Zhangjiajie 4-Day Forest Park + Tianmen Mountain Tour
Zhangjiajie Depth: National Forest Park + Tianmen Mountain Skywalk
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Stroll along the serene Golden Whip Stream valley. Take the cable car up Huangshizhai to enjoy the 'magnified bonsai' scenery.
Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Stream is a beautiful stream within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, named for flowing past Golden Whip Rock. It is famous for its lush green peaks, unique rock formations, clear flowing water, and dense forests, making it one of Zhangjiajie's most beautiful natural oxygen bars. Walking along the stream, visitors can admire famous attractions such as 'Divine Eagle Protecting the Whip', 'Golden Whip Rock', and 'Drunken Arhat', making it an excellent place for hiking, sightseeing, and getting close to nature.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area - Huangshizhai
Huangshizhai is located within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and is the largest aerial viewing platform in the park, with an elevation of 1080 meters. It is a majestic quartz sandstone peak, famous for its unique mountain landform and rich forest vegetation. Legend has it that Huang Shigong, the master of Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu in the Han Dynasty, once refined elixirs here, hence the name Huangshizhai. There are numerous attractions within the Huangshizhai scenic area, such as Five Finger Peak, Front Garden, General's Platform, Rear Garden, South Heaven Gate, Star Picking Platform, etc., making it an excellent place to admire Zhangjiajie's peak forest landform. Visitors can choose to go on foot or by cable car.
2
Take the Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie to see the Avatar floating mountain prototype. Afternoon visit Yangjiajie, challenge Wulong Village and Tianbo Mansion.
Bailong Elevator
The Bailong Elevator (Hundred Dragons Heaven Elevator) is a glass double-deck elevator built into the side of a cliff in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie, China. The region is famous for its more than 3,000 quartz-sandstone pillars and peaks, many of which are over 200 meters (660 feet) tall. The Bailong Elevator is notable for its ascent of 326 meters (1070 feet) in 1 minute and 32 seconds and has been certified by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest outdoor elevator. It offers visitors panoramic views of Wulingyuan's magnificent quartz-sandstone peak forest landscape. Construction of the elevator began in October 1999 and it opened to the public in 2002.
Yuanjiajie Scenic Area - Observation Deck
Yuanjiajie is one of the core scenic areas of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, renowned for its unique sandstone peak forest landform. It features the Southern Sky Column (Qiankunzhu), the filming location for the 'Hallelujah Mountains' in the movie 'Avatar', as well as other famous attractions like the First Bridge Under Heaven and the Enchanting Platform. Visitors can admire the ever-changing stone peaks, deep canyons, and magnificent misty landscapes here.
Qiankun Column (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain)
Qiankun Column, also known as the Southern Pillar of Heaven, is famous for being a filming location for the movie 'Avatar' and is hailed as 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain'. It is an iconic attraction within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a stone peak approximately 150 meters high, shaped like a giant pillar supporting the sky, with a magnificent presence. When shrouded in clouds and mist, the peaks appear and disappear, like a fairyland, making it an excellent spot to admire the spectacular geological formations of Zhangjiajie.
The First Bridge Under Heaven
The First Bridge Under Heaven is located in the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie. It is a natural stone bridge formed by the masterful craftsmanship of nature. It spans across two massive mountain peaks with a vertical height of 357 meters, making it the natural self-formed stone slab bridge with the largest vertical drop discovered in the world to date. The bridge is approximately 20 meters long and 1 to 2 meters wide. It is magnificent and spectacular, and is one of the essential attractions of the Zhangjiajie landform.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area
Yangjiajie Scenic Area is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, and is an important part of the core scenic area of the Wulingyuan World Natural Heritage. It is famous for its majestic, steep, and unique 'peak wall' landscapes. These distinctive quartz sandstone peaks are the product of hundreds of millions of years of geological changes and erosion, forming a magnificent, continuous scenery like a natural Great Wall. The scenic area is crisscrossed with ravines, dotted with streams, waterfalls, lakes, and deep pools, boasting a good ecological environment and home to a variety of rare animals and plants. Yangjiajie, together with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, collectively forms Wulingyuan, a world-class geological park and scenic spot.
Wulongzhai
Wulongzhai is located in the Yangjiajie Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Due to its treacherous terrain and strategic defensibility, it was once a stronghold for bandits from Western Hunan. It features unique peak forests, spectacular cloud seas, and thrilling plank roads, making it a classic adventure destination in Zhangjiajie. Legend has it that bandits occupied this place during the Qing Dynasty, hence its name.
Tianbofu
Tianbofu is a famous scenic spot within the Yangjiajie Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie, known for its unique geological landscape and majestic peak forests. Visitors here can overlook magnificent stone walls and peak clusters, experiencing the marvels of nature's craftsmanship.
3
Explore Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area (Helong Park, Imperial Brush Peak), then take the cable car down and visit the Ten-Mile Gallery.
Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area
Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area is located in the northwest of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area. It is named after Xiang Dakun, a leader of a Tujia peasant uprising in the early Ming Dynasty, who called himself 'Xiang Wang Tianzi' (King Tianzi). It is part of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. Tianzi Mountain boasts a unique quartz sandstone landform, formed over hundreds of millions of years through crustal movement and erosion. Its highest peak, Kunlun Peak, stands at an elevation of 1262.5 meters. The area is renowned for its magnificent peak forests, sea of clouds, sunrises, and winter snowscapes, and also served as an inspiration for the 'Pandora' mountains in the movie 'Avatar'.
He Long Park
He Long Park is located in the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, northwest of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area in Zhangjiajie. It was built to commemorate He Long, a marshal of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Major attractions within the park include the He Long Bronze Statue, the Exhibition Hall of Marshal He Long's Life and Deeds, and observation decks offering panoramic views of magnificent natural landscapes such as the 'West Sea Peak Forest'. It is an important part of the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, combining humanistic commemoration with natural beauty.
Imperial Brush Peak
Imperial Brush Peak is a famous scenic spot within the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is composed of dozens of stone peaks of varying heights, shaped like an inverted pen holder, and legend has it that it is the 'imperial brush' left by King Xiang, hence its name. This is one of the best locations to view the 'West Sea Peak Forest', attracting numerous tourists with its unique shape and beautiful scenery.
Ten-Mile Gallery
The Ten-Mile Gallery is a famous scenic spot within the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area of Zhangjiajie, located in the Suoxiyu Nature Reserve. The gallery stretches for ten miles, with lush trees on both sides, fragrant wildflowers, and peculiar peaks and strange rocks in various shapes and forms, resembling a huge landscape painting. Along the way, there are attractions such as 'Longevity Star Welcoming Guests', 'Herb-Collecting Old Man', and 'Three Sisters Peak'.
4
Ride the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, walk the glass skywalks and Ghost Valley Plank Road, pass through Tianmen Cave, and experience the magical 'Heaven-Linking Avenue'.
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is located in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China, and is a famous peak with an elevation of 1518.6 meters. The park is renowned for its magnificent natural scenery and unique karst landform, earning it the reputation of 'Heavenly Gate Immortal Mountain'. Within the scenic area is the world's longest high-mountain passenger cableway, the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, which transports visitors directly from the city to the mountain top. Several kilometers of cliff-side walkways have been developed on the summit, including multiple thrilling glass skywalks, such as the famous 'Coiling Dragon Cliff Glass Skywalk'. Connecting to Tianmen Cave at the summit is the 'Heaven-Linking Avenue', a winding mountain road that is 11 kilometers long with 99 sharp turns. Its S-shaped bends ascend layer upon layer, reaching straight into the clouds, earning it the title of 'The World's First Highway Wonder'. Tianmen Cave is a natural karst cave that is 131.5 meters high, often shrouded in mist, resembling a gate to heaven. 999 stone steps lead directly to the cave entrance, known as the 'Stairway to Heaven'. A temple, Tianmen Mountain Temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty, is also located on the summit.
Tianmen Mountain Cableway
Tianmen Mountain Cableway is one of the highest passenger cableways in the world, and also the longest single-line circulating detachable gondola cableway in the world. It has a total length of 7455 meters, a height difference of 1279 meters, and a one-way journey time of approximately 28 minutes. It connects Zhangjiajie city center directly to the top of Tianmen Mountain, linking the city's prosperity with the majestic scenery of the mountain peak, and is the main mode of transport to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Along the cableway, the scenery is magnificent, offering panoramic views of Zhangjiajie city center, Tianmen Cave, and the 99-bend mountain road.
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - West Line Glass Skywalk
The West Line Glass Skywalk of Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is a transparent glass walkway suspended on a cliff, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of walking in the air while overlooking the magnificent valley scenery. The skywalk is approximately 60 meters long, with its highest point at an altitude of 1430 meters. It is the most challenging of the three glass skywalks on Tianmen Mountain.
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - Tianmen Cave
Tianmen Cave is a landmark attraction of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, a naturally formed massive karst cave piercing through the mountain, 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. It resembles a gateway to heaven, suspended high on a towering cliff, perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds, exuding a magnificent aura. Legend has it that the opening of Tianmen Cave is a symbol of heavenly blessing, and its unique characteristics of being 'exceptionally high and deeply hidden' attract countless explorers. At the cave entrance, there are 999 stone steps, commonly known as the 'Stairway to Heaven', a must-pass route for challenging oneself and praying for peace and safety.
Mountain-Traversing Escalator
The Mountain-Traversing Escalator is located within Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park and is one of the key transportation facilities in the Tianmen Cave scenic area. It ascends directly from the bottom of Tianmen Cave to the mountain peak, divided into seven sections, with a total ascent height of 340 meters and a total length of 800 meters. Built into the mountain, the escalator is grand and magnificent, offering unique scenic views along the way. It is an important way for domestic and international tourists to experience the unique charm of Tianmen Mountain.
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