The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (湖南张家界国家森林公园) — is an extraordinary place. You can believe your eyes when you visit this marvelous location. If you have watched the fiction movie called “Avatar”, you will recognize Pandora with its high rocky columns. The park is located in the south-west of China, on the territory of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, in Hunan Province, and is a part of the Wuling Mountain Range. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park became the first park in China which was included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The formation of such an extraordinary landscape was caused by the continuous erosion and corrosion of the rocks. Pillars consist of sandstone and quartzite. The most beautiful rock is 1080 meters in height and the Chinese called here “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”. They even put here several figures of the avatars which became favorite spots among tourists for taking photos.
There are more than 3 thousand similar pillars in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. One-third of them is more than 200 meters in height. The highest peak of the area is Doupeng Mountain which rises for 1890 meters.
Must-see spots – the most beautiful parts of the Zhangjiajie Park
”The First Bridge under the Sun”
Tiansheng Qiao of the First Bridge under the Sun is a unique creation of nature located 357 meters above the ground. The bridge joins two peaks of two rocks. It is 4 meters in width, 50 meters in length, and 5 meters in depth.
Tianzishan – The Son of Heaven Mountain
The area in this district is located 1182 meters above the ground. Here you can admire the sharp peaks which pierce the clouds. It’s a truly mesmerizing sight!
“Hundred Dragons Elevator ”
“Hundred Dragons Elevator ” also known as Bailong Elevator is a unique outdoor lift which is the tallest one in the world. With its help, you can reach the vertical side of the cliff 330 meters in height. You will never forget a ride if a transparent cabin! Unfortunately, the lift is quite spacious and can admit up to 50 people at a time. Thus, not everyone has a chance to admire the splendid views during the ride. We recommend you to visit this place early in the morning. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a huge queue which can last for 4 hours.
Laowuchang
Laowuchang area is the wildest part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park where the tourists “enjoy” the paths of dirt. You shall find here the rice fields of Spirit Soldiers Gathering and Paddies in the Sky. This area is especially loved by photographers.
Golden Whip Stream
This is one of the most popular routes in the part which spreads for 7 km. You will enjoy a walking tour along a cute stream surrounded by splendid cliffs. However, there is one disadvantage. The area is extremely crowded all year round.
The Yellow Stone Village
The Yellow Stone Village or Huangshizhai is located north of the Golden Whip. Here you shall find the renowned Five-Fingers Peak. Tourists love spending some time at the observation deck as it offers a mind-blowing view! Moreover, there’s no need to pay for the elevator.
We want to remind you that the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It’s not hard to guess that his region offers plenty of natural attractions. Here are some of the most popular places which deserve your attention. Mind, that you need to purchase additional tickets to visit these attractions:
- Dragon King Cave Longwangdong — ¥81 ($12,5);
- Yellow Dragon Cave — ¥100 ($16);
- Beofang Lake — ¥98 ($15).
Flora and fauna
More than 3 thousand types of rare plants grow on the territory of the park. The rarest species of the flora include the ginkgo (maidenhair tree), and the Chinese dove tree. Moreover, the area is inhabited by over 500 representatives of the animal world – various monkeys, civets, salamanders, and others.
Important information for visitors
Website: http://zhangjiajietourism.us
Address: Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, 427400
Working hours: 07:00-18:00
The best months to visit the attraction: April, September, October.
How much time do you need to see everything? – 3-5 days
Ticket prices:
- for 4 days – ¥245 ($38);
- for 7 days – ¥298 ($46).
Where to stay?
The nearest railway station and the airport are located in the city of Zhangjiajie. There’s absolutely no reason to stay in the city as it is situated 50 km from the park. However, there’s a small town not far from the city called Wulingyuan. It has a wide range of cafes, hotels, and varied tourist infrastructure.
There are also accommodation options on the territory of the National Forest Park as well. As a rule, these are small hotels with limited facilities.
How to get to the Zhangjiajie?
You can fly to Zhangjiajie on a plane from any big city in China:
- from Beijing – $110-130;
- from Guangzhou – $70-80;
- from Shanghai – $115;
- from Xi’an – $70-80.
The best way to reach the National Forest Park from the airport is a taxi. It will cost you approximately $15.
If you prefer a train, you can also consider some variants:
- from Beijing ($60-100*);
- from Guangzhou ($50-80*);
- from Shanghai ($60-80*);
- from Changsha ($30-40*).
*the lowest price is for a berth and the highest one – for a compartment.
Buses run from the railway stations to Wulingyuan. From there, you can either take a taxi or walk to the park.
You can use the local currency only to pay for all the services and goods. The prices in dollars are mentioned for a better understanding.
Useful pieces of advice
If you plan to visit the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China, don’t forget to take:
- water;
- snacks (everything is quite expensive on the territory);
- a raincoat;
- comfortable footwear;
- a photo camera;
- a map of the park;
- cash.