Zhangjiajie National Park | China Travel Guide
China’s Hunan province is the birthplace of leader Mao Zedong, but that’s hardly why travelers go there. The main draw is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. A place that sounds utterly foreign but probably looks familiar for its appearance in the Avatar film.
Declared the first national park of China in 1982, then a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, it didn’t gain its fame until 2009 when the freestanding quartz-sandstone columns became known as the Avatar mountains, having inspired the scenery in the film.
Today, scores of visitors flock to see this geological wander with their own eyes, and we were among them.
The park consists of 11,900 acres of forest that climbs up 3000 pinnacles carved by centuries of erosion. Reaching 3,543 feet tall, they look like they could be hiding mystical creatures, especially when wrapped in a shroud of fog. It’s obvious why Zhangjiajie National Park is one of the most beautiful places in China. But if any unworldly creatures were hiding below, they would have been spooked by crowds, given the park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in China.
With a fire in our belly, in part because of Hunan’s spicy food, we set out to explore as many Zhangjiajie attractions as our China itinerary would allow. In this article, we share what to expect and show you the best things to do in Zhangjiajie.
Things to Know about Zhangjiajie
The official name of the national park is Wulingyuan Scenic Area, and Zhangjiajie is the name of the biggest nearby city, but they are used interchangeably. Wulingyuan is a smaller city closer to the park, with places to visit. Which city you choose as your base depends on where you spend most of your time and your onward travel plans.
Your park tickets are valid for 4 days. If you plan on taking advantage of that, then it makes sense to split your stay between two cities. Cut the one-hour daily commute to the park and stay at Wulingyuan City. Then, move to Zhangjiajie City, which has must-see attractions of its own and more outbound transport options. Getting to Zhangjiajie City by train or flight is the most convenient way, between cities and the park use buses.
The internet may have you believe that the park is remote and hard to get to, but the infrastructure in place makes visiting Zhangjiajie National Park easier than you expect. The only problem is the language barrier, so download an offline translation app.
Since the park is one of the biggest tourist hotspots in China, solitude is rare except on the longer stretches of hikes between scenic spots. Zhangjiajie welcomed over 5 million visitors in 2023, surpassing all US national parks besides the Great Smoky Mountains, and those numbers are only expected to grow. When planning your trip, avoid Chinese holidays and book your tickets well in advance, including the cable cars. They sell out fast!
Don’t be intimidated by the size of the park and the pinnacles. This is not the type of hiking we are used to back home! Everything is well thought out to help you have a smooth and easy experience. There are free shuttle buses around the park, and cable cars, escalators, and elevators to go up and down at an extra cost. The paths are paved, marked, and with boardwalks over uneven surfaces. And get this: there are men ready to carry you in a litter like an emperor for a fee. 5-star service!
That's disappointing news to some; however, you are free to hike the valley trails and climb thousands of stairs up mountains should you want to. You'll encounter fewer people that way, too. Just don't try to cover everything in one go. Plan your route and verify bus timings in advance to avoid getting stuck in the park. Aside from vicious macaques, we heard there are leopards!
Key essentials to bring include your passport to present at entry and scan like at immigration. Enough cash to settle your incidentals if you are not using the local QR code payment system. And snacks, though don't worry about running out because pit stops serving hot meals are dotted throughout the park. You can’t imagine our shock at the sight of the golden arches on top of a 4,980-foot peak, no less! Lastly, eat in designated spaces – don’t temp the macaques who will fight you for your food.
Unreal Zhangjiajie Attractions
National Park Sites
There are 5 entrances to the park, but the two to be aware of are Wulingyuan Station for Tianzi Mountain cable car with a bus to the Bailong elevator and Forest Park Station for Huangshi Village. The entrances are in the valleys, and most scenic spots are in the mountains. To get between mountains, you can hike or take the shuttle bus and shave off an hour or two.
As far as elevators go, Bailong, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, is a once-in-a-lifetime ride. Standing 1070 feet tall, it moves along the side of Yuanjiajie cliff, offering dizzying views from its glass windows. But with a capacity of 46 passengers all holding up their cameras, it’s not the most comfortable of experiences. If you are starting your day here, get there early before the lines form. The elevator takes you up in two minutes instead of 2.5 hours on foot, leaving more time to take in the views of Avatar Hallelujah Mountain and visit other sites.
At the base of the must-see Tianzi Mountain, you’ll pass through the Ten Mile Gallery and see the Three Sisters Peak. The gallery is only 3.6 miles long but flaunts the best local flora akin to an art exhibit, hence the name. The mighty Tianzi is the tallest mountain in the park, reachable by a thrilling cable car ride. The mountain tells tales of battles on this land, particularly about one eponymous revolutionist who jumped off a cliff here. This is also the best place to catch the Sea of Clouds phenomena that happens after it rains.
Huangshi Village is another scenic part with highlights like Five Finger Peaks, Immortal Turtle, and Six Wonders Pavilion. The latter is a stunning three-story tower named after the Zhangjiajie’s unique natural elements. Not only is it a viewing platform, but it also showcases the cultural traditions of the Tujia people, the region’s ethnic minority and the 8th largest in China. The other residents that reign supreme here are monkeys, referred to as ‘Masters of the Village’.
Zhangjiajie City Sites
The best thing to do in Zhangjiajie City is to visit Tianmen Mountain, exhilarating from start to finish. The first cable car that takes you up the mountain is one of the world’s longest, stretching 4.6 miles and taking around 30 minutes. Upon drop off, if your legs are still steady, head to the Cliffside paths, the Glass Bridge, and the suspension bridge. Since Tianmen is sacred, people leave bright red wishing ribbons in the Forest of Wishes. Through arches of fluttering ribbons, proceed to Tianmenshan Temple, where you can make a wish before continuing your pilgrimage to heaven's portal.
From the next cable car, you’ll spot a long winding road beneath you – the Tongtian avenue consisting of 99 sharp hairpin turns. Five minutes later, you finally arrive at Tianmen Cave or Heaven’s Gate, the highest of its kind, with 999 stairs leading up to it, number 9 representing eternal fortune in Chinese numerology. The stairs are steep, so if you prefer to skip them, take the escalator.
Wulingyuan City Sites
Wulingyuan City district has two more sites you shouldn’t miss. First is Baofeng Lake - a pristine lake surrounded by tree-covered peaks. The entry ticket includes a short cruise around the lake to soak in the beauty and the occasional traditional melodies coming from docked huts along the banks.
Following the serene lake, invigorate your senses at Grand Canyon which has taken social media by storm and is a must if you are visiting China. Home to one of the world’s longest and highest suspended glass-bottomed bridges, it can carry up to 800 people at a time. Cross it if you dare and then zipline back!
Day Trip from Zhangjiajie
Take a day trip from Zhangjiajie to Furong Village inhabited by Tujia people. This ancient town, accessible from Zhangjiajie by train in under 30 minutes, is one of China’s many lesser-known attractions. Apart from traditional wooden houses on top of cliffs looking magical with lanterns at night, the main attraction is the centrally located waterfall. Wander along the streets and trails that take you under the waterfall, which too lights up at night. So, if there is still time on your China itinerary, end your adrenaline-filled adventure in Zhangjiajie with a peaceful riverfront overnight stay in Furong. It’s worth it!