If you're visiting Shanghai but want to plan an excursion to Zhangjiajie, here is all the information you need to know including how to get from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, how many days to stay, where to stay, and more.
How to Travel from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie
Shanghai is about 1,000 kilometers from Zhangjiajie, a city in SouthCentral China. The quickest way to get from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie is by airplane.
By airplane(recommended): There are daily direct flights from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, taking about 2 hours. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is only 4 kilometers (2 miles) from the city center.
By train: The bullet train from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie takes about 9 hours. There is one departure each day, departing from Shanghai at 12:41 and arriving in Zhangjiajie at 21:55.
See detailed information about how to get from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie by air and train.
How Many Days Are Required
Tianmen MountainIn Zhangjiajie, you can stay for 2–4 days to visit the highlights there, such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, and Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge.
You can make the most of your time by taking an early morning flight to Zhangjiajie or an evening/nighttime flight to Shanghai.
A Sample Itinerary of a Shanghai and Zhangjiajie Tour
Day 1: Fly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajieon an early flight, Tianmen Mountain
Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain
Day 3: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Yangjiajie, Golden Whip Stream
Day 4: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, departure from Zhangjiajie on an evening flight
See one of our Zhangjiajie sample itineraries for inspiration.
A Shorter Itinerary
If you have limited time in Zhangjiajie, we recommend you skip Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge because it is often crowded due to its fame and is similar to the glass skywalk on Tianmen Mountain, which also offers a feeling of adventure.
Zhangjiajie Glass BridgeAlternatively, only spend one day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Here is a sample itinerary to maximize your experience in Zhangjiajie:
Day 1: Fly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie on an evening flight
Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain
Day 3: Tianmen Mountain, fly from Zhangjiajie to Shanghai on an evening flight
See how to plan a weekend trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie.
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Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie
Compared to Shanghai, Zhangjiajie offers very limited neighborhoods to stay in and the star-rated hotels are not up to the standard of those in Shanghai.
The two areas to stay in Zhangjiajie are downtown and Wulingyuan (a small town adjacent to the national park).
Considering the convenience to see the most attractions and the number of hotel options, we recommend you spend most of your nights in Wulingyuan and stay in downtown Zhangjiajie no more than one night.
See detailed information about Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie: the Best Places to Stay.
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What to Eat in Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie cuisine is spicy. The most popular dishes are Sanxia Guo (a type of hot pot)and steamed ham. If you can't eat spicy food, Western food choices are available at your hotel.
Food options inside the national park are very limited but your guide will find the best ones for you. You can find a few Western restaurants, such as McDonald's and KFC, inside the park.
See more information about Zhangjiajie food and recommended restaurants.
The Best Times to Visit Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie in winterIn terms of weather, the best times to visit Zhangjiajie are April–May and September–October.
Winter is cold but you will be rewarded with no crowds and sometimes snowy scenery. Summer is the busiest season due to the summer vacation for students but it offers more chances to see the mountains shrouded in fog, which is when you will feel like you are walking in a fairyland.
See the detailed information about the best times to visit Zhangjiajie.
Recommended Zhangjiajie Extended Tours:
- Beijing – Xi'an – Zhangjiajie – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai
- Beijing – Xi'an – Zhangjiajie – Yangtze River – Shanghai
- Essence of Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie Tour
Should You Book a Private Tour or Travel Independently?
Take a private tour and enjoy a hassle-free tour in ZhangjiajieShanghai, an international metropolis, offers a lot of convenience for foreigners, such as English signs on public transportation and maps in English in scenic spots. It shouldn't pose a problem to travel there on your own.
However, in Zhangjiajie, the situation is different. The problems you will encounter are the language barrier and huge crowds. If you don't have a local guide, you will waste time getting lost and being hampered by Chinese tourist groups.
Therefore, the best way to visit Zhangjiajie is to take a private tour to make sure you have the best experiences. Our experienced guides know how to make the most of your time and will create a flexible tour based on your interests and requirements.
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Enjoy a Shanghai and Zhangjiajie Tour with Us
We aim to provide you with the best travel experience possible.
Contact us and we will be with you every step of the way on your Shanghai to Zhangjiajie trip, helping you get over any difficulties you encounter and eliminating potential problems at the planning stage.
- 6-Day Best of Shanghai and Zhangjiajie Tour: This tour includes 2 days in Shanghai and 4 days in Zhangjiajie to explore highlights and unique experience.
- 4-Day Essence of Zhangjiajie Tour
- China History and Scenery Discovery Tour