How to Get to and around Zhangjiajie

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Zhangjiajie is a famous tourist destination but only a small Chinese city. As such it is moderately accessible by air and train from the major tourism cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guilin. The most convenient way is by air. Local transport includes buses from the city to the national park.

Getting to Zhangjiajie by Air

Zhangjiajie Hehua ('Lotus Flower') Airport offers direct flights to and from Changsha, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kunming, and other important cities. Most flights land in Zhangjiajie in the evening.

If there is no direct flight from your city, such as Guilin and Hong Kong, consider taking a connecting flight at Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Changsha.

The airport is in Yongding District, 4 km (2.5 mi) from the center of Zhangjiajie City. Airport shuttle buses and city bus 4 go from the airport to the downtown area. If traveling by taxi, the cost is around 50 yuan.

The beautiful scenery of Zhangjiajie

Getting to Zhangjiajie by Train

Zhangjiajie is linked by rail directly to most cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Guiyang. Train journeys often take at least 10 hours and are not recommended.

Taking a train can be an option if you travel from Guilin or Yichang (the start or end of a Yangtze cruise) to Zhangjiajie.

Popular routes to Zhangjiajie by train:

• Guilin–Liuzhou–Zhangjiajie (overnight train, more than 12 hours)
• Yichang–Zhangjiajie (5 hours)

Many high-speed trains run from the most popular cities to Changsha (the capital city of Hunan Province). You are suggested to take a high-speed train to Changsha first, and then a normal train to Zhangjiajie city (about 5½ hours).

Trains from major cities often arrive at Changsha South Railway Station, while trains from Changsha to Zhangjiajie often depart from Changsha Railway Station. The distance between the two stations is about 10 km (6 mi). You can transit by subway line 2 or a taxi.

Zhangjiajie Railway Station is 2 kilometers south of the city center, and 1 kilometer from the cableway station for Tianmen Mountain.

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How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Changsha

Changsha–Zhangjiajie transportation map

By Air

There are 4 flights from Changsha Huanghua International Airport to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport every day. The flight departure times are 08:00 and 21:45. Each flight takes about an hour.

By Train

There are 7 trains to Zhangjiajie from Changsha Railway Station every day. The trains depart from 04:30 to 22:00. They take about 5 hours and cost from 55 to 156 yuan.

By Bus

Zhangjiajie is 376 kilometers from Changsha. The journey takes 4–5 hours by bus from any bus station in the city. They depart from 10:30 to 19:00, and the ticket price is around 130 yuan.

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How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Beijing

Beijing–Zhangjiajie transportation map

The distance from Beijing to Zhangjiajie is 1,593 km (990 miles). Trains and airplanes run from Beijing to Zhangjiajie.

The most convenient way is to fly from Beijng to Zhangjiajie directly. If you cannot get a direct ticket, you can take a flight to Changsha and transfer to Zhangjiajie by flight, train, or long-distance bus.

If you don’t mind long journeys, you can consider taking a train.

Trains from Beijing to Changsha often go from Beijing West Railway Station to Changsha South Railway Station.

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How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Shanghai

Zhangjiajie can be a perfect weekend destination for expats or business people in Shanghai as the transportation is convenient.

Trains from Shanghai to Changsha often depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and arrive at Changsha South Railway Station.

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How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Chengdu

Zhangjiajie is 897 km (557 mi) from Chengdu. Many travelers choose to visit Zhangjiajie after their Chengdu tours.

Direct trains are not available. Direct flights from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie run on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.

You are suggested to check for flights before planning your trip to Zhangjiajie. 

And if a direct flight is not available, you are suggested to transfer in Changsha.

How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Guangzhou

It is very convenient to travel from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie via Changsha as there are more than 100 high-speed trains between the two cities daily.

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How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Guilin

Direct flights or trains are not available between Zhangjiajie and Guilin.

Guilin–Zhangjiajie transportation map

There are direct flights connecting Zhangjiajie with Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Changsha, Chengdu, etc. If needed, you can consider transiting via the above cites.

There is no direct train from Guilin to Zhangjiajie — you need to transfer at Liuzhou (a city near Guilin), from where you'll take an overnight train to Zhangjiajie.

If you don’t want to travel on an overnight train, another option is taking a bullet train to Changsha (about 3½ hours), and then getting to Zhangjiajie by car, flight or train.

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Getting Around Zhangjiajie

The most convenient and hassle-free way to travel around Zhangjiajie is taking a private tour with a private car. If you want to tailor-make a Zhangjiajie private tour, please feel free to let us know.

City Bus

There are 10 bus routes in Zhangjiajie. Buses are 1 yuan per trip. These bus routes cover most parts of the city proper.

Taxi

The starting price is 5 yuan. If you go to the railway station or the airport by taxi, 20 yuan is enough from most places in the city.

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Long-Distance Buses

There are regular buses from Zhangjiajie City Bus Station to nearby cities such as Changde, Changsha, and Jishou.

Buses to the nearby Zhangjiajie Scenic Area, and surrounding counties such as Fenghuang (Phoenix) County, operate every day. Take bus 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to the Long-Distance Bus Station.

How to Get from Downtown Zhangjiajie to Zhangjiajie Scenic Area

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is about 30 km (18 mi) from central Zhangjiajie. The best way to go from the city to Zhangjiajie Scenic Area (Wulingyuan or Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge) is by taking a local bus.

There is no direct bus from the airport/train station to Zhangjiajie Scenic Area, so you need to go to Zhangjiajie City Bus Station (张家界市中心汽车站) first.

• From the airport: Take a taxi. Or take public bus 4 to Guanliping Zhuanpan (官黎坪转盘), then a local bus from there to Zhangjiajie Scenic Area.
• From Zhangjiajie Train Station: Turn left and walk 150 meters for Zhangjiajie City Bus Station.

At Zhangjiajie City Bus Station, buy a ticket to Zhangjiajie Scenic Area. The journey is about 40 minutes and costs about 12 yuan.

For the Glass Bridge, hop on another bus at Zhangjiajie Scenic Area for Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. It takes about 30 minutes and costs 10 yuan.

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How to Get from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town

Fenghuang Ancient Town

By Bus

You can take a direct bus from Zhangjiajie City Bus Station to Fenghuang Bus Station. The trip costs 80 yuan per person and takes 5 hours.

On arrival at the bus station, take a taxi (about 10 yuan) to the ancient town.

By Train

Take a train to Jishou (2 hours), and then a bus from Jishou Railway Station to Fenghuang (15 yuan, 1 hour).

Touring Zhangjiajie with China Highlights

Touring Zhangjiajie with us

Want to enjoy a hassle-free Zhangjiajie tour? Using our comprehensive experience, we will find the best Zhangjiajie transportation solutions and other arrangements for you. Contact us to start tailor-making your tour.

Here are our most popular Zhangjiajie tour ideas for your reference:

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