip.

Book it on Get Your Guide

Where To Stay

When visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, you have a couple of options. You can either stay in Zhangjiajie City, in Wulingyuan village, or inside the park itself.

The city didn’t really appeal to us, and the park seemed expensive (but does come with the added benefit of being able to see sunrise and sunset from inside), so we opted for Wulingyuan.

We found a great hotel, only a short walk from the entrance gate and the bus station in Wulingyuan. The Qing Man Hotel had only just opened up when we were there (May 2015), and it really was superb.

The owners, Richard and Sarah, speak great English and really went out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful stay. The rooms are comfortable, big and bright, the bathrooms were clean and the wifi worked great. Close to

• Location: F rom the bus station turn left onto Jundi Road, walk about 400m and the hotel is on the right past Baixi Garden. Opposite the Kaytien National Hotel.
• Phone: +86 744 555 9838
• Price: Private double rooms with ensuite start at 120RMB

Want to book at room at Qing Man Hotel? Book here with booking.com

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Reading all of these posts has cured me of traveling to such places that do not respect themselves. I have been to all of North, Central and South America, most of the EU, and the South Pacific, AU Ta, and NZ. Some of the Orient. I will never go to Africa or India. Russia is next if we don’t get into a childish conflict over oil rights or McDonalds franchises! I see the problem as too many people and of that bunch, too many who think theirs does not stink! Just like old Egypt and Rome, it will all fall down and whomever is left can pick up the pieces and start over AGAIN!

I don’t usually comment anywhere, but now I just can’t help myself….it does seem to me that though you’ve been travelling many places for a long time, you still didn’t grasp that China is not “around Asia”, it’s very distinctly the other universe that is only and solely China. And it’s full of contradictions just like anyplace else – buddhism and cruelty, ancient and elegant rituals and spitting, privacy and introversion and yelling in crowds. But China is what China is, and with a population of 1.4 billion and enormous economic power, it doesn’t really need to accommodate itself to any other culture’s expectations. We lived in China for a year in 2001, mostly hanging out and travelling around, and found every day fascinating. We took our time to sit and observe, and quickly learned to empty our minds and our hearts of any expectations for anything to conform to our assumptions. Clearly plenty of things were aggravating: being illiterate (we could speak some Mandarin but read only a few characters), trying to get information, buying train tickets. And sometimes we ran out of patience, and had to spend a day sitting in a park or a tea house just chilling. And sometimes we wanted to cry with frustration. But travelling to all kinds of places outside the mega-cities, we found people to be helpful, interested and interesting, and generally cheery, though we probably managed inadvertantly to embarrass almost everyone. We visited Zhangjiajie mostly because we thought a giant forest must be beautiful, and that’s about all we knew about it before we arrived. It was full of domestic tourists, though clearly not as many as you found there, we found some kind of odd place to stay within the park, we travelled around by hitching rides on motorbikes and taking busses, and took lots of walks and had ridiculous conversations with Chinese tourists, and managed to find something vegetarian to eat in the most unlikely places. When we left the park after 3 days, we found a bus to Zhangjiajie City and found a small hotel, and spent the rest of the day buying train tickets out the next day. That evening we found ourselves drinking tea with a bunch of Chinese men who were thrilled to discover that my partner played their version of chess. Yes, in between there were megaphones and wonderful views and rivers and trees and the Oxygen Bar and people littering and spitting and wanting to have their picture taken with us. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. And I also noted that you mention the atrocious Chinese occupation of Tibet…this is one of my pet peeves. I myself have lived and now live in (an)other country which occupies and exploits large other populations, ruins their economies, disrespects their cultures, tortures and murders for political crap power-hungry reasons. Just like some country’s multi-national corporation has ruined a corner of Zhangjiajie by sticking a McDonald’s there. Do any of us live in countries that don’t engage in those very behaviors, but are just better in shifting much of the blame onto economic rather than political powers? Maybe the gentleman from Sweden who left a comment is lucky enough to live in a country that doesn’t rape and murder under the guise of development. And Tibet, when China occupied it, wasn’t some Shangra-la of happy buddhists, but a feudal theocracy which you undoubtedly wouldn’t have been happy with either…..

Hi Su, thank you for your comment. If you had been following us for a long time you would know we travel slow and spend a lot in different countries. China was a hard country for us to travel. Personally we were on an overlanding mission and should have left the country earlier than we did. The time we entered China we had been on the road from more than a year and half full time. We travelled China from the west to the east over a period of 4 months, moving daily. We didn’t recognise it then but we were burnt out. Every country does have their faults and I know a lot of them are trying to change and improve on their ways. The Chinese people have been through hard times and now many people have found new money and some still not. We are so glad you found China fascinating? As we did. Now we have left the country and reflected, we enjoyed a our time there. Just when we were there we saw a lot of negative and concentrated on that. It was hard to see how the Tibetans and Uyghur people were being treated. We spent a lot of time in these area and they were our favourite times in China. Where did you travel? You would have seen a lot of place being there a year. 🙂

I am a local 4 hours from ZJJ . It is fun to read your article and comments. We also hate the overpriced elevator, large crowds and long waiting time. but as a different culture and nation, people are different. In general, most of our people are nice and welcoming.

My friend and I plan to visit zjj in early August. Hope we will enjoy the trip.

Hi, I did the Tianmen mountain today and can certainly identify with your observations regarding Chinese tourists.

I’m in two minds about going to the Hallelujah mountains park though. It’s pretty misty weather and the thought of queuing again like I did today for 2 hours to get on and to get off the place is somewhat putting me off. I’m assuming it’ll be just as bad there at Avatar mountains. I don’t have the energy for a 4 hour hike unfortunately.

Dear Alysha and Jarrid:

In all honesty: you are making a big mistake. Maybe we went to two different parks. In the park I went, there were no Chinese tourist and non-Chinese tourists. We were all just tourist. I couldn´t pinpoint at anything based on nationality. I saw tourists from all over behaving like me. Of course, you are both different, since you have been given an appreciation of nature and an education in why it is important to protect it. Chinese tourists were not.

On the other hand, I can only speak for myself, I´m incapable of assessing China´s tourists. I appreciate nature, I love it, and I am a tourist and I damage it and I push too. I was there in the park, being part of the crowd! Of course, you are different, and people like me, with lesser education, annoy you. I am sorry. However, you are making an obvious mistake: I am not Chinese, your text should read: Chinese tourist and this other fellow Eitan of unknown nationality were not given an education. You have every right to feel annoyed. You were there in the park, but the problem was the presence of Chinese tourists, and me. I don´t know how you traveled to the park, but I took a plane from far away, trains, buses, stayed in a hotel, ate, and had a big impact on the environment.

Everyone was having such a great time at the park! We were all fascinated by nature. I would even dare to say, completely unconscious of nationalities. We all lived for the park! Nevertheless, I was a bit selfish and did shove myself to catch the best views. I appreciate that you took your time to notice everything that I could have done better. But please don’t single out the Chinese, I’m guilty as charged.

Nevertheless, I’m surprised that you found everything so expensive. How much is a ticket to Avatar, followed by your everyday western consumption-pollution fun? I reckon that like me, Chinese, American, Norwegian, and Indian tourists were delighted to be there, thankful for the opportunity and more than happy to pay. Contrary to you, I found the park wonderfully organized. Though, I did notice that Brits, Argentineans, Ugandans, Japanese, and Germans occupied space and produced garbage. I saw Australian, Brazilian and Russian tourist eat and laugh too. We could discuss for hours what we Australian, European and American tourists do. After all, we have the biggest environmental footprint on earth! Please believe me: America and Europe are full buildings, highways, hotels and shops. You wouldn’t believe the crowds one finds all across Europe!

I hope we can agree on something. We tourists from all over the world must improve our behavior, regardless of where we come from. Saying otherwise is a mistake.

Eitan Emmerich

Dear Alysha and Jarred, I have to say that you absolutely nailed it on every front. I have traveled through national parks from Africa to the Middle East and this park had the most spectacular views that I’ve ever seen.

Eitan – I apologize but you’re wrong. I would love to say that you’re right but you’re not. I can assure you that when Americans, Brits or South Africans are in. National Parks, they tend to behave themselves in a manner consistent to their environment (generally speaking). I have seen disrespectful Europeans on many places but unfortunately this experience showed me that the Chinese take the cake. And they were Chinese tourists – you’re being completely disingenuous if you didn’t notice it – in fact that’s part of the actual attraction ironically – I can’t believe that the rest of the world hasn’t descended upon this unique location. But the smoking, pushing, garbage throwing, burping, spitting, shoving, bumping and just over the top loud tourists at every stop ruined it for me. And I usually love city-life. I could hear the loud speakers a mile away every time it to close to one of the major lookout locations. And like the hosts of this blog, it is getting worse with the glass floors and advertising – and general gaudyness that is being objected into the towns. But that’s what is making the tourist industry presumably him in this new economy.

Well articulated guys. I’ll be reading more of your stuff.

We tourists from all over the world must improve our behavior, regardless of where we come from. Saying otherwise is a mistake. Agreed!

If you think Chinese people are disrespectful to the environment you should visit Bali. It’s a brilliant showcase of what Western tourists are doing to our planet. So instead of preaching other people, we should all first look inside our own yards!

I can’t speak for parts of Bali like Kuta as a spent most of my time in Canggu, but I participated in a weekly beach clean up organized by an English/American duo, and almost entirely attended by westerners. No locals as far as I can remember.

I’m sure some of the people who hang out in kuta may not respect the environment but I’m sure nothing could compare to what the locals do to their own country.

Indonesia is the second biggest ocean plastic polluter after China. Every corner of the island is covered in plastic. Every river, every valley you can find plastic. I know this as I drove over most of the island, the parts that aren’t heavily visited by westerners. So To insinuate this is because of us is totally inaccurate. On the ferry to nusa penida I watched as a local finished his coke bottle, burp and then threw it in the sea. This is unthinkable in the UK and people would give them an earful if they dared do something like that in our country. A French group who witnessed looked just as unimpressed.

We are lucky enough to be from a part of the world where we have a lifestyle and wealth that allows us to think about and pay for these things. Unfortunately being sustainable is a luxury and I don’t really blame Chinese and Indonesians for not caring as much as we do about the environment given they have more pressing struggles and pockets than we do. But westerners are not the cause of the plastic problem in a country like Indonesia. It is most definitely the locals, despite how beautiful their culture otherwise is.

Sorry to inform you but Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area is not China’s first Unesco site. It is just China’s first national forest park. It was declared world heritage site in 1992, much later than Beijing or Xi’an (that were inscribed in 1987).

Great article. I would recommend getting there first thing in the morning or during the colder months to avoid the huge crowds. The only problem with the colder months is that it can be very foggy and visibility is practically zero! Pretty much all of China’s domestic tourist attractions are unbelievably crowded, despite the relatively high local entry cost.

Thank you for your information Mike. We appreciate it. 🙂

You guys nailed it and I kept laughing through most of the article. I love the fact that you share your opinion no matter how it might be interpreted. ZJJ is on the bucket list living here for sure but like some of the comments above it may take a bit to get here so I keep putting it off. I think you may have pushed me to do it sooner though, when it’s cold, as most know here how much the Chinese as a whole hate that and something tells me that should chisel the megaphones down Hahahah.

Just another side observation that sets my judgmental switch off is the fact that so many of them like to travel to more “civilized” places and have true appreciation for all the courtesies that affords, yet the majority of them are unwilling and choose not to return the gesture. It makes sense of and justifies what the government needs to do to gsd here.

Warmest aloha and thank you for a great review

Zhangjiajie is really beautiful! I did enjoy my trip there in this April and had impressive trip when exploring the Tianmen cave, glass sky walk, Bailong Elevator and of course including the famous Avatar Hallelujah Mountain! ✈✈

Guys, found this article while researching the place and it contains very handy info. However, I found some of your comments about the locals rather offensive. I was surprised by the generalizations and sweeping statements, from people as well traveled as you guys appear to be.

And blaming park management for your lack of planning? “Actually pointing and laughing at our protests”? Seriously?

Rather than soaking in the magnificence of the place, you chose to focus on the rather petty and little things that somehow managed to bother you. How much better would it have been if not for the “hordes” of stupid, uncaring and rude Chinese tourists who make “annoying sounds”! If only they would keep out “this type of people” and let in only sophisticated Western tourists who really care and know how to appreciate the beauty of the place!

Please just try not to forget that you’re guests in a foreign country when traveling. A little humility and respect will go a long way.

Best comment!!! Exactly how I see it. Not only in China but travelling in general. Everything is part of the journey and I´m a visitor in someone elses country and I behave accordingly. Lived in Beijing for a year . earlier visited Beijing/China many many times for a few weeks every time. My daughter lived there for almost 7 years. She also moved back here for just a few weeks ago. I could choose between applying my western views on everything, getting annoyed about everything (the buses, my Chinese neighbours, a million of little things really) or just take everything for what it was, totally enjoying every day (Almost. Life is still live where ever you are xD) and actually learning a LOT during my time there. Except my Chinese still sucks:)) I loved the crappy little house in the hutongs, my loud and ohhh so friendly neighbours, my shlightly crazy landlady (who also became a very good friend), the sharing of meals with total strangers at the small over crowded local eateries….the list would be endless. And yes, the Chinese are exceptionally good in taking a piece of stunning nature and making the most of it commercially xD And the crowds can be enormous so planning/researching a bit is a good start.

the link is to my Beijing pages I kept mostly for myself and my mother:)) In Swedish because she doesn´t read or speak English, but didn´t write that much anyways. I didn´t get to travel around China so much so mostly everything Beijing. Still have loads of stuff to upload

All the best, Soile Stockholm, Sweden

Thanks for taking the time to read and leaving a comment. In our defence, while it may seem that we were choosing to focus on the negative, or wishing for our own ‘Western ideals’, the truth is we have spent over 3 years backpacking very extensively throughout Asia and for the most part, have nothing but absolutely incredible things to say.

We spent 4 months backpacking through China. We hitchhiked through the Tibetan regions where we saw first hand the oppression that is being forced by the powers that be. We wandered through Xinjiang, a province where the Islamic population is under intense control, almost to the point of genocide. In the rest of the country we took local transport everywhere, without a guide, staying in local guesthouses, eating at local restaurants, spending all of our time with local people. While we are far from being experts on Chinese travel, we have seen our fair share of things, both positive and negative.

This article is based on our experiences in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. For better or worse, this is how we felt during our time there. We don’t wish that they “let in only sophisticated Western tourists”, not by any means. But we also think that if people are disrespecting the environment and the people around them anywhere, whether it’s China or our own country of Australia, it shouldn’t be accepted as just a cultural difference. We showed respect to everybody we met there, locals and tourists alike, even if we didn’t agree with their behaviour.

We had many incredible experiences in China, even though certain elements like what we highlighted in this article were a part of our travels. We’re not going to sugarcoat what we saw on our blog just to be politically correct, when the truth is something different.

It wasn’t our mission to offend anybody, and we’re sorry if that is the case for some who have read this piece, but we stand by what we wrote based on how we were feeling at the time. With over 10 years travelling the world it doesn’t really need to be said that we hate racism, and after re-reading this article 3.5 years after we wrote it, we don’t feel like we described an entire race in a derogatory way.

Thanks very much for your input though, and we will take it into consideration.

Planning to head to Zhangjiajie in April. Can you please advie me if you took a tour around Zhangjiajie National forest. Any recommendations. If not a tour can you advice me on how i shoudl go about planning seeing all places around Zhangjiajie . I have kept aside just a day for Zhangjiajie and another for Tinamen mountain.. Please advice

Hi Mai, we didn’t take a tour. It was easy to explore on your own. A day would be fine. Start early and finish when the park closes and you will be able to see a lot. You can get to the town by train so getting in and out of the area is easy. If you do want to take a tour, I am sure you can find a tour company in town. All the best and have a great time

I actually think the ticket price is quite fair. Visiting all the main sites in Beijing is 60-70 yuan per day and so paying 255 for 4 days is acceptable. However, I didn’t think the lifts or elevators were fairly priced. We misplanned one of our days and ended up having to pay for the elevator ride down too. Bummer! Anyways we made a video with some information you haven’t mentioned here if anyone wants some extra insight on how to plan their trip! Thanks for sharing your experience.

Oh no you guys got stuck too. The elevator is extremely overpriced. When people tell us they are going there, we say afford the elevator. 🙂 We thought the entrance was on the expensive side compared to many other national parks around the world. It is a popular attraction for local tourists and some foreigners. We just hope some of the money is going back into the park and conservation, after all it is a UNESCO site. Glad you got there and had a great experience.

OMG, I am absolutely dying to see these! Thanks for such an informative guide, this is such helpful information in helping me plan out my own trip. These photos are pretty epic too, that landscape is just incredible!!

Hi Emily, thank you so much. Glad you liked the article. It really is a magical place. Have fun planning and definitely don’t miss this place. 🙂

Hi guys. Love the website. I’m planning a trip to this area in February 2018. Hopefully the lower temperatures in spite of it being a holiday time will mean lower crowd numbers. But with that in mind I was wondering what you know about the ability to still get to the main Avatar mountains from the second entrance? We like the idea of getting out of the way of the main trail but still seeing the main attraction. Cheers Michael

Thank you so much Michael. We are not to sure about the second entrance. We recommend getting to the national park early and getting in before the crowds. For any information, the people at Qing Man Hotel will be able to help you.

How realistic is it, in your opinion, for someone with a walking disability to visit the mountain. After you get off the (overpriced) elevator, how much strenuous walking is there at the top? I have an old knee injury and it’s very difficult for me to go up and down stairs. Is it worth going to the top if it means just stay near the elevator exit?

Hi jerry, There is a lift that is great for someone with a walking disability. Climbing up and down is steep. Unfortunately it is not cheap. You can take a bus to different areas of the park if you like. Do take walking sticks. There are some areas where it is a bit of a climb (to a view point) but the paths are paved and flat. There is hand rails. Take your time.

Nice adventure. Where have you purchased the entrance tickets of the park? Can you buy this in advance and enter by yourself? There are a lot of tours which are too expensive. I have booked my hotel very close to the entrance on the north east side.

We purchased the tickets at the park. Not too sure if you can purchase them in advance. We didn’t book through any hotels, we just went on our own. That’s great your hotel is near the entrance. The earlier you get there the better. Have a great time

Your comments about local travelers in Zhangjiajie, China (2015 blog) is very offensive! You sounded like the Chinese locals are not worthy of visiting this UNESCO site! Let me remind you, we Chinese have every right to visit our own country; maybe not to your liking, but you do not have to come to any of the fabulous scenic sites in China !

Thanks for the comment. Have a wonderful day 🙂

Wow, now that’s a comment 🙂 I find offensive that asian tourists have zero tolerance for others, will yell to your ears, spit around you, even push you or hit you with their elbows. Lady clipping her nails on the airport while I am sitting next to her??? Gross !!! Don’t tell me I should be ok with that!!!

Here’s the thing about these comments, they are generalizations. I have been living in China for a year and while many of these things do happen, and the observations are true, context is important. We are guests in these peoples country and their culture is very different from ours, from most. You cannot come to another country and tell them that the way they behave is wrong. For example, it is culturally acceptable to spit. It just is. I don’t like it either but I don’t take it personally. I have also seen people clipping their nails on public transportation. It happens, but not everyone behaves that way. You have to learn to ignore things like that. Again, it’s just different. China is REALLY crowded. More crowded than most places you will ever travel. You have to expect to deal with the things that come with travel in a country with 1.4 billion people. I don’t like it, but it comes with the territory. I can honestly say that my experiences here have been great and most people have been welcoming and kind. If you don’t like it you don’t have to come here, but you do have to respect the fact that their way of life is different. It’s a great country with great people. Don’t let a few annoyances cloud your ability to enjoy your time here and have good experiences with the people.

I offer this to anyone traveling to China…a smile and a sense of humor will go a long way.

I’m sorry but I just had to double respond today having just ready steph’s commenta about being a guest in China and accepting the culture. What amazed me more than the unacceptable/acceptable stuff was the fact that I had to show Chinese people the rules that their own government had written in Mandarin in the park – ie- no smoking in certain locations (smokers all round these signs); no feeding the monkeys since they become more aggressive (happened everywhere); no littering; look after your children in certain places (I found myself grabbing a child close to the edge). I used to work at China Telecom and enjoyed my friend and Chinese experiences. I think a little shaming might impress upon people that there is an element where it stops being culturally different and just disrespectful to those enjoying a UNEDCO world heritage sight; the status presumably comes with some protections I’m context if the world, not just Chinese. So if this were a blog about the French alps I might say the same thing… but the blogs commentary is perfectly accurate; and I think that all of these world sites deserve some watermark of decent behavior for all to enjoy.

Enjoyed reading! So no need to rent a car to get around this area and the park? Buses are plentiful? I’m trying to research ways to get there and then how to get around. Debating between this area of China or Guilin. Any opinions or advice would be much appreciated!

No not at all. There is a train that goes directly there. Well near by then you get shuffled onto a bus to get to the town. At the entrance of the National Park there is a bus that takes you around the park. Personally it was nice to see Zhangjiajie National Park but there was a lot more to do in Gulin area. Yangshuo is so close and that is a beautiful area also. HAve a great time. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this – I will need to adjust my expectations accordingly!

I really appreciate all of your honest information here. We are going in a week and this is very helpful to know.

Thanks Taiss. Hope you had a blast. 🙂

This is the third time I am in China but the first for Zhangjiajie area. I started in Lijiang and they have the exact same issue. I know, not surprising but I found the level of not giving a crap appalling. I went to the Fox Fairy Show at Tianmen mountain and was horrified by the lack of care the audience showed. The whole theater (which I am told holds a couple thousand?) was talking, yelling, screaming, and on their phone the first half of the show. This is NOT a cheap show to watch! Then at the end, before it was even complete everyone started talking and walking out again. I felt really bad for the actors, such disrespect. I am now in Wulingyuan and am having the same issues you wrote about in your story. I cringe every time I hear someone spit up a giant ball of…. anyways. Then I see parents holding their kids to urinate and defecate in the lakes, rivers, etc. It really bothers me, I know it was so bad with the tourists coming to Wyoming National Park the river water is no longer safe to drink. I don’t know if that was just because of the Asian tourists or not, but 15 years ago we could drink the water at the base of the waterfalls. 10 years ago, they told us the water was no longer safe to drink when we went back. Not that the water in China has been safe to drink for a long time… sorry for the long post. I saw your story and loved knowing someone else understood my frustration.

Hi Shelby, sorry about the late reply. It is sad. We get where you are coming from. This country has such amazing beauty and only a tiny portion appreciate it, the reach don’t respect it. Hopefully in the future this changes. The nature is so beautiful here and it would be sad to let that all go. Happy travels

OH WOW!! It’s changed so much since I was there in 2011! When I was there, there were tourists of course, but not that bad really. There were even times on some of the walks that we were the only ones in sight! Especially the hike below, lots of times we were on our own. There was no mcdonalds then. We spent 2 full days at Zhangjiajie and then spend a full day at Tianmenshan National Park, took the worlds longest cable car, walked along the plank road ( which has since become the glass plank walkway). It was an incredible experience and fortunately not marred for us by mass tourism.

Regardless, I can’t imagine any number of tourists being able to take away from the stunning beauty of the place. I’m glad we got there when we did though!!

If you ever get the chance, try to visit Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong.. particularily in fall ( late October) when the leaves are changing color. Another one of my most favorite parks in China.. was there in 2014.

That sounds lovely. Definitely has changed a lot. It was amazing starring at the tall pinnacles. Unfortunately we missed Jiuzhaigou because our visas ran out and we had to head to Hong Kong. We hope in the future to get there. We have’t heard of Huanglong. We will look that up. Thank you for the tips. 🙂

I was there in 2007 during March and it was pretty quiet. Even so, I also found it bizarre that stalls there sold fake bird whistles so that tourists could make bird sounds while walking through the forest, even though the forest was full of natural bird sounds. Things like this did take away the experience somewhat, but as the authors said, once you leave the main trails you literally have the park to yourself.

As for scenery, it’s one of few places that have literally made my jaw drop. The others being the karst in Laos, and Canyonlands in Utah. It really is up there with the best in the world. Insane.

Worth a visit, but stay in the park if possible (we stayed at a friendly youth hostel), and definitely get a map to visit the quieter trails.

P.S. I don’t think the authors were being racist at all, they were simply telling their experience from their own perspective, which is going to relate to most of their western travellers audience. The park might be in China, but the park and it’s wildlife are not China’s to wreck, and outstanding places of beauty should be preserved no matter where they’re situated. Numbers need to be limited and infrastructure needs to be in place if these areas are to be preserved.

just a small tip for the cheap travellers. If you are in bangkok before going to China..go to khao san Road and buy a student card. It gives you very big reductions everywhere in China:)

Great tip Bran! We actually used our PADI dive cards everywhere we went, and it worked most of the time 😉

Hi Lesh Could you please tell me what is PADI dive cards? how can I get it if i travel there?

Hi Henry, you receive this card when you do your scuba diving courses. There are two major dive organisations in the world. They are PADI and SSI. You can get certified with these organisations through dive companies who do the training courses. When you travel you take you diving cards with you and show other diving companies so you can go diving with that company and rent their gear. Hope this helps.

Excellent post, I am going there in September this year. I want to trek for 2 days inside the park. Can you tell me which other trails did you go (apart from Golden Whip Stream Trail) and how much time it took approximately. It seems to be a huge area and planning is difficult for just 2 days. Did you go to Tianzi mountain area as well?

We didn’t go to Tianzi Mountain. We just couldn’t justify the extra price. Can’t remember exactly what other trails we did, but we just wandered around. Get a map and pick whatever looks good. Also ask Richard and Sarah and Qing Man Hotel. They will be able to help you out 🙂

I just came across your post and couldn’t (unfortunately) agree more. Two weeks ago I went to Zhangjiajie and spent there 5 days because the weather wasn’t very good. I loved the park, the nature was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, and to be hones I would place Jurassic Park there instead of Avatar 🙂 I was expecting a dinosaur every time I walked through the jungle style park. And every time I was trying to enjoy myself in this beautiful peaceful place, some Chinese people were trying the power of echo of this park. Annoying, rude and disrespectful! I’ve been living in China for three years, and I have been trying to understand this over 5000 years old country, but seriously how come fengshui, zen and ying and yang come from here when people litter, spit and s*it everywhere they go? They have such a beautiful country and nature and I wish they realize that it will not last forever if they don’t take care of it…. Sorry for the long comment, I just finally found someone who has the same feelings about these places and Chinese tourists…

“but seriously how come fengshui, zen and ying and yang come from here when people litter, spit and s*it everywhere they go?”

I laughed so hard at this comment. We have had the exact same thoughts all throughout China! It is a shame to see how they treat each other, and their own country. It makes it hard for us to want to ever go back. Thanks for reading, Danka.

Thanks so much for a great post! We’ve been wanting to get out to Zhangjiajie ever since we’ve been here in China. But as you said, it’s not the most convenient to get to…and we would need more than just a couple days off. So we are planning to head there next spring when our teaching contracts are up.

Living here in China, we share your frustrations about the differences between how we were raised to appreciate nature and the environment. It saddens us so much when we travel to such beautiful places here in China (or even around town) and see the lack of respect and care for the environment – and nature in general. Thanks for the heads up about traveling to this National Park – now we know what we are in for and can plan accordingly.

Cheers to both of you and happy travels! – Liz & Josh

In our opinion it is still worth visiting. That is just how it is everywhere in China (as I am sure you guys know). Thanks for reading Liz.

This is so disappointing, yet, unfortunately, not surprising. I plan on visiting Zhangjiajie later this year, as I feel I can’t leave China without checking it out. But at least now I’ll have realistic expectations.

http://www.adventurousappetite.com

You’ll still love it there. Just do lots of breathing exercises and stay away from the main trails 😉

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A Complete Guide to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Adventure

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park covers an expansive area of 264 square kilometers, necessitating a four-day validity for tickets due to its vastness. With five ticket stations, careful tour planning is crucial for visitors.

The nomenclature of various scenic spots in Zhangjiajie, such as Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Tianmen Mountain, can be confusing. To clarify, Zhangjiajie is the city name, with three primary scenic spots:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan Scenic Spot) in Wulingyuan District
• Tianmenshan National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie City
• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Scenic Spot in Cili County

Although these spots are relatively close, with a 40-minute drive between Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain, and another 40-minute drive from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to the Grand Canyon, visitors should plan accordingly. Within the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park scenic area, the main attractions are Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Huangshizhai —the four primary peaks, each with its unique attractions.

At the base of the mountain, two hiking destinations, namely Golden Whip Stream and Ten-mile Nature Gallery , provide additional exploration opportunities. Shuttle buses facilitate transportation between these scenic spots. However, it’s crucial to note that the shuttle bus routes on the mountain and at the mountain’s base operate independently. To ascend or descend the mountain, visitors have the option of using cable cars or elevators.

PS: Tickets for major scenic spots in Zhangjiajie involve staged entry for ascending the mountain. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, considering there is a capacity limit for park entry. Late purchases may result in a lack of availability for the desired time period.

You might also be interested in: 🌟 The Ultimate Great Wall Travel Guide + The Best Sections To Visit 💛 The Forbidden City, Beijing: The Complete 2023 Guide

Table of Contents

🌟zhangjiajie national forest park travel planning guide, 🌏where is zhangjiajie national forest park located, 🛫how to get to downtown zhangjiajie, 🚗how to get to zhangjiajie national forest park from downtown city, 🎫tickets for zhangjiajie national forest park, 🚶🏻‍♂️recommended tour routes to visit zhangjiajie national forest park, ⛰️yuanjiajie scenic area, 🏜️tianzi mountain scenic area, 🏝️sky field garden, 🏞️yangjiajie scenic area, 🌄huangshizhai scenic area, 🏕️golden whip stream scenic area, 🌈ten-mile nature gallery, 😋where to eat in zhangjiajie national forest park, 🍖what to eat in zhangjiajie national forest park, 🏨where to stay in zhangjiajie national forest park, 🌉tianmen mountain scenic area, 🌸final tips on traveling to zhangjiajie national forest park, china travel planning guide&faq.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can learn more about this in my disclosure policy.

⭐ Considering a last-minute trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park? 1. Full-Day Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour: Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie : Explore the picturesque Zhangjiajie National Forest Park on a full-day private tour, visiting iconic spots like First Bridge under Heaven and an ‘Avatar’ movie location, and descend 1100 feet in the glass Bailong Elevator. 2. 3 Days Private Tour to Zhangjiajie National Park&Glass Bridge&Tianmen Mountain : Experience the best attractions like Hallelujah Mountains and the world’s highest Glass Bridge, ride the longest cable car to Tianmen Mountain, and stay in a luxurious 5-star Pullman hotel. 🏨 Where to Stay: ZiShan Ecological Resort (⭐️ 4.9 luxury) No. 5 Valley Inn (⭐️ 4.7 mid-range) Shell Youth Holiday Hotel (⭐️ 4.9 budget-friendly) 🌐Make sure to install ExpressVPN in advance for unrestricted internet access during your stay in China!

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the Hunan Province of China. Specifically, it is situated in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is part of Zhangjiajie City. The park is known for its stunning sandstone pillars, lush forests, and scenic landscapes.

Zhangjiajie is currently accessible by air, train, and coach from several major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guilin.

By Air:   Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is the sole airport in Zhangjiajie, situated approximately 10 km from the downtown area and 25 miles from Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Visitors can reach the city center by taking city bus no. 4.

• Zhangjiajie Railway Station : The primary railway station is located in Yongding District, around 12 kilometers (about 7 miles) from the city center. It provides connections to more than ten major cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Changsha. Bus No. 1, 2, 6, and 7 connect the Main Railway Station with the city center.
• Zhangjiajie West Railway Station : This station operates both high-speed trains to Changsha and regular-speed trains to Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. It is about 8.5 kilometers (5 miles) from downtown Zhangjiajie, with city bus lines 4, 6, 7, 16, and 17 available at the train station.

💡Note: Train journeys often have extended durations, taking at least 10 hours, and are generally not recommended due to the considerable travel time involved.

Here are two travel options to reach Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:

Option 1: By Air and Coach

• Take a flight to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport.
• From the airport, take city bus 402 or 4 to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station.
• At Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station, board a coach bound for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the Central Bus Station to the park, which may take nearly 1 hour and cost approximately CNY 120-200.

Option 2: By Train and Coach

• Take a train to Zhangjiajie Railway Station.Upon arrival, walk to the nearby Zhangjiajie Central Coach Station.
• Board a coach from Zhangjiajie Central Coach Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
• The entire journey is expected to take between 50 to 90 minutes.

Option 3: Private Car or Tour

Opt for a private tour from downtown to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a personalized and convenient exploration, with the added benefit of hotel pickup and drop-off in Zhangjiajie downtown or the train station.

🌷Tips: The admission fee includes Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area and the battery car.

Peak Season Caution: The East Gate (Wulingyuan ticket station) and the South Gate (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket station) attract the highest number of visitors each year , resulting in potentially longer waiting times, especially during peak seasons. Plan accordingly to manage wait times.

Huangshizhai Isolation: Among the scenic spots, Huangshizhai stands as a solitary peak not directly connected to the other three famous spots. Visitors to Huangshizhai may need to retrace their steps or opt for a cable car descent.

Interconnected Scenic Spots: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Yangjiajie are seamlessly linked, allowing for easy exploration and ascent using shuttle buses within the mountain.

Tour Route Flexibility: The provided tour route reminders are intended to guide tourists in selecting the most convenient entry gate based on their preferences and needs. Tailor your park entry to match your specific requirements for a more personalized and efficient experience.

• Start at East Gate (Wulingyuan ticket station).
• Take the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car to reach Tianzi Mountain, visiting Helong Park, West Sea Stone Forest, Fairy Offering Flowers, and Imperial Writing Brush Peaks.
• Proceed to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, exploring Enchanting Platform, Hallelujah Mountains, and The First Natural Bridge under Heaven.
• Descend the mountain by taking the Bailong Elevator.
• Visit the Ten-mile Nature Gallery, including Longevity Man Greeting Visitors, Herb Collecting Old Man, and Three Sisters.
• Exit at East Gate.

Tour Time: One day

Cost: Entrance Fee + Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (Single Trip) + Bailong Elevator (Single Trip) + Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train (Single Trip)

💡Note: For this specific route, travelers have the option to take a shuttle bus directly to either the Bailong Elevator or Tianzi Mountain Cable Car . This enables a convenient ascent up the mountain without the need for walking. This streamlined route is particularly well-suited for individuals with time constraints who aim to experience the essential attractions directly.

• Start at the South Gate (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket station).
• Take the Huangshizhai cable car to ascend the mountain.
• Explore Huangshizhai, including Pavilion of Six Wonders, Star Picking Terrace, and Ruins of The Heaven Bridge.
• Continue to Golden Whip Stream, visiting Mother and Child Peak, Golden Whip Rock, and Zicao Pool.
• Proceed to the Ten-mile Nature Gallery, with highlights such as Longevity Man Greeting Visitors, Herb Collecting Old Man, and Three Sisters.

Cost: Entrance Fee + Yellow Stone Village Cable Car (Round Trip) + Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train (Single Trip)

💡Note: This route allows you to explore Huangshizhai and Golden Whip Stream, two spots that may be challenging to visit from other ticket stations. However, it’s important to note that ascending the hill can be demanding. This tour is ideal for those with ample time who wish to experience all the attractions, especially the unique features of Huangshizhai and the scenic beauty of Golden Whip Stream.

• Start at the North Gate (Tianzi Mountain ticket station).
• Take a shuttle bus to ascend the mountain.
• Explore Tianzi Mountain, including Helong Park, West Sea Stone Forest, Fairy Offering Flowers, and Imperial Writing Brush Peaks.
• Proceed to Yangjiajie Scenic Area, visiting Wulong Village and Air Corridor.
• Continue to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, exploring Enchanting Platform, Hallelujah Mountains, and The First Natural Bridge under Heaven.
• Take a shuttle bus back to Tianzi Mountain.
• Take another shuttle bus to descend the mountain.
• Return to the North Gate.

Cost: Entrance Fee

💡Note: The main advantage of opting for the Tianzi Mountain Ticket Station is the availability of a complimentary shuttle bus for ascending the mountain, eliminating the need for additional fees for cable cars or the Bailong Elevator, as well as avoiding the necessity of hiking. However, there are drawbacks, including relatively inconvenient traffic and a city bus to the Tianzi Mountain ticket station with only one departure per hour.

• Start at the West Gate (Yangjiajie ticket station).
• Take the Yangjiajie cable car to ascend the mountain.
• Explore Yangjiajie Scenic Area, including Wulong Village and the Air Corridor.
• Proceed to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, visiting Enchanting Platform, Hallelujah Mountains, and The First Natural Bridge under Heaven.
• Continue to Tianzi Mountain, exploring Helong Park, West Sea Stone Forest, Fairy Offering Flowers, and Imperial Writing Brush Peaks.
• Take the Yangjiajie cable car to descend the mountain.
• Return to the West Gate.

Cost: Entrance Fee + Yangjiajie Cable Car (Round Trip)

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is undeniably a must-see in Zhangjiajie tourism. Situated in the northern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it proves to be an outstanding destination for witnessing world-class karst landscapes, particularly renowned for its captivating sandstone pillars. Notably, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area still hosts a population of the Tujia nationality, adding a unique cultural dimension.

This locale has earned the affectionate title of “the core of Zhangjiajie” from tourists both locally and internationally. Encompassing an expansive 1200 hectares, Yuanjiajie offers a captivating panorama. As you explore, the enchanting sight unfolds before your eyes—thousands of distinct mountains standing spectacularly with unique shapes and postures, all visible from the deep valley.

Bailong Elevator (百龙天梯)

The Bailong Elevator stands as a crucial transportation and scenic facility within the core area of Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, extending its significance to the entirety of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Commencing operations in April 2002, this remarkable elevator boasts a vertical height difference of 335 meters. Experience the thrill of its impressive maximum speed of 5 m/s, completing the entire 326 meters ascent in a breathtaking 1 minute and 28 seconds. Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, it exemplifies the seamless fusion of natural beauty and human ingenuity.

The introduction of the Bailong Elevator has effectively addressed the long-standing traffic bottleneck issues that plagued the scenic spot for years. Without the elevator, the arduous climb from the mountain’s base to Yuanjiajie would have taken five or six hours.

Upon reaching the entrance platform, one can’t help but notice the limited space, often crowded with visitors—given that most people’s first destination in Wulingyuan is the Bailong Elevator. Gazing upward, the imposing four Chinese characters of “百龙天梯” (Bailong Elevator) come into view. Adding to the lively atmosphere, some monkeys are present, and a tossed orange elicits a skilled display of peeling and feasting by one of these clever primates.

Bailong Elevator: My Past Encounter

Navigating through a lengthy indoor passage to reach the elevator, I found myself in a queue, surrounded by a crowd of people. With three elevators available, each featuring two floors capable of seating 62 people on each level, I opted for the second floor. As soon as the door opened, I hurried in and secured the prime viewing position in the front row.

The elevator initiated its ascent swiftly in the dimly lit space, accompanied by an audio explanation that allowed us to grasp insights into the Bailong Elevator and prepare for the upcoming spectacle. As the announcement reached the point of “please pay attention to the front of you,” everyone refrained from blinking, anticipating the moment. Suddenly, the elevator burst through the darkness, unveiling a vast expanse of stone peaks rising dramatically from the ground. This striking scene was a stark contrast to the view from the base of the mountain, prompting exclamations from everyone on board.

Despite the progressively widening panoramic view as the elevator continued its ascent, the entire journey lasted a mere 88 seconds, and we soon arrived at the station. The moment of emerging from the darkness was undeniably breathtaking, yet the cost of CNY 65 did seem quite steep.

Enchanting Platform (迷魂台)

Exiting the elevator, you find yourself on a relatively small observation deck, often crowded and offering a less-than-ideal view. Following the throng, you head towards the Enchanting Platform, a considerable distance away. Along the path, the mountain forest is adorned with numerous blooming pink azaleas.

The Enchanting Platform holds a prime position as one of Yuanjiajie’s natural viewing spots, offering an unparalleled panorama. From this elevated platform, Zhangjiajie’s myriad unique peaks sprawl before your eyes. Stone formations of various heights stand majestically in the valley, resembling pavilions, birds, beasts, and divine entities. Countless postures and scenes unfold, creating a captivating tapestry of natural beauty.

The scene transforms into a fairyland when a few drifting clouds add to the enchantment.

Hallelujah Mountains (哈利路亚悬浮山)

The Southern Sky Pillar in Yuanjiajie is famed as the real-world inspiration for the “Hallelujah Mountains” depicted in the renowned film Avatar. On January 1, 2010, this pillar, also known as the Pillar between Heaven and Earth, was officially renamed the Hallelujah Mountains. Boasting an elevation of 1074 meters above sea level and a vertical height of approximately 150 meters, the pinnacle is adorned with lush vegetation at its summit.

It possesses a distinctive form, tapering both upwards and downwards while maintaining a thicker middle section. This unique formation gives the impression of a mountain suspended in the air when the lower portion is veiled by mist

In December 2008, Hollywood photographer Hansen conducted a four-day photoshoot in Zhangjiajie. The captivating landscape images captured during this period served as the inspiration for various elements of the fictional world of “Pandora” in the American science fiction blockbuster “Avatar.” Notably, the depiction of the “Southern Sky Pillar” became the visual prototype for the iconic “Hallelujah Mountain” in the film.

The First Natural Bridge under Heaven (天下第一桥)

The First Natural Bridge under Heaven, recognized as one of the top ten superb sceneries in Zhangjiajie , spans between two towering mountains, securing its place as the world’s largest natural stone bridge with the most significant vertical height difference discovered to date.

This remarkable bridge measures about 3 meters in width, extending over 20 meters in length, with a relative height of nearly 400 meters. The tree on the bridge stands tall, vines cascade along its sides, and the space beneath remains mysterious and deep.

Viewed from a distance, the bridge appears majestic and steep, yet as you walk upon it, the experience is akin to traversing an ordinary road.

This natural stone bridge originated between two mountains that were once a single entity. However, due to the middle stone’s relatively fragile nature, succumbed to the effects of weathering, collapse, and the erosive forces of sun, rain, and mountain floods over time. The culmination of these natural processes has given rise to the extraordinary wonder that stands today.

Goat Village (羊寨)

Opposite the Back Garden lies Goat Village, nestled against a towering mountain adorned with ancient trees that stretch towards the heavens, casting shadows that blanket the sky and sun. The forest is often frequented by wild goats, and the nocturnal air is filled with the distant “bleating” of these creatures, earning the place its name, “Goat Village.”

In the era of the Republic of China, this area fell under the control of bandits. Even today, remnants of gates, castles, moats, wells, and mills from that time can still be discovered.

From the mountain’s summit, a breathtaking panoramic view unfolds, revealing the meandering Golden Whip Stream as it peacefully flows through a landscape dotted with hundreds of stone formations. The scene exudes a sense of tranquility and harmony.

Tianzi Mountain can be aptly described as “untouched natural splendor.” Its landscapes and attractions are entirely shaped by nature, devoid of any artificial alterations. This enchanting destination boasts not only extraordinary mountains and rivers but also embraces authentic local customs and distinctive national cuisine for visitors to experience. Renowned for its four captivating phenomena—the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine, and Winter Snow—Tianzi Mountain truly embodies the unspoiled beauty of original scenery.

Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (天子山索道)

The Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, acclaimed as one of “China’s Top Ten Tourist Cable Cars,” spans a total length of 2,084 meters and covers a remarkable height difference of 692 meters.

With a swift single trip duration of just six minutes and twenty-two seconds, it provides an awe-inspiring journey through captivating scenery. Following the Huangshizhai Cable Car, it stands as Zhangjiajie’s second scenic cable car and serves as the primary mode of transportation for visitors entering the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. For a single trip, the ticket price is CNY 72.

Helong Park (贺龙公园)

At the forefront is Helong Park, where a monumental bronze statue positioned atop a stone pedestal seamlessly merges with the surrounding natural environment. This statue represents the largest bronze sculpture erected in China within the last century.

Shentang Gulf (神堂湾)

Shentang Gulf stands as an enigmatic celestial realm—a verdant labyrinth unspoiled by human presence. Nestled within a deep concave valley, it is encircled by sleek cliffs, perpetually veiled in mist and rain. The bottom of the valley, shrouded in mystery, is aptly named the “mysterious kingdom of heaven,” with its depths remaining unfathomable.

West Sea Stone Forest (西海峰林)

Upon traversing Shentang Gulf, you’ll find yourself in a magical valley where an army of peculiar peaks rises from the ground, forming the “West Sea Stone Forest.” These peaks boast various shapes, from a turtle gazing into the distance up close to a distant warship setting sail, creating an enchanting and diverse landscape.

As you move ahead, the western side of Tianzi Pavilion reveals two distinct scenes: “Fairy Offering Flowers” and “Imperial Writing Brush Peaks.”

Fairy Offering Flowers (仙女散花)

After gazing at the distant mountain for an extended period without perceiving its charm, you may eventually recognize that the focal point is a small stone. If you capture the moment through your lens and zoom in, you’ll witness the emergence of an image – a fairy adorned with flowers on her head, featuring a high nose and pointed chin, and wearing a faint smile. The trees on the lower stone rock resembled flower baskets in her hands, as if she were joyously dispersing a bouquet of flowers to the world.

Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (御笔峰)

The Imperial Writing Brush Peaks reveal their distinct features unmistakably. The peaks on the right mimic an inverted imperial writing brush, while those on the left resemble a completed picture, with even the tip of the brush vividly represented. According to an ancient Chinese legend from the Song Dynasty, these sharp peaks were, in fact, the “imperial writing brushes” discarded by Prince Xiang after he met his downfall.

For visitors, Sky Field Garden stands out as a unique attraction within Zhangjiajie Forest Park. However, among the locals, opinions are divided. Some commend its distinctive and otherworldly scenery, while others dismiss it, viewing it as a local money-making scheme disguised as farmland.

In my personal perspective, Sky Field Garden is a scenic gem with its own distinct charm, setting it apart from other attractions in Zhangjiajie. Positioned within the ‘Old House Area’ scenic spot, it resembles a precious pearl perched over 1000 meters above sea level, across the valley from Yuanjiajie.

Spanning approximately 3 hectares, the sloping trapezoidal field takes the shape of a gourd, with a heart-shaped section nestled halfway up, resembling delicate jewelry. The fields exhibit meticulous care, displaying regular patterns and adorned with crops, surrounded by purple flowers.

Accessing Sky Field Garden is no easy feat; the path winds through woods and shrubs, with no protective barriers on the platform, extending over the abyss. Despite the challenging journey, few tourists make the climb, often opting for the convenience of the Bailong Elevator from Yuanjiajie to witness Sky Field Garden from a unique vantage point.

Encompassing approximately 40 square kilometers, Yangjiajie Scenic Area is situated in the northwest of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, adjoining Yuanjiajie to the east and Tianzi Mountain to the north. As the latest addition to Zhangjiajie’s scenic spots, Yangjiajie is renowned for its spectacular landscapes featuring towering rocky peak walls.

The scenic area boasts rich biodiversity, with macaques scattered throughout the cliffs and valleys, flocks of egrets gracefully soaring through the air, and peculiar flowers, including the vibrant five-colored flowers.

Renowned for its challenging terrain, the mountain paths in Yangjiajie are considered the most difficult to traverse in Wulingyuan. Some routes are reinforced with steel bars, requiring vertical climbs. As such, this terrain is better suited for energetic young people and middle-aged tourists seeking adventurous challenges.

One Step to the Heaven (一步登天)

The highest point in the scenic area is a petite viewing deck nestled atop the mountain. To reach this summit, one must ascend a narrow iron ladder comprising 32 steps, allowing only a single person to pass at a time. The summit itself is flat and enclosed by iron railings, offering an excellent panoramic view of the surroundings.

Wulong Village (乌龙寨)

Previously recognized as Black Dragon Village, situated at an elevation of 1122 meters above sea level, Wulong Village has harbored bandits since the time of the Republic of China. The village itself stands over 300 meters high, surrounded by steep stone walls. Accessible only through a 1000-meter-long exhilarating road, this route to the village top is dotted with numerous natural checkpoints. Along the way, you may navigate through holes, crevices, or sidle along precipitous pathways.

Contrary to expectations, Wulong Village is a modest compound featuring old courtyard houses with several wooden structures. Within the village, an array of weapons and bandit attire are on display, and for a nominal fee, visitors can capture memorable moments through photographs as keepsakes.

Tianbo Mansion (天波府)

Following the journey through Wulong Village, the path ascends by climbing an iron ladder affixed to the rock wall, reaching the nearly deepest section of Yangjiajie . Despite its name, Tianbo Mansion may evoke images of a grand estate constructed by the Yang family in the mountains. However, it surprises visitors as it turns out to be a platform situated atop a mountain peak, enveloped by numerous stone hills, and it serves as an extraordinary vantage point offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Air Corridor (空中走廊)

The air corridor stretches along the mountainside of a prominent peak, spanning 300 meters in length. It widens to less than one meter at its broadest point and narrows to just a foot at its tightest spot. Positioned beside a sheer precipice with seemingly endless depths, those traversing the corridor appear as if walking in mid-air. This challenging path takes approximately an hour to navigate, characterized by steep terrain and strong winds.

The simple railing installation underscores the need for extreme care, discouraging those lacking the courage to ascend. Despite the challenges, the corridor provides a panoramic view, showcasing the opposite mountain and offering a breathtaking overlook of the expansive terraces below. It serves as an exhilarating aerial observation platform within the Yangjiajie scenic spot.

Five-colored flowers (五色花)

The existence of the “five-colored flower” in the world is likely a mystery to many, as this unique blossom undergoes several transformations throughout the day. Research reveals that within the Yangjiajie Scenic Area, a peculiar flower thrives in the upstream region of the Liucui Stream. This arboreal community comes to life in late spring and early summer annually.

Standing at a height of 3 to 5 meters, the flowering branches are clustered, each branch adorned with approximately 12 flowers showcasing a remarkable array of five colors. What makes this floral spectacle even more enchanting is that the colors undergo several changes throughout the day, accompanied by a delightful fragrance.

Situated in the southern part of the scenic area, Zhangjiajie’s Huangshizhai, also known as Yellowstone Village, serves as an expansive and centralized observation platform within Zhangjiajie Forest Park. Ascending to the summit of Huangshizhai offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the sandstone mountains, making it an ideal location for witnessing the sunrise and the mesmerizing sea of clouds.

Huangshizhai boasts over 20 observation decks, each providing a wide perspective and optimal angles for sightseeing. Notable decks include the Ruins of The Heaven Bridge, the Star Picking Terrace, the South Sky Pillar, and the Dinghai Magical Needle.

For those opting to ascend on foot, be prepared for a climb involving thousands of steps, demanding considerable physical exertion. Alternatively, visitors can choose to take a cable car to the summit and then leisurely walk down the mountain, offering a balanced combination of convenience and scenic exploration.

Among the natural inhabitants of Huangshizhai, small monkeys are a common sight. While these playful creatures may approach tourists in search of food, it is crucial for safety not to engage or provoke them.

💡Note: Generally, visitors who have explored both the Yangjiajie Scenic Area and the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area may find that a visit to the Yellowstone Village Scenic Area is not essential. Yellowstone Village and Yuanjiajie are located in opposite directions, offering similar scenic views. The primary distinction lies in the proximity of Yellowstone Village to the forested mountain peaks, providing visitors with potentially clearer and more immersive views of the landscape.

Pavilion of Six Wonders (六奇阁)

The Pavilion of Six Wonders, perched atop Huangshizhai, serves as both a man-made pavilion and a scenic viewing platform. Its name is derived from Zhangjiajie’s six natural wonders—strange mountains, water, clouds, stones, trees, and birds and animals.

This three-story structure is designed to replicate ancient pavilions, resembling a tower when viewed from a distance. Adorned with a yellow-tiled roof, gracefully warped cornices, and painted beams, the pavilion exhibits exquisite architectural detailing.

The upper floor of the Pavilion of Six Wonders offers a breathtaking vantage point. Leaning over the rail, visitors can indulge in the splendid scenery of Zhangjiajie, capturing exceptionally beautiful photos.

Additionally, during the winter season when snow blankets the landscape, the Pavilion transforms into a stunning spectacle. The pristine white snow contrasts with the gray walls and red rails, creating a picturesque winter scene at Huangshizhai.

Star Picking Terrace (摘星台)

Star Picking Terrace, an elevated pinnacle on its own, stands as the premier observation point within Huangshizhai. Its summit, flat and encircled by the guardrail, offers an unparalleled viewpoint.

As you ascend and take in the expansive scenery, the peaks of Huangshizhai unfold before your eyes in a single sweeping glance. Ranging from stout columnar formations to solitary peaks, interconnected structures, and parallel arrangements of similar columns, the landscape presents a diverse and captivating display. Gazing upward, the sky feels within reach, evoking a sensation as though one could stretch out and grasp the stars above.

Ruins of The Heaven Bridge (天桥遗墩)

Situated between Huangshizhai and Yuanjiajie in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Ruins of The Heaven Bridge is a striking formation comprising a group of elliptic cylinder-shaped stone peaks that soar over 200 meters high.

Arranged in a 3,000-meter-long valley, these six stone peaks exhibit equal size and spacing, culminating in a platform at their summits. Beginning with the No. 1 stone peak near Yuanjiajie, the peaks ascend sequentially and then descend to the No. 4 stone peak. Together, they form an arc resembling a series of bridge piers.

The entire scenic spot is equipped with viewing platforms, rest areas, and comprehensive facilities for visitors to enjoy the picturesque landscape.

During the rainy and foggy season, a mesmerizing sea of clouds and fog envelops the area, causing the bridge piers to intermittently disappear and reappear. This creates a mystical ambiance, resembling a row of structures standing in a watery expanse.

Guides mention that following a rain shower, a nearby rainbow often forms, perfectly aligning with the height and curvature of the bridge piers. This creates the illusion of a rainbow bridge suspended above the stone peaks, giving rise to the evocative name “Ruins of The Heaven Bridge.”

The Treasure Box with Sealedbook (天书宝匣)

The Treasure Box with Sealedbook is an isolated stone peak featuring a small platform at its summit. On this platform rests a three-dimensional stone structure resembling a box, with its lid seemingly pulled off. Despite its modest height, this solitary peak rises prominently, surrounded on all sides by cliffs that prohibit close access. The landscape offers a panoramic view from afar, as there is no accessible passage to approach the peak closely.

South Sky Gate (南天门)

Ascending from the Golden Whip Stream, the South Sky Gate marks a point on the mountainous path leading to the summit of Huangshizhai. It’s worth noting that if you opt for the cableway, you won’t pass through this particular location. Despite its name implying a heavenly view, the South Sky Gate is just the beginning of a longer journey towards the mountaintop.

The South Sky Gate takes the form of a natural arch, created by the slanting rock peak and stone walls, showcasing nature’s remarkable craftsmanship. The stone pathway traverses through the gate, where the opening is narrow and profound, enveloped by wild trees on both sides. Adjacent to the South Sky Gate on the right is a peculiar stone, standing at approximately 20 meters in height. Its humanoid resemblance exudes a sense of might and awe, almost as if it stands as a guardian of the South Sky Gate.

Now, venture into the initial allure found at the entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—the Golden Whip Stream Scenic Area. This 7.5 km-long stream derives its name from one of Zhangjiajie’s 10 wonders, the Golden Whip Rock. Within the Golden Whip Stream Scenic Area, you’ll encounter a diverse range of flora and fauna, complemented by distinctive peaks and rocks.

Dayangba Square (大氧吧广场)

Dayangba Square, situated at the entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, stands out as the most densely populated area within the entire park. Upon entering the forest park and proceeding inward, one can identify Dayangba Square upon encountering a gathering of monkeys and a prominent large copper lock.

This square is surrounded by lush greenery, offering a refreshing atmosphere. Renowned as the location with the highest concentration of negative oxygen ions in the country, many visitors make it a priority to take a deep breath, immersing themselves in the invigorating scent of nature. Dayangba Square is a popular spot for feeding monkeys and capturing group photos.

Pigsy Carrying Wife on the Back (猪八戒背媳妇)

This peak has a peculiar form, resembling the imaginative depiction of Pigsy carrying his wife on his back. On the right side of the peak, the figure of Pigsy is discernible, while on the left side, a smaller figure represents his wife, who is also depicted holding a small umbrella—creating a vivid scene. However, the interpretation of these peculiar peaks and rocks is subjective, varying from person to person, as what one perceives might not necessarily align with another’s interpretation.

Mother and Child Peak (母子峰)

Located approximately 200 meters to the east along the Golden Whip Stream, the Mother and Child Peak is characterized by a slender stone pinnacle, about 100 meters in height, standing amidst a cluster of peaks on the left bank.

This rock formation resembles a middle-aged woman with clearly outlined head and waist features. The facial features are vaguely discernible, conveying a kind and dignified expression. Positioned facing southeast, the figure appears as if eagerly anticipating the return of a loved one. Adjacent to this main peak, a smaller one is nestled, creating the impression of a child nestled in its mother’s chest, gazing up with a childlike innocence towards the maternal figure.

Golden Whip Rock (金鞭岩)

The Golden Whip Rock, standing at a height of approximately 400 meters, stands out prominently as another representative instance among the myriad of unique peaks and stones in Zhangjiajie . It emerges from the ground, reaching towards the sky, crafted entirely from quartz sand that glows with a golden sheen in the sunlight. The peak’s surface resembles a sleek, straight-edged knife, featuring straight and unblemished lines.

Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip (神鹰护鞭)

To the left of the Golden Whip Rock, a peak extends like a hawk spreading its wings, exuding a sense of awe-inspiring, untamed wilderness. Majestically positioned alongside the Golden Whip Rock, it stands as a vigilant guardian, watchful day and night. Locals vividly depict this peak as the “Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip.”

Rock of Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother (劈山救母峰)

A line of rocks resembling a cone, a spear, a long-handled giant axe, and even one resembling a squatting dog can be observed. Amidst these peaks, a mountain summit is cleaved in half, appearing as though a sharp axe has sliced through it, resulting in a smooth and symmetrical rock surface. This formation is known as the “Rock of Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother.”

Legend has it that in ancient times, a child named Chen Xiang witnessed his mother being pressed at the mountain’s base by the Emperor of Heaven for violating heavenly rules. Displaying intelligence and filial piety from a young age, Chen Xiang dedicated himself to kung fu practice. Upon mastering his skills, he wielded a sharp axe to split the mountain peak and successfully rescued his mother.

Two Tortoises Visiting the Stream (双龟探溪)

Adjacent to the “Mountain-Splitting Rock to Save Mother,” within the thick, diverse woodland, lies a massive rock measuring approximately 10 meters in diameter and 30 meters in height. At its summit, two large rocks overlap, taking on the appearance of tortoises. The rock itself features an arched back, and a head that looks upward, extending its feet, resembling a pair of affectionate tortoises. This formation is famously named the “Two Tortoises Visiting the Stream.”

Zicao Pool (紫草潭)

Situated in the central stretch of Golden Whip Stream, this location boasts a pool with a purple-red rock bottom, measuring around 5 meters in length, 4.5 meters in width, and 2 meters in depth. The stream at the pool’s upper end rushes vigorously, while the pool itself remains tranquil and clear, allowing fish and shrimp to swim leisurely. The pool’s bank, shaded by thick foliage, provides a respite from the sun. The pool’s edge features a spacious slope of large purple-red stones, inviting visitors to take a break, sit, or recline.

Reunion from Afar (千里相会)

Nestled at the base of the Zicao Pool, amidst a collection of scattered peaks, stand two distinct stone peaks—one tall and the other short—in a configuration resembling humanoid figures. Positioned facing each other, they give the impression of a couple joyfully reunited after a prolonged separation, gazing at each other with affection. These rocks are aptly named “Reunion from Afar.”

The Ten-mile Nature Gallery spans a 5.8-kilometer valley, representing the essence of the Suoxigu Natural Reserve. Along the sides of this extensive valley, diverse and abundant natural landscapes unfold, creating an immersive experience akin to walking through a living painting.

The peaks flanking the valley take on shapes that resemble natural sculptures, with over 200 stone formations resembling figures such as people, immortals, birds, and beasts. Notable attractions include the renowned Herb Collecting Old Man, Longevity Man Greeting Visitors, and the striking Ferocious Tiger Roaring.

Winding Attic (转阁楼)

The Winding Attic is a stone peak that ascends from the ground, presenting the appearance of a multi-tiered pagoda when viewed from a distance. Upon closer inspection, it resembles a winding attic, featuring a narrow, meandering footpath leading up to the roof.

Longevity Man Greeting Visitors (寿星迎宾)

The Longevity Man Greeting Visitors is a distinctive rock formation embodying the likeness of an elderly individual, reminiscent of a venerable birthday celebrant. The contours of the stone peak artfully capture the essence of an old man joyfully waving his hand, wearing a warm smile, and eagerly anticipating the arrival of visitors.

Herb Collecting Old Man (采药老人)

The Herb Collecting Old Man, often referred to as the Old Man’s Rock, boasts a remarkably lifelike depiction. The portrayal captures an elderly figure, bent with age and carrying a bamboo basket, meticulously collecting a valuable assortment of herbs.

This attraction not only stands out as a prominent landmark in the Ten-mile Natural Gallery but also holds the esteemed distinction of being one of the city’s ten superb views in Zhangjiajie.

Ferocious Tiger Roaring (猛虎啸天)

Facing westward from the Ten-mile Natural Gallery, there are two peaks extending in a north-south direction, creating the illusion of a tiger roaring vigorously toward the sky when observed from a distance. This renowned sight is famously known as the Ferocious Tiger Roaring.

Husband and Wife Rock (夫妻岩)

Two neighboring upright rocks create a harmonious pair, with the left one standing tall and majestic, while the right one is shorter and softer in appearance, evoking the image of a couple joyfully reunited after an extended separation. This formation is appropriately named the Husband and Wife Rock.

Monkey Slope (猴子坡)

Towards the conclusion of the Ten-mile Natural Gallery, the landscape transforms with the emergence of jagged rocks displaying peculiar shapes, surrounded by flourishing forest trees. This area is a favored gathering spot for groups of monkeys, and as a result, it has earned the name “Monkey Slope.”

Three Sisters (三女峰)

Similarly, at the endpoint of the Ten-mile Natural Gallery, three slender rocks can be observed, standing gracefully and shaped like three beautiful women. This picturesque arrangement is appropriately named the Three Sisters.

🚞Mini Electric Train

Within the Ten-mile Natural Gallery, the miniature electric train has gained popularity among numerous visitors. For those who prefer not to traverse the entire journey on foot, opting for this small train on the ascent is a convenient choice. The fare for a one-way trip is CNY 38, while a round trip is priced at CNY 76.

In Wulingyuan Scenic Area, numerous dining options, predominantly farmhouse restaurants, cater to visitors. However, specific restaurant hunting is often unnecessary.

It’s more practical to align meals with your tour schedule , considering the substantial energy expenditure during mountain hikes. Bringing your own provisions for energy replenishment is an option, or you can return to your accommodation for a meal. Alternatively, you can dine near the attractions where you are staying.

Each shuttle bus station within the scenic spot features a snack street offering items like glutinous rice cake, sweet potatoes, and grilled sausages. Restaurants near bus drop-off points typically have vegetable dishes priced above CNY 15, while those with meat exceed CNY 30. Bush-meat dishes may cost more than CNY 80, and some establishments are open to price negotiations.

Additionally, fast food options, including familiar chains like McDonald’s, can be found at elevated locations such as Huangshizhai and Tianzi Mountain.

Generally, dining within the scenic area tends to be pricier compared to options outside its confines.

Zhangjiajie, located in the Hunan province of China, offers a unique culinary experience with distinctive features that reflect the broader characteristics of Hunan cuisine. Here are some notable features of Zhangjiajie food:

Spicy Flavors : Like much of Hunan cuisine, Zhangjiajie food is known for its bold and spicy flavors. Locals have a penchant for using chili peppers and other fiery spices to create dishes that pack a punch.

Tujia Minority Influence : The Tujia ethnic minority has a significant presence in Zhangjiajie, and their culinary influence is evident in the local cuisine. Tujia-style dishes, such as smoked pork and various pickled vegetables, are commonly enjoyed in the region.

Mountain Ingredients : Zhangjiajie’s mountainous terrain has an impact on its food culture. The region is rich in diverse flora and fauna, and local dishes often incorporate ingredients sourced from the mountains. Wild mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and herbs unique to the area may find their way into Zhangjiajie dishes.

👍San Xia Guo (三下锅)

Zhangjiajie’s standout culinary offering is the renowned Zhangjiajie Mixed Pot, also known as San Xia Guo. This dish features a combination of lamb’s belly, beef belly, pork belly, fat sausage, pig’s trotters, and pig’s head meat as its primary components. Typically, a selection of three meats is made, and the dish can be prepared in either a dry pot or a soup pot. In the case of the dry pot, there is an absence of broth, resulting in a notably spicy flavor.

Serving sizes are generally substantial, providing enough for three individuals. This dish is readily available in local eateries, and for a highly recommended experience, Chef Hu’s Three Pot is suggested.

👍Preserved Pork (腊肉)

Preserved Pork is a popular culinary choice in Zhangjiajie, commonly prepared by stir-frying with ingredients like garlic sprouts, peppers, and spring bamboo shoots. This dish is renowned for its savory and spicy taste, featuring well-textured meat that is both lean and slightly fatty, without an excessive greasiness.

👍Homestyle Stir-Fried Pork (农家小炒肉)

Savoring the renowned home-style dishes of Hunan, a plate of farmhouse-style stir-fried pork on the mountains within the scenic area stands out. The locally sourced ingredients, coupled with the distinctive wild pepper, contribute to the dish’s unique and refreshing taste.

👍Stewed Chicken with Shi’er (岩耳炖鸡)

Shi’er, colloquially referred to as Yan’er thrives on the sandstone cliffs in the Wuling mountainous region. Resembling fungi, wood ear, or tree ear, Shi’er is exceptionally rare, making it one of the three treasures of Zhangjiajie due to the local challenge of finding and harvesting it.

A delectable winter treat is the Stewed Chicken or Duck with Shi’er, known for its ability to provide warmth during chilly winter days and nights. Nowadays, this dish is readily available in numerous restaurants, featuring an exceptionally delicious and nourishing stew soup.

👍Sour Fried Fish (酸炸鱼)

Among the Tujia and Miao communities, a little-known delicacy, Sour Fried Fish, stands out with its unique local flavor.

Fresh fish, coated in rice powder, ferments in a sealed jar to achieve a delightful sour taste. The fish is then expertly fried in local tea oil, resulting in a delicious snack that’s neither fatty nor fishy. With a golden color, tender exterior, and a sweet-sour profile, this treat, with a long shelf life, is not only available in Zhangjiajie’s eateries but can also be taken back to your hotel for a delightful snack.

👍Blood Tofu (血豆腐)

Blood tofu is a distinctive dish among the Tujia Minority Groups, traditionally a New Year essential. Tujia people blend tofu, pork, pork blood, and pepper into small balls, smoke and bake them until golden. When prepared for consumption, the balls are sliced and fried with chili and garlic.

Despite its unassuming appearance, the dish is pleasantly chewy and aromatic, boasting high nutritional value suitable for all ages.

👍Glutinous Rice Cake (糍粑)

Glutinous Rice Cake is one kind of snack made up of steamed glutinous rice. The traditional preparation methods involve combining glutinous rice flour with water to form a thick batter, adding brown sugar for sweetness. The mixture is then steamed or boiled until it solidifies into a sticky and chewy cake. Glutinous Rice Cake with brown sugar in Zhangjiajie may be molded into various shapes or cut into bite-sized pieces.

👍Kiwi Juice (猕猴桃汁)

Kiwifruit is a significant specialty of Zhangjiajie, known for its delicate and juicy nature. The “kiwi juice” derived from it offers a delightful blend of sweetness and sourness, packed with exceptional nutritional benefits. Easily accessible in supermarkets, this tasty and affordable treat is a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.

In Zhangjiajie’s Wulingyuan Scenic area, you’ll find a range of accommodations, including star hotels, resort hotels, and homestays. Your choice can be tailored to your budget and preferences.

Accommodations within the scenic area are generally limited, but staying in Wulingyuan urban area near the East Gate ticket station provides convenient access to food, shopping, and entertainment. For those planning to visit Tianmen Mountain, consider staying in the downtown city nearby for a two-day visit.

During my visit to Zhangjiajie, I stayed at ZiShan Ecological Resort, which is in close proximity to the East Gate ticket station. I have fond memories of my stay, and it offered a great experience.

Shell Youth Holiday Hotel

This budget hotel attracts a youthful clientele, eschewing luxury amenities and big-brand affiliations, yet consistently achieves high occupancy rates.

Nestled by the picturesque Suoxi River, it’s conveniently located, requiring just over 10 minutes on foot to reach the Wulingyuan entrance ticket station. The hotel’s decor is straightforward yet cozy, featuring one of the rare setups with separate wet and dry bathrooms, all at an affordable price.

Adding to its charm, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant provides a unique dining experience. Guests can enjoy their meals while taking in the breathtaking distant views, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

ZiShan Ecological Resort

The ZiShan Ecological Resort has gained significant popularity as a preferred homestay in Zhangjiajie in recent years. Among the various room options, the transparent Forest Room stands out as the most favored by tourists, and during my stay, I opted for this particular accommodation.

Strategically situated near the Wulingyuan East Gate, the resort combines Tujia decorative elegance with modern aesthetics, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a hidden mountain retreat. Upon arrival, guests are warmly greeted by butlers and concierge staff, extending a welcome from the parking lot.

Featuring 35 guest rooms, including two distinctive glass Forest Rooms, each room possesses its individual name. The layout of my chosen room included expansive front and rear double terraces, complemented by large floor-to-ceiling windows adorned with delicate white gauze curtains. The room was thoughtfully stocked with various amenities.

ZiShan Ecological Resort elevates the guest experience by offering a buffet breakfast and an array of Hunan specialty dishes such as rice noodles, fried rice, and assorted snacks. Ordering from the room is made easy, as guests can contact the hotel butler to request the menu and place restaurant orders. Once the dishes are prepared, guests can conveniently proceed to the restaurant.

The resort provides a unique blend of relaxation, allowing guests to unwind in a soothing bath accompanied by the sounds of forest birds. Additionally, it offers a level of service akin to a five-star city hotel, ensuring a well-rounded and enjoyable stay.

No. 5 Valley Inn

Zhangjiajie’s No. 5 Valley Inn is not only the zenith among homestays in the region but also ranks among the top 10 most beautiful homestays globally. Positioned at a mere 2 km from the Yangjiajie Ticket Station in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it stands as an epitome of scenic elegance.

The heartening tale behind this haven involves a couple who, forsaking the allure of urban prosperity, returned to their roots in Zhangjiajie. They transformed an abandoned valley into a veritable paradise, now known as No. 5 Valley Inn.

Respecting the local architectural heritage, the inn, built down the hillside, mirrors the stilted structures of the Tujia people. Every brick, stone, wood, and ounce of soil used in its construction is locally sourced.

Comprising 38 rooms spread across five courtyards, each room at the inn offers a breathtaking view of the natural surroundings through oversized floor-to-ceiling windows. The room designs are not only aesthetically rich but also wonderfully diverse, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere—whether observing lotus ponds, admiring the valley, listening to the rain, or stargazing under the night sky.

Beyond the captivating accommodations, the inn offers an array of experiences. Guests can indulge in a buffet barbecue, partake in various performances, and join in the festivities around a grand campfire, and engage in hand-swaying dances.

Tianmen Mountain is situated to the south of Zhangjiajie city, in the opposite direction of Wulingyuan. Typically requiring a full day for exploration, visitors in Zhangjiajie can enjoy distant views of Tianmen Cave.

Tianmen Mountain boasts renowned attractions such as Tianmen Cave, Ghost Valley Plank Road, and the thrilling adventure of the artificially constructed Glass Skywalk.

At the summit of Tianmen Mountain, there are two main routes: the east line and the west line. For those with limited time, it’s advisable to prioritize the west line and consider skipping the east line. This recommendation stems from the fact that the key attractions at the top of Tianmen Mountain are predominantly concentrated along the west line.

The entrance fee is CNY 232, covering a scenic spot ticket priced at CNY 75 and an internal transportation fee of CNY 183. This transportation fee includes a one-way cable car, shuttle bus, and the upper escalator between Tiammen Cave and the mountain summit.

Tianmen Cave (天门洞)

The configuration of Tianmen Cave is exceptionally distinct, featuring an enormous fan-shaped opening at the mountain’s center, measuring 131.5 meters in height, 57 meters in width, and 60 meters in depth.

A challenging ascent of 999 steep and narrow steps, aptly named “the Stairway to Heaven,” leads to the cave. Perpetually enshrouded in dense mists, the cave exudes a mystical ambiance throughout the year.

According to legend, Tianmen Cave originated from a mountain collapse during the Three Kingdoms period, solidifying its status as the most iconic attraction on Tianmen Mountain.

Glass Skywalk (玻璃栈道)

The Glass Skywalk at Tianmen Mountain hangs over the eastern and western edges of the mountain peak, forming a glass observatory suspended from a cliff. The pathway consists entirely of see-through glass, offering a view of the deep valley below. Walking on it feels like you’re in the sky—super thrilling and crazy joyful!

Keep in mind that the cableway might close during thunderstorms, strong winds, or heavy snow. It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast before you travel.

Tianmen Mountain Cableway (天门山索道)

The cableway at Tianmen Mountain holds the title of the world’s longest, stretching an impressive 24,458 feet (7,455 meters). It kicks off its journey from the City Garden downtown and wraps up at the mountain’s summit.

Sitting in the cable car feels like you’re suspended in mid-air. The ascent from the mountain’s base to an altitude of over 1,500 meters takes approximately 27 minutes for a one-way trip. During the ride, you get a scenic view of the city. The cable car hits the midpoint and then sharply ascends, running right along the cliff wall, making the journey incredibly exhilarating.

🤔Tianmen Mountain or Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Which to Visit First?

The best plan for your Zhangjiajie visit depends on your arrival time. If you get there around noon, it’s a good idea to head to Tianmen Mountain first. This way, you can maximize the latter half of the day and avoid the peak crowds.

On the flip side, if you arrive late at night or early in the morning, it’s advisable to head straight to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park from the train station or airport. Save your Tianmen Mountain exploration for the last day to make the most of your time in Zhangjiajie.

🌌Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: World’s Tallest and Longest Glass Bridge

The standout feature in the canyon is undoubtedly the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, renowned for its transparent, glass-bottomed structure. When it debuted in 2016, it held the title of the world’s longest and tallest glass-bottomed bridge. Stretching 430 meters in length and 6 meters in width, the bridge hangs suspended approximately 260 meters above the ground, spanning the canyon between two mountain cliffs.

For an added thrill, right in the middle of the bridge, you have the opportunity to experience the world’s highest bungee jump.

🎫Admission ticket: Grand Canyon Ticket A: CNY 118 + CNY 3 insurance; Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket B: CNY 219 + CNY 3 insurance; Glass Bridge Ticket C: CNY 138 + CNY 3 insurance.

🤔Choosing Between Glass Bridge and Glass Skywalk: Which to Visit?

Opting for Tianmen Mountain is a wise choice. Apart from the thrilling glass plank road, Tianmen Mountain boasts additional natural attractions like Tianmen Cave. It’s also conveniently located closer to the urban area, ensuring easy transportation and comprehensive facilities within the scenic spot.

On the other hand, the Grand Canyon, a relatively recent tourism project, centers around the Glass Bridge with fewer additional attractions to explore. However, it offers more outdoor entertainment experiences, such as bungee jumping and paragliding, providing a different kind of adventure for visitors.

Here are some final tips for traveling to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:

Pre-book round-trip flights, hotels, and attraction tickets in advance during the peak season.

Major cities have direct flights to Zhangjiajie.

Don’t trust strangers’ words when leaving the station, and refuse unregistered taxis.

Be skeptical of accommodations and restaurants recommended by strangers or drivers, as they may involve kickbacks.

Purchase tickets for Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park at least 3 days in advance; on-the-spot purchases may not be allowed.

Visitors planning to explore Tianmen Mountain are advised to stay in the downtown the night before. Avoid staying in Wulingyuan as the downtown city is closer to Tianmen Mountain.

Be cautious of unlicensed guides on the roadside; many independent travelers fall victim to scams.

Tickets may not be available on the day of the peak season.

First-time visitors to Zhangjiajie are advised not to travel alone due to the complex and unpredictable mountainous environment. Traveling with companions or joining local tours is safer.

Flow control measures are in place at the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge.

Do not feed monkeys or provoke them. Monkeys can be aggressive, and snacks should not be held in hand.

Carry an umbrella as there may be occasional light rain in the mountains.

Zhangjiajie offers a variety of hotels and guesthouses with good value for money. Staying near Wulingyuan is recommended for shorter travel distances.

The little shuttle bus goes between different scenic spots, while the big shuttle bus connects scenic spots to cable cars. It’s important to figure out the right bus to take before waiting to avoid wasting time.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is extensive, and without a guide, it’s challenging to navigate.

Zhangjiajie’s cuisine is known for being spicy and sour. Inform in advance if you cannot tolerate spicy food.

🎫Do I need a visa for China?

Yes. Most visitors to China will need a visa to enter the country. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your trip, as well as your nationality. If you are a resident of the US, you must apply for a Chinese visa at the Consular Office in the country. On the other hand, inhabitants of countries like Japan, Canada, and the UK can request a visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center .

🤔 Why is it necessary to install a VPN in China?

In China, the government has strict regulations on internet access, leading to the blocking of popular websites and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube. To access these sites, a VPN is suggested as a means of bypassing the restrictions. It is important to choose a reputable VPN provider and use caution while doing so. ExpressVPN has been historically deemed the most reliable VPN for this purpose, despite being heavily targeted by China’s censors. Nevertheless, it is still a widely preferred option owing to its ease of installation and user-friendliness.

📲 Is it necessary to have a Chinese SIM card while in China?

Yes. It is crucial to acknowledge that accessing the internet in China may pose limitations due to certain websites being prohibited or filtered. To ensure uninterrupted connectivity while staying in China, purchasing a local SIM card is advisable. For optimum results, acquiring SIM cards from either China Unicom or China Mobile is recommended. While China Mobile has the most comprehensive coverage in China and is a market leader, China Unicom is more compatible with foreign phones, enabling 3G and 4G services. Or you can purchase a SIM card online .

🔮 Should I buy China travel insurance?

Yes. Although China is generally a safe country for travel, it is still possible to encounter accidents or other unexpected occurrences. Therefore, obtaining travel insurance can provide a sense of security and financial protection. In my research, I have found that World Nomads is a reputable travel insurance provider that covers a wide range of activities and is recommended for the average traveler. Nevertheless, I advise you to compare insurance quotes from various providers before making a decision.

🚙 Can you rent a car in China?

Unfeasible . Obtaining a Chinese driver’s license to rent a car and self-drive may seem like an option, but it is not a practical choice for most foreigners. Therefore, many prefer to opt for a driver or public transportation when navigating China, as it proves to be more convenient.

✈️ What’s the best site to purchase flight tickets for China?

I suggest using Trip for affordable flights to China. As a China-based company, they often offer lower prices compared to foreign companies. Additionally, they offer English-speaking phone support in case of any issues.

🏡 What is the best way to book hotels in China?

Not only does Trip offer a wider range of flight options, but it also provides a greater selection of hotels to choose from. Moreover, Agoda is a reliable resource for hotels throughout Asia.

🎒What do I pack for China?

Travel adapter and converter: China uses a different electrical system than many other countries, so it’s important to bring a travel adapter and converter if you plan to use electronic devices such as phones, cameras, and laptops.   Sunscreen: The UV index in China can be high, particularly during the summer months, and prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Deodorant: It should be noted that finding deodorant in China may not be a simple task.

📚 Can a guidebook for traveling to China be useful?

Yes . If you’re planning to travel to China for the first time, a travel guidebook can be a valuable resource, and Lonely Planet is one of the most reputable guides available globally. Its comprehensive itineraries and recommendations take into account your personal preferences and can save you both time and money. The insider tips are also extremely helpful in navigating China’s unique cultural landscape like a local.

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• December 18, 2018
• Travel China

• How to get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• What trails to take and must-see sights
• How much  everything costs
• Great accommodation
• Where to eat
• Guided tours of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• What else to expect from this unforgettable attraction

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is part of the much larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, in China’s Hunan Province . This stunning park is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen before. It’s easily accessed from the city of Wulingyuan, which is an easy one-hour bus ride from the larger city of Zhangjiajie . The bus ride costs 20 RMB/Chinese Yuan ($4 AUD) per person, each way, which you pay on the bus itself in cash. The bus station is located right beside the train station in Zhangjiajie.

How do I get around Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

How do I get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

How much does it cost to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

What to expect from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

What to see inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

A few things to note about my time at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• The lines for the buses can be very long, especially at peak times of the day.
• Many Chinese visitors seemed much more interested in taking photos with my partner and I (especially me, due to me thick beard I was told ) . This seemed quite strange to me considering the background was the beautiful Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ! One woman even insisted her baby be in the photo. Just me and the baby, no worries about the actual scenery right?! This happened around 30 times throughout the day! Not counting the not-so-subtle sneaky photos from
• There was quite a lot of trash, especially in the more popular areas, that did diminish the beauty of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park a little for me . Make sure your garbage is properly disposed of.

•  I was naively expecting fresh mountain air, but there was a fair amount of smog during my visit. There’s not too much you can do to solve this, but just be aware heavy smog levels aren’t great for the air quality that you breathe .
• It was honestly exhausting. I was sore for days after the 30.8km distance covered today. Most of this distance was purely staircases. Still, entirely worth the pain and stiffness!
• While there are a few places to buy snacks and water, such as the Tianqiao bus stop and the popular viewpoints, I highly suggest bringing some something to eat .

Video on exploring Zhangjiajie Forest Park in China

This short video takes you through what you’ll see in this section of the Wulginyuan Scenic Area of China. If you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Book your travels to Zhangjiajie

• You can take a guided tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. There is a number to choose from and you’ll learn about the area through a knowledgeable guide.
• For accommodation in the city of Zhangjiajie itself, I stayed at Hostel Geographer . Easy walking distance from the train station, cheap, comfortable and very clean. I definitely recommend staying here.

Note: The link above is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you, I make a commission from the sale. Please, contact me if you have any questions at all.

Where to stay in the city of Wulingyuan

Highlights of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• The views were unlike anything I have ever seen before
• I loved the wild monkeys along the path.
• The quiet trails really let you soak in the beautiful scenery and allow you to appreciate it much more.

Further Related Reading

• Here is the absolute best thing’s to do in China!

Thanks for reading!  

Happy and safe travels,

Thank you for sharing.

Hey Tony, thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed the post! Hope you have a great time if you visit the national park!

The bus between Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan is only 13元 and the last one is at 6.30pm

Hey Sally, thanks for the update! Appreciate the good info! Thanks – Ben

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• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Travel Tips & Tours

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Famous for its unique peaks and stunning scenery, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is China's first national forest park inaugurated in 1982 and was listed as a UNESCO geopark in 2004. The park is part of the much larger 397.5 km2 (153.5 sq mi) Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Highlights and Travel Tips

The most notable geographic features of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park are the pillar-like formations that are seen throughout the park. With an immense area of 4,810 ha (11,900 acres), the park features several stunning scenic areas that allow visitors to take in these amazing peaks, including Yuanjiajie, Golden Whip Stream Trail, Tianzi Mountain, and Yangjiajie, etc.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park covers a large area, and this is reflected in the lifespan of its ticket: one ticket is valid for four consecutive days. There are buses that transport visitors between spots within the park, but it is ideal to have a guide to help you navigate inside the park, especially for visitors with a tight schedule.

While the park is huge, the scenery may seem similar in certain spots. Considering time is precious for most visitors traveling to China, two days should be enough to check off the top highlights of the park. If you only have one day to visit the park, you should still have sufficient time but you may feel a bit rushed if you want to cover the best spots of the park, such as the Golden Whip Stream Trail, Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, and Tianzi Mountain.

Be aware that the park can get crowded even in low season. There are likely to be long lines at the cable cars and the Bailong Elevator during peak seasons. We recommend visiting the popular spots as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes since the park requires a lot of walking and stairs can get slippery on wet days. There are wild monkeys at some parts of the park and visitors should avoid holding food in their hands.

Yuanjiajie Scenic Spot

Yuanjiajie is home to one of the park's quartz-sandstone pillars, the 150-metre Southern Sky Column, which is said to have inspired the floating rocks in the film of "Avatar" and thus has been officially renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain." Visitors can take the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie, or hike about 1 hour from Qianlixianghui up to Yuanjiajie.

Yuanjiajie is relatively less crowded but perhaps even more scenic than other sections of the park. For those who want to do a little off-the-beaten-track hiking, Yuanjiajie offers many trails leading away from the main paths. This is the chance to veer off the tourist trail and maybe even see some wildlife. For people who would rather stick to the main route, Yuanjiajie also has a nice paved path which heads west from the upper station of the Bailong Elevator and features excellent views of the surrounding peaks, as well as some terrifyingly high natural bridges where you might not want to look down.

Bailong Elevator

With an elevation of 326 m (1,070 ft), Bailong Elevator is the world's tallest outdoor elevator. This dramatic elevator clinging to the side of a cliff is an easy way for visitors to ride up to the Yuanjiajie area. The elevator carriage has glass walls on the sides, allowing visitors to appreciate the scenery while ascending.

Golden Whip Stream Trail

This popular walking trail winds from the Forest Park Gate to the Bailong Elevator along a rushing brook, which is its namesake. The trek features beautiful scenery from the base of the park's famous pillars. The rock formations rising up from the floor of the valley and towering over you can make it feeling like you are "walking amongst giants." This is also where the park's monkey population comes out to play. The 5.7 km trail is mostly flat and takes about 2 hours at a modest pace. Visitors can walk part of the trail if they have limited time or want to save effort for other parts of the large park. There is an uphill path at the middle of the trail where visitors can veer off to hike up to the Yuanjiajie scenic spot.

Huangshizhai (Yellow Stone Village) Scenic Spot

Occupying an area of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, Huangshizhai features the largest viewing platform of the forest park. Huangshizhai is directly inside the park's Forest Park Gate. The peak can be reached by a quick cable car ride or by climbing up more than 3800 stone stairs. A visit to this scenic area normally takes about 1.5 hrs.

Tianzi Mountain Scenic Spot

While touristy, the Tianzishan area offers spectacular views over a forest of the pillar peaks the park is famous for. A 15-minute epic cable car ride takes visitors to/from the viewing platform at the top of the peak, passing by numerous peaks along the way. For those who are not able or willing to walk a lot, this is a great area to visit as it requires less walking and the views are exactly what you want to see when visiting Zhangjiajie. Visitors who want more activity can hike down after visiting the top of Tianzi Mountain, which takes about two hours. The end of the hiking route is at the terminus of the Ten-Mile Gallery Route. We don't recommend hiking up the route to the top of Tianzi Mountain, since it would be too strenuous for most visitors.

Ten-Mile Gallery Route

This beautiful 2km route runs along the foot of the peaks of the Tianzi Mountain area. Great views and lots of greenery make this one of the most popular areas of the park. Visitors can choose to walk or take the sightseeing tram through the valley. At the furthest end of the Ten-Mile Gallery Route, there is a hiking route visitors can walk up to or down from Tianzi Mountain.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices

Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Entrance fee (including shuttle bus): 225 RMB (March to November) / 115 RMB (December to February) Huangshizhai cable car: 65 RMB (one way) Bailong Elevator: 72 RMB (one way) Tianzishan cable car: 72 RMB (one way) Yangjiajie cable car: 76 RMB (one way) Ten-mile gallery tram: 38 RMB (one way) / 52 RMB (round trip) Average time for this activity: 1 to 2 days

How to Get There

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located about 30 km to the north of downtown Zhangjiajie. There are buses traveling between downtown Zhangjiajie and the two popular gates of the park every 10 minutes: Forest Park Gate and Wulingyuan Gate. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes and costs 12 RMB per person. If you take a taxi from Zhangjiajie airport or railway station, it costs about 100 RMB and takes about 45 minutes.

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Arrive in zhangjiajie by air, city bus + direct bus: 1.5h; cny 15, taxi + direct bus: 1h; cny 33, arrive in zhangjiajie by coach.

If you travel to Zhangjiajie by coach, then you will arrive in Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station which will offer you a seamless journey to Wulingyuan by taking a direct bus to Wulingyuan.   

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How to Travel to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie is a prefecture level city in the northwest of Hunan Province, the People's Republic of China. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, on the other hand, locates in the north of Zhangjiajie in Wulingyuan District. The park covers a total area of ​​130 square kilometers and it is the first national forest park in China. In 1992, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added it to the prestigious World Natural Heritage Site list. Later on in February 2004, the park was announced as a member of the first batch of the UNESCO Global Geoparks. The park has unique landforms of quartz sandstone pillar forest that is very rare to see in any other place on the earth.

• Flights to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Trains to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Zhangjiajie City to National Park
• Zhangjiajie Airport to National Park

Direct Flights to Zhangjiajie

As of today, there are 11 foreign cities that have direct flights to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport. These cities are: Hanoi (Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Osaka (Japan), Manila (Philippines), Seoul (South Korea), Busan (South Korea), Daegu (South Korea), Cheongju (Korea) and Muan (Korea). Besides China Taipei, there are also 41 direct flight routes connecting Zhangjiajie with domestic cities of the country. These cities are Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Qingdao, Guiyang, Ningbo, Tianjin, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Haikou, Jinan, Hangzhou, Lijiang, Shanghai, Kunming, Dalian, Nanjing, Harbin, Shijiazhuang, Beijing, Changsha, Hohhot, Xi'an, Chongqing, Guilin, Zhengzhou and Nanchang. In case the country you are leaving from has no direct flight for Zhangjiajie, you can fly to any of the Chinese cities mentioned above and then change flight, train or coach bus to travel to Zhangjiajie.

Trains to Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Zhangjiajie West Railway Station are the two main transportation hubs of the city. For each of these two stations, there are more than 200 trains arriving and departing every day, connecting Zhangjiajie to a hundred of cities and regions across the country.

It is also very convenient for international travelers to go to the local railway stations to catch trains for Zhangjiajie upon their arrivals to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, Changsha Huanghua Airport, Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport and etc.

Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province has both trains and inter-city buses to Zhangjiajie. For many people, it can be a good idea to use Changsha as a transit city to go to Zhangjiajie.

From downtown to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Locating next to Zhangjiajie Railway Station, Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station sends out direct buses to the four ticket stations or the four entrance gates of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park every day from 6 am to 7 pm. The entire trip takes from 50 to 90 minutes and ticket costs from 12 to 20 Yuan depending on which ticket office visitors would like to go for.

From the Airport to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport has no direct bus to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and visitors can take taxi to go there instead. Distance between the two places is about 35 kilometers, and driving time is about 1 hour one way. We also offer airport transfer service. Should you need to rent a car with driver to go from Zhangjiajie Lotus International Airport to any place in Zhangjiajie, please contact us.

Related Articles

• 📖 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• 📖 Best Time to Visit
• 📖 Five Entrances
• 📖 Opening Hours and Tickets
• 📖 Bus Routes and Map
• 📖 Cable Car
• 📖 Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
• 📖 Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
• 📖 Yangiajie Scenic Area
• 📖 Huangshizhai Scenic Area
• 📖 Ten Mile Natural Gallery
• 📖 Mountaintop Rice Field
• 📖 Golden Whip Stream

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How to Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

How to get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park? How do you get around the park? How many days do you need there? Where should you stay when visiting the park? This article will answer many of the questions you may have before visiting Zhangjiajie National Park.

What to Do in Zhangjiajie Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has a lot to do. There are numerous attractions, sights, and some world-record-holding locations. Tianzi mountain can be climbed by foot, or cable car, Gold Whip Stream is a great hiking route for those who want to see the Yuanjiajie Avatar area, and the Ten-Li Gallery is a picturesque image of Zhangjiajie’s stunning scenery.

Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie National Park

Zhangjiajie Park in October

Almost everyone asked agrees that  spring and autumn are the best times to visit the park. During these transitional seasons, the weather is mild, neither freezing cold nor sweltering, and you can see the misty clouds floating among the jagged peaks.

Summer is the height of the monsoon season, making it difficult to get good views (due to cloudy weather), and difficult to spend much time outside thanks to the rain.

In winter, Zhangjiajie is beautifully covered in snow, but many of the attractions, like the cable car rides, might be shut down due to the weather.

Ticket Prices

The hours of operation for all of the above locations are 08:00-17:00. Ticket prices vary. The main entrance comprehensive ticket includes free rides on the internal bus system and insurance. It is 248 CNY (35.24 $) in the high season (March-November) and 145 CNY (20.61$) in the low season (December-February). The ticket is valid for 4 days.

Individual costs for attractions:

• Bailong Sightseeing Elevator: 72 CNY (10.23 $) 1-way; 144 CNY (20.46$) 2-way.
• Yellow Stone Village Cable Car: 65 CNY (9.24 $) 1-way; 118 CNY (16.77 $) 2-way.
• Tianzi Mountain Cable Car: 67 CNY (9.52 $) 1-way; 134 CNY (19.04 $) 2-way
• Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train: 38 CNY (5.40 $) 1-way; 52 CNY (7.39 $) 2-way

Where to Stay?

The main areas to stay are in downtown Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan.

Zhangjiajie City

Best Western Grand Hotel Zhangjiajie

Downtown Zhangjiajie is convenient because it is close to the train station, bus station and airport. It’s great for weary travelers who just got off a long flight or train ride. The city also offers a wider variety of hotels and hostels for various different travelers.

Recommended Zhangjiajie’s City hotels:

• Best Western Grand Hotel Zhangjiajie, North of Dayongqiao Park, Ziwu West Road, Yongding District
• Zhangjiajie Sunshine Hotel, No.2 Yongding Road, Yongding District

Zhangjiajie Pullman Hotel

Wulingyuan borders the park, so it’s most convenient for travelers who wish to get straight into the national forest park - and return to their hotel nearby at night.

Recommended Wulingyuan hotels

• Homeward Mountain Hotel in Yejpu, Zhonghu town, Wulingyuan
• Zhangjiajie Pullman Hotel, No 168, Gauyun Road, Wulingyuan

Where to Eat?

Tianzi Mountain

Fortunately, there is a modern array of restaurants to pick from in Zhangjiajie City and the nearby parks. Eating local is most recommended, as it provides the most authentic experience, but there are also chain and Western restaurants for tourists who miss home.

A McDonalds is at the base of Tianzi Mountain , in Wulingyuan. All over the Wulingyuan area and in Zhangjiajie city there are local stalls and Hunan barbecue, where you can pick out meat skewers which will be cooked for you over a fire. You can find all kinds of things for low prices and have some authentic Chinese street food.

Tour Guide or No?

This is entirely up to you, some people like the guided experience, some want to explore on their own. Tours are all-inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about nickel-and-dime fees like cable cars, meals, and more. Tour guides in Zhangjiajie can help you see some of the less-famous stuff that you might miss if you just go after doing an internet search and asking people.

• Our local guides know everything about Zhangjiajie. They will help you get around quicker and make your trip go deeper and smoother. Don’t hesitate to create your tour with us !

Useful Tips for Visiting Zhangjiajie National Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

1. There are 5 ticket offices. The best ones for avoiding crowds are the Yangjiajie entrance and the Tianzi Mountain entrance. But they are both not close to hotels, or the popular Wulingyuan district.

2. The national forest park does not need a passport, but Tianzi Mountain does. If you are traveling internationally, bring your passport anyway.

• In the summer, bring a water bottle, sun protection, and light clothes.
• In spring, and fall, bring some layers for the cooler mornings and evenings.
• In the winter, bring plenty of layers.
• Year-round: bring a rain jacket, it is a wet, rainy climate. Also bring good walking/hiking shoes.

4. Avoiding crowds: Check an online calendar for Chinese holidays- the dates often change because they are based on the lunar calendar. Certainly avoid going during National Holiday (October 1-8), China’s busiest holiday for travel. Also avoid Labor Day (May 1-5).

5. Even if you have a very limited amount of time in China, you should spend at least 2 days . If you have more time, a 4-7-day trip will enable you to see much more.

6. Recommended Travel route/itinerary:

• Day 1- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve
• Day 2- Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie Scenic Area
• Day 1- Golden Whip Stream and Yuanjiajie
• Day 2- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Day 3- Tianzi Mountain and Ten-Li Gallery
• Day 4- Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave

How to Get There?

From the zhangjiajie bus station.

Buses from the Zhangjiajie Bus Station at the city center to parts of the National forest park are as follows:

• To Zhangjiajie National Forest Park : 11 CNY (1.56$), runs every 10 minutes from 08:00 to 18:00, and takes about 40 minutes.
• To Wulingyuan : 12 CNY (1.70$), runs every 10 minutes from 08:00 to 18:00, takes about 40 minutes.
• To Tianzi Mountain : 15 CNY (2.13 $), runs every hour from 08:00 to 18:00, takes about 90 minutes.
• To Suoxi Valley : 12 CNY (1.70$), runs every 10 minutes from 08:00 to 18:00, takes about 60 minutes.

From the Airport

Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport

There is no direct bus from the Airport to the national forest park. You must first take a bus to the Zhangjiajie Bus Station in the city center. You can also take a taxi, which will cost you 20-30 CNY (2.84-4.26$)

A taxi from the airport will cost 100-200 CNY (14.12-28.24$), and take 40 minutes to an hour. Depending on how busy it is, and the time of day.

From the Train Station

You will need to get to the bus station first. From there, you can follow the guidelines listed above. The bus station is just a short, 500 meter or so walk west from the train station- they are adjacent so it should be easy to find.

Private Tour and Transfer

The benefit of a private tour is that all expenses are usually included- meals, accommodation, transportation to-and-from the airport or train station, and an itinerary of places to go in Zhangjiajie. Feel free to contact us and arrange your private tour!

Getting Around the Park

There are 6 shuttle bus routes within the park, the routes are as follows:

• Helong Park (Tianzi Mountain) – Tianzi Mountain Upper Cable Car
• Wulingyuan Ticket Office –Tianzi Mountain Cable Car – Ten Mile Gallery – Shui Rao Si Men
• Yuanjiajie Parking – Tianzi Mountain Parking
• Shui Rao Si Men – Lower Bailong Elevator
• Top of Bailong Elevator – Yuanjiajie Rear Garden
• Laomo Bay – Huangshi Village Lower Cable Car

Start Your Zhangjiajie Tour with Us

Exploring Zhangjiajie

All of our tours are private and customizable, with no big bus nor fixed itineraries. But if you are not sure how to plan your Zhangjiajie Park tour and make it an extremely unique trip, maybe you can get some inspiration from our newly-designed sample itineraries. Or contact us and let our travel advisors help you plan your trip:

• 1-Day Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour - Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain
• 2-Day Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour - Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream, Yellow Stone Village
• Zhangjiajie Essence Scenery Tour - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Tianmen Mountain

Request a custom itinerary today and get one step closer to your personalized trip

Create Your Trip

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• Travel Destinations

One Day Guide To The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

Published: November 11, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Genovera Gurrola

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Welcome to Zhangjiajie National Park, a breathtaking natural wonderland located in the Hunan province of China. Known for its towering sandstone pillars and lush greenery, Zhangjiajie is recognized as China’s first national forest park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s stunning landscapes served as an inspiration for the fictional floating mountains in the movie Avatar, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

Zhangjiajie National Park covers an expansive area of over 1,500 square kilometers, housing various scenic areas like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and Tianzi Mountain. The park offers a myriad of opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, and immersing oneself in the beauty of nature.

Getting to Zhangjiajie National Park is relatively easy. The nearest major city is Zhangjiajie City, which is well-connected by domestic flights and trains from major cities in China. Once you arrive at Zhangjiajie City, you can easily access the park through a short bus or taxi ride.

Before embarking on your journey, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the entrance fees. The ticket prices vary depending on the specific areas you wish to visit within the park. It is recommended to purchase a combined ticket, which grants access to multiple scenic areas and is more cost-effective.

When it comes to accommodation, there are various options available near the park. From luxury hotels to guesthouses and hostels, you can choose accommodation that suits your budget and preferences. Staying near the park allows for easier access and an immersive experience in the natural surroundings.

It is worth noting that the weather in Zhangjiajie National Park can be quite unpredictable. The best time to visit is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the temperatures are moderate and the landscapes are vibrant. However, if you don’t mind the crowds, the summer season (July to August) offers lush green scenery and pleasant weather for exploring.

In the following sections, we will provide a one-day itinerary to help you make the most of your visit to Zhangjiajie National Park. Each section will outline the highlights of the specific areas you should explore, along with tips and recommendations to enhance your experience.

Getting to Zhangjiajie National Park

Getting to Zhangjiajie National Park is convenient, thanks to its well-developed transportation network. The nearest major city is Zhangjiajie City, which can be reached by air or train from various cities in China.

If you prefer to travel by air, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is the closest airport to the park. It offers flights to and from major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to the park, which is approximately a 30-minute drive away.

If you prefer a scenic train journey, Zhangjiajie Railway Station is well-connected to major cities across China. There are high-speed trains and regular trains available, offering a comfortable and efficient way to reach the city. From the railway station, you can take a short bus or taxi ride to the park, which is around 40 minutes away.

Once you arrive in Zhangjiajie City, there are several options for reaching Zhangjiajie National Park. The most convenient and popular way is by taking a bus. There are regular buses that operate between the city and the park. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic conditions.

Alternatively, you can also hire a taxi or use a ride-hailing service to reach the park. The advantage of taking a taxi is that it offers more flexibility in terms of time and stops along the way. However, it is important to negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand or make sure the meter is used.

Once you arrive at the park entrance, you will need to purchase an entrance ticket to access the different scenic areas. It is recommended to buy a combined ticket, which allows entry to multiple areas within the park and offers better value for money.

If you prefer a hassle-free experience, you can also book a guided tour or hire a local guide who can provide insights and assistance throughout your visit to Zhangjiajie National Park. They can help you navigate the park, provide information about the different areas, and ensure you make the most of your time there.

Overall, getting to Zhangjiajie National Park is relatively easy and offers various transportation options. Whether you choose to travel by air, train, bus, or taxi, you will have no trouble reaching this magnificent natural wonderland in the heart of China.

Entrance Fees

Before exploring the wonders of Zhangjiajie National Park, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the entrance fees. The ticket prices vary depending on the specific areas you wish to visit within the park.

Zhangjiajie National Park is divided into multiple scenic areas, each with its unique attractions and landscapes. Some of the popular areas include Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and Tianzi Mountain.

It is recommended to purchase a combined ticket that grants access to multiple scenic areas. This not only offers better value for money but also allows you to explore different parts of the park without needing to purchase separate tickets for each area.

The cost of the combined ticket may vary depending on the season. During peak seasons, such as spring and autumn, the ticket prices may be slightly higher compared to the off-peak seasons.

It is important to note that ticket prices are subject to change, so it’s advisable to check the official website or inquire at the park entrance for the most up-to-date information.

In addition to the entrance ticket, certain attractions within the park may have additional fees or require a separate ticket for entry. For example, the Bailong Elevator, which is a glass elevator that offers breathtaking views, requires an extra fee for a ride.

When purchasing the tickets, it’s recommended to bring cash as credit card payments may not be widely accepted. It’s also a good idea to carry small denominations of Chinese currency for convenience.

If you prefer a more immersive experience in the park, you can also consider purchasing a cable car ticket. The cable car offers a scenic ride and allows you to reach certain viewpoints and attractions more easily. However, please note that cable car tickets are separate from the entrance ticket and have their own pricing.

Overall, the entrance fees for Zhangjiajie National Park provide access to a wealth of natural beauty and unforgettable experiences. Remember to plan your visit accordingly and budget for the tickets to make the most of your time in this stunning natural paradise.

Accommodation Options

When visiting Zhangjiajie National Park, you have a range of accommodation options to choose from, catering to different budgets and preferences. Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels, cozy guesthouses, or affordable hostels, you’ll find something that suits your needs near the park.

For those seeking a luxurious and comfortable stay, there are several high-end hotels located in close proximity to Zhangjiajie National Park. These hotels offer spacious rooms, modern amenities, and often provide stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Some of these hotels even have direct access to the park, allowing for easy exploration.

If you prefer a more local and intimate experience, there are numerous guesthouses and boutique hotels available. These accommodations are often family-run and provide a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Staying in a guesthouse allows you to connect with the local culture and get personalized recommendations from the hosts.

For budget-conscious travelers, there are several hostels and budget hotels available near the park. These accommodations offer comfortable dormitory-style rooms or private rooms at affordable prices. While they may not have luxurious amenities, they provide a clean and convenient base for exploring the park.

It is important to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons, as rooms can fill up quickly. Online booking platforms and hotel websites are the easiest way to secure your preferred accommodation. Additionally, it’s a good idea to read reviews and check the location of the accommodation to ensure it is conveniently situated for your visit to Zhangjiajie National Park.

Staying near the park has its advantages, such as easy access to the entrance and the ability to enjoy the serene surroundings early in the morning or late in the evening. Some accommodations also offer shuttle services to the park, making it even more convenient for visitors.

In terms of amenities, many of the accommodations near Zhangjiajie National Park have on-site restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. Some may also offer facilities like spas, swimming pools, and fitness centers, providing opportunities for relaxation after a day of exploration.

Overall, the range of accommodation options near Zhangjiajie National Park ensures that every traveler can find a place to stay that suits their preferences and budget. Whether you’re looking for luxury, comfort, or affordability, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect accommodation for your visit to this stunning natural wonderland.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Understanding the weather and choosing the best time to visit Zhangjiajie National Park can greatly enhance your experience and ensure you make the most of your trip.

Zhangjiajie National Park experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by four distinct seasons.

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are considered the best seasons to visit the park. During this time, the temperatures are moderate, ranging from around 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). The weather is pleasant, and the landscapes are vibrant, with blooming flowers in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. These seasons are also less crowded compared to the peak summer months.

Summer (July to August) is the peak tourist season in Zhangjiajie National Park. The temperatures can reach as high as 30°C (86°F), and the humidity is relatively high. However, the lush greenery and dramatic landscapes make it a popular time to visit. It’s important to note that summer is also the rainy season, so be prepared for occasional showers and carry an umbrella or raincoat.

Winter (December to February) can be quite cold in Zhangjiajie National Park, with temperatures ranging from 0°C (32°F) to 10°C (50°F). While the park may not be as crowded during this time, the landscapes may not be as vibrant, and some trails may be closed due to icy conditions. However, if you don’t mind the cold weather, winter can offer a unique and tranquil experience in the park.

It’s recommended to check the weather forecast before your visit and pack accordingly. Dressing in layers is advisable, as the temperatures can vary throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to carry sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent, especially during the summer months.

Visiting the park during weekdays or outside of Chinese national holidays can help you avoid large crowds and have a more peaceful experience. Early morning and late afternoon are generally less crowded compared to the midday hours, so plan your itinerary accordingly to make the most of your time.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Zhangjiajie National Park depends on your preferences and priorities. Whether you’re looking for mild temperatures, vibrant landscapes, or a quieter experience, there is a season that will suit your needs. Regardless of the time of year, Zhangjiajie National Park is sure to leave a lasting impression with its stunning beauty and natural wonders.

One Day Itinerary

If you have only one day to explore Zhangjiajie National Park, don’t worry! With a well-planned itinerary, you can still experience the park’s highlights and create unforgettable memories. Here’s a suggested one-day itinerary to make the most of your visit:

Morning: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Start your day early and head to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the most iconic and picturesque area of the park. Take a shuttle bus to the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is the entrance to the park.

From there, ride the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, to reach Yuanjiajie. Marvel at the stunning sandstone pillars and breathtaking views that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

Continue your exploration by visiting the famous landmark called the Hallelujah Mountain, also known as the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. Immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere and enjoy the panoramic vistas.

Afternoon: Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

In the afternoon, make your way to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Take a shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain, known for its lofty peaks, picturesque ravines, and stunning panoramic views.

Explore the various viewpoints and walk along the trails that lead to unique rock formations, such as the Fairy Bridge and the West Sea Stone Forest. Along the way, you’ll be greeted by the awe-inspiring beauty of nature at every turn.

Don’t miss the famous “Heavenly Pillar” – a massive sandstone pillar resembling a towering monolith. Take a moment to capture the breathtaking scenery and soak in the serenity of this natural wonder.

Evening: Tianzi Mountain

As the day draws to a close, head to Tianzi Mountain for a magical experience. Take a cable car ride to the mountaintop and witness the sunset casting a mesmerizing glow over the landscape.

Stroll along the cloud-piercing walkways, admire the sea of clouds below, and marvel at the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the famous “Sea of Clouds” phenomenon.

As night falls, descend from Tianzi Mountain and make your way back to the park entrance. Reflect on the day’s adventures and appreciate the beauty of Zhangjiajie National Park illuminated by the night sky.

Tips for Exploring Zhangjiajie National Park

• Start your day early to make the most of your time in the park and avoid the crowds.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks for the day.
• Follow the designated trails and respect the natural environment by not littering.
• Use a map or hire a local guide to navigate the park and learn about its history and significance.
• Be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry a light jacket or raincoat.
• Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and memorable moments.

Remember, this one-day itinerary provides just a glimpse of the beauty and wonders of Zhangjiajie National Park. If possible, consider extending your stay to fully immerse yourself in this natural paradise and explore other scenic areas within the park.

With careful planning and a sense of adventure, your one-day visit to Zhangjiajie National Park will leave you with awe-inspiring memories that will last a lifetime.

As the sun rises over Zhangjiajie National Park, begin your day by exploring the enchanting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This stunning area is known for its towering sandstone pillars, verdant vegetation, and breathtaking vistas. To start your adventure, take a shuttle bus from the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the park’s entrance.

One of the highlights of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the famed Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, which served as the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. To reach this area, take a thrilling ride on the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, offering panoramic views as you ascend.

Once you arrive at Yuanjiajie, prepare to be amazed by the surreal beauty of the sandstone pillars that seem to emerge from the clouds. Explore Chengmen Trail, a scenic walkway that leads you through these majestic natural formations. Keep an eye out for landmarks like the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, a towering sandstone pillar that resembles an otherworldly monolith.

Continue your exploration by visiting the captivating Tianzi Mountain, which can be reached by shuttle bus. This area offers awe-inspiring vistas of deep ravines, jagged peaks, and ancient forests. Take a leisurely stroll along the various trails and viewpoints, immersing yourself in the natural wonders that surround you.

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the unparalleled beauty of the Fairy Bridge, an iconic rock formation that spans the abyss. As you wander through the misty forests and winding paths, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a mystical realm straight out of a fairy tale.

As you soak in the grandeur of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, take breaks at the various viewing platforms to capture the breathtaking scenery with your camera. It’s a perfect time to savor the tranquility and appreciate the harmony between towering pillars, lush vegetation, and cascading streams.

After a morning of exploration and immersion in the natural wonders of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, you can continue your journey to other areas of the park, such as Yuanjiajie Scenic Area or Tianzi Mountain, or venture into neighboring scenic spots like the Golden Whip Stream or Huangshi Village.

Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water and snacks for your morning adventure. Be mindful of the park’s rules and regulations, such as staying on designated trails and respecting the environment by not littering.

Embark on a captivating journey through Zhangjiajie National Forest Park during the morning hours, and discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its ethereal beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes.

As the sun reaches its zenith, it’s time to continue your Zhangjiajie National Park adventure by exploring the mesmerizing Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. This area offers a plethora of natural wonders, from towering sandstone pillars to lush forests and panoramic vistas. Hop on a shuttle bus from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to make your way to this enchanting destination.

Upon arrival at Yuanjiajie, be prepared to be immersed in a surreal landscape that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. Marvel at the awe-inspiring sandstone pillars, some of which reach heights of over 1,000 meters. Take a peaceful and scenic walk along the Chengmen Trail, which winds its way through these towering natural formations.

As you traverse the picturesque trails, keep an eye out for iconic landmarks that have become symbols of the area. One such landmark is the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, a towering pillar that resembles an otherworldly monolith. Its striking beauty and unique shape make it a favorite spot for capturing breathtaking photos.

Continue your exploration by visiting the captivating Tianzi Mountain, which can be reached by a short shuttle bus ride. The panoramic vistas from the mountaintop are simply breathtaking, offering sweeping views of deep ravines, jagged peaks, and sprawling forests.

Take your time to wander along the well-marked trails and visit various viewpoints, each providing its own unique perspective of the landscape. Be sure to stop by the Fairy Bridge, a stunning rock formation that spans the abyss, creating an ethereal sight that seems to defy gravity.

As you meander through Tianzi Mountain, you’ll be surrounded by a serene atmosphere and greeted with glimpses of nature’s beauty at every turn. Capture the magic of the moment in photographs or simply sit back and take in the breathtaking vistas of this picturesque mountain range.

As the afternoon draws to a close, savor the remaining moments in Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, savoring the tranquility of nature and reflecting on the wonders you have witnessed. If time allows, you may choose to venture into other areas of the park or simply find a serene spot to enjoy the beauty and serenity of your surroundings.

Remember to carry water, snacks, and sunscreen for a comfortable afternoon of exploration. As with all areas of Zhangjiajie National Park, be respectful of the environment and follow the park’s regulations to ensure the preservation of this natural wonder.

Explore the captivating landscapes of Yuanjiajie Scenic Area during the afternoon hours, and let the surreal beauty transport you to a magical realm that exists only in dreams.

As the day draws to a close, venture to Tianzi Mountain, the final stop on your journey through Zhangjiajie National Park. Renowned for its lofty peaks, breathtaking panoramic views, and ethereal beauty, Tianzi Mountain offers a magical setting to end your day of exploration.

Reach Tianzi Mountain by taking a shuttle bus from Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Upon arrival, ascend to the mountaintop by riding a cable car, enjoying the scenic ride and anticipation of the mesmerizing views that await you.

As you step onto the mountaintop, you’ll be greeted by a mystical atmosphere. Stroll along the walkways that seemingly pierce through the clouds, taking in the awe-inspiring vistas of deep ravines, towering peaks, and verdant valleys below.

Explore the various pathways and viewpoints that offer unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. From the Heavenly Pillar, a massive sandstone monolith that stands majestically against the sky, to the Sea of Clouds that blankets the valleys on misty evenings, the beauty of Tianzi Mountain will take your breath away.

As the sun begins its descent, witness the extraordinary display of colors that paint the sky during the sunset. The warm hues radiate over the landscape, transforming Tianzi Mountain into a dreamlike scene. Capture these magical moments with your camera or simply sit back and immerse yourself in the peaceful serenity of the surroundings.

As evening falls and darkness envelops the landscape, descend from Tianzi Mountain and make your way back to the park entrance. Reflect on the wonders you’ve witnessed throughout the day and appreciate the beauty of Zhangjiajie National Park illuminated by the night sky.

Take a moment to savor the tranquility of the park before bidding farewell to this magnificent natural wonderland. Whether you choose to pause at a peaceful viewpoint or find a quiet spot to reflect, allow yourself to immerse in the peace and serenity that Zhangjiajie National Park embodies.

Remember to check the operating hours of the cable car and shuttle buses to ensure a smooth return to the park entrance. Dress warmly, as the evenings can be cooler at higher elevations, and carry a flashlight or headlamp for added convenience as the sun sets.

End your day at Zhangjiajie National Park with a sense of awe and wonder, cherishing the memories of the enchanting landscapes and captivating beauty of Tianzi Mountain.

• Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, as the weather can change throughout the day.
• Carry a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated, especially during the warmer months.
• Bring snacks, as there may not be many food options within the park.
• Carry a map or use a navigation app to help you navigate through the park’s various scenic areas.
• Consider hiring a local guide who can provide insights into the park’s history, culture, and hidden gems.
• Take breaks at the various viewpoints to rest, take photos, and immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes.
• If photography is your passion, bring your camera and extra batteries to capture the park’s beauty.
• Be prepared for the weather conditions, as rain showers can occur, especially during the summer months. Carry a waterproof jacket or umbrella.
• Plan your visit during weekdays or outside of Chinese national holidays to avoid large crowds.
• Check the park’s official website or inquire at the entrance for any updates and information regarding closures or changes in operating hours.
• Respect the local customs and traditions and be mindful of the park’s regulations.

By following these tips, you can have a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable experience exploring Zhangjiajie National Park. Embrace the beauty of nature, immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes, and appreciate the rich biodiversity that makes this park a true gem in China.

Zhangjiajie National Park is a natural wonderland that captivates visitors with its towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and breathtaking vistas. From the iconic Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to the magnificent Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and the enchanting Tianzi Mountain, the park offers a range of awe-inspiring landscapes to explore.

Getting to Zhangjiajie National Park is relatively easy, with convenient transportation options from Zhangjiajie City. The park’s entrance fees are reasonable, and there are various accommodation options nearby to suit different budgets and preferences.

The best time to visit the park is during the spring and autumn seasons when the weather is mild, and the landscapes are vibrant. However, each season offers its own unique charm, from the lush greenery of summer to the tranquility of winter.

With a well-planned itinerary, you can make the most of your visit to Zhangjiajie National Park, exploring iconic areas in the morning like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, delving into the beauty of Yuanjiajie Scenic Area in the afternoon, and ending your day with the mesmerizing views of Tianzi Mountain. Throughout your journey, remember to follow park regulations, respect the environment, and embrace the tranquility of nature.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a photography enthusiast, Zhangjiajie National Park offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the wonders of the natural world. So, lace up your shoes, pack your camera, and embark on an adventure of a lifetime in this stunning natural paradise.

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Zhangjiajie Itinerary | The complete guide for 3 days in Zhangjiajie

One of the most mystical places we have ever been to, and our second favourite place in China after The Great Wall near Beijing, Zhangjiajie National Park and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area has to be right at the top of your must-visit places on a trip to China. Even though the place rose to fame as the inspiration for James Cameron in his blockbuster hit Avatar , this China landmark is still not on many tourists and travellers’ radar. Although over the next few years, we expect that to change, so make sure you visit it as soon as possible. You won’t regret it. To help you along – especially since most of the information out there is pretty confusing – we’ve put together this epic 3 days in Zhangjiajie guide for this UNESCO World Heritage site; our ultimate Zhangjiajie itinerary.

What is the Zhangjiajie National Forest?

Ok, the first thing that’s pretty important to understand is that when people talk about Zhangjiajie, they are generally referring to the absolutely stunning national park, but what’s really important to know is that there are two cities – Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan, that are located either side of the Wulinguan Scenic Area , in which sits the Zhangjiajie National Park (one of 4 main areas). The cities are about 45 minutes to an hour (traffic dependant) apart, and based on your Zhangjiajie itinerary, it’s key to choose the right location to base yourselves. We’ll delve a little deeper into that when we talk about accommodation…!

So what exactly is the Zhangjiajie National Forest? 

This is actually the first area that was discovered in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, with Tianzi Mountain , Yuanjiajie (the most famous section with the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains) and Yangjiajie making up the other 3 areas of the park. However, with it being the first discovered area, it’s the name that has really stuck and is far better known than the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

The whole park however offers breath-taking scenery, gravity-defying sandstone pillars and some of the best hiking that we have ever had the luck to explore.

Located in the northwest of the Hunan Province, the scenic and historic interest area spans across 400 square kilometres.

How long do I need in Zhangjiajie?

Although it depends on your general hiking ability and fitness levels, we believe that you need to give yourself at least 3 days to explore all the key sights and viewpoints in Zhangjiajie and Tianmen. Although this article outlines what is a bit of a whistle-stop Zhangjiajie itinerary, with pretty intense (but very achievable) routes for those 3 days, you could easily extend your stay in the area and do our suggested itinerary over a 5 day period if you wanted to do it in a more relaxed way.

And if you are even faster travellers than us, and can only dedicate one day to this incredible area, we would recommend that you take our day 1 itinerary – you’ll see the most famous sights.

What is the perfect Zhangjiajie itinerary?

• Day 1 | The Bailong Elevator, Avatar Mountains, Yangjiajie and Tianzi Mountain
• Day 2 | Golden Whip Stream & Huangshi Village
• Day 3 | Tianmen Mountain

How to get to Zhangjiajie National Park and Wulingyuan Scenic Area

So if you’re doing a much larger China itinerary, you’ll most likely be doing the more common loop from Beijing (check out our Beijing itinerary here ), Xi’an (we also have a Xi’an city guide ) and Chengdu – from here, we would recommend that you take a train to Changsha, stay the night in Changsha and then get the train to Zhangjiajie.

There are very much two different classes of train travel in China: the super modern, fast, clean efficient bullet trains that make major intercity journeys an absolute pleasure and in my opinion better than a flight. And then there are the more local intercity trains, which are waiting to be updated and if you’ve travelled in Asia, much more something you’ll be accustomed to facing. For the train from Changsha to Zhangjiajie you’re looking at the latter.

Booking trains in China is actually a relatively simple process. Unless you have a Chinese mobile, ID and understand Mandarin, you’ll need to use a third party supplier. We booked ours through China Highlights , which was a great service, they add a small mark up to the ticket prices, but it’s very easy to use. They also have a great app China Train Booking .

Helpful tip: You can pick up all your train tickets for travel at any mainline station in China. Just make sure you have the booking reference and your passport with you!

You can also take a bus directly from Fenghuang (the Ancient city of Phoenix), another popular stop on the tourist trail in China. The bus was very comfortable and took about 4 hours. We’d recommend that if you’re travelling in the busier summer holiday time (July and August) or around any major China holidays to book in advance. The best option seems to be China Bus Guide . However, although we did this journey in reverse (from Wulingyan bus station to Fenghuang) we were able to buy tickets at the bus station the day before we travelled.

If you’d like more advice on a full China itinerary, make sure you get in touch with us here , or leave a comment below and we’ll come back to you!

The obvious other alternative is to look into flights. Which, although more expensive than the train or bus options, is definitely faster and more convenient. Check out the latest prices on Skyscanner .

Travel Insurance for China

Got your travel insurance booked? We promise to never push a brand or product we don’t personally use, and the travel cover from Safety Wing is a policy we don’t just use, but we highly recommend. They offer some of the most flexible policies, amazing customer service and are affordable too.

Check out the latest travel insurance prices with Safety Wing here.

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie?

As we mentioned a little earlier in the article, it really is important to make sure that you base yourself in the right area. Zhangjiajie is actually a city (as most things are in China, surprisingly larger than we expected, with 1.5 million inhabitants). It is the location for the cable car to take you to Tianmenshan (Tianmen Mountain), which we suggest as part of day 3 of our Zhangjiajie itinerary, however, for days 1 & 2, you definitely will want to stay in Wulingyuan. Most of the accommodation options here are walkable to the main entrance of the Zhangjiajie National Park and it has much more of a feel of a small town, which is really nice.

As the drive from Zhangjiajie city to the park entrance is 45 minutes, we’d really recommend you stay in Wulingyuan, particularly if you are keen to get there early and beat the crowds to the best spots. The easiest way to get to Wulingyaun from Zhangjiajie is to take the bus from the main bus station, handily also located right next to the main train station.

Budget : Backpackers will like the Wuling Yuantu Youth Hostel – it’s right next to the Wulingyuan ticket office so very handy! It has free wifi and really lovely rooms, so worth a look in!

Mid-range: We stayed at the Maosao Family Hotel and really liked it. It was a quick walk to the main entrance to the park, had lovely rooms with wooden features and soft white sheets – we particularly thought the family rooms had great value.

Luxury : There are quite a few good high-end hotels in Wulingyuan but we’d probably pick the Pullman , also since it has one of the best restaurants with Western food!

Buying your tickets for Zhangjiajie National Park, Wulingyan Scenic Area and Tianmen Mountain

For tickets to Zhangjiajie National Park and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area:

You can buy your tickets at any of the main gates into the park. The best bet is to get to the main gate in Wulingyuan as early as you can, the ticket office opens at 7.00 am. It’s always worth carrying your passport with you at all times in China – at most of the major tourist attractions you will need it, and here is no different. Your tickets (credit card style passes) are linked to your ID, and on your first time through the turnstiles they link your fingerprint to your pass!

If you’re a student, it’s worth taking the relevant ID with you as you’ll also be entitled to some pretty good discounts.

Tickets cost: 248 RMB (35 USD / 27 GBP) – this is a 4 day pass that covers your entry, access to all 4 areas of the park and buses within the park. Note that there are additional costs for the Bailong Elevator (72 RMB / 10.25 USD / 7.80 GBP) and Cable Cars (79 RMB / 11.25 USD / 8.60 GBP).

Insider Tip: Join the local tour guides, jump the fence and you’ll get your tickets before anyone else. We did it and it meant we were on the first buses!

For tickets to Tianmen Mountain :

Chat to your accommodation and ask them to book your tickets in advance! They’ll need a photo of your passport which they send on to the ticket office to book your tickets, you will then collect the physical tickets. The ticket office is located at the base of the cable car, and there is a designated counter for pre-ordered tickets. There are morning or afternoon tickets available and you’ll definitely want to get yourself into one of the morning slots – the earlier you can get up Tianmen Mountain the better, as it can get quite busy by the afternoon.

There is a cable car that runs up to the top of Tianmen Mountain, and you’ll either be allotted a journey up on the cable car and down on the bus. Or vice versa. We would actually recommend asking for the bus up – it’s a relatively hairy drive up the mountain, with 99 hairpin turns in total, and although pretty exhilarating, it would be twice that on the descent.

Tickets for Tianmen Mountain cost: 261 RMB (37.25 USD / 28.40 GBP) and the ticket office opens from 7.00 am (note the park only opens from 8.00 am).

