Zhangjiajie (张家界) is a city, region, and national park located in Central China, approximately 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) from Beijing, and 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Shanghai.
Famous for its karst landscape, which had inspired the movie Avatar, Zhangjiajie offers a spectrum of profound experiences, ensuring every traveler finds their own adventure.
- For Hiking Enthusiasts: Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Hallelujah Mountains (Yuanjiajie) and enjoy serenity and fresh air along the Golden Whip Stream.
- For Thrill-Seekers: Brave yourself to walk on the world's longest glass bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, and climb the dramatic Sky Ladder on the cliffs of Qixing Mountain.
- For a Serene Escape: Take a boat across the emerald waters of Baofeng Lake, and ascend effortlessly via the world's longest cable car to the summit of Tianmen Mountain.
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- 1. Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
- - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- - Tianmen Mountain
- - Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
- - Yellow Dragon Cave
- - Baofeng Lake
- - Qixing Mountain Sky Ladder
- - 72 Wonder Towers
- 2. How Long to Spend
- 3. Best Time to Visit
- 4. How to Get To/Around
- 5. Vs. Jiuzhaigou, Huangshan, or Guilin
- 6. Where to Stay
- 7. Zhangjiajie Food and Cuisine
Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
Before arriving in Zhangjiajie, you're probably wondering what kind of adventures you'll enjoy each day to make the most of your trip. Based on our guests' feedback and our own 20+ years of traveling, we've compiled the recommendations below.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (1-3 Days)
- Recommendation: ★★★★★
- Opening Hours: 07:00-17:00
The crown jewel and the Avatar-inspired landscape you've come to see. If you have only one day in Zhangjiajie, this is your non-negotiable destination.
Typically, we suggest spending 2 days in the park, with 1 day exploring Yuanjiajie (Hallelujah Mountains) and Tianzi Mountain, and 1 day enjoying the slow pace at Golden Whip Stream and Huangshi Village.
Ticket Tips: Tickets are sold as multi-day passes with optional transport add-ons. A "4-Day Ticket + 3 Cableways & 1 Elevator (Unlimited Times)" pass (CNY 533) is the best value for a 2-day visit.
* Children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enjoy discounts.
Tianmen Mountain (0.5－1day)
- Recommendation: ★★★★★
- Opening Hours: 08:00-19:00 (park entry closes at 16:00)
- Entrance Fees: CNY 288 (* Children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enjoy discounts)
Your day in Tianmen Mountain will be awe-inspiring. The experience combines the world's longest cable car, the vertigo-inducing Glass Skywalk, the 999-step climb to the Tianmen Cave, and scenic cliffside escalators.
Tips for Buying Tickets
Tianmen Mountain offers three routes: A, B, and C, all at the same price.
Currently (since November 6, 2025), the summit cable car station is closed for maintenance, so the advantage of Route A, which leads directly to the summit, is no longer available. This makes Route B currently the most flexible touring option.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (0.5 day)
- Recommendation: ★★★★★
- Opening Hours: 08:30-15:30 (park entry closes at 15:30)
- Entrance Fees: CNY 60 (only the Grand Canyon); CNY 178 (Grand Canyon + Glass Bridge)
- * Children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enjoy discounts.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is home to the world's highest and longest glass-bottom bridge. While the canyon offers hiking, a bungee jump, and a zip line, the bridge is the undisputed highlight.
For most guests, we actually only recommend that you experience the most representative glass bridge. A half-day here is sufficient, freeing up time for other wonders, such as Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave) and Baofeng Lake.
Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglong Cave, 0.5 day)
- Recommendation: ★★★★
- Opening Hours: Nov. to Feb.: 08:00-17:00 / Mar. to Oct.: 08:00-17:30
- Entrance Fees: CNY 118 (* Children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enjoy discounts)
Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglong Cave) is a magnificent all-weather escape. Allow about two hours of walking, you can explore one of China's largest karst caves, filled with colorfully lit stalactites and an underground river you can tour by boat.
Baofeng Lake (0.5 day)
- Recommendation: ★★★★
- Opening Hours: Apr. to Nov.: 07:00-18:00 / Dec. to Mar.: 07:00-17:30
- Entrance Fees: CNY 110 (* Children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enjoy discounts)
A serene contrast to the mountains. You can take a boat trip on this emerald lake, nestled high between cliffs, is a peaceful interlude. You'll often hear traditional folk songs drifting from the boats moored along the lake, letting ancient love stories echo across its surface.
Qixing Mountain Sky Ladder (0.5 day)
- Recommendation: ★★★
- Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00 (park entry closes at 13:00)
- Entrance Fees: CNY 780 (* Only individuals weighing under 100kg, aged 12-60, and taller than 140cm are eligible to participate.)
This is a serious challenge for thrill-seekers. Get ready for a 3-hour via ferrata involves climbing a 168-meter ladder suspended over a 1,500-meter drop. It's physically demanding but offers immense views and a huge sense of accomplishment.
72 Wonder Towers (1-2 hours after nightfall)
- Recommendation: ★★★
- Opening Hours: 08:00-22:40 (entry after 16:25 for the evening session)
- Entrance Fees: CNY 88 (* Children under 18 and seniors over 65 can enjoy discounts)
Remember to visit after dark. This modern complex, styled after ancient stilt houses, comes alive at night with lights, local snacks, and folk performances, offering a pleasant cultural evening activity.
How Many Days to Stay in Zhangjiajie: At Least 3 Days
For a first-time visitor, we recommend a stay of 3 to 5 days (not counting arrival and departure). This allows you to experience the iconic highlights without rushing and at a relaxed, enjoyable pace.
A Classic 3-Day Core Itinerary
- Day 1: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain)
- Day 2: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and its Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake
- Day 3: Tianmen Mountain
*See our seamless 4-day Essence of Zhangjiajie tour, which includes a smooth arrival day.
Extending your trip to 5 days or more unlocks deeper exploration and greater flexibility. With extra days, you can:
- Dive deeper into nature with a leisurely visit to Yellow Dragon Cave (a perfect rainy-day option).
- Seek an adrenaline rush by tackling the Qixing Mountain Sky Ladder.
- Immerse yourself in culture with day trips to the historic Furong Ancient Town or the picturesque riverside Fenghuang Ancient Town.
- 7-Day Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour
- 9-Day Zhangajie, Fenghuang, and Guizhou Tour
→More Zhangjiajie tours for inspiration.
Best Times to Visit Zhangjiajie: Spring and Fall
Sky Farmland in Spring Season in Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkFor the ideal combination of mild weather, beautiful scenery, and few crowds, aim for the shoulder seasons: March to April, September, or mid-October to mid-November.
Zhangjiajie's rainy season is from May to August, when you may encounter more unpredictable weather conditions.
To avoid the largest crowds, we strongly recommend steering clear of the peak summer months (July-August) and all major Chinese public holidays, or at least booking 3 months in advance if not.
- Chinese New Year: February 16 to February 23, 2026
- Labor Day Holiday: May 1 to May 5, 2026
- National Day Holiday: October 1 to October 7, 2026
If you want to see the snow scenery and enjoy more affordable prices, travel between late December to February.
See detailed information on Best Times to Visit Zhangjiajie.
How to Get To/ Around Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is a compact city nestled in the mountains, served by one airport (Hehua International Airport) and two railway stations (Zhangjiajie Station & Zhangjiajie West Station).
The best way to get to Zhangjiajie is to take a plane directly from Beijing (2.5 hours), Xi'an (1.5 hours), Shanghai (2 hours), or Chengdu (1.5 hours), or to take a high-speed train from Changsha (2.5 hours), Guilin (7.5 hours), Guangzhou (6 hours), or Hong Kong (6.5 hours).
For a detailed breakdown of routes and schedules from major Chinese cities, see our full guide: How to Get to and Around Zhangjiajie.
As for getting around Zhangjiajie, rather than relying on time-consuming taxis or infrequent coaches, we highly recommend letting us arrange private, comfortable transfers with a local driver.
