How to Plan a Beijing and Zhangjiajie Tour

China amazes tourists with its historical culture, natural scenery, and local customs. Beijing, as the capital of China, is a must-visit destination for understanding Chinese history and culture; while Zhangjiajie, with its most fantastical mountain scenery in China, attracts tourists in droves. From the Forbidden City to the Avatar mountains, a dual-city tour of Beijing and Zhangjiajie will surely bring surprises to tourists who love Chinese culture and natural landscapes. This guide provides everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip between Beijing and Zhangjiajie.

How to Get from Beijing to Zhangjiajie

During your short tours in China, it’s convenient for you to travel from Beijing to Zhangjiajie by plane and train.

By Air

The fastest and most recommended way for a tour from Beijing to Zhangjiajie is by direct flight. Currently, both Beijing Capital Airport and Daxing Airport have direct flights to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, with a flight duration of 2.5 hours. Airfare fluctuates greatly, ranging from 800 to 1500 yuan.

By Train

If you prefer traveling by train, Beijing West Railway Station offers high-speed trains directly to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, with tickets starting at 1039.5 yuan and the whole journey taking 11 hours. Additionally, if you are not in a rush, you can also take the Z295 ordinary train with sleeper carriages to Zhangjiajie, which takes 18 hours. You can sleep on the train at night, and the price of a sleeper ticket starts at 363 yuan, which is much cheaper.

How Many Days to Spend in Beijing and Zhangjiajie

Travel in Beijing

For a trip to Beijing, China, generally speaking, 3 to 5 days is a suitable length of time for sightseeing. If you have 3 days, you can visit the core attractions; if you have 4 to 5 days, you can explore the charm of Beijing more deeply.

Below is an ideal tour route for a 3-day trip in Beijing.

Day 1: Start your Beijing city tour along the central axis. Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and Jingshan Park should be covered on the list of must-see attractions.

Day 2: Embark on a Great Wall of China Tour, and Mutianyu Great Wall, known as one of the most beautiful and well-restored sections, is a must-visit. Then, you can head to Nanluoguxiang to experience the hutong culture of old Beijing. Afterward, the night views of the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest are attractive, never miss them.

Day 3: Tour the imperial gardens of Summer Palace, pray for good luck at Yonghe Lamasery, and make your way to Qianmen Street to enjoy delicious Beijing cuisine like Peking Duck.

Alternatively, you can go with the Beijing tour packages:

4-day Beijing Highlights Tour

2-day Beijing Tour with Great Wall & Forbidden City

For more days of travel in Beijing, you can marvel at the architecture of Prince Gong’s Mansion, visit the Ming