If you don’t feel so comfortable doing this itinerary without a tour guide, have a look at the various guided options with Get Your Guide .

Day 1 in Zhangjiajie

Ready to go and explore one of the most beautiful places in the world? Let’s kick off on the first day of your ultimate 3 day Zhangjiajie itinerary!

Bailong Elevator

So, get yourself up super early, get hold of your passes, and once in the main station, there are heaps of buses that ferry people around to all sections of the park. Point out that you want to go to the Bailong Elevator (also known as the Hundred Dragon Elevator) in the Yainjiajie section of the park and they’ll let you know which bus number to get on – it’s a relatively straight forward process, but with so many people and buses can appear quite confusing at first.

We managed to get onto the first bus of the day, and it was totally worth it! Once you arrive at the Bailong Elevator (the end of this bus line), you will need to purchase a ticket at the Bailong Elevator counters. There is an additional cost for the riding the elevator, but in our opinion it is totally worth it. The ticket price for this is: 72 RMB / 10.25 USD / 7.85 GBP.

Try and squeeze into the front of the elevator against the glass walls, face outwards and prepare yourself for the best lift ride of your life.

Tip: If you don’t get to the Bailong Elevator early, you can expect to queue for some time – we heard reports of people waiting a couple of hours to take the lift! So it’s really worth making the extra effort to be one of the first…

Avatar Mountains & Yuanjiajie

At the top of the Bailong Elevator, there is only one path that leads away, so you really can’t go wrong. Follow this path for about 400m where you’ll come to another bus station, where buses are waiting to take you along to the viewing platforms of the Southern Sky Column, the inspiration for the Avatar Mountains .

Along this walkway you’ll also encounter the First Bridge Under Heaven and the Lost Souls Platform. Each spot is amazing, and if you’re some of the first there in the morning, you get to experience this all without the crowds.

The walk should take you around 60 – 90 minutes depending on your speed and how much time you take to explore.

The next stop for the day is into the most recently discovered section of the park, Yangjiajie. There is a bus that will take you from the end of your walk in Yuanjiajie to Yangjiejie.

At the bus station, head out towards the Tianbo Mansion viewpoint. It’s about a 90 minute or so round trip, and you need to return here to move on to the next stop of the day. The walk to the viewpoint is really unique in that you’ll pass through the ancient Wulong Village, where you can still see the local traditional way of life.

Heading on past the village, you then come to a very narrow naturally formed crevice, where the mountain has split, it’s a decent hike up plenty of steps, but there are a number of places to stop and have a rest on the way.

At the end of the path there is the opportunity to climb (on some relatively rickety looking metal stairs), up to the top of one of the sandstone pillars, which offers beautiful views of the Natural Great Wall.

Tianzi Mountains

After returning to the Yangjiajie bus station, get on a bus for the journey to the Tianzi Mountains, this is the last section to explore for today. This for us provided two of the most ‘wow’ moments of the day. Firstly, and the bad wow, there’s actually a McDonalds at the summit of Tianzi Mountain!

But then for the amazing wow: Head past the McD’s and look for the Warrior Taming Horse lookout. This has to be, for us anyway, the best viewpoint on the mountain.

Keep exploring the tracks at the top, as there are stunning viewpoints everywhere, and once you’ve had your fill of idyllic scenery, we’d suggest that you walk all the way down. You can of course take the cable car back down, which is probably slightly easier on the knees. But, much to our surprise, the walk down was virtually deserted and we passed hardly anyone, except some poor souls who thought it would be a good idea to walk up Tianzi Mountain. No matter your fitness level, don’t attempt that!

There are a few café’s to stop at and get refreshments along the way, but the walk down really does provide different levels and perspectives of the sandstone pillars to appreciate. And you get to pass through the stunning Southern Heavenly Gate. You can’t go wrong if you keep following the signs towards the Ten Mile Natural Gallery.

Once at the base, you’ll see a tram that you can take along this approx. 2 mile journey (not actually 10 miles as the name suggests), or just walk down. Here there are buses that can take you back to the Wulingyuan park entrance.

Note: If you wanted to extend your itinerary, you could quite easily separate Tianzi Mountain into its own hike!

Day 2 in Zhangjiajie

The golden whip stream.

So today it’s not quite as important to be first to the Park entrance, as you don’t need to rush to beat the queues at the Bailong Elevator. However, follow exactly the same initial journey as the first day and get the bus towards the lift – you’ll be wanting to get off the bus at the stop beforehand, called the Golden Whip Stream. Make sure you mention this to your driver (or point it out on the map) and they’ll stop for you at the right spot. And it is still definitely trying to get to the start as early as you can!

The first part of today’s hiking is really gentle, as the Golden Whip stream takes you along the river that flows in the valley. The most rewarding part of this is that you get the complete alternative to yesterday’s views, looking up to the looming sandstone pillars.

The Golden Whip Stream should take an hour or so to complete. You’ll also likely to bump into a few monkeys, but worth noting that it’s good to steer clear of them, we saw them on someone’s back opening their bag, looking for food.

Huangshi Village

When you reach the end of the Golden Whip Stream – the interestingly named Oxygen Square – we’d suggest that you hike up to Huangshi Village. This is definitely the toughest section of our suggested itinerary as it is a pretty long climb up. And in general nothing but stairs… about 5,000 of them and a good 90 minutes of continuous stair climbing.

If you’re not keen on the hike up, you can also take a bus from Oxygen Square to the Huangshi Village cable car. You’ll pay extra for this ticket.

At the summit, we’d recommend that you take a walk around the entire mountain top, it’s meant to take around 3 hours in total, but in reality you can definitely do it a bit quicker. And it’s definitely worth the extra effort to walk all the way around – at the far side you see the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains from the reverse side.

After finishing the loop, head back down the stairs to Oxygen Square. It’s much quicker on the way down and only takes about an hour.

Once you’re back down, you can either head back along the Golden Whip Stream (if you have the energy) to catch the free bus back to the Wulingyuan entrance. Or alternatively you can exit the park here at the Forest Park Station exit, where you will find buses heading back to Wulingyuan bus station.

Note: you have to pay for this bus back to Wulingyuan but it’s not expensive at 20 RMB (2.85 USD / 2.20 GBP).

Day 3 in Zhangjiajie

Tianmen mountain.

If you are staying in Wulingyuan, make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get to the Cable Car Station in Zhangjiajie city, the buses depart for Zhangjiajie from Wulingyuan bus station and depart every 20-30 minutes from around 7.00am. If you point out to the bus driver that you want to get off at the Cable Car, the bus drivers are usually super helpful and will let you know when to get off, but it’ll be quite obvious as you’ll see the cable car.

99 Turns Bus Ride

Once you’ve got hold of your tickets from the cable car station, if you are heading up on the buses first (don’t worry if not, the information is just in reverse and you’ll like do the mountain first before walking the Stairway to Heaven), head out to the rear of the building and you’ll see a load of buses waiting to ferry people up. This is actually the first bus ride of two you take to get up Tianmen. But don’t worry – it’s really easy. The first bus take around 10 – 15 minutes to the start of the National Forest Park, from here you then walk up the steps and check in with your tickets, joining another queue (not very long) to take you on another bus up which drives you to the summit.

We’re a little confused as to why you need to transfer buses but that’s the process!

Photo credit: Eamon Hayes

The journey up Tianmen Mountain is a pretty wild ride. If you get motion sick, it’s worth having a tablet beforehand as you’re in for 99 hairpin turns to make it to the top. Apart from slightly hair-raising, it offers absolutely stunning views of the surrounding area.

Stairway to Heaven

After arriving at the bus station, you immediately see why this place is so important. Directly translated as ‘Gateway to Heaven’, in front of you lies a super impressive stairway, leading up to Tianmen Cave.

In total there are 999 steps, and although it’s daunting, you actually do the climb in next to no time! There are also plenty of areas that you can stop and have a seat on the way up! If you aren’t keen on attempting the climb, you can also take the escalator up instead that sits hidden to the right of the stairs.

At the summit of the Stairway to Heaven, you’re actually still quite a way from the top of Tianmen Mountain, but luckily there are escalators (7 of them from memory) that will take you all the way.

Walking the Mountain

Now at the top of the elevators, you now have a choice to either head out right or left, (to the East or West walkways) if, like us, you want to walk around the whole of the mountain. It is really worth doing this, as although it’ll take around 4 hours, the walk is not so strenuous.

If you head out to the East walkways first, they seemed to be less crowded than the West side, this may of course been due to our timings. Along the walk, you’ll encounter some seriously impressive walkways that jut out from the side of the mountain, and there are a couple of glass walkways that are really worth doing (even if you’re not great with heights). The first you’ll come to is the East Glass walkway, and although not as impressive as the West one, still very much worth doing. You pay an extra 5 RMB (0.70 USD / 0.55 GBP) but in reality this is the cost for the shoe covers to keep the glass clean.

If you are taking the Cable Car up, it would make more sense to head to the West walkways first, so you’re not doubling back on yourself.

After you arrive back near the start of your mountain top walk, you’ll reach the cable car – which is a great experience by itself. Once the longest cable car in the world, you have a 30 minute relaxing return journey all the way back to the original cable car station in Zhangjiajie.

If you have more energy than us, you could also squeeze another activity into day 3 of the itinerary! If so, check out our recommendations below of bonus activities to add. Although, to be honest, we were exhausted by the end of this!

We obviously did loads of hiking (up to 20km each day and much of that up and down), however, you definitely can use more buses and cable cars than we did which will be a little easier on the legs. If you are planning on doing loads of hiking, it’s definitely worth getting a leg massage in Wulingyuan – it really eases the aches and loosens the muscles for the next day’s adventure!

Read next: Here is our perfect 2 weeks in China itinerary and travel guide!

When is the best time of year to visit Zhangjiajie?

Zhangjiajie weather follows much of the northern hemisphere, in that it has the classic four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Winters can get down to freezing, but would offer stunning views, and is the quietest time of year. Summer can get pretty hot (over 30 degrees). And between May and August are the wettest months! But in a place that experiences over 200 days of rain or misty clouds, make sure that you take waterproof clothing regardless of when you go.

The best time of year – think less humid, warm but not hot and less chance of rain – are April and October. We were there in September and had wonderful weather, although quite humid on two days with the final day quite misty. The Chinese holiday months of July and August are also the busiest, so likely that accommodation costs will be higher, and the parks fuller.

Top tip: Don’t forget that the temperatures can be quite a bit colder on the mountain tops, so be prepared!

Bonus Activities to add to your Zhangjiajie itinerary

Yellow Dragon Cave

Just a short bus ride from Wulingyuan (20 minutes) is this enormous karst cave network, covering 100, 000 square metres. The Yellow Dragon Cave (or ‘Huanglongdong’ in Chinese) is a massive cave complex featuring a reservoir, underground waterfalls, pools and two underground rivers. Yes, China really does it bigger and better!

Some of the world’s largest stalactites and stalagmites form inside the cave, and it’s a really interesting journey to see them, and all the attractions which are illuminated in bright colours. That said, it can feel a little touristy – the many hued lights and many other visitors mean this is quite a commercial experience.

As to the journey itself, you’ll do parts of it by foot and the others through a 800m long boat cruise on the Xiangshui River. All of it is guided, and takes about 90 minutes.

At time of writing, it cost 100 RMB (14.30 USD / 11 GBP) for the ticket, and only 1 RMB for the bus which is Bus No 1 from Wulingyuan Bus Station.

Photo Courtesy of Bill Hertha / Flickr

Baofeng Lake

As most of your time in Zhangjiajie and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area is about mountains and glass walkways, its worth doing something more water-based, like Baofeng Lake. This lake is 72 metres deep and about 2.5 km long, flanked by beautiful steep peaks. The water is incredibly clear and reflects the surrounding area, making this a beautiful, peaceful place to visit.

While you’re there, you can also do a scenic boat ride where you’ll take in the mountains to the tune of local singers performing Tuljia songs. You can also get off the boat and explore the fountains and a waterfall, via a short hike.

It costs about 96 CNY (14.70 USD / 11 GBP) and you get there via Bus No 1 from the Wulingyuan Bus Station.

Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge

Last but definitely not least is the Grand Canyon and the Glass Bridge. These are technically two separate ‘attractions’ in that you can pay for them separately, or a combo ticket – more on that below.

The absolutely beautiful canyon is perfect for walking and hiking – you take wooden trails over a 3-4 hour hike, starting with the mind-blowing Strip of Sky, a long gap between two mountain cliffs where only one person fits at a time. You’ll walk a 700 meter long trail down to the bottom, before traversing through the canyon where you can also try your hand at the Sky Ladder Plank Road and the Southern Red Flag Canal, a beautiful canal that powers the nearby villages.

But it is the glass bridge that really attracts most visitors. The bridge (which shouldn’t be confused with the glass walkways on Tianmen mountain), is the world’s longest and highest glass bridge. Called ‘Yuntiandu’ it means ‘a way of clouds to the sky’ since it seems almost suspended in the air. The entire thing is transparent glass, giving you a heart racing view down to the bottom of the canyon.

It costs 118 RMB (16.80 USD / 13 GBP) for just the Grand Canyon, CNY 138 (20 USD / 15 GBP) for just the Glass Bridge and CNY 219 (31.30 USD / 24 GBP) for the combo ticket, at time of writing. From Wulingyuan bus station you take the bus to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon which takes 20 minutes.

Zhangjiajie Travel Tips – What to pack for your Zhangjiajie Itinerary

You’ll definitely want to make sure you’ve got a decent day bag to take with you. We love our Osprey day bag and find it perfect for everything we need to carry on a day trip. But what are the essentials to include?

• Water bottle. Throughout China, the tap water isn’t drinkable. Do yourself a favour and get a LifeStraw – it’ll save you money in the long run and it’s good for the planet.
• Camera. The most important thing in our opinion. The landscapes are truly out of this world.
• Waterproof jacket or poncho. It can be cloudy and rainy up on the mountain, more likely than not. So make sure that you’ve got something that keeps you dry.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses. On the other hand, it can be surprisingly hot up there. We were really lucky that we had two sunny hot days.
• Snacks . You’ll want to take some good snacks for the walks, there are limited options on the mountains away from the main cable car stations.
• Great hiking shoes! If you’re like us and you want to explore, make sure you’re wearing a comfy pair of shoes, we walked on average of 20km each day, and a lot of that is steps. You can of course do less of the hiking, but it’s the best way to get away from the crowds. We love our Salomon XA Pro 3D .
• Tissues or toilet paper . You never know if there’s going to be any toilet paper on that bathroom break!

What apps should I use in Zhangjiajie?

We’ve actually created a super handy guide to all the apps that you need for travelling in China – check that out here . That said, here are some of the crucial ones:

Most importantly, make sure that you get a good VPN – it’s the most important app to have on your phone, otherwise you won’t be able to use most of the day to day programs that you are used to using. Think no Google, no Facebook, no WhatsApp, no Instagram etc… you get the picture.

We’d strongly recommend that you pick ExpressVPN . We used both that and its biggest competitor NordVPN , and found that on speeds and access, ExpressVPN just comes out slightly ahead – but both are great products!

And download the VPN and other apps before you go. Play Store won’t be available in China (without a VPN).

The other key apps that we’d recommend that you download:

• Taxi service. Uber (and our Southeast Asia favourite, Grab), don’t work in China. However, China does have their own equivalent which is pretty much the same –  DIDI Chuxing .
• Maps. So for hiking routes, we love Maps.Me , as a lot of the routes are on here, when they don’t appear on Google Maps. You can also download regional and very detailed offline maps which means that even if you have no internet, you are always able to find your way around. It works on GPS positioning, which doesn’t require 3G connectivity. Quite useful in the mountains of Zhangjiajie!
• Translation. The most tricky thing about travelling in China is definitely the language barrier. Unlike the rest of South East Asia, English is pretty much not spoken outside the major cities. So it’s worth having Google Translate in your pocket. They also have a handy offline version for Chinese so you don’t need the internet to work it either.

What camera equipment and other gear do we use?

We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.

• Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
• Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
• GoPro: Hero 7 Black
• GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
• GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
• Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
• Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
• Powerbank: Anker Powercore
• Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
• Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
• Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
• Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
• Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4

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Thank you for suggestions, but honestly interesting that express came up a better, I’ve used them in the past and I had some trouble, of course, their support helped me out from time to time, but even then its a bit more expensive. Switched out to NordVPN eventually when they released the Christmas deal. Anyways, I’m going to travel through there, and I’m really excited about it.

Absolute pleasure! And definitely do let us know if you need any other advice! Enjoy it and we’d love to hear back from you, if you have any recommendations to add after you’ve visited Zhangjiajie.

In terms of the VPN, it’s a real toss up between the two services. I was actually all for NordVPN before China, but it just pipped it on performance there (most of the time).

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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Travel Guide

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: July 29, 2023

Categories China , Travel Guides

Zhangjiajie is where you will find the absolutely beautiful landscapes made famous by the movie, Avatar. We are particular fans of nature and absolutely love visiting national parks around the world.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park  is definitely up there with the likes of Zion National Park, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon – the scenery is spectacular!

We didn’t know Zhangjiajie National Park existed until we ran into Australian and British backpackers in Guilin who raved about how amazing the place is.

We travelled to Zhangjiajie from Guilin by train , which took approximately 9 hours.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park  Travel Guide

Zhangjiajie National  Forest Park  has an entrance fee of 245 CNY  per person which allows you four days of consecutive entry into the park.

There is plenty of things to do and see in the National Park and you could easily spend four days in the park without getting bored if you have the time.

However, if you are short on time, most hotels in the area recommend spending at least 2 days in the National Park.

How to get to the National Park from Zhangjiajie City?

Most people traveling to the area first arrive in Zhangjiajie City. The two main entrances to the National Park are the Zhangjiajie National Park entrance and the Wulingyuan entrance.

The Zhangjiajie National Park entrance

As we were staying in Zhangjiajie , we used the Zhangjiajie National Park entrance to enter the park every day. To get to here, take a bus from the main bus station in Zhangjiajie City to the National Park. It costs 12 CNY and takes around 1 hour to reach the park. From this entrance, you can also reach Wulingyuan for 10 CNY.

The Wulingyuan park entrance

Wulingyuan is 1.5 hours from Zhangjiajie City and costs 20 CNY in a bus. Many people prefer to stay in the town of  Wulingyuan after they arrive in Zhangjiajie City due to its close proximity to one end of the National Park.

As the buses in this area of China are not numbered, it is helpful to have the Chinese characters of where you want to go. Here is the Chinese for the following:

• Zhangjiajie National Park – 张家界国家公园
• Wulingyuan  – 武陵源
• Zhangjiajie  –  张家界

How to navigate Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a big area spanning 4,810 ha (11,900 acres).

As it is a large area, there are a variety of different transport options in the Park including buses, trams, cable cars and the longest outdoor elevator in the world.

The buses are complimentary and are in included in your entrance fee however, the cable cars & elevator cost an additional fee.

The price of the cable cars is around 76 CNY (varies marginally cable car to cable car) & the elevator is 72 CNY. This can be quite an expense if you wish to visit the park for 4 consecutive days.

The only other choice is to hike. Every part of the Zhangjiajie National Park is accessible by hiking.

We preferred to hike as the park is very busy and hiking gives you an opportunity to enjoy the views without hordes of tourists around.

What are the best things to do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

There are a lot of things to do Zhangjiajie – you could easily spend 4 days in the Park. Here are what we think are the ‘must see’ attractions in the Park.

1. Walk the Golden Whip Stream & 10 Mile Gallery

This is relatively easy and flat walk along the river’s edge which takes over two hours one way from the Zhangjiajie Forest National Park entrance.

There is absolutely stunning scenery in the area and if you are a monkey fan, the river bank is absolutely infested with monkeys!

You can even see them swimming in the river in the summer months which is pretty cool to observe.

Continue this walk to the Ten-mile gallery, admiring the views at the Three Sisters Peak and exit the park via the Wulingyuan park entrance.

This walk can also be completed in the opposite direction.

2. Check out Huangshi Villlage  

We hiked to Huangshi Villlage from the Zhangjiajie National Park entrance. It is 90 minutes of walking straight uphill, stairs all the way up.

It is safe to say, it is not an easy walk but we definitely felt accomplished when we reached the top.

Despite being a hard hike, we enjoyed taking breaks to the many monkeys playing in the trees overhead. For people who do not want to hike, catch the free bus to the Lower Station of Huangshi Cableway.

From here, catch the Huangshi Village Cableway to the Huangshi Villlage. At the top, there are absolutely gorgeous views from many different vantage points.

If you are not too exhausted when you reach the top, you can take a 3 hour walk around the area.

Some people chose to take the cable car up and walk down which is definitely a good option for older people or people with kids. The hike downhill is only 60 minutes and relatively easy.

3. Admire the Avatar views at Yuanjiajie

We hiked to Yuanjiajie from the Zhangjiajie National Park entrance.

To reach the start of this hike, start walking down the Golden Whip Stream, keep right, do not cross the bridge and walk until you see stairs going uphill.

The area is not well signed. The pictures below show you which way to go if you wish to hike.

From the stairs, it is a 60 minute hard walk uphill until you reach the town. From here, there is a walk along the cliffside with picturesque avatar views.

Make sure you see The National Bridge, The Hallelujah Mountain vantage points and the Enchanted Garden.

Alternatively, if you don’t feel like walking you can catch the free bus from the Zhangjiajie Forest park entrance to the Yangjiajie cableway and head up that way.

Once you get off the cableway, get a bus 10 minutes down the road to Tianqiao Stop to begin your scenic walk.

On the way down, if you don’t want to take the cable, you can walk (much easier than the way up) or alternatively catch the bus to the Bailong Elevator and head back down that way if you are staying in Wulingyuan.

4. Hike around Yangjiajie Scenic area

The Yangjiajie Scenic area either requires you to walk up the same way as to Yuanjiajie and catch a free bus from the Tianqio Stop to the Yangjiajie cableway to start your hike or catch the cable car straight up.

The views in this area are fantastic but in our opinion not as nice as those at Yuanjiajie if you are pressed for time.

How to get to Zhangjiajie?

Zhangjiajie train.

Zhangjiajie is a little bit of an isolated location so traveling by train is probably the most convenient option.

We traveled from Guilin to Zhangjiajie by train and wrote a guide about it. The journey took approximately 11 hours.

We wrote a guide about how to get from  Zhangjiajie to Chengdu (where you see gorgeous pandas in China ). By train the journey is around 12 hours.

Zhangjiajie Flights

If you are not a fan of train travel flying is your next option. We discuss how to fly to / from Zhangjie here .

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie?

If your visit to Zhangjiajie is to visit Zhangjiajie National Park, you have three choices as to where to stay:

• Zhangjiajie – 1 hour outside the Park;
• Wulingyuan  – 1.5 hours from Zhangjiajie City, Park entrance 1km from Wulingyuan bus station; or
• Zhangjiajie Forest park entrance – Directly at the park, 1 hour from Zhangjiajie City, 30 minutes from Wulingyuan

As arrived by train at 11pm at night, we decided to stay in Zhangjiajie City at the Art Hotel .

This hotel was clean, comfortable and very modern with a fantastic wifi speed (very unusual for China). We only paid 170 CNY a night ($25 USD).

The 9.8 review score the hotel boasts on booking.com is definitely a true representation of the quality of the hotel. The hotel also has a very nice common area and some pretty cute cats to play with.

Other activities to do in the Zhangjiajie area?

We preferred to spend all our time in the National Park as there is a lot to do & see and we didn’t feel as though the other attractions in the area would be as good.

However, if you have more time, consider adding Tianmen Mountain and the Glass Bridge into your itinerary.

• Tianmen Mountain is best accessed & is located directly in Zhangjiajie City. It costs 250 CNY to enter for a day pass which includes the cable car but does not include its main attraction, the Glass Bottom Cliffside Path. The views from the top look beautiful but are essentially just gorgeous mountain views which we have seen elsewhere in the world. We decided to opt out of this day in favour of spending more time in the National Park with the unique avatar views.
• The Glass Bridge is located a 45 minute drive from Zhangjiajie City & costs 138 CNY to enter. Many tourists are underwhelmed by this attraction as, despite its claims, it is not a completely glass bridge or as scary as it claims.

We hope this guide helped you plan your trip to Zhangjiajie National Park and that you love it as much as we did! Leave a comment below if you have any questions or anything to add about visiting Zhangjiajie National Park.

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MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

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Jordan Bohlen

Tuesday 3rd of April 2018

When you hiked yuanjiajie on day 3, you said you "rom the stairs, it is a 60 minute hard walk uphill until you reach the town." what do you mean by town? is it the same as huangshi village? or another place?

Nadia & Mike

Wednesday 4th of April 2018

If you take the route in option 3 above (Yuanjiajie) there is a touristy little town at the top. This is where lots of tourists are dropped. There are stores selling meat on sticks and other assorted goodies. It smells amazing but is super busy.

The town on this hike is not Huangshi Villlage which is tranquil and has more traditional buildings but not stores/food stalls.

Hope this helps and thanks for reading :)

Enjoy Zhangjiajie!

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Getting around Zhangjiajie

The well-known Zhangjiajie is a small city in fact located in the northwest of Hunan Province. After reading how to get to Zhangjiajie from other major destinations of China, were you wondering how to get around Zhangjiajie to its super fascinating attractions?

There are many breathtaking attractions scattering around Zhangjiajie, such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain, Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave and so on. This updated Zhangjiajie transportation guide shows the most comprehensive and convenient ways to transfer to the destinations you love. Take your time to check now!

Means of Transportation in Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (张家界中心汽车站), close to Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Ticket Station, is the only long distance bus station with regular coaches to nearby Yangjiajie Scenic Area, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and surrounding scenic spots like Fenghuang Ancient Town.

Location & Detailed Address: Guanli Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City (张家界市永定区官黎路)

Transportation: It is about 6 kilometers to Tianmen Mountain (about 15 minutes by driving) and about 29 kilometers to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (about 40-50 minutes by driving).

Traveling around Zhangjiajie by taxi is convenient and inexpensive. Flag down fare is 5 Yuan within 1.6 km, 1.6 Yuan per km for extra distance. It is very convenient to take taxi anywhere in the city to Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport and costs only about 15-20 Yuan. Do ask the drivers run the meter if you take a taxi.

Buses are available in Zhangjiajie, running between Zhangjiajie downtown area, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, Zhangjiajie Railway Station, Tujia Minority Folk Park, Puguang Buddhist Temple at a very cheap price.

Zhangjiajie Attractions Map

Click to Jump to:

By Cable Car

Each of the tourist spots in Zhangjiajie is a huge system, especially when it comes to Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain & Yangjiajie) and Tianmen Mountain . Inside Wulingyuan Scenic Spot, there are hiking, free sightseeing buses and extra-charged Bailong Elevator and 3 cable car lines for your choice. And to go uphill and downhill the Tianmen Mountain, you could ride the 99 bends sightseeing bus or Tianmen Mountain Cable Car.

Know more details of Zhangjiajie Cable Cars >>

Get to Major Attractions in Zhangjiajie

Get to zhangjiajie national forest park.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a large tourist spot which worth about at least 2-3 days for your exploration. There are five entrances that you can enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, including Forest Park Ticket Station (森林公园门票站), Wujiayu Ticket Station (吴家峪门票站), Zimugang Ticket Station (梓木岗门票站), Yangjiajie Ticket Station (杨家界门票站) and Tianzi Mountain Ticket Station (天子山门票站). Among them, Forest Park Ticket Station and Wujiayu Ticket Station are mostly used entrances. Most of the coach would stop at Forest Park Ticket Station.

You could check for more details at Zhangjiajie Airport to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Zhangjiajie Railway Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park .

(Note: The above information are for reference only. The real driving time and fees may vary based on the real situation.)

Recommended Tour:

>> 3 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour

Get to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Many travelers would like to spend half day experiencing the Longest Glass Bridge in the world and some of them would combine Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with the thrilling Glass Bridge experience in one go. The distance between Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and the downtown area is about 60 kilometers.

>> 4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge

Get to Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain is just about 6 kilometers south of Zhangjiajie downtown area. While travelers would take the longest cable car in Asian (7455 meters) in its downtown area, close to Zhangjiajie Railway Station. That means travelers don’t need to extend 6 KM to the foot of the Tianmen Mountain and they can experience the amazing cable car journey up to the mountain.

>> 4 Days Zhangjiajie Tour to Yuanjiajie & Tianmen Mountain National Park

Get to Baofeng Lake

Baofeng Lake features emerald waters and is surrounded by forested mountains. It is situated close to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park at its east side. It is about 3 kilometers from Wulingyuan Town.

Get to Yellow Dragon Cave

Yellow Dragon Cave , also called Huanglong Cave, is just like an underground “magical palace”, featuring a wide cave, deep and secluded underground rivers, hanging waterfalls and dense stone bamboo shoots. It is located on the way between Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

>> 4 Days Zhangjiajie Classic Discovery Tour

Get around Zhangjiajie

As you know, there are many stunning attractions in Zhangjiajie City worth 3 to 5 days’ visiting. If you have more time, you can also pay a visit to the famous Fenghuang Ancient Town, Furong Ancient Town, Yongshun Laosicheng Tusi Site, etc. The transportation to each site would be a little complicated and it is recommended to use our private car service with experienced driver taking to the destinations you want to go.

Know more about Zhangjiajie Cable Cars >>

Get to Fenghuang Ancient Town

Fenghuang Ancient Town , about 200 kilometers away from Zhangjiajie downtown area, is taking about 3-3.5 hours’ for the transfer. Many travelers choose to visit Fenghuang Ancient Town after their Zhangjiajie city tour. It usually takes for 2 days back and forth.

To know more detailed transportation plan between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang, please go ahead to check How to Transfer between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town .

>> 5 Days Classic Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Tour

Get to Yongshun Laosicheng Tusi Site

Yongshun Laosicheng Tusi Site is located at the southeast side of Zhangjiajie, about 84 kilometers away, taking about 2 hours for driving. To successfully get to Laosicheng Tusi Site , travelers can first take long distance bus from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to Yongshun Bus Station. And then hire a local car to the site. For the complicated transportation, it is highly recommended to use our private car service to go directly from Zhangjiajie to Laosicheng if you want to visit.

How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour

Zhangjiajie is an incredible place with absolutely beautiful landscape under heaven. Travelers usually spend 3 to 5 days in and around Zhangjiajie . There is no doubt that Wulingyuan National Forest Park is the highlight of all the stunning attractions which needs to spend 2 days inside. If you have one more day, you should add Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge Experience or Tianmen Mountain into the trip. Some travelers choose to visit Yellow Dragon Cave or Baofeng Lake for one day.

If you want to enjoy the antique beauty of ancient town, Fenghuang Ancient Town is the best choice for one to two days' escape. And, you can also consider of Fanjingshan Mountain to see the mushroom stone and odd mountains.

Most travelers would add Zhangjiajie into their longer China trip and you can go with Beijing , Xian , Shanghai , Yangtze River Cruise, Guilin, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing and more. To customize your China tour with Zhangjiajie, just feel free to tell us your likes and demands, and we are here ready to help you at any time! Tailor make your China tour with China Discovery now!

Travel Zhangjiajie with China Discovery

To help you enjoy a worry-free trip to Zhangjiajie and the whole China, we suggest you travel with China Discovery. Our experienced travel expert will help you arrange the accommodation, transportation and everything well to let you spend all your effort and time on the sightseeing. If you have any other ideas or questions about your Zhangjiajie tour, please feel free to contact us . We will help you plan your enjoyable trip with sincerity and professionalism!

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable trips to Zhangjiajie for the past few years. Among them Mr. Elie & his wife from Belgium enjoyed 5 days in Zhangjiajie during their 69 days China trip customized with us and shared us their travel story . Travel with China Discovery to create your wonderful Zhangjiajie trip memories!

Read More about Zhangjiajie Transportation

• How to Get to Zhangjiajie
• Flights to Zhangjiajie
• Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains
• Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang
• Chengdu to Zhangjiajie
• Guilin to Zhangjiajie
• Shanghai to Zhangjiajie
• Beijing to Zhangjiajie
• Hong Kong to Zhangjiajie
• Xian to Zhangjiajie
• Changsha to Zhangjiajie

Useful Zhangjiajie Travel Articles

• Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
• Top 14 Zhangjiajie Attractions
• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Wulingyuan Scenic Area
• Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
• Zhangjiajie Hiking
• Zhangjiajie Weather & Seasons
• Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie
• Latest Zhangjiajie Maps
• Zhangjiajie Food
• Zhangjiajie FAQs & Tips
• Zhangjiajie Travel Guide

Keep Readings on Zhangjiajie Tours

• How to Plan A Zhangjiajie Tour
• How to Spend 2 Days in Zhangjiajie
• How to Spend 3 Days in Zhangjiajie
• How to Spend 4 Days in Zhangjiajie
• How to Spend 5 Days in Zhangjiajie
• Top Zhangjiajie Tours
• Zhangjiajie Classic Tour
• Zhangjiajie + Glass Bridge
• Zhangjiajie + Tianmen Mountain
• Zhangjiajie + Fenghuang Tour
• Zhangjiajie + Fanjingshan Tour
• Beijing Zhangjiajie Tours
• Shanghai Zhangjiajie Tours
• Xian Zhangjiajie Tours

Recommended Zhangjiajie Tours

Top 3 Zhangjiajie tours chosen by most customers to explore Zhangjiajie in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

5 Days Amazing Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour

Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang / Zhangjiajie

5 Days Zhangjiajie Ultimate Tour with Glass Bridge & Tianmen Mountain

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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Review

Verified Booking

Zhangjiajie national forest park.

It is worth the whole family to go, the transportation is convenient, and there are many foods around! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Very worth going, a good place for the whole family to travel, convenient food and accommodation around. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Very worth a visit, the surrounding food accommodation environment is good, the air is good! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Zhang jia jie national park is beautiful, amazing place to visit! however extremely tiring throughout the day as theres alot of walking. really love the park. however, it gets really crowded in the morning, do be prepared.

Amazing scenery for nature lovers. If its on your bucket list, do it when you're strong. The challenge of walking around is a great experience.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, with an area of 4810 hectares. It was approved and established in 1982 and is now a national scenic spot. The park is known for its unique quartz sand peak forest landscape, integrating Xiong, Qi, You, Wild and Show, and has opened up tourist routes such as Huangshizhai, Jinbianxi, Dianzizhai, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. There are buses in the city to reach the above scenic spots.

Really an amazing place with fresh air and awesome view! but do expect abit of a climb there so better to wear something comfortable, especially a pair of suitable shoes!! there are pitstops selling climbing sticks and gloves as well so no need to be afraid of being underprepared!glass bridge was just a short walk and the sides and covered and opaque for those afraid of heights!

I love everything about this place. Location was great. The staff has been so helpful, helped us book the entrance tickets before we get there and guided us how to visit the park. They have a lot of info about the Park,Glass bridge and Tianmen mountain. It was excellent for planning trip in Zhangjiajie

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10 Most Beautiful National Parks To Visit Around The World

N ational parks are some of the best attractions in the world that travelers should visit, as they have everything needed for an exciting experience. Besides the incredible scenery they offer, most national parks offer opportunities for a wide range of adventures.

While the national park phenomenon started in the US, there are so many amazing national parks around the world today that also come with showstopping scenery and lots of adventures. That said, the best national parks in the world tend to be the most scenic.

So, without further ado, here are the most beautiful national parks around the world that are worthy of reigning as the "best" in terms of scenery, beauty, and dramatic landscapes, and each offers unique sights, attractions, and things to do.

Related: Ultimate Hiking Bucket List: 10 Best Hikes You Can Do In The U.S.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is among the world's most beautiful national parks that every traveler should visit. It's so striking that it actually inspired one of the most famous movies in the world.

Established in the 1980s, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is known for its otherworldly and unique landscape that makes it appear like a floating mountain up in the sky when viewed from a distance, with its pointed rocks sticking towards the sky and separated by white clouds. Indeed, those dramatic terrains may look familiar to those who've seen the Avatar films. The fictional world of Pandora in the movie was inspired by the "floating" rocks of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

Also, the park is known for its three glass skywalks, of which one of them has been confirmed as the highest and longest in the world. Travelers can take a thrilling walk along the glass skywalks and have a look down at the green forests beneath the spiking rocks.

• Location: Hunan Province, Central China
• Things to do: Hiking, mountain climbing, cable car rides

Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

Glacier National Park is among the most beautiful national parks in the US. It's a 1,583-square-mile park that features melting glaciers, stunning alpine meadows, and beautiful valleys.

The park is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, as well as gorgeous lakes and towering mountains, which all combine to make it incredibly beautiful and packed with adventures.

• Location: Northwestern Montana
• Things to do: wildlife watching, hiking, camping

Goreme National Park and Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Turkey

Goreme National Park and Rock Sites of Cappadocia is one of the world's natural wonders with spellbinding scenery. The area is known for its unique rock formations and caves, which were sculpted by erosion.

The area is also known for its underground cities and cave dwellings which date to the 4th century BC. All these amazing qualities have made the park to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors to the area will surely feel like they are on a different planet.

• Location: Cappadocia, Turkey
• Things to enjoy: Hot air balloon rides, hiking

Related: 10 Interesting Facts About Cappadocia (That You May Not Know)

Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Snowdonia National Park is one of the most popular attractions in Wales that travelers must not miss out on. The park is the largest and oldest national park in Wales, and it is known for its mountains, valleys, and blossoming trees and plants that carpet the entire area.

It also has gorgeous lakes and refreshing waterfalls that also add to its appeal. So whether travelers are seeking amazing natural scenery or adventures, this park has everything to satisfy everybody and consistently ranks among the most beautiful national parks in Europe.

• Location: Northern Wales
• Things to enjoy: Hiking, mountain climbing, exploring castles

Chubu Sangaku National Park, Japan

Located in the Chubu region of Japan, Chubu Sangaku National Park is known for many incredible sights, from beautiful flowers to towering mountains and amazing wildlife. The park is stunning at any time of the year, but fall is the best time to see the park at its most colorful.

Activities like wildlife watching, hiking, mountain climbing, and more can be done here, and the scenery is what makes these activities even more satisfying.

• Location: Chubu region, Honshu, Japan
• More things to do: Skiing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, cave exploration

Triglav National Park, Slovenia

The Triglav National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Europe and one that offers incredible natural scenery. Here, visitors will be met with the towering 2,846-meter-tall Triglav mountain as well as beautiful lakes, stunning waterfalls, and gorgeous forest areas.

It is an ideal place to enjoy a vacation filled with natural scenery and exciting adventures.

• Location: Slovenia
• Things to do: Hiking, camping, mountain climbing

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Yellowstone is the oldest national park in the world and also one of the most beautiful. The park is home to several natural wonders, from an abundance of geysers and hot springs to rich wildlife, mountains, lakes, and canyons. Some of the more interesting animals in Yellowstone to see include bison and big horn sheep, which are striking to see in person.

Overall, this park is a great place for nature photography, and there are also plenty of other exciting activities to do here, like hiking and biking.

• Location: Wyoming
• Top things to see: Old Faithful geyser, big horn sheep, Grand Prismatic Spring - the largest hot spring in the US, Bison, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

There are actually many unique and strange things found in Yellowstone National Park that make it just as fascinating as it is gorgeous.

Related: Yellowstone In Fall: See Wildlife Patterns, Foliage & More

Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

Chile is home to many amazing national treasures , and Torres Del Paine National Park is at the top of the list. This park is home to lakes, glaciers, mountains, rivers, and rich plant and animal life. Here, visitors will not just enjoy natural scenery with mountains and lakes but also plenty of opportunities for exciting activities like hiking and bird watching.

There are also several hotels and campsites in and around Torres Del Paine National Park for those who want to stay close to all the scenery (and its scenery is the reason it's among the most beautiful national parks in South America).

• Location: Magallanes Region, Chile
• More things to do: Camping, Wildlife watching

Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Plitvice National Park is the most stunning of all the natural wonders in Croatia . Established in 1949, this park is the largest in Croatia and has been one of the most visited national parks in Europe due to its natural gems and jaw-dropping natural scenery.

The park is dotted with canyons and caves meandered through by turquoise lakes and dazzling waterfalls. The green vegetation around also adds to the beauty of the park, making it picture-perfect at every angle.

• Location: Central Croatia
• Things to do: Hiking, horse riding, kayaking

Related: 10 Most Stunning National Parks To Visit In Croatia This Summer

Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland

Vatnajokull National Park is the second-largest National Park in Europe , covering an area of landmass of 14,000 square kilometers. The park boasts so many breathtaking natural features, such as big canyons, transparent ice caves, waterfalls, and the beautiful Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon.

With such amazing natural features, visitors will feel like they are in an otherworldly landscape, easily earning this park a prestigious spot on the list of the top national parks in the world.

• Location: Southeast Iceland
• Things to do: Glacier hiking, bird watching

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Ningxiang-Zhangjiajie National Forest Park 300-km Cycling Challenge Slated for May

The 6th "Merida Cup" Changsha Ningxiang-Zhangjiajie National Forest Park 300-km Cycling Challenge will be held on May 18, 2024, with more than 500 participants. It was learned from the Office of Tourism Working Committee of Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City.

The event is jointly organized by the Ningxiang City People's Government, Wulingyuan District People's Government of Zhangjiajie City, and Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area and National Forest Park Administration. The 300-kilometer race will start from the Ningxiang Stadium Square in Changsha, pass through Heshan District and Ziyang District of Yiyang, Wuling District, Dingcheng District, Hanshou County and Taoyuan County of Changde, and Cili County and Wulingyuan District of Zhangjiajie successively, and finally arrive at Wujiayu Ticket Station Square in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Participants will challenge various road conditions such as downtown, countryside, and mountainous areas.

The cycling challenge has been held for five years and has become a brand cycling competition jointly built by the two places. The "tourism + sports" mode has assisted in popularizing a variety of exciting sports games. This year, a series of "tourism + sports" marketing activities will be held in the Wulingyuan District, including the 2024 Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan 10,000-person marathon,  and running, cycling, cross-country, and extreme sports competitions. This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn. Translator: Yu Jiangjiang Chinese source: Chinanews

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15 July 2015

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