Zhangjiajie is located in the northwestern part of Hunan Province in China. Though it is a small city, Zhangjiajie is the top fever tourist destination for fantastic nature admiration including the Wulingyuan Scenic Area that is listed as the World Natural Heritage Site, where to encounter with the surreal Avatar Mountain the the big movie by James Cameron. Having been long popular among visitors and photographers, Zhangjiajie is a treasure place with the perfect combination of the idyllic beauty of Guilin, the strangeness of Yellow Mountain, the peril of Mount Hua and the magnificence of Mount Tai. As it goes like “It is best to enjoy water scenery at Jiuzhai Valley, and best to enjoy mountain sightseeing in Zhangjiajie.” You will feel it really worth for your life after standing among the superb fairyland like wonderland with the large spread of splendid Karst sandstone peaks and pillars with mysterious mists and clouds.
Zhangjiajie is not very large, but it has multiple places to go for global tourists, including mountains and peaks, lakes and streams, canyons and caves, etc. Within the whole city, there are three famous scenic areas. One is Wulingyuan Scenic Area including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Village, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, etc. The next one is Tianmen Mountain, the second National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie after Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The third one is Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which boasts the famous Glass Bridge. Here are the best places to go for your Zhangjiajie trip. Please check the detailed info at below. For more attraction info, please read All Attractions in Zhangjiajie.
The first national forest park in China, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 with over 3,000 quartzite sandstone peaks. The inspiration for the movie AVATAR.
The symbol and spirit of Zhangjiajie and also the other national forest park in the city famous for natural mountain cave and a series of thrilling activities, like the skywalk, 99-turned Avenue toward Heaven…
Zhangjiajie’s core scenic area containing Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and Yangjiajie. The World Natural Heritage with Karst pillars and ink-painting-like landscape.
The must-visit place in the Forest Park with thousands of amazing towering peculiar peaks and rocks, and famous for its four wonders of mists and clouds, moonlight, sunrise and winter snow.
Where you can see the prototype of the floating "Hallelujah Mountain" in "Avatar" and enjoy the world fastest elevator to see diverse peculiar pillars standing in mysterious deep valley.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is globally hot for the heart-stopping world highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge, and you shall not miss the charming natural sceneries of the ravines and brooks.
This poetic 7.5km long brook is favored for the stunning view with the crystal-clear water, lovely flowers, verdant forest, playing animals, singing birds, sweet air, etc. for a refreshing hiking experience.
Huangshi Village is famous as the largest natural viewing deck of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to admire numerous magnificent towering stone hills, seas of clouds, mist, etc. and meet wild monkeys.
The favorite exploration site for adventurers to seek its well-known precipitous feature with narrow walking paths high on the mountains and most pristine sceneries.
A part of Wulingyuan world heritage site, it is reputed for the fancy view of thousands of typical Karst stalactites and stalagmites, rivers and caves of thousands of years old. Ranking top in whole China.
This peaceful Man-made Alpine Lake is popular for the pleasance sightseeing with clean water, various shaped stone hills, cool waterfall, small villages, etc. and idyllic for a leisurable lake boat riding.
Honored as the Machu Picchu spot in China, it is the largest, oldest and best preserved Tusi site for nearly 600 years and listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.
Zhangjiajie is a sightseeing destination, however, there are diverse things to do for every traveler to spend a wonderful trip there, such as thrilling walking on the glass bridges, taking exciting cable car, hiking at pleasant valley and aside brook, watching night shows, photographing, etc. Check the details at below. For more attraction info, please head our All Things to Do in Zhangjiajie.
Hold your breath to walk on the world longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge (400m long and 300m high) above the deep valley with everything clearly seen under your feet.
Experience Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
Take the Asia’s longest cable car to experience traveling in the air above 1,000 high through the 7455m’s length and see the frightening 99-turned Avenue toward Heaven.
Tianmen Mountain Skywalk
Both Cliff-Hanging Walkway and Glass Walk at Tianmen Mountain are super thrilling. Take your challenge to walk on the over 1400m height leaning the cliff.
Take all advantages of the two main forest parks in Zhangjiajie for some nice sightseeing hiking among the up and down mountains, emerald ravines, enchanting brook, etc.
Achieve your long expectation for the real Pandora’s Hallelujah Mountain in “Avatar” at Yuanjiajie and take the most instagrammable photos for booming likes.
Take only 1 min & 28 sec to experience the world fastest speed of elevators at the max data up to 5m/s while enjoying the lush mountain pillar forest from the glass car.
Photography
Boasting the world rare sceneries, Zhangjiajie gives no reason for shutter bugs to put on your lens cap in front of its fabulous pillar peaks, sea of clouds, mists, snow, peculiar natural creations…
Boating at Baofeng Lake
Have much fun on the 20-minutes’ boat riding on Baofeng Lake to feel traveling on a painting with the eye-pleasant rising rock mountains, water falls, birds, flowers, etc. surrounding.
Spend some wonderful night hours to watch the popular nigh shows and appreciate the gorgeous real landscape stage, excellent sound and lights, legendary story, local ethnic culture and customs…
Tujia dishes are the specialty in Zhangjiajie, combining the spicy flavor of Hunan Cuisine, sour and salty. Taste some famous classic dishes such as the preserved meat for a fresh treat of taste buds.
Take a leisurable stroll along the bustling but rich ethnic flavored Xibu Street in Wulingyuan downtown with various things to find, including bars, snack stalls, souvenir shops, handicrafts places…
Bathe in Hot Spring
Enjoy some relaxing bath in the hot spring at local top resorts to fully release your body after many possible walks among the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and other sites. Especially recommended for a winter trip.
Zhangjiajie, located in the northwest of Hunan Province, belongs to subtropical humid monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. It’s neither cold in winter nor hot in summer. The temperature rarely exceeds 35 °C (95°F) or falls below 0 °C (32°F). The average annual temperature is around 16 °C. The hottest month is usually August, while the coldest days usually occur in January.
You can visit Zhangjiajie all year round, as the scenery of Zhangjiajie varies from season to season. And the best time to visit Zhangjiajie is from April to May and September to November, when you can enjoy the most comfortable weather with fewer rainfalls. However, rain gears like raincoats are suggested for the frequent rains, particularly in summer. And since it usually snows in winter during Dec.-Feb., you are suggested to wear more layers to keep warm during the large portion of outdoor visiting. Comfortable and antiskid shoes are always suggested for many walks on the mountain area.
To read more weather in Zhangjiajie, please check Zhangjiajie Climate, Weather & Season to Go | Zhangjiajie Temperature | What to Pack for a Zhangjiajie Trip.
Spring (March - May) is the best traveling season to Zhangjiajie. The average temperature is around 19℃ (66°F) in daytime and 11℃ (52°F) at night, and there are usually 7-12 days for rains in a month. Various flowers are blooming with dense fresh leaves among the forest. Wear jackets, long sleeves, long pants in daytime, and plus light sweater during night out.
Summer (June - August) is a little hot in Zhangjiajie city downtown with the average temperature of 28-33°C (82 -91°F), but you will feel cool at the forest park. There are many rainy days, and otherworldly mysterious mountain mist scene shows usually 1-2 hours after the rain. Wear T-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, hats and sunblock. A light coat for night out.
Autumn (September - November) is cool and pleasant. The average temperature falls from 23°C to 12°C gradually. Forest area changes part of the color into red, golden and brown, great for photography. October has more rains, and the first week of the month is crowded for the National Holiday. Wear coats, pants and shirts. Light sweaters are great for November.
Winter (December - February) is dry and cold with an average temperature of 4°C (40 °F). Snow appears sometimes to dress up the peaks. And great discounts are offered from tickets, hotels and restaurants for a budget trip. Wear down jackets, sweaters, warm long pants, warm and antiskid shoes, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.
Zhangjiajie is not as convenient as other major domestic cities with diverse kinds of transportation and frequent schedules from other destinations even other countries. However, flights and normal trains are well offered for easy transfer from most cities in mainland China and a few Asian destinations.
Zhangjiajie is relatively small, and it is easy to travel within the city during a trip. The local taxi and bus are more used for transfer among multiple attraction places, and distance coaches run frequently for travel to nearby tourist places.
How to Get to Zhangjiajie
By Air:
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is 5 km from downtown area and needs only about 10 minutes’ driving there. It operates 42 airlines linking major domestic cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Kunming, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao, etc. in China, and some international cities like Bangkok, Osaka and so on.
By Train:
Zhangjiajie is going to be connected by high speed trains around the end of 2019. So far, Zhangjiajie Railway Station about 2 km from downtown area is under major service. Trains connect Zhangjiajie with Changsha (4.5-5.5 hours), Yichang (4.5-5 hours), Tongren (about 7 hours), Xian (15 hours), Shanghai (20 hours), Beijing (23 hours), Wuhan (10 hours), and so on. Some travelers choose to transfer from Changsha and then get to Zhangjiajie by train. Some travelers prefer a Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang and then take train from Yichang to Zhangjiajie. It is not recommended take trains from Beijing or Shanghai to Zhangjiajie for the long hours on train. You’d better go by air instead.
How to Get to Zhangjiajie | Flights to Zhangjiajie | Trains to Zhangjiajie |
Changsha to Zhangjiajie | Chengdu to Zhangjiajie | Guilin to Zhangjiajie |
Shanghai to Zhangjiajie | Beijing to Zhangjiajie | Xian to Zhangjiajie |
Travel around Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie offers convenient coaches, taxis and buses for your easy transfer, no matter from the airport, train station or down town to the major attractions like Zhangjiajie Forest Park, Tianmen Mountian, etc. or transfer from one tourist spot to another. And within the top scenic areas, there are great sightseeing bus, cableway, escalator, etc. provided for your easiest enjoying.
Zhangjiajie to National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the major tourist spot and has 5 different ticket station, among which Forest Park Ticket Station is more used for international visitors. From the airport, railway station and downtown area, it usually takes about 40-50 minutes by taxi or private car. Besides, buses are available.
Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town
Fenghuang Ancient Town is 200 km (147 miles) from Zhangjiajie, which usually needs about 3-3.5 hours to go by car. Besides, many travelers go by distance coach from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station or Wulingyuan Bus Station for 3-4 hours.
More Zhangjiajie Transportation
How to get around Zhangjiajie |
Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang & Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie |
Zhangjiajie Airport to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park |
Zhangjiajie Railway Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie provides various kinds and levels of hotels and hostels from luxury 5 star, comfort 4 star to budget 3 star both in downtown and the popular Wulingyuan area. You can find some reputed international brands including Pullman, Crowne Plaza, Santo Dominggo, Best Western, etc. to have a great luxury stay. Besides, there are a series of exquisite boutique hotels and resorts with fine deco and facilities for a close-up to nature.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie
As the main tourist spots are at and near Wulingyuan Area which is far away from the downtown, it is suggested to stay in Wulingyuan downtown or close to Zhangjiajie Forest Park ticket stations during your travel days to discover the forest park, Tianzi Mountain, grand canyon, Baofeng Lake, etc. And for your exploration of Tianmen Mountain and short time before or after a flight/train taking, accommodation at Zhangjiajie downtown are preferred. If you have any questions on the booking of Zhangjiajie Accommodation, please feel free to tell us directly, we will help you with that based on your likes and requirements.
Check more about Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie | Recommended Hotels in Zhangjiajie Downtown | Recommended Hotles in Wulingyuan | Recommended Hotels in Fenghuang
To help you know the location and transportation of Zhangjiajie as well as its tourist spots clearly, we have selected the detailed and overall Zhangjiajie maps for you, including Zhangjiajie China Map, Zhangjiajie Hunan Map, Zhangjiajie City Map, Zhangjiajie Attractions Map, Wulingyuan Map, Zhangjiajie Forest Park Map, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Map, Tianmen Mountain Map, etc. All maps are downloadable. Please feel free to use them when planning your Zhangjiajie tour! For more Zhangjiajie maps. please check 2023 Updated Zhangjiajie Maps.
Apart from Zhangjiajie, there are many other wonderful destinations in Hunan Province for your discovery of the nature, culture, history, food... of this diverse province in central China!
If you are nature lovers, you can add some more scenic destinations in China to appreciate different fabulous sightseeing of the vast country, like Jiuzhaigou, Guilin & Yangshuo, Yangtze River, Huangshan, Yunnan, etc. into your China tour. Check the detailed travel guide of each destination and discover now!
China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destinations among more than 70 tourist destination and regions, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China
Chinese Name: 张家界
Chinese Pinyin: zhāng jiā jiè
Area: 9,653 square kilometers
Population: 1.7 million
Language: Mandarin & Western Hunan Tujia Dialect
Tel Code: 0744
Zip Code: 427000
Time Zone: (UTC+8)
Usually, travelers spend 3-5 days exploring the essences of Zhangjiajie. They cover the must-sees Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and choose one or two more sites to Tianmen Mountain, Yangjiajie, Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave. For an extension tour, some travelers add one-day Fenghuang Ancient Town into their trip to appreciate the ancient ethnic flavor. However, if you are short in time and has only 2 days, you can also make the trip to visit Wulingyuan National Forest Park deep to see the Avatar Mountains. Since the world impressive Fanjing Mountain is not very far away, you can add 2 more days for something different with Zhangjiajie.
Besides, Changsha is always linked with Zhangjiaije for the convenient transfer. Some travelers would like to visit Zhangjiajie after explorations of Yangtze River cruise, Jiuzhaigou, Guilin, etc. by transferring via Changsha. Furthermore, there are many popular destinations that can linked well with Zhangjiajie for an amazing China trip, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Lhasa, Hangzhou, etc. You can decide your destinations and our professional travel consultants are here ready to help you tailor make your China Zhangjiajie tour.
Travel with China Discovery
We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable trips to Zhangjiajie for the past few years. Among them Mr. Elie & his wife from Belgium enjoyed 5 days in Zhangjiajie during their 69 days China trip customized with us and shared us their travel story. Travel with China Discovery to create your wonderful Zhangjiajie trip memories!
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