When planning a trip to Zhangjiajie, one of your most pressing questions is likely to be "When is the best time to go?"
The best time varies from person to person. Our article provides you with effective recommendations for the best time to visit Zhangjiajie based on your selectable travel time range, rather than just the typical recommendations of spring and autumn.
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Best Times to Visit Zhangjiajie According to Our Local Specialists
If your schedule is flexible...
If your schedule is flexible, the best times we recommend are just before or after the peak tourist season, such as March to April, September, or mid-October to mid-November. These months offer comfortable weather, beautiful scenery, and comparatively fewer people.
If you want to see the snow scenery, late December to February is the right choice. The snow-covered peaks, frozen waterfalls, and mist-shrouded canyons create stunning winter scenery.
Dates to avoid: The first weeks of May and October are two peak travel weeks in China. Many Chinese people take advantage of these opportunities to travel around. Attractions are usually crowded and long lines and traffic jams abound. Therefore, it is not recommended to travel during these two periods.
Our private tours offer you customized options and more personal space with a private guide who is only available for you as a couple or family group. You could enjoy a more in-depth and less-touristy experience as well as a worry-free tour. Just contact us to create a hassle-free trip.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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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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If you are traveling with school-age children...
If you are traveling with school-age children, your travel timing would probably be limited to your children's school vacations, which are usually the summer or winter break.
Zhangjiajie's summer offers adventure and nature immersion for both you and your children.
Summer in Zhangjiajie is cool and refreshing in the forests and caves and on the lakes and mountains. Lush forests, canyons, and streams create a natural summer retreat. However, correspondingly, summer is also the peak tourist season in Zhangjiajie.
Our itineraries in Zhangjiajie take into account the peak-season crowds. We would arrange some activities for your family that allow you to escape the crowds, such as biking at the foot of Tianmen Mountain, a non-touristy place where your family could enjoy peaceful moments and countryside views.
Summer may bring occasional rain, but it won't last the whole day. The 1–2 hours following the rain are the most beautiful moments in Zhangjiajie.
The rain often brings mist and fog that gently shroud the deep canyons and mountains. The iconic stone pillars and peaks seem to emerge from the mist like ancient sentinels.
During the rainy time, we recommend some local indoor handicraft experiences, such as making a sandstone painting. The materials used in the sandstone paintings are sourced from Zhangjiajie.
Spring in Zhangjiajie: March to May
Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Zhangjiajie. Temperatures average a span of 15–25°C (59–77°F). While temperatures may still be a bit chilly until April rolls around, you would be rewarded with colorful spring flowers and verdant trees.
There are relatively few tourists in spring, apart from the Labor Day holiday (May 1st to 5th). So, if you are seeking a less-crowded touring experience combined with beautiful scenery, visiting Zhangjiajie in spring is recommended.
If you visit during the Labor Day holiday (May 1st to 5th), arrange your tour well in advance.
Recommended things to do in spring:
- Take an early spring walk in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
- Challenge yourself and walk on the world's longest glass bridge.
- If you're adventurous, try bungee jumping.
Further reading:
Summer in Zhangjiajie: June to August
Summer's average temperatures hover at 25–34°C (77–93°F). The forest park, mountains, and canyons are good summer retreats.
In addition to the stunning scenery, Zhangjiajie has a lot of adventure activities to offer, such as bungee jumping, cycling, and via ferrata (cliff-face obstacle courses).
This is Zhangjiajie's high tourist season. Booking 3 months in advance is recommended. To avoid the crowds, June could be a good month for traveling because the Chinese school summer vacation hasn't started yet.
To avoid wasting time in queues, we would arrange a VIP exclusive passage for you.
There are often heavy showers in Zhangjiajie in June and July. The best time to take photos of the mountains is 1–2 hours after it has rained, because the scenery is shrouded in fog, making it look like a fairyland.
Recommended things to do in summer:
- Take the world's longest cable car ride up to the top of Tianmen Mountain
- Find the hidden 'Sky Field Garden' in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Learn about sandstone painting from a local artist
Further reading:
Autumn in Zhangjiajie: September to November
Autumn is one of the best times to visit. The weather is relatively mild and most of the summer crowding has gone.
The city of Zhangjiajie experiences average high temperatures of 25°C (77°F) during September which dips down to 13°C (55°F) during November. (It is significantly cooler on the peaks.)
From the end of October until mid-November, along with shorter queues to top attractions, you would also benefit from the beautiful seasonal foliage.
Keep in mind that during the National Day holiday (Golden Week from October 1st to 7th), hotel rooms are much harder to find. Book in advance as early as possible.
Recommended things to do in autumn:
- Find the inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
- Go biking at the foot of Tianmen Mountain and experience local countryside life.
- Try via ferrata on a 60-meter-tall cliff.
Further reading:
Winter in Zhangjiajie: December to February
Zhangjiajie's low season sees temperatures ranging from 5–12°C (41–54°F). Thick coats are necessary at this time of year.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain don't close in the winter. You are likely to be rewarded with stunning snowy scenery. You're more likely to see snow in January and February.
If you dare to defy the chilly weather, you would save some money on your hotel accommodation and flights.
Recommended things to do in winter:
- View the snowy scenery at the National Forest Park.
- Enjoy a cozy hot spring.
- Take a relaxing tea break at the foot of Tianmen Mountain.
Further reading:
Recommended China Tours
All of our tours can be adjusted or customized based on your requirements. Just contact us if you have a good idea about what you want to do. You could also start from one of our popular China itineraries that include Zhangjiajie: