Zhangjiajie 张家界
About Zhangjiajie 张家界
Highlights
- ✓ Hike to the "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" (Southern Sky Column)
- ✓ Walk the 430m Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
- ✓ Sunrise at Tianzi Mountain — the misty sea of clouds
- ✓ Take the Bailong Elevator — the world's tallest outdoor elevator (60m)
- ✓ Hike the Yuanjiajie plank road along the cliff face
- ✓ Visit the Tianmen Mountain and the 999-step "Heaven's Gate" staircase
- ✓ See the 3,000+ sandstone pillars from the various viewing platforms
Trip Essentials
Photo Gallery
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park sandstone pillars in the clouds
Local cuisine
Local people
Adventure
Zhangjiajie 张家界 Itinerary
Suggested Travel Plan
Suggested Itinerary
Park Entry
Enter through the Wulingyuan Gate. Take the internal bus to Tianzi Mountain.
Tianzi Mountain Sunrise
The best sunrise viewpoint in the park. The sea of clouds rising over the pillars is magical.
Tianzi Mountain Hike
Walk the forest trails through the sandstone pillars. The forest is ancient and misty.
Lunch at Tianzi Mountain
Simple Hunan cuisine at the mountain restaurant.
Bailong Elevator
Take the 60m outdoor elevator down to the base. A unique engineering feat.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Visit the canyon and prepare for the Glass Bridge.
Glass Bridge
Walk across the 430m glass-bottomed bridge. The view of the gorge below is vertigo-inducing.
Yuanjiajie Sunrise
The Avatar viewpoint at sunrise. The pillars rise from the mist like floating islands.
Yuanjiajie Plank Road
Hike the 1km cliff-edge plank road. The view of the sandstone pillars is the park's highlight.
Southern Sky Column
The Avatar Hallelujah Mountain — the pillar that inspired the movie.
Lunch at Yuanjiajie
Hunan cuisine at the mountain restaurant.
Yangjiajie
Take the cable car to Yangjiajie. Hike to the One Pillar Skies viewpoint.
Sunset at Yangjiajie
The golden light on the sandstone pillars is the park's most photographed moment.
Return to the city
Bus back to Zhangjiajie city for dinner and rest.
Location
Practical Information
✈️ Getting There
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) is 10km from the city. Flights from Beijing (2h), Shanghai (2h), Guangzhou (1.5h). High-speed trains from Changsha (2h) and Wuhan (3h) arrive at Zhangjiajie West Station. The park is 15km from the city center — take the tourist bus (¥10) or a taxi (¥50).
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay in Zhangjiajie city (convenient, $30-80/night) or in the Wulingyuan District (closer to the park, $40-100/night). For the sunrise experience, book a hotel inside the park at Tianzi Mountain or Yuanjiajie ($50-150/night) — it's worth the extra cost to avoid the early morning bus rush.
💡 Travel Tips
The park is huge — allow 2-3 days for a proper visit. The internal bus network is free with your park ticket. Wear comfortable hiking shoes — there's a lot of walking. The sunrise views are the most rewarding, so stay overnight in the park. The Glass Bridge has a separate ticket (¥130). Book in advance during peak season. The park is closed on the first Monday after Chinese New Year.
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) is 10km from the city. Flights from Beijing (2h), Shanghai (2h), Guangzhou (1.5h). High-speed trains from Changsha (2h) and Wuhan (3h) arrive at Zhangjiajie West Station. The park is 15km from the city center — take the tourist bus (¥10) or a taxi (¥50).
Stay in Zhangjiajie city (convenient, $30-80/night) or in the Wulingyuan District (closer to the park, $40-100/night). For the sunrise experience, book a hotel inside the park at Tianzi Mountain or Yuanjiajie ($50-150/night) — it's worth the extra cost to avoid the early morning bus rush.
The park is huge — allow 2-3 days for a proper visit. The internal bus network is free with your park ticket. Wear comfortable hiking shoes — there's a lot of walking. The sunrise views are the most rewarding, so stay overnight in the park. The Glass Bridge has a separate ticket (¥130). Book in advance during peak season. The park is closed on the first Monday after Chinese New Year.
Travel Tips
The Glass Bridge is not for the faint-hearted
The 430m glass-bottomed bridge spans a 300m gorge. The glass is 10cm thick and can hold 800 people at once, but the view below will make your stomach drop. Wear grippy shoes — the glass can be slippery.
Park tickets are expensive but worth it
The park ticket is ¥228 (valid for 4 days). The internal bus is included. The Glass Bridge is a separate ¥130. Total cost for a 3-day visit is about $60-80. The experience is worth every penny.
The Avatar connection
The sandstone pillars in Yuanjiajie are the inspiration for the floating mountains in James Cameron's Avatar. The Southern Sky Column (Hallelujah Mountain) is the most recognizable. If you're a fan of the movie, this is a pilgrimage site.
Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
China's climate varies dramatically by region. In the north, winters can be -20°C; in the south, it's 30°C year-round. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for any trip.
High-Speed Trains Are a Game Changer
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities. A Beijing-Shanghai trip that used to take 12 hours by plane now takes 4.5 hours by train — and the experience is far more comfortable. Book tickets on the 12306.cn website or app.
Cash Is Still King in Small Towns
While major cities are increasingly cashless (WeChat Pay and Alipay), many smaller towns and rural areas still rely on cash. Always carry RMB bills (¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100) for small purchases and street food.
The Glass Bridge is not for the faint-hearted
The 430m glass-bottomed bridge spans a 300m gorge. The glass is 10cm thick and can hold 800 people at once, but the view below will make your stomach drop. Wear grippy shoes — the glass can be slippery.
Park tickets are expensive but worth it
The park ticket is ¥228 (valid for 4 days). The internal bus is included. The Glass Bridge is a separate ¥130. Total cost for a 3-day visit is about $60-80. The experience is worth every penny.
The Avatar connection
The sandstone pillars in Yuanjiajie are the inspiration for the floating mountains in James Cameron's Avatar. The Southern Sky Column (Hallelujah Mountain) is the most recognizable. If you're a fan of the movie, this is a pilgrimage site.
Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
China's climate varies dramatically by region. In the north, winters can be -20°C; in the south, it's 30°C year-round. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for any trip.
High-Speed Trains Are a Game Changer
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities. A Beijing-Shanghai trip that used to take 12 hours by plane now takes 4.5 hours by train — and the experience is far more comfortable. Book tickets on the 12306.cn website or app.
Cash Is Still King in Small Towns
While major cities are increasingly cashless (WeChat Pay and Alipay), many smaller towns and rural areas still rely on cash. Always carry RMB bills (¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100) for small purchases and street food.