Zhangjiajie, (zhangjiajie national forest park), is a huge park area in the southwest of China (Hunan province). The breathtaking 479 square kilometer geo park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A unique corner of the PRC's nature, the pearl of the Wulingshan mountain system, is called Zhangjiajie Avatar Park (China) in tourist guides and avenues. Some of the episodes of the famous film were filmed here.
The main attraction of the national reserve is rock massifs (weathered sandy and quartz pillars) soaring towards the sun and soaring in the clouds.
Zhangjiajie National Chinese Park is open to the public all year round. Experts recommend getting acquainted with the protected area from September to November.
Interesting! The mountainous autumn presents tourists with a comfortable temperature, the absence of low clouds and annoying rainy drizzle.
In winter, some of the routes in the park are closed, snowfalls and fogs obviously spoil the panoramic views, it is cold to walk through the "beauty". The only good reason for a winter visit is the reduced entrance ticket prices.
Spring and early summer flood the region with rain. Thick clouds and fogs envelop the valley, creating the effect of rocky spurs "soaring in the sky".
In order to "fluently" get acquainted with the beauties recognized by UNESCO, a traveler will need at least a week to visit all the places of worship and significant observation points of the geo-reserve and the adjacent territories.
Zhangjiajie National Park how to get there?
To get in touch with the beauties of a natural location, you need to be in Zhangjiajie (this is the most convenient way to get to the natural massif).
By plane
- from Beijing: $ 130;
- from Shanghai: $ 115;
- from Guangzhou: $ 80.
From the air harbor to the center of the settlement there is a shuttle bus and a taxi.
A train
For sedate and leisurely tourists, the railroad is the best choice. There are a lot of train routes to the destination. The trip from Beijing lasts 26 hours, the price of a reserved seat train ticket is $ 60.
Zhangjiajie station is located at a strategically verified point: the center, nearby (within walking distance):
- the airport;
- the launch pad of the cable car to the Tianmen cliff;
- bus station.
By bus
To get to Zhangjiajie, you can also use the bus. It is long and uncomfortable. Travel guides recommend this type of communication when traveling from nearby cities (Changsha, Fenghuang).
Where is the park?
The starting zones of the national reserve are small villages with hostels, hotels, restaurants at the entrance to the park. There travelers "take a breath", have a snack, solve the problems of accommodation and lodging. There are three official entrances on the territory:
- the "start" closest to the city is located thirty kilometers away (the village of Zhangjiajie);
- intrans in Wulingyuan area;
- the most distant entrance to the observation area at the Tianzi mountain.
Accommodation options
Zhangjiajie offers travelers an excellent choice of hotels, but having settled in the city, you will have to spend time on the road to the walking and observation areas every day. Cost per night in a deluxe room in a central city hotel: RMB 869 (breakfast included).
Choosing a guesthouse in a starting village or a hostel inside a park can save you a lot of money and personal time. Living conditions and the service provided are Spartan (real interruptions in water, electricity, Wi-Fi).
Work schedule and issue price
Park areas are hospitably open:
- in summer from 6:30 (7:00) to 19:00;
- in winter from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm;
Entrance ticket price
There are two variations:
- for four days: 245 yuan;
- for the week: 298.
A separate price list includes:
- Baylong: 72 yuan;
- funicular to Tianzi: 67;
- funicular to Huangshichzhai: 70;
- Funicular to Yangjiajie: 76;
- walking narrow-gauge railway: 38.
The basic ticket price includes the use of buses within the park.
Local travel tips
The main tourist slogan of the forest park is: "He who gets up early, God gives to that (tourist)!" Early wake-ups and visits to the base locations will protect the "lark travelers" from the tedious waiting and the hustle and bustle of queues. The languor before loading into the coveted Baylong elevator (in the "high" season) can take up to four hours!
Long hiking trails strongly require appropriate footwear and sports equipment. Experts recommend the guides: to the top by funicular / downhill on foot.
Interesting! Absolutely all guides and reference books on the protected area warn tourists about the aggressiveness of the local monkeys.
Do not tease monkeys / watch the safety of valuables.
In walking equipment, the following will be appropriate: a map, a guidebook, a Chinese phrasebook, cash, drinking water, dry rations. The prices "for food" in the park are mercilessly raised.
Object top of the national park
Zhangjiajie National Park (China) is conditionally divided into four platform-zones. In addition to funiculars and ski lifts, there are several bus routes in the "UNESCO heritage": purple cars run in the valleys, funny beige cars transport travelers along the tops of mountain ranges.
Each observation area is individual, exotically beautiful and stunningly picturesque.
Chinese Pandora: Yuanjiajie
The northwestern part of the park, the Yuanjiajie area, is the most visited territory of the geo-reserve. It is these landscapes that are compared to the peaks of the movie "Avatar".
The sightseeing trail "3500 steps", in addition to long stepped ascents and breathtaking descents, includes a lot of well-equipped viewing platforms and points for photography.
You can get to the top of Yuanjiajie with the famous "transparent lift" Bailong.
This area is famous for the "Sky Bridge" and the majestic rock mass, which has recently been called "Hallelujah".
Creator - designer of the "transparent transition": Engineer Dotan. Cloud Transition budget is US $ 3.5 million. Length of the crossing: 430 meters. The transparent viaduct can hold 800 people at a time.
The most beautiful place in the park is the unforgettable Avatar Hallelujah. Initially, the rock was called Jiankunzhu, which meant the Southern Heavenly Pillar.
Yangjiajie
The Yangjiajie Zone is the youngest tourist area of the nature reserve. This is the northeast of Zhangjiajie. The observation platform connects the Xiangzhi watercourse, Longquan and Baihou valleys.
The real pearl of Yangjiajie is the breathtaking Dragon's Waterfall.
Tianzi
The mountain range adjoins the Suoxi tract, the central park zone of Zhangjiajie and the Sanzhi district. Tianji is the pearl of Wulingyuan. The peak of the rock formation hovers at around 1262.5 meters (Kunlun), and the lowest point is 534 meters above sea level (Shilan).
Tianji Park Reserve is a virgin natural area with protected forests and reservoirs of crystal clear water.
Interesting! The population of the province adores the saying: "He who did not climb Tianji, did not know the beautiful."
In the west of the platform, the so-called "Western Sea" is freely spread. It is a valley dotted with rocky formations covered with green jungle. This part of the park is also called the "forest ocean" or "palisade of peaks."
The vale of the "Heavenly Abode" is a gorge with sheer cliffs around.
The lower part of the mystical place is shrouded in clouds. The descent is difficult and time consuming, there is a narrow staircase-trail.
An absolute decoration of the tourist route of the Tianzi zone is the Emperor's Shelter pagoda.
Knuth canyon
The Canyon of the Golden Knut stream is the easiest walking area. No stairs, no precipices, no cable cars: the tourist route runs along a flat valley, along a quiet, shady stream of water.
A real communion with nature: the hubbub of birds, the murmur of water, fantastic mountains and emerald greenery.
Huangshizhai
Huangshichzhai means "yellow stone village" or "yellow village". The Huangshichzhai Rocks are spread over seventeen park hectares. "Stone settlement" is a horizontal "patch" at an altitude of 1100 meters.
The three kilometers long mountain trail takes two hours to overcome and requires good physical fitness. On the way, tourists are delighted with equipped observation decks with romantic Chinese names:
You can get to the top by funicular, which can be reached by a bus from Laomuvan.
The Yellow Stone Village (on the top of the mountain) has a restaurant where you can have a good meal.
Noteworthy surroundings
In addition to Zhangjiajie Park, Hunan Province offers tourists a lot of beauty, attractions and exotic natural areas.
Tianmen summit
The Tianmen skyscraper and the natural park of the same name are located on the far outskirts of Zhangjiajie. Within walking distance, the launch pad of the world's longest funicular, delivering thirsty people to the top of the mountain. Extreme tourists get to the reserve on foot, along the famous serpentine trail "99 bends".
A real hit of the mountain reserve is the Buddhist pantheon of the Ming dynasty. The Heavenly Gate Temple is hidden in a rocky cave.
The temple is ten thousand square meters. To get to the arch, you need to overcome a difficult climb of 999 steps.
An alternative answer to the famous glass bridge and the center of attraction for extreme lovers, adrenaline addicts from all over the world is the "cloud trail" along the edge of the cliff.
The cost of the park excursion (including the funicular or the shuttle bus service on the winding road) is 258 RMB. You will have to pay 5-10 yuan for a defile along a transparent section of the track.
Fenghuang Museum Settlement
Fenghuang is located on the water (city on stilts) and attracts tourists with the atmosphere of the Celestial Empire. Fragile structures, delicate bridges, winding, shady nooks and fishing nets drying in the sun.
At night, everything is illuminated by the lights of paper lanterns, which makes the city stylish and solid.
From Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang, travel 240 km (five hours of shaking on the bus). A visit to the city-museum is paid: 148 yuan.
Baofeng
Baofeng water body is a man-made object formed during the construction of the dam. Located high in the gorge, the reservoir of the purest water is surrounded by emerald wooded slopes.
From Wulingyuan Village, you can get to the World Heritage Site by taxi (RMB 10-15) or walk (leisurely forty minutes walk).
The entrance ticket will cost an adult traveler 96 yuan (includes a swim on the lake with songs and national costumes of rowers). Locals call the surface of the lake "the paradise of the bustling world."
Huanglong
Near the village of Wulingyuan is the "Burrow of the Golden Dragon". A river flows through the entire cave with meanders framed by illuminated stalactites.
It is easy to get there by bus or taxi for 20 RMB. Price: 100 RMB (with boat, underground walk).
What else is famous for the national natural park
Zhangjiajie invites tourists with unearthly beauty, surreal reliefs and landscapes.
The real "diamonds" of the national reserve are:
- flying quartzite rocks over 800 meters high;
- wooded peaks, overcoming the mark of 3000 meters above sea level;
- caves, reservoirs, flora and fauna;
- well-functioning tourist infrastructure (lifts, funiculars, walking and car routes).
China generously endows travelers with the wealth and delightful beauty of nature.
Conclusion
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (zhāngjiājiè) is the pride and natural landmark of the country. The sensations from the trip, walks, excursions, contact with virgin nature will be remembered for a long time and will be called on the road more than once.
The text of the article was updated: 05/29/2018
We continue the story about an independent excursion to the Zhangjiajie Natural Park in China. In the previous part, we watched a video taken while walking through the streets in the village of Wulinyuan and photographs from this place, learned how to get to the ticket office for the reserve and walked to the first observation point in our route - the Imperial Emperor's Writing Brush Peak). Hopefully now it is clear how to get to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Well, we finished the report on the walk along the paths between the Zhangjiajie rocks, as my wife Ekaterina and I approached the Shentang Gulf observation deck, marked with a star on the park route map. In our plan for traveling in China, a savage excursion to the Zhangjiajie reserve was given one day and half. And Victor, an employee of the Wulingyuan Zhongtian International Youth Hostel, said that during this time only the most beautiful places, which he marked with stars, can be seen.
Despite the fact that I took all my lenses with me on my own trip to China (a wide-angle Samyang 14mm f / 2.8, a Nikon 70-300mm f / 4.5-5.6 telephoto lens and a Nikon 17-55mm f / 2.8 camera), the beauty of the Avatar mountains in photographs is impossible. I have seen the photos taken in Zhangjiajie Park by professional photographers during working hours, in clear weather and fog, in summer and winter - nevertheless, even their pictures do not convey all the greatness of these places ... Planet Pandora, invented by the American director James Cameron, I say: even professionals cannot get such photographs that will convey to you the delight that you feel breathing in the fresh air of the Zhangjiajie mountains ...
A little bit, the video helps to cope with this task. If you want to know if you should go to Zhangjiajie Natural Forest Park, be sure to watch the following video. I shot it with a Nikon D5100 DSLR and a Nikon 17-55mm f / 2.8 lens at one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
It's a clear and warm spring day outside. We walked 100 meters from the free bus stop along the path to the Shentang Bay observation deck (Shentang Bay). Through the dense branches of the trees it was not yet visible what awaits us in 1 minute ...
Photo 2. Sights of China. Excursion to Zhangjiajie National Park. The height is such that the head is spinning ...
The smell of pine needles. Somewhere below, blue birds chirp. And silence…
Photo 4. A story about a vacation in China. Self drive to Zhangjiajie National Park. Excursion report. The flying mountains of the planet Pandora - Avatar mountains
Guys, the Zhangjiajie Mountains are fantastic happiness! This is where I felt it. Katya and I traveled to many countries, saw a large number of wonderful tourist attractions. Honestly, they can't be compared to Zhangjiajie Nature Park! If now you are thinking about where to go on vacation, what you can see in China, then I recommend that you drop all doubts! Write in large letters in your vacation plan for this year: "ZHANGJIAZE is one of the best places on planet Earth!"
Photo 5. Independent vacation in China. Visit to Zhangjiajie Park. And behind the back - the abyss ...
Such a strange posture for an independent traveler in China, because he turned awkwardly and tore his jeans at the seam ... And I am terribly afraid of heights. Do you think it is easy to sit on the fence when there is an abyss of several hundred meters behind you? Have you watched the previous video?
From the Shentang Gulf observation deck, these are the views of the rocks that look like they came from cartoons about China from childhood.
Photo 8. One of the most beautiful places in the mountains of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the Shentang Bay observation deck. If you think what to see in Zhangjiajie, then you definitely need to get here
Photo 9. Zhangjiajie Mountains - you are forever in my heart. Reviews of independent travel in China
I changed the Nikon 17-55mm f / 2.8 reportage lens to a Nikon 70-300 telephoto lens so that I could better convey the space ...
Can you imagine what the height is if this rock was taken with a focal length of FR = 70 mm from the top of our pillar (Shentang Bay observation deck)? After all, a telephoto lens gives a good approximation ...
Since no one was around, and we were in no hurry, it became possible to safely change lenses on my Nikon D5100 DSLR. Here are pictures taken at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park at Samyang 14 / 2.8 wide angle.
If you watched the previous video, then you already know why, in my opinion, the Chinese called this place “Shentang Bay”. Just like these two, Catherine and I stood on the edge of the abyss and turned our faces to the spring sun, listened to the light sound of the breeze ... I so wanted to believe that this was not a dream in my life! ..
After spending a couple of hours in the first "star" of our excursion route through the Zhangjiajie nature reserve, we decided that it was time to go to the next point: Wulong Village and One Step to the Heaven observation deck. We went back to the bus stop and waited for our free bus.
Five minutes later, a minivan appeared. He stopped and the driver signaled:
- Sit down, laovai!
“We need the Wolong Village stop.
- No problem! One hundred yuan - and you are there!
- Ha, ha, ha !!! Uncle, even the Mexicans couldn't deceive me! Fear God! This is not the first time I have traveled as a savage in China ...
Ten minutes later a free shuttle bus arrives and takes us to ... WuLong Village Administration Center. This is not a stop from where you can get to Step to the Heaven.
The administrative center of Woolon is a large, final stop. Here are public toilets with amenities, a large hotel complex and a bunch of souvenir shops, cafes are being built ... And there is a China Post kiosk. You could send a postcard to Russia, as we did while driving a rented car in Sri Lanka.
But, for some reason, we didn’t want to send the news home. We had a snack, rested, got on another minibus and returned back to the “Wulong Village” stop. Here we followed the Chinese tourists along the perpendicular path (now I already know that this path leads to the upper station of the new Yangjiajie cable car). We walked 300 meters and ended up at a small recreation area. Here, past a vertical pillar, you descend into the valley, and then climb a sheer cliff to heaven ...
This is where One Step to the Heaven awaits us ... And I will tell you about the ascent to this second delightful place in the next part of the report on the trip to China by a savage in the spring of 2014.
As always, I look forward to seeing you in Google +. And, if you share this article with your friends on social networks, you will also help support the development of this site (search engines love it when you click these buttons).
One of China's most famous national parks, Zhangjiajie has recently become particularly famous for being the inspiration for the movie Avatar. You can also visit the planet Pandora, it's not that difficult. First you need to get to the city of Zhangjiajie. There is an airport there, but ground communication is not so hot, you can get from Yichang and Changsha, and from Chongqing - only a big hook with a transfer. The distance from the city to the park is 20-30 kilometers. You can enter the park from several sides, but the most accessible are two: Wulingyuan village and Zhangjiajie village (the name is the same as that of the city). These villages have all the necessary infrastructure: many hotels where foreigners can easily settle from 80 yuan, shops, restaurants. Prices are slightly higher than in regular Chinese cities, but quite reasonable.
The entrance ticket costs 248 yuan ($ 50), the student ticket costs 148 (they also check the passport, which is no more than 25 years old). On a regular ticket it was written that it was valid for four days, on a student one - three. Such high prices, apparently, are designed to somewhat regulate demand - the more popular the place, the more expensive it becomes. It will not work to cheat and pass on someone else's ticket, because the entrance is by fingerprints. But the price divided into three days no longer seems so high, and it is worth coming here for three days. In principle, you can see the park in one day, if you continue to leave by train, then it may work out. But if you want to fly, it is very risky to set aside one day, because if it rains, you will see something like this "beautiful" landscape from all observation decks:
So I was incredibly lucky on the first day.
It rains frequently in this region and has a very humid climate.
Rain is less likely in the morning, so it makes sense to move out early.
Now, actually, about what to see if the weather is good. There are several viewing platforms in Zhangjiajie, from where you can look at the narrow and high cliffs sticking out of the ground. First, Huangshi (yellow village), second, Yuanjiajie, third, Tianzishan (imperial mountain). The rest of the places are already, as they say, outside the main path, and there are mostly long hiking tracks. A cable car leads to Huangshi, but you can only walk there in a circle along the top of the mountain, and then back. Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain are connected by a highway along the tops of the mountains, free buses run there. There is also a cable car going to Tianzi Mountain, and a Bailong elevator to Yuanjiajie. The entrance to Zhangjiajie village is very close to Huangshi, the Wulingyuan entrance is far from everything, but from there there are free buses to both the elevator and the cable car. There is no transport between Huangshi and Yuanjiajie through the park, you need to walk along the valley along the river.
The ambush is that both the ascent and descent by the elevator and any of the cable cars cost under 100 yuan ($ 15). So if you want to see all the main things in one day, you will have to spend another $ 60 on the ascent and descent, in addition to the $ 50 entry fee. If you have two days, then you can drastically save on this by going through the entire route on foot.
The ascent to Huangshi or Yuanjiajie takes about an hour, walk up the stairs. Much easier than. They say that at peak times you can stand in line for an elevator, so it's not even that slower.
You can also hire porters, however, what is the point is not clear. The elevator will be cheaper.
Stairs.
Path. Everything in the park is civil and well-equipped.
There are shops and eateries on the stairs. One of them stores empty bottles.
And there are also a lot of impudent snickering monkeys living here.
DO WANT!
I read a lot of horror stories about queuing up to push through the railing and taking a photo, but the reality was something like this:
Don't travel in "season"!
The only big group. Everyone is wearing raincoats, but it didn't really rain that day.
Selfies with caviar are taken here.
But the main thing is that they are watching this here!
Zhangjiajie Park is a unique nature reserve. On its territory you can see a real miracle of nature - fantastic rocky landscapes, reminiscent of the soaring mountains from the movie "Avatar". It is said that it was the Zhangjiajie cliffs that inspired the filmmakers to depict the Pandora Mountains. Part of the wider Wulingyuan Conservation Area, Zhangjiajie Park is the first park in China to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the park, visitors can see thousands of stunning peaks and cliffs of bizarre shapes, dense vegetation, gorges, rivers and waterfalls. This place has become a kind of symbol of Chinese nature, and its unearthly beauty definitely deserves to be paid attention to.
In order to avoid long queues, it is recommended to explore the sights of the park in the opposite direction, that is, not on the way with tourist groups.
- Route 1: Entrance Wulingyuan - take the "Hundred Dragons" elevator to the top of Mount Avatar - Mount Avatar-Yuanjiajie - Mount Tianzi - Go down the funicular - exit from the park
- Route 2: Entrance to the park - Mount Huangshichzhai (1-3 hours, it is better to go up and down the cable car) - Golden Whip Stream (1-4 hours) - exit
To start the route, you should choose a bus that goes to the Tianzishan area. The cable car leads to the Tianzishan Mountain (also called the Mountain of the Son of Heaven and the Mountain of the Emperor). Such names are not given by chance - from a height of 1182 meters a gorgeous view of the famous, seemingly floating in the clouds, mountains opens up. The peaks of these mountains form the so-called Stone Forest. The central viewing platforms are always crowded, but if you go down a little further from the main tourist routes, you can find a place to stay alone and take a great photo. In the same places there is a beautiful pagoda - the Palace of the Emperor, which also offers beautiful views.
Snackers will find various Chinese street food eateries along this stretch of the trail, as well as McDonald's. To walk through this part of the park, you should lay about an hour and a half.
Next, you should take a bus to Yangjiajie. There are practically no people here, however, the natural views are also breathtaking. It should be noted that this area is for true nature lovers. After all, you have to walk not along paved paths, but along paths, which in places can even be slippery and dangerous. The hiking trails, in turn, are marked with signs and the paths are neatly laid out. Also in this area is an ethnic village called Wu Long, where the locals are farming according to ancient traditions.
If it will be difficult to climb the mountains, there is an opportunity to use the services of local Chinese, who will be taken to the heights in a special chair made of bamboo. You can spend 2-3 hours in this area.
From Yangjiajie area, from the upper cable car station, take a bus to the Yuanjiajie Park Visitor Center. The landscapes of this park are most often compared to the mountains from the famous film. In this place is the most famous 1080-meter mountain Avatar Hallelujah, which is also called the "Lonely stone pillar that supports the sky" or "Pillar in the southern sky." The name associated with the avatar was given to the mountain after the release of the cult film. Here you can also see the highest Natural Bridge in the world (Bridge over the Sky) - a unique natural creation that connects the peaks of two rocks. Its length is 50 meters. The bridge is easy to recognize by the red ribbon with the wishes and locks of lovers. 1.5-2 hours will be enough for these edges.
From Yuanjiajie there is a descent to the Golden Stream. The path will take an hour and a half, and the road is not too difficult. It is also possible to take a bus to the popular Baylon Tourist Elevator. The queue for the elevator is always huge, it is easy to spend several hours in it, and the descent itself will take no more than one minute.
This route is suitable for those who come to the park for one day.
When is the best time to go
The best time to visit the park is September and October. During these autumn months, the weather is still quite warm, however, the low season is approaching, and the queues are noticeably shorter.
The high season is from May to September.
April to July is also a good time to visit. The only negative is high humidity and the likelihood of rain (often light) and fog.
It is not worth planning a visit during the Chinese holidays, as well as for the winter, as it can be very cold at this time.
How many days does it take to visit Avatar mountains
It is recommended to set aside two to five days to visit the park. Most should be devoted to Wulingyuan Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can leisurely explore the hiking trails. If you have more days to the route indicated above, you can add a visit to the Ten Mile Gallery in Tianzishan, visit the Yellow Rocks Region, where the famous Five Fingers Peak is located, part of Huangshizhai, the "wild" Larvuchang, attractive for photographers, as well as stroll along the most popular tourist route along the Zolotoy Khlyst stream.
Where are the flying mountains in China
The Avatar Mountains are not fictional at all, but actually exist. The Flying Mountains are located in China's Zhangjiajie National Park, which is part of the huge Wulinyuan Nature Reserve. The park, now known as Avatar Park, is located in the northwest of the Chinese province of Hunan.
The closest city is Zhangjiajie, although the distance to it is 50 kilometers. Nearby there is also the town of Wulingyuan with all the infrastructure necessary for tourists.
How to get to Zhangjiajie
Getting to the park and the famous Avatar mountains is easy enough.
To do this, you need to fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, which accepts flights from many major cities in China.
The train journey from Beijing or Shanghai will take more than 20 hours, so this option is considered not the most convenient.
Park opening hours
In summer, the park is open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm, and in winter from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Visit cost
The cost of a ticket to Zhangjiajie Park is 245 yuan - for 4 days. All tickets are personalized, and upon purchase you will need to show your passport and be fingerprinted. This price includes all areas of the park, visits to observation decks, as well as travel by bus.
A separate fee is charged for trips by trams, funiculars and lifts. For example, for a ride on the Baylon elevator you will have to pay 72 yuan, and for the Tfnzishan funicular - 134 yuan (a round-trip ticket).
Wulingyuan Nature Reserve includes four parts: Zhangjiajie National Park, Tianzishan Mountain, Yangjiajie Region, and Suoxi Valley. By purchasing a ticket to Zhangjiajie Park, a tourist gets the right to visit all four areas.
Official site
You can always find more information on the official website of the park - www.zhangjiajienationalforestpark.com. Information in English only.
- It is better to come to the park early, as the majority of tourists arrive after 10.00.
- It is worthwhile to include more walking and less transportation as the lines are usually huge.
- For long walks, you need comfortable shoes that do not slip.
- All buses and cable cars in the park stop moving one hour before closing time.
- In some parts of the park there are many monkeys with which you need to be careful: animals can snatch food, bags and phones.
- It is recommended to bring cash with you, as cards may not be accepted everywhere.
- It is better to have water, food, raincoat and sunscreen with you.
Zhangjiajie National Park Map
Photo
Would you like to see the soaring mountains of Avatar with your own eyes? Then head to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The amazing cliffs of this unique park have become real prototypes of the world famous "soaring Hallelujah mountains". You can talk about this park endlessly. The beauty and uniqueness of nature is simply incredible. Mountains, streams and parks calm, inspire, delight and make you think about the eternal. No photographs can convey all the splendor and grandeur of this place.
Read also about other places in Zhangjiajie:
Formation of mountains
The world famous Zhangjiajie Park, or rather the wider area, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, is the first Chinese park to receive the status of a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site.
As a result of weathering of sandstones and limestones, as well as soil leaching, about 3000 peaks and cliffs of the most bizarre outlines were formed. The mountains are covered with dense vegetation, and they are separated by deep gorges with rivers, lakes and waterfalls. These distinctive mountain formations are a hallmark of the Chinese landscape, depicted in numerous ancient paintings.
Geography of Zhangjiajie Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, known as Avatar Park, is located in the northwest of Hunan Province in China and is part of the huge Wulingyuan nature reserve(Wulingyuan Scenic Area). The nearest airport and train station are located in Zhangjiajie (张家界 市). But, the park is located 50 km from the city of Zhangjiajie, so it is not recommended to stay in city hotels to visit the park. Near the park there is Wulingyuan town, also known as Zhangjiajie village, with all the necessary infrastructure, including hotels and restaurants.
In China, names are always difficult. They are duplicated and embedded in each other like nesting dolls. I will try to clarify a little how things are with the parks near Zhangjiajie.
Wulingyuan nature reserve(Wulingyuan Scenic Area, 武陵源) has four parts:
- Zhangjiajie National Park(Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, 张家界 国家 森林 公园),
- Tianji Mountain| Tianzi Mountain Natural Resource Reserve (天子山),
- Yangjiajie Region(Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, 袁家界),
- Suosi Valley(Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, 索溪峪).
The Zhangjiajie Park ticket allows you to visit all of the above zones.
However, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area has attractions that require separate tickets:
- Yellow Dragon Cave (黄龙 洞) - 100 RMB
- Dragon King's Cave Longwang Dong (龙王 洞) - 81 RMB
- Baofang artificial lake - 98 RMB
- Museums, river rafting, etc.
Also near the city of Zhangjiajie there is (Tianmenshan National Forest Park, 天门山 森林 区). It is located in a completely different direction from Zhangjiajie and is not included in the Wulingyuan reserve zone. It is an absolutely beautiful, majestic and unique place. With a completely different atmosphere from Zhangjiajie Park.
Main Areas of Zhangjiajie Park
Yuanjiajie
View from the elevator 100 dragons
The most picturesque, but touristy area of the park. In this area are located (the one that is the main attraction of the entire park and is renamed "Avatar Mountains" in honor of the well-known film), The first bridge under heaven(natural bridge between two rocks), Lost Souls Platform, Bailong elevator(the world's highest elevator).
Bailong Elevator - the world's tallest elevator
Bailong Elevator | Hundred Dragon Elevator
Hundred Dragons Elevator – the tallest open lift in the world... It takes tourists to the top of a 330-meter steep slope in the heart of Zhangjiajie Park. A ride in the glass elevator will give you stunning views of the plain. The main thing is to get closer to the window, because 50 people can fit in the booth, and not everyone will be able to enjoy the beauty that opens from above.
Avatar Hallelujah Mountain
1080 meter mountain The Southern Sky Column has been renamed Avatar Hallelujah Mountain in honor of the landmark film Avatar. The mountain is located in the Yuanjiajie region.
Natural Bridge No. 1 (The First Bridge under Heaven)
Natural bridge number 1 (The First Bridge under Heaven | Tianxia Diyi Qiao) or "Bridge over the sky" is a kind of unique in the world, unique natural creation. At an altitude of 357 meters it connects the peaks of two rocks... Its length is 50 meters, width - 4 meters, thickness - 5 meters. It is the tallest natural bridge in the world.
Tianzishan | Mountain of the Son of Heaven | Emperor's Mountain (Tianzi Mountain)
Rocks forest | Stone peaks forest
The main advantage of this area is its height. The height of 1182 meters gives a great opportunity to see the famous mountains in the clouds. Here the mountains really seem to be floating. The area is popular with photographers. In this area you can see Dian Jiang Tai, Yubi Feng, Ten-Li Gallery.
Emperor's Pavilion | Tianzi Pavilion
Gallery ten li | Ten-Li Gallery
Yellow Stone Village
Five Fingers Peak | Five fingers peak
The region is just north of the Zolotoy Khlyst stream. This part of the park is home to the famous Five-Fingers Peak... The area is just as picturesque but less popular than Yuanjiajie. Many go to the main observation deck, which overlooks the Five-Fingers Peak on foot, without using expensive lifts.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area
This area for real explorers... Here you will have to walk not along paved paths, but along dangerous and slippery paths. No infrastructure, but no tourists and no queues. Real nature.
Laowuchang Area
One of the wildest areas of the park. You will have to walk on muddy paths. But this is the best area for photographers. Here are the rice fields Paddies in the sky and Spirit Soldiers 'Gathering'.
Golden Whip Stream
A pleasant walk along a beautiful stream surrounded by incredible mountains is the most popular route in the park... The path is quite long - 7 km, but not at all difficult. All is well, except that there are always a lot of people here.
How much is a ticket to Zhangjiajie?
A ticket to the park costs 248 RMB for 4 days or 298 RMB for a week. For students, seniors and children, prices are 160 RMB and 193 RMB, respectively. Children up to 1.2 meters tall are free. The price is far from low, but it's definitely worth it! You will not regret a dime.
The ticket price includes all the zones and observation decks listed above, as well as all bus movements within the park. However, rides by funiculars, trams and elevators require a separate fee.
Price for lifts and trams:
- Glass Elevator Bailong | Elevator 100 dragons (Bailong elevator) - 72 RMB.
- Tianzishan Cable Car - 67 RMB one way / 134 RMB round trip.
- Funicular Huangshi Zhai (Yellow Stone Village Cable Car) - 65 RMB one way / 118 RMB round trip.
- Tram in the ten li gorge (Tenli Gallery's Mini Train) - 38 RMB one way / 52 RMB round trip.
The main entrances to the park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has two main entrances. The park ticket allows you to visit all the attractions located inside.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Gate (on map A): southwest entrance, convenient if you want to walk along the Gold Whip Stream.
- Wulingyuan gate (on map B) : Closest to hotels in Wulingyuan town. It is convenient to get to Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain Cable Way and Ten-Li Gallery train.
How long does it take to visit the park?
We had only 3 days for everything, and even during the Chinese holidays. We walked quite a lot and in a day and a half managed to see all the most interesting things in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. For half a day we went to the Yellow Dragon Cave, and on the last day we saw Tianmenshan National Forest Park.
When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie Park?
- Avoid Chinese Holidays(May 1-3, October 1-7) and the Chinese holiday period (July and August). There will be not just a lot of tourists, but a lot of horror. You may have to queue for hours for the lifts.
- It's very cold in winter, and in February, the park may be closed for reconstruction.
- April to June good time but high humidity and a high probability of rain and fog. But if this does not scare you (and I advise you not to be intimidated by small rains), then this time is great.
- May to October high season... Accordingly, prices are higher, there are more tourists on average.
- September and October - the best time to visit the park. It is still warm enough, but this is already a low season, and therefore there are no queues and prices do not bite.
Where to stay to eat?
The restaurants in the park are small and very authentic. The most European place is McDonald’s on Tianzi Mountain. But on every corner there are street vendors with sausages, tofu, fruits, water and other snacks. Everything is quite expensive and not particularly tasty. So I recommend bringing sandwiches, nuts or fruit with you. Full meals can be found in Wulingyuan Township or near attractions outside the park, such as Yellow Dragon Cave.
Hotels in Zhangjiajie
I recommend staying in Wulingyuan Town, also called Zhangjiajie Village, or inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is definitely not necessary to stop in Zhangjiajie city, because it is located quite far (50 km or an hour's drive) from the park.
Hotels in Wulingyuan
Walking distance to the entrance to the park. You can come early in the morning and return late in the evening. The infrastructure of the village is much better than inside the park. Restaurants, shops, everything is there. The level of hotels from hostels to 5 stars.
Hotels inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Hotels inside Zhangjiajie Park are not comfortable and quality. But you do not need to stand in lines at the entrance and you can come to the most interesting places before others, as well as meet the sunrises and sunsets in the park. In terms of infrastructure, you will have to rely on the hotel and what you brought with you.
How to get to the Avatar Mountains?
Getting to the famous Avatar Park is not at all difficult:
- Fly to Hunan Airport. Aircraft to Zhangjiajie fly from any major city in China.
- Take a taxi or bus to the park or hotel.
I recommend taxi since the way is not close, taxis in China are not expensive, and there are always a lot of cars near the airport. The price to the park and to the village of Wulingyuan will be asked for about 300 RMB, but in fact, they can be delivered for 100 (such prices are offered to the Chinese). They don't like to turn on the meters, especially at night, so bargain fiercely.
If you want to get there to the park by bus then go to the bus station (next to the train station and McDonald’s). You need a bus that goes to the main entrance to the park. The stop is called Wulingyuan Menpiaozhan (武陵源 门票 站). The fare is 12 RMB and the controller takes the money during the trip.
The entrance to the park is indicated by a huge pagoda, it can be seen from afar.
- Queues... There are a lot of Chinese. And during the holidays there are even more of them. You can hang around (as we did on May 1) in the queue for the elevator for 2-4 hours or an hour in the queue for the bus. Therefore, more walks, less transport.
- Come to the park early... Better then sleep off in the early evening. The majority of tourists arrive after 10, and the park opens at 7.
- If you are traveling on your own, then learn the most important phrases in Chinese better... In China, almost no one speaks English.
- You must be able to pronounce the hotel name and address, taxi drivers often do not know how to read and do not always know the area well.
- Cash money (of course yuan) will save you always and everywhere. Currency and Visa, Master Card may not be accepted. Don't be surprised, China uses their own banking system.
- If you take map park at the entrance, choose English-Chinese... It most closely resembles the truth.
basic information
- Place: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, 张家界 国家 森林 公园.
- Nearest town: Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China.
- Location: Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源).
- The size: 48 sq. km
- Ticket price: 248/298 RMB
- Opening hours: 7.00-18.00
- Time for inspection: 2-4 days
- Number of visitors: lot
- Best time to visit: September, October.
- Must visit: areas of Yuanjiajie, Yellow Stone Village, Tianzi Mountain.
- We were in Park: 1-2 May 2014
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