Zhangjiajie with a Gateway City-Beijing
The daily flights from Beijing to Zhangjiajie take about 3 hours. This tour is suitable for visitors who have business trips in Beijing and would like to take a side trip to Zhangjiajie or for people who are staying in Beijing.
Discover the spirit of Beijing through the lives of its emperors. Immerse yourself in the unique natural scenery of Zhangjiajie and experience it at a comfortable pace.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
No crowds, breathtaking scenery in winter low season
We arrived at Zhangjiajie High Speed Rail station on Jan 2nd and were met by our local guide Bree (dressed in traditional Miao ethnic minority costume !) and our driver Mr Wu. This "no queuing" experience became a recurring feature on our next few days and is very satisfying (and time-saving), as long as you don't mind the colder temperatures in January ! We want to give special thanks to our guide, Bree, who organized everything for us so efficiently and accommodated us with our last minute requests such as wanting to see the cultural show and the 72 Wonder Tower. She is very knowledgeable about the area and culture and we learned many fascinating facts from her during the hikes and in the mini-van as we went from location to location. One of our party had sprained her ankle during the hike in the Grand Canyon and had some discomfort in walking. This would have been an issue on the last day as there was still so much to see on Tianmen Mountain and we had a train to catch that afternoon. Bree was not flustered by this and had worked out an alternative, less strenuous route for the injured party to meet up with the rest of us along the way. Luckily, we did not need to use this in the end. We were willing to forego lunch to make up for lost time due to the slower pace but Bree timed everything well. We managed to see everything that was planned on our schedule and still had time for a full lunch before we headed to the train station. We also want to give a shout-out to the driver Mr Wu too, for his pleasant disposition and patience in waiting for us all day as we went sightseeing. He kept us hydrated with bottled water in the mini-van and provided snacks and fruits. He even brought us his own home-grown organic oranges which tasted very sweet. Thank you ! We have had such a great experience travelling with China Highlights that we have already planned our third trip with them, this time going to Jiu Zhai Gou later this year. more
Jan 2025, Damian C
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A unique and fantastic three days, discovering China's limestone country
What a fantastic experience. We spent three days in the company of Abbie, our amazing guide. Being in our late 70's Abbie looked after us as if we were her own parents! Always getting us to the front of queues. Finding interesting local eateries. The sights we saw were stunning, the steps we climbed were many. I can thoroughly recommend the Zhangjiajie tour, a unique part of the world, it has to be seen to be believed. more
Jan 2025, GrandTour24467632574
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Could not recommend more!
My family and I are currently traveling around China with China Highlights and it has been amazing. All the cars have been excellent, very comfortable, spacious and new. Lily, our guide in Zhangjiajie, was exceptional. Incredibly kind, attentive to our needs, and always with a smile. She always had snacks for us, was warm and joyous, and very knowledgeable. Of all the guides we have used across our travels, she may be one of the best. Highly recommend China Highlights and if you’re considering a visit to Zhangjiajie, Lily will make your trip very memorable. more
Dec 2024, Ana B
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Highlights
Your private guide will meet and greet you in the airport arrivals hall or at the train station's exit. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel where your guide will help you with the check-in process.
Hotel options:
Novotel Beijing Peace
Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town
Enjoy a full day to get a taste of imperial Beijing and the traditional local lifestyle of native Beijingers.
Listen to the Anecdotes about Tian'anmen Square (40 Minutes)
Your guide will give you an interesting introduction to the square's history and architecture. Enjoy your time walking around and take some great photos.
Discover the 600-Year-Old Forbidden City (3 Hours)
Then walk through Tian'anmen Square, just as the emperors did, to enter the Forbidden City. Marvel at the splendid architecture and feel the majesty of the emperors' imperial stronghold.
You don't need to wait in line for your tickets as we book them in advance. Your guide will help you go beyond the normal tourist route to explore 12 carefully selected places within the Forbidden City, while other group tours only visit six spots briefly.
Have an In-Depth Visit to the Hutongs (1½ Hours)
After lunch, go to the old hutong area and visit a local family whose ancestors have lived in the hutongs for generations. This offers a local perspective on the area's history and is a highlight for most visitors.
Enjoy an Authentic Beijing Roast Duck Dinner (1 Hour)
Continue your tour to discover the must-see attractions in Beijing and learn more about the historical city.
Morning Stroll at the Temple of Heaven (1 Hour)
Marvel at the spectacular architecture and get a glimpse of local life. Explore the main buildings and join in with the locals' morning exercises.
Enjoy One of the Wonders of the Ancient World: the Great Wall at Mutianyu (4½ Hours)
We will arrange round-trip cable car rides (you can also choose to walk down) to ascend and descend the Great Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing the steps. Enjoy walking at your own pace and our private tour's flexibility. It is possible to stay longer on the wall or finish earlier as you wish.
Spend half a day exploring the imperial garden and then take a flight to Zhangjiajie in the afternoon.
Have a Relaxing Time at the Summer Palace (1 Hour)
This was an imperial garden where emperors used to go to enjoy themselves. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the beautiful and peaceful scenery at the top traditional garden in China.
Then, your private guide and car will transfer you to the airport. Three hours later, you will land in Zhangjiajie. Enjoy a sound sleep in your hotel.
Hotel options:
Pullman Zhangjiajie (international 4-star standard)
Crowne Plaza Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan
Wulingyuan Scenic Area is huge and each part of it is unique. Spend 2 days in the park to see as much of it as you can while adapting to the changeable weather. It may be hazy on one day but like a fairyland on the other day. Your tickets are valid for 4 days, allowing maximum itinerary flexibility.
Embrace Tianzi Mountain, Which Is Like a Big Bonsai Garden (3½ Hours)
Check in at the entrance then take a shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain's cable car station. You will see large areas of spiky peaks thrusting upward. As you walk along the steps, spectacular views will unfold in front of you from different angles. Then take the cable car to descend the mountain.
Have a Pleasant Stroll Alongside Jinbian Stream (2 Hours)
It stretches for a distance of 7.5 kilometers from north to south, winding around mountains and with a shady path. It takes 2 or 3 hours to walk the whole distance or you can walk alongside part of it if you prefer. You will see many monkeys as you walk by the stream.
Afterward, you will be driven back to your hotel in the Wulingyuan area.
You have a full day in the national park to explore this wonderland. Take the Bailong Elevator up and down the mountain to save time and energy.
Visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area to See Avatar Hallelujah Mountain (1½ Hours)
This was the shooting location for Avatar 2 in March 2019. Explore this area at your own pace - you will find more interesting mountains and features, such as a natural stone bridge stretching between two mountains.
Listen to the Story about 'Sky Field Garden' (1 Hour)
'Sky Field Garden' is a highlight with much fewer tourists. You may not believe that the local people changed the top of a mountain into a piece of farmland and are living on it. With just one more step, you are faced with cliffs.
Visit Yangjiajie Scenic Area to See the Natural Great Wall (1½ Hours)
The Yangjiajie section was opened to the public in recent years. Its unique mountain formations resemble a section of the Great Wall.
After the trip, you will be driven back to your hotel. Have a nice sleep and get ready for the next day.
Wake up feeling refreshed and get ready to visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. It incorporates mountains, streams, caves, cliffs, and forests. The world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge is located in this area. Walking along this glass bridge at 300 meters above ground-level will be one of the coolest experiences of your tour!
Challenge Yourself on the Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (4 Hours)
The world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge is located in this area. Walking along this glass bridge that's 300 meters above ground level will be one of the coolest experiences of your tour!
If you prefer not to walk on the bridge, you can take another route to visit the area.
Relax in a Boat at Baofeng Lake (1 Hour)
You'll enjoy a 30-minute ride in a wooden boat. It is a leisurely experience as you cruise on the clear water, view hills of various shapes, and enjoy listening to the local minority people singing their traditional songs.
Experience the Longest Cableway and Enjoy Views from Tianmen Mountain (4½ Hours)
The views include graceful ancient trees, karst hillocks, and long roads that are carved from the sides of the cliffs. The cable car ride takes 30 minutes from the city center to the mountaintop and it is the longest cableway in the world.
Tianmen Cave (meaning 'Heaven's Gate') is a 30-meter-high hole that was formed naturally in the mountain and looks like a doorway. It is well-known for being glided through by world-class stuntmen in wingsuits. To reach the hole, you can climb for about half an hour up the 'Stairway to Heaven' or take elevators.
After the trip, we will transfer you to the airport and wave goodbye.
Trip Notes
1. The Tour Price Includes a Flight
The tour price includes a flight from Beijing to Zhangjiajie. Please inform your travel advisor which city you are going to visit after Zhangjiajie so that he/she can arrange more transportation for you.
2. Flexible timing and Travel Order
To avoid waiting in long queues and to adapt to the changeable weather conditions, your tour guide will suggest the best time to start the day and might recommend that you get up early or alter your schedule. Please kindly understand and cooperate.
3. Have a Late Lunch When You Visit the National Park
Lunch is included but there are very limited restaurant choices in the national park. Usually, your guide will suggest you have a big breakfast and will prepare some snacks for you. You will then have a late lunch after you have transferred to downtown Zhangjiajie.
Tour Price
Price includes: