7-Day Natural Wonders Tour: Zhangjiajie & Guilin
Surreal China Odyssey: Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains + Li River Karst Wonderland
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrive in Zhangjiajie, check into your hotel, and prepare for the adventure ahead. If time permits, take a stroll through the local town.
2
Take the Bailong Elevator up to the Yuanjiajie area to see the 'Hallelujah Mountain' (Qiankun Pillar). Then, explore the Tianzi Mountain area for incredible panoramic views of the sandstone peaks.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
3
Take the world's longest cable car to Tianmen Mountain. Walk the thrilling glass skywalks and see the famous 'Heaven's Gate' natural arch.
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.
4
Travel from Zhangjiajie to Guilin by plane or high-speed train. Upon arrival, visit the city's icon, Elephant Trunk Hill, and walk around the Sun and Moon Pagodas at night.
Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area
Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area is the emblem of Guilin and a symbol of Guilin's landscape. It is named for its mountain shape resembling a giant elephant drinking water from the river. The mountain is composed of limestone formed 360 million years ago, and the miraculous craftsmanship of nature has created this unique landscape. There is a round cave running through the mountain from north to south, which is called "Water Moon Cave" because of its shape resembling the moon in the water, and it is an excellent location for viewing the night moon over the Li River. Elephant Trunk Hill intersects with the surrounding Peach Blossom River and Li River, forming a beautiful picture.
Sun and Moon Twin Towers
The Sun and Moon Twin Towers are located in Guilin, Guangxi, China, and are twin pagodas. They were originally built in the moat of Guilin during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in 2001 based on historical records as the core scenic spot of the Sun and Moon Twin Towers Cultural Park. The park is themed on the unity of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The Moon Tower is built on an island in Shan Lake, while the Sun Tower is built in the lake. The Sun Tower has an octagonal base, is covered with bronze, has nine floors, and is 41 meters (135 feet) high. The Sun Tower is the tallest bronze tower in the world and one of the few pagodas in the world with an elevator. The Moon Tower also has an octagonal base, is covered with glazed tiles, has seven floors, and is 35 meters (115 feet) high. They appeared as the ninth pit stop in the fourteenth season of The Amazing Race in 2009.
5
Take a cruise or bamboo raft down the Li River, enjoying the iconic scenery depicted in Chinese paintings. Arrive in the charming town of Yangshuo in the afternoon and explore West Street.
Li River Scenic Area
The Li River originates in Xing'an County, Guilin City, and is a tributary of the Xijiang River in the Pearl River system. The 83-kilometer water journey from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most essential section of the Li River, known as the "Hundred-Mile Gallery". Along the way, there are famous attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Nine Horses Fresco Hill, and Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection, making it a world-renowned scenic tourist destination.
Xingping Ancient Town
Xingping Ancient Town is one of the oldest towns along the Li River, with a history of over 1700 years. It is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, unique karst landforms, and as the location featured on the back of the 20 RMB note. It is an important hub for exploring the stunning scenery of the Li River, where visitors can experience the rustic fishing village charm and beautiful landscape paintings.
Yangshuo West Street
Yangshuo West Street, located in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, is an ancient street with a history of more than 1400 years. It is famous for its unique karst landforms, Li River scenery, and the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. West Street is the core of Yangshuo tourism, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. Chinese and English signs can be seen everywhere on the street, and many locals can speak some English. It not only has a rich history and culture, but also many climbing spots, such as Moon Hill, Low Mountain, Shuangmen, Frog, Egg, Bamboo Forest and Wine Bottle Cliff. At the same time, West Street is also a vibrant commercial street with a variety of shops, restaurants and bars, making it an ideal place to experience Yangshuo's nightlife.
6
Cycle or take an electric scooter through the Ten-Mile Gallery, a beautiful countryside route. Enjoy a relaxing bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River, a tributary of the Li.
Ten-Mile Gallery
The Guilin Yangshuo Ten-Mile Gallery is located at Moon Hill in Yangshuo. It is called the Yangshuo Ten-Mile Gallery because of its beautiful scenery along the way, like a poem or a painting. The main attractions include Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree, Totem Ancient Trail, Butterfly Spring, Jianshan Temple, etc. It is a good place for cycling and sightseeing.
Yulong River Scenic Area
Yulong River Scenic Area is located in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and is the longest tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo. It is known as the "Little Li River" for its beautiful natural scenery and unique pastoral landscape. The river is crystal clear, surrounded by green hills on both sides, reflected by verdant bamboo, and dotted with rice fields and orchards, forming beautiful Chinese landscape paintings. There are no motorized boats on the Yulong River. Tourists mainly enjoy the scenery along the way by taking bamboo rafts, experiencing tranquility and leisure. In addition, cycling along the river is also a popular activity, allowing you to deeply experience the local rural life and customs. This is an excellent place to relax and get close to nature.
7
Enjoy a final taste of Guilin rice noodles for breakfast before transferring to the airport or train station for your departure.
Ready to customize this itinerary?
Chat with Magpie AI to adjust this route to your preferences, add or remove stops, and get personalized recommendations.
Plan with Magpie AI