There’s a saying: “Jiuzhaigou is famous for its water, while Zhangjiajie is famous for its mountains.” Zhangjiajie boasts the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a natural labyrinth, the mystical mist of Tianmen Mountain, and the “3,000 peaks and 800 streams” of breathtaking scenery. The region features towering sandstone peaks, winding rivers, and magnificent karst landscapes, creating a dreamlike paradise for visitors.
Day 1: Yuanjiajie – Yangjiajie – Tianzi Mountain
Stop 1: Yuanjiajie (袁家界) (🕐 2 hours)
From Zhangjiajie City Bus Station, take the direct city-to-Zhangjiajie National Forest Park shuttle. Buy your entrance ticket at the park gate and take the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie, a place often referred to as the “mystical Pandora world.” Here, you’ll find floating mountains and otherworldly landscapes, which inspired the movie Avatar. Key attractions include:
Mihun Tai (Enchantment Platform) (🕐 0.3 hours)
One of the best natural viewing platforms in Yuanjiajie. From here, gaze over an expansive basin of towering green peaks, resembling pavilions, terraces, and towers in a mesmerizing array.
Qiankun Pillar (Southern Sky Column) (🕐 0.4 hours)
The inspiration for Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountain. This vertically towering peak, with lush greenery on top, appears as if carved by nature’s hand.
First Bridge Under Heaven (🕐 0.3 hours)
A 4-meter-thick natural rock bridge that connects two peaks. On misty days, clouds roll beneath the bridge, creating a surreal sight.
Tips:
- Book tickets online in advance! The park has a visitor limit, and same-day tickets may be unavailable.
- The Wulingyuan Core Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park) consists of four sub-scenic areas: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu, Tianzi Mountain, and Yangjiajie. Tickets include park shuttle buses but not additional transport like cable cars, elevators, or small trains.
- Getting there: City shuttle buses to the park depart every 10 minutes, take about 40 minutes, cost 12 RMB per person, and stop at the ticket gate parking lot.
Stop 2: Yangjiajie (杨家界) (🕐 2-3 hours)
Take the park shuttle from First Bridge to Yangjiajie (10 minutes).
Yangjiajie is a hidden gem in Zhangjiajie, popular among backpackers and adventure lovers. This area is known for its rugged and wild beauty, featuring steep cliffs and narrow paths, making it one of the best photography locations in the park.
Wulong Village (🕐 1.5 hours)
Originally called Heilong Village, this was once a stronghold for bandits in western Hunan. The village is built into the mountains, and from the viewing platform, you can admire magnificent rock formations.
Yixiantian (Sky Crack) (🕐 0.3 hours)
The final and narrowest passage to Wulong Village, where visitors must turn sideways to squeeze through. Legend has it that in the past, only women who could pass through without touching the walls were deemed worthy of being a bandit leader’s wife.
Tianbo Mansion (🕐 0.3 hours)
A mountaintop platform surrounded by towering cliffs, resembling an ancient fortress. Some believe this was the legendary Tianbo Mansion of the Yang Family Generals. To reach the top, you must cross a wobbly suspension bridge, but the breathtaking panoramic view is worth it.
Stop 3: Tianzi Mountain (天子山) (🕐 4 hours)
Take the park shuttle from Wulong Village (30 minutes).
Named after Xiang Dakun, a Tujia chieftain who declared himself “King of Heaven”, Tianzi Mountain is known for its majestic sea of clouds, stunning rock formations, winter snow, and sunrises. This 45 km scenic loop can be explored on foot or via park shuttle buses (included in the entrance ticket). The area is famous for its breathtaking aerial views, earning it the nickname “a view fit for the heavens.”
Day 2: Laowuchang – Golden Whip Stream – Ten-mile Gallery – Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Stop 1: Laowuchang (老屋场) (🕐 1.5 hours)
Laowuchang is a scenic area featuring dense peaks, layered terraced fields, and picturesque rural landscapes. It is home to two of Zhangjiajie’s top ten scenic spots—”Gathering of Divine Soldiers” and “Sky Garden”—which offer breathtaking views.
Stop 2: Golden Whip Stream (金鞭溪) (🕐 3 hours)
Take a shuttle bus from Dingxiangrong Station (丁香榕) to Shuiraosimen Station (水绕四门站), then walk for about 1 hour to reach Golden Whip Stream.
This section of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area is considered one of the most beautiful. It served as the backdrop for “Flower and Fruit Mountain” in the TV adaptation of Journey to the West. The stream is also home to the rare Chinese giant salamander, a nationally protected species.
Stop 3: Ten-mile Gallery (十里画廊) (🕐 2-3 hours)
Take a 5-minute shuttle bus ride to the Ten-mile Gallery, a narrow canyon where towering peaks resemble human figures, birds, and beasts.
Walking through this area feels like stepping into a traditional Chinese painting. You can either explore on foot or take the sightseeing train, which provides a comfortable ride and an informative audio guide.
Best Option: Take the sightseeing train one way and walk back for a different perspective.
Stop 4: Grand Canyon Glass Bridge (大峡谷玻璃桥) (🕐 1 hour)
The world’s highest and longest glass bridge, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, offers thrilling panoramic views of Zhangjiajie’s dramatic landscapes. It also serves as a platform for bungee jumping, zip-lining, and performances. Walking across this bridge feels like floating in a fairyland among the mountains.
Day 3: Guigu Plank Road – Tianmen Mountain Temple – Tianmen Mountain Cableway – Tianmen Cave
First Stop: Guigu Plank Road (鬼谷栈道) (🕐 1.5 hours)
This thrilling cliffside walkway is built along a sheer vertical drop, offering breathtaking views of the canyon below. The most exciting part is the “Sky Road,” the highest section of the trail. Standing on the plank road, visitors can see flocks of birds soaring beneath them while enjoying panoramic views of the vast mountainous landscape.
Stop 2: Tianmen Mountain Temple (天门山寺) (🕐 1 hour)
Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, this temple has been the Buddhist center of Western Hunan for centuries. The current structure is a Qing Dynasty-style reconstruction on the original site. A highlight is the Avalokitesvara Pavilion, a beautifully intricate structure that rivals China’s most famous ancient buildings. The temple also houses a sacred relic of Buddha, one of only five in China, gifted by Lumbini, Nepal.
Stop 3 : Tianmen Mountain Cableway (天门山索道) (🕐 0.5 hours)
The longest high-mountain sightseeing cableway in the world, this must-ride attraction transports visitors from downtown Zhangjiajie (Guanliping Station) to the summit of Tianmen Mountain.
- Lower Station: Located in Yongding District (city center)
- Middle Station: A transfer hub where visitors switch to eco-friendly buses to reach Tianmen Cave
- Upper Station: Provides access to Guigu Plank Road and the Glass Skywalk
Stop4 : Tianmen Cave (🕐 1 hour)
A spectacular natural archway at a high altitude, Tianmen Cave is reached by climbing 999 stone steps – a pathway known as the “Stairway to Heaven.” This legendary location is also a popular site for making wishes and prayers.
Tips:
- Tianmen Mountain is best explored on foot, though cableways and shuttle buses are included in the main ticket. Prepare for a physically demanding hike. There is only one restaurant on the mountain, and prices are high, so bringing your own food is recommended.
- In winter, Tianmen Cave and the Glass Skywalk may close due to safety concerns. The main ticket does not include shoe covers for the Glass Skywalk or the sightseeing cable car on the summit.
