Zhangjiajie: The Avatar Mountains
Famous for towering quartzite sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and nature lover's paradise.
Best Season
Apr-Oct
Daily Budget
$60-120/day
Language
Chinese
Recommended Stay
3-4 days
Top Attractions
National Forest Park 国家森林公园
The real-life Avatar mountains — quartzite pillars & misty peaks
Enter by 7am to see the sea of clouds
Tianmen Mountain 天门山
World's longest cableway, glass skywalk & Heaven's Gate cave
Book cable car tickets online, limited daily
Glass Bridge 大峡谷玻璃桥
World's highest & longest glass bridge — 300m above ground
Not for the acrophobic! Book ahead, sells out fast
Yellow Dragon Cave 黄龙洞
Massive limestone cave system with underground river & boat ride
Includes a boat ride — very cool!
Baofeng Lake 宝峰湖
Peaceful lake surrounded by karst peaks — boat cruise included
Relaxing half-day trip, combine with Yellow Dragon Cave
Tianzi Mountain 天子山
Highest viewpoint in the park — panoramas of 3,000+ peaks
Take the cable car up, walk down for best views
Suggested Itineraries
Pick the pace that suits your style
Compact
2 Days · $250-400
Fast-paced, hits the highlights
- Day 1 National Forest Park
- Day 2 Tianmen Mountain → depart
Standard
3 Days · $400-600
Well-rounded itinerary
- Day 1 Forest Park: Yuanjiajie + Tianzi
- Day 2 Tianmen Mountain full day
- Day 3 Glass Bridge → Baofeng Lake → depart
Relaxed
4 Days · $500-800
Slow pace, immersive
- Day 1 Forest Park: Yuanjiajie
- Day 2 Tianzi Mountain + Yangjiajie
- Day 3 Tianmen Mountain
- Day 4 Glass Bridge → depart
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay in Zhangjiajie
5-Star
Pullman Zhangjiajie
铂尔曼酒店
International luxury near the national park
$80-150/night
Wyndham Grand
温德姆酒店
Upscale option near Wulingyuan entrance
$60-120/night
4-Star
Zhishan Boutique Hotel
止善精品酒店
Charming boutique hotel near park entrance
$30-60/night
Zhangjiajie Hostel
张家界青年旅舍
Budget-friendly with great traveler vibes
$8-20/night
Where to Eat
Local Tujia cuisine & more
️ Dining
Tujia Restaurant 土家菜
Local minority cuisine
Tujia Hotpot 土家火锅
Hearty local hotpot
Street Food
Ci Ba 糍粑
Glutinous rice cake, Tujia specialty
San Xian Noodles 三鲜粉
Local three-delicacy noodles
Local
Sour Fish 酸菜鱼
Local-style sour fish soup
Bamboo Rice 竹筒饭
Rice cooked in bamboo tubes
Getting Around
Getting to & around Zhangjiajie
How to Get Here
️ Zhangjiajie DYG
- Airport bus: 30min ¥15 to city
- Taxi: 20min ¥30-50 to downtown
High-Speed Rail
- Changsha → Zhangjiajie: 2.5h ¥150
- Shanghai → Zhangjiajie: 7h ¥450
Local Transport
Park Bus
Free shuttle buses inside the national park area.
Didi
Cheap rides within city. ¥10-30 to most places.
Cable Cars
Essential for park. Bailong Elevator also an option.
Tourist Bus
City to park entrance: ¥10-15, frequent service.
Local Tips
Insider knowledge for a smooth trip
Save Money
- • 4-day park pass is best value
- • Stay in Wulingyuan near the park
- • Bring snacks, food inside park is pricey
Essentials
- • Didi for rides
- • Alipay
- • Comfortable shoes!
️ Watch Out
- • Monkeys steal food! Keep bags closed
- • Fog can roll in quickly, bring a jacket
Internet
- • Spotty signal in the park
- • Download offline maps before you go
Emergency
110
Police
120
Ambulance
People's Hospital
Hospital
Tourist Police
Scams
Local Culture
Tujia ethnic heritage
️ Avatar Connection
The floating Hallelujah Mountains were inspired by these peaks
Tujia People
Local minority group with unique customs & architecture
Nature Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage with incredible biodiversity
Folk Songs
Tujia folk songs echoed through mountain valleys