This service, combined with a customized itinerary, ensures you maximize your time exploring the stunning scenery, not navigating logistics.
Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, Huangshan, or Guilin?
Zhangjiajie vs GuilinA lot of travelers consider the differences between Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, Huangshan, and Guilin, and try to figure out which is the best to visit. Our recommendations are as follows:
- Guilin's good for first-time visitors, or for comfort or those tight on time. Read more about Guilin or Zhangjiajie?
- The Yellow Mountains are good for classical mountain views, and preferable for hiking. Read more on Zhangjiajie or Huangshan?
- Jiuzhaigou is best for those with more than a week's time to appreciate the alpine mountain and lake views. Continue to read details on: To Travel Zhangjiajie or Jiuzhaigou?
- Zhangjiajie's great for steep peaks and gorge views and adventures, but not so great for comfort.
Accessibility: Zhangjiajie, Guilin, and Huangshan are easier to access than Jiuzhaigou.
Travel comfort: Guilin's best, Huangshan's second, Jiuzhaigou's third, and Zhangjiajie's fourth for quality of accommodation, facilities, and infrastructure.
Scenery: Zhangjiajie features "gravity-defying" mesas. The huge forest park pillars seem to float in seas of clouds. Jiuzhaigou has colorful Alpine lakes, snowy peaks, and waterfalls in deep glacial valleys. Huangshan is known for its seas of clouds, peculiar-shaped rocks and pines, sunrises/sunsets, and ancient villages nearby. Guilin features celebrated water (the Li River and tributaries) and karst landscapes (bizarrely-shaped limestone hills).
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie: Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Most hotels in Zhangjiajie are located in two main areas: Zhangjiajie City and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Our primary recommendation is to stay in Wulingyuan. This small town is located adjacent to the entrance of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Staying here places you much closer to the main attractions and offers a wider selection of comfortable hotels compared to the city.
For late arrivals or early departures, staying a night in the city can provide a more convenient and restful stop for immediate rejuvenation. If you wish to explore city attractions after nightfall or attend an evening show, staying downtown saves travel time.
However, it should be noted that hotel standards in Zhangjiajie are generally more modest than in major cities like Beijing or Shanghai. Outside of 5-star hotels, Western breakfast options are rare, and English-speaking staff may be limited.
For a detailed comparison of specific hotels and areas, read our full guide: Best places to stay in Zhangjiajie.
Zhangjiajie Food and Cuisine
The local cuisine in Zhangjiajie is spicy and has strong flavors. Don't worry if you can't eat spicy food because there will be Western food choices available at your hotel. We still recommend that you be adventurous and try it - learn about the place through your stomach.
Food options inside the national park are very limited, but our guide will find the best ones for you. You can find a few Western restaurants, such as McDonald's and KFC, inside the park.
There are no vegetarian restaurants in the city, but we can also arrange that and any other special requirements by talking with the chefs.
Travel to Zhangjiajie with China Highlights
Planning a trip to Zhangjiajie can feel overwhelming. Is Zhangjiajie the same as Yuanjiajie or Yangjiajie? Are Tianmen Mountain and Tianzi Mountain in the same place? The complex names and geography can quickly turn excitement into confusion.
We believe your energy should be spent on the experience itself—deciding which stunning views you most want to see and immersing yourself in the landscape—not on untangling maps and transport schedules.
Let us handle the complexities and hassles. From the moment you contact us, we take care of everything, including accommodations, transport, tickets, and cuisine.
Contact us now to talk about your interests and habits, and together we will see what we can do to plan a truly relaxing and enjoyable journey for you.
The following tours may help you figure out what you want quickly:
- 4 Days Zhangjiajie Tour - the most popular Zhangjiajie tour itinerary
- 7-Day Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Tour - Visit the Highlights in Zhangjiajie and experience the minority cultures of Fenghuang
- 14-Day Beijing - Xi'an - Zhangjiajie - Guilin - Shanghai Tour
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