Zhangjiajie

Weather in the mountains of Zhangjiajie can change quickly, so bring a raincoat and a light jacket.

Zhangjiajie is known for its landscape of “3,000 extraordinary peaks and 800 beautiful waterways” and as a filming location for the floating mountains in *Avatar*. When planning your trip, consider how the attractions are spread out, transport options and where you will stay.

• Tianmen Mountain: One of Zhangjiajie’s signature mountains, it has the world’s longest mountain cableway, with a ride taking about 28 minutes. Highlights include Tianmen Cave, the 999-step stairway and glass walkways built along sheer cliffs.

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: One of the area’s main attractions, with an admission ticket valid for 4 days. Explore Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream and the Ten-Mile Gallery for views of sandstone pillars and seas of clouds. The Qiankun Pillar in Yuanjiajie inspired Hallelujah Mountain.

• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: The main attraction is its fully transparent glass bridge, 430 meters above the ground. Activities such as via ferrata, zip-lining and rock climbing make it a good option for younger visitors interested in adventure.

• Seventy-Two Wonder Towers: Known for its Tujia stilt-house architecture and nighttime scenery, this attraction hosts 7D holographic light shows and immersive performances after dark. Combine a show with views and photos of the illuminated buildings.

• Huanglong Cave: One of China’s well-known cave attractions, it stays at 16°C year-round. See stalactites in a variety of shapes and enjoy a cool retreat in summer.

• Baofeng Lake: This mountain lake is mainly explored by boat. Along the way, enjoy views of the water and unusual peaks while listening to Tujia men and women singing folk songs back and forth. Relatively little walking is required.

Suggested Itineraries

• 3-day highlights trip: Day 1: Arrive in central Zhangjiajie and visit the Seventy-Two Wonder Towers in the evening. Day 2: Follow Route A on Tianmen Mountain, taking the cableway up and returning by road, with visits to the glass walkway and Tianmen Cave. Day 3: Visit Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, then depart in the afternoon.
• 4-day relaxed trip: Day 1: Arrive and check into accommodation in Wulingyuan. Day 2: Explore the forest park, visiting the Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie in that order. Day 3: Visit Tianzi Mountain, the Ten-Mile Gallery and Golden Whip Stream. Day 4: Choose either the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge or Huanglong Cave, then depart.

Where to Stay

• Near the Wulingyuan Landmark Gate: A convenient choice if the national forest park is your main destination, with the entrance within walking distance. There are plenty of restaurants and everyday shops nearby, and staying here makes it easier to enter early and avoid the crowds.

• Near the Tianmen Mountain Cableway: Consider this area if Tianmen Mountain is your main destination, as the cableway station is within walking distance. It is also convenient for evening visits to the Seventy-Two Wonder Towers or food streets, and relatively close to the high-speed railway station.

• Around Xibu Street: This area has a Tujia atmosphere and suits a leisurely stay. Enjoy an evening walk along the river; visitors who prefer quieter surroundings may want to consider it.

Local Food

• Tujia Sanxiaguo: A signature Zhangjiajie dish combining three ingredients chosen from options such as pork intestines, pork stomach and cured pork. It comes as either a dry pot or a broth-based hot pot, usually with a fragrant, spicy flavor.

• Rock Ear Lichen and Free-Range Chicken Stew: Rock ear lichen, which grows on sheer sandstone cliffs, is slowly simmered with free-range chicken. The resulting broth is clear and golden, known for its savory flavor and nourishing qualities.

• Western Hunan Dagupi: This local dish is simmered until tender, allowing the ingredients to absorb the broth. It pairs well with rice.

• Handmade Millet Cakes: Soft and fragrant with grains, these are similar to steamed rice cakes and can be found at many long-established local shops.

Getting There

• By air: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is about 10 kilometers from the city center, which can be reached by bus or taxi. A taxi to Wulingyuan costs around 80–100 yuan.
• By high-speed rail: Zhangjiajie West Station is a convenient arrival point. From the station, take a dedicated tourist coach to the Wulingyuan ticket entrance. The fare is about 25 yuan and the journey takes around 30–40 minutes.

Booking and Visiting Tips

• Book admission in advance: Major attractions require real-name bookings for specific entry times, especially Tianmen Mountain. During peak season, buy tickets through the booking mini-program 3–7 days ahead, as tickets are usually difficult to get on arrival.
• Choose a Tianmen Mountain route that suits your fitness level: Route A takes the cableway up and returns by road, requiring relatively little physical effort while offering scenic views along the way. If you do not plan to climb the 999-step stairway, you can buy a separate ticket for the escalator through the mountain.
• Spread your Wulingyuan visits across the ticket’s validity period: The forest park admission ticket includes shuttle buses and allows multiple entries over 4 days. Use this flexibility to spread out your sightseeing instead of fitting every attraction into one day.
• Wear comfortable athletic shoes with good grip: The scenic areas have many steps and walkways. High heels and thin-soled sandals are unsuitable for long walks.
• Watch for wild macaques along Golden Whip Stream: Keep snacks out of sight and avoid carrying transparent plastic bags to reduce the risk of food being snatched or getting scratched.
• Allow for changing mountain weather: Carry a raincoat and a light jacket for rain and temperature changes between morning and evening. In heavy fog, consider waiting for it to clear before taking in the mountain views.