Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (张家界大峡谷) has gained worldwide fame for its record-breaking glass bridge, but the canyon itself is far more than that single attraction.
Imagine standing on a transparent glass bridge 260 meters above a canyon floor, with nothing but air between you and the ground below, and feel free to admire the dramatic gorge, cascading waterfalls, turquoise streams, and lush forests.
Whether you're seeking a peaceful hike along waterfall-lined trails or an adrenaline rush on high-altitude activities, you can find it here.
With flexible routes ranging from 2 to 4 hours and optional adventure packages, you can tailor your visit to match your time, budget, and energy level.
- Operating Hours: 08:00–15:30 (last entry)
- Ticket Prices: CNY 60 (Grand Canyon only); CNY 178 (Grand Canyon + Glass Bridge); CNY 298 (Glass Bridge + 7-in-5 Canyon Activities Combo)
- Time Needed: 40 minutes (only the bridge); 2–4 hours (longer if including adventure activities)
- Best For: Nature lovers, hikers, adventure seekers, families with teenagers (* children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enjoy discounts)
Content Preview
- Tickets & Methods
- How to Experience the Glass Bridge
- How to Explore the Grand Canyon
- How to Get to the Grand Canyon
- Best Times to Visit
- What to Wear and Bring
- 1 Day Itinerary
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Tickets and How to Buy
| Ticket Type | Price | What's Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon Only | CNY 60 | Canyon hiking, free boat ride on Shenquan Lake | Budget travelers, those wish to skip the glass bridge |
| Canyon + Glass Bridge | CNY 178 | Everything above + glass bridge access | First-time visitors |
| Canyon + Glass Bridge + 7-Choose-5 Activities Combo | CNY 298 | Everything above + activities from 7 options | Active travelers with 4+ hours to spend |
You can buy tickets for Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon on-site, but you may have to queue, wasting a lot of unnecessary time.
We recommend that you purchase tickets online in advance through professional ticketing websites (trip.com) or travel with tour agencies like China Highlights and reserve your entry time.
It'd be better to book 1–2 days ahead during the regular season, or 3–5 days ahead during peak season (July–August, national holidays).
There's no standalone glass bridge ticket. If you are short on time and even if you only want to walk the bridge and return, you'll need the CNY 178 combo ticket.
However, if you have 4 hours or more to spend in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, we suggest exploring with the 7-in-5 activity package ticket for a full day of adventures, including:
| Activity | Experience | Duration | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Altitude Zipline | 300m height, thrilling travel across the canyon | 3–5 min | Most recommended for views and adrenaline * This requires participants to weigh between 30–90 kg |
| Sky Strip Slide Way | Two-section slide descends the canyon gorge to the bottom | 5–8 min | Recommended for a longer ride than Hillside King Wu Slide Way, being funnier and more scenic |
| Hillside King Wu Slide Way | Shorter slide to Rainbow Plaza | 3–5 min | Better for kids and seniors, may feel brief for adults |
| VR Flying over Grand Canyon Experience | Virtual hot air balloon ride over the canyon | 5 min | Interesting if you enjoy VR, skippable otherwise |
| Rainbow Lake Cruise | 500m boat ride past waterfalls and cliffs | 10 min | Worth it if included; not worth separate purchase (the free Shenquan Lake boat is better) |
| Sculpture/Treasure Hunt Elevators | Descending elevators with themed decor | 1–2 min each | Functional transport alternative to slides |
Although the ticket is labeled as "choose 5 out of 7", you can actually do each activity once.
If you purchase the activity package, the Sightseeing Elevator will be included in your ticket, and you can ride it for free.
Activities can be purchased individually, but the combo package saves at least CNY 80 if you plan to do most of them.
Via ferrata, rock climbing wall, and bungee jumping are NOT included in the 7-Choose-5 package and require separate tickets.
How to Experience the Glass Bridge
The bridge is constructed with triple-layered tempered glass, designed to withstand extreme weight and weather conditions.
You can see many people sitting leisurely in the middle of the bridge, enjoying the scenery, or even lying on the bridge itself, with the glass windows making it feel like they are lying in the air.
You might feel a little scared at first, but after posing for photos for a while, you'll just feel like time flies by.
Bungee Jumping (260m High Platform)
- Pricing: CNY 2,998 (first jump); CNY 998 (second jump or more in the same day); CNY 1,500 (second jump or more in another day)
- Age Limit: 16–65 years old (teenagers under 18 years old require a guardian's signature as a guarantee)
- Weight Limit: 40–90 kg/ 88–198 lb
Currently, this is the world's highest commercial bungee jump, and most likely to be an ultimate bucket-list experience for thrill-seekers.
Jumping from the bridge into the canyon requires immense courage and excellent health, with no heart conditions or recent surgeries.
If you're a first-time bungee jumper, we suggest arriving early to watch others jump first (more participants during the peak season in July and August), which helps build confidence and lets you mentally prepare.
Via Ferrata (Stunning Scenery On the Cliff)
- Pricing: CNY 138 (same price for both upward and downward routes)
- Routes:
- Upward route (recommended): Better challenge and sense of achievement, more physically demanding, ideal for those seeking the full via ferrata experience.
- Downward route: Gentler, suitable for beginners or those wanting a taste of via ferrata without intense exertion. - Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
Before reaching the glass bridge, you can tackle the via ferrata climbing route along the canyon cliff face for scenery that is caught by few, which is perfect for adventure enthusiasts seeking a physical challenge.
Considered this as entry-level compared to routes like Qixing Mountain Via Ferrata (Qixing Mountain Sky Ladder). If you have a moderate fitness level and aren't severely afraid of heights, you can easily handle this.
Glass Walkway (A Piece of Cake After the Thrill)
Once you cross the bridge, you can continue your exploration to the glass walkway section, which is another transparent path clinging to the canyon cliff face with different perspectives.
This offers additional photo opportunities and extends your glass-walking experience.
After bravely crossing the Glass Bridge, this glass walkway will surely be a piece of cake for you (or not).
How to Explore Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: Which Route Suit Me the Most
1. Canyon + Glass Bridge (Most Recommended, 3–4 Hours)
- Route Overview: Visitor Center → Glass Bridge → Glass Walkway → VR Flying over Grand Canyon Experience + High-Altitude Zipline + Sky Strip Slide Way (一线天滑道) → Rainbow Plaza → Rainbow Lake Cruise → 3–4 km hike → Shenquan Lake Boat → Exit (Canyon Side)
This route is perfect for those who want to fully experience the Grand Canyon, offering an experience that's well worth the ticket price and avoids backtracking.
Getting the 7-Choose-5 Activities Combo ticket will greatly save your costs. Remember to start early if your travel dates fall during the peak season — the zipline can have 2-hour queues in July and August.
However, if you think the High-Altitude Zipline is too scary, or you want to avoid crowds during peak seasons, the following route could be a better fit.
- Route Overview: Visitor Center → Sky Strip Slide Way → Rainbow Lake Cruise (round trip) → Rainbow Plaza → Sculpture Elevator → Treasure Hunt Elevator → Sightseeing Elevator + VR + Glass Walkway → Glass Bridge → Visitor Center → Exit (Bridge Side)
When most are swarming at the Glass Bridge or lining up for the High-Altitude Zipline, you can enjoy a slow pace to appreciate the Grand Canyon without sweating.
Just keep in mind that this route exits at the glass bridge, not the canyon floor, so you'll also miss the Shenquan Lake cruise, which is a bit of a pity.
2. Glass Bridge Only (Those With A Tight Schedule, 40 Minutes)
For those with limited travel time and a tight schedule, we suggest only visiting the glass bridge, then turning back and exiting at the bridge side gate, leaving time for other attractions in Zhangjiajie, especially during the peak season.
Although you can't personally experience all the wonders of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, you can already take in the entire canyon from the glass bridge, allowing for a leisurely travel pace for the rest of the trip.
3. Canyon Only (8km Hiking Route, 2–3 Hours, Not Recommended)
Sky Strip Trail- Route Overview: Visitor Center → Sky Strip Trail (一线天路线, 4km downhill hiking) → Rainbow Plaza → 3–4 km canyon hike → Shenquan Lake Boat → Exit (Canyon Side)
If you've purchased the Grand Canyon Only ticket and aren't considering any other paid activities, then this is your route.
Feel free to enjoy some slow pace while admiring nature beauty of the Grand Canyon.
However, seniors and those with mobility issues should reconsider choosing this route, as it involves many stairs and walking.
Well, if you are tired of walking along the Sky Strip Trail and want to save your energy, pay to take the Sky Strip Slide Way (CNY 50) next to the trail and quickly descend to the Rainbow Plaza at the bottom of the valley.
How to Get to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is approximately 55 kilometers from Zhangjiajie city center and 30 kilometers from Wulingyuan Town.
Private transfer will efficiently solve your trouble by offering door-to-door transportation, with our smart-planned itinerary and professional local guides, your time in Zhangjiajie will not be wasted.
From Wulingyuan District
- By Coach (Most Economical): You can take a coach from Wulingyuan Bus Station directly to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Coaches depart approximately every 40 minutes from 7:20 AM/ 7:40 AM, cost CNY 12 per person, and take 40–50 minutes to reach the destination.
- By Taxi (Fastest and Most Convenient): It takes about 35–45 minutes by taxi to get there and costs around 55 RMB. If you are traveling in a group of 4, the cost per person is about the same as that of a coach, and the experience is even better.
From Zhangjiajie Downtown
- By Coach (Most Economical): Take a long-distance bus from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station. The first bus departs at 7:00 AM, and buses run every 40 minutes. The journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours and costs CNY 22 per person.
- By Taxi (Faster but More Expensive): It takes about an hour to reach Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with a cost of CNY 150–170, which is much more expensive than taking a coach. Only recommended for those with a tight schedule or traveling with a group of 3–4 to split the bill.
Best Times to Visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
- Early Morning (before 9:00 AM): We highly recommend this timing with fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and better photo lighting. You will also have more time to experience other activities at the Grand Canyon.
- After 3:00 PM: Also less crowded, though you'll have less time before the scenic area closes.
- Avoid Peak Time (Summer Vacation, National Holidays): If possible, visit in May–June or September–October instead of July–August to skip the heaviest crowds. Weekdays are also significantly less busy than weekends.
What to Wear and Bring Before Visiting Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
- Shoes with great grips (not with sharp metal soles) are appreciated, since the glass bridge can be slippery, especially after rain.
- In mountainous and canyon areas, portable raincoats are often more practical than umbrellas.
- In summer, bring a sun hat and sunscreen with you for the intense sunlight, and a light jacket if you want to explore the cool canyon bottom.
- In winter, wear warm layers and a wool hat for strong and cold mountain winds.
- Leave glass bottles and stainless steel thermoses behind (cannot be used on the bridge).
1-Day in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Baofeng Lake/ Yellow Dragon Cave
Take a boat tour to relax on Baofeng LakeZhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Yellow Dragon Cave, and Baofeng Lake are on the same side of Wulingyuan, so they can be easily connected with just a short drive (about 30 minutes).
Either Yellow Dragon Cave or Baofeng Lake provides cool refreshment and relief after the canyon hike.
For families with children, the cave's karst formation could be a vivid and impressive geography lesson. As for seniors, taking a leisure cruise across Baofeng Lake could be a relaxing and effortless choice.
Plan Your Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Adventure with China Highlights
The Grand Canyon offers more than photo opportunities on a famous bridge.
Whether you're descending through the narrow Sky Strip Trail, cooling off beside waterfalls and rivers, or zipping across the canyon on the high-altitude zipline, the experience combines natural beauty with adventure options that suit different travel styles.
Reach out to us now to design a personalized Zhangjiajie itinerary that includes the Grand Canyon along with the region's other highlights, or you can check out our popular Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon itineraries for inspiration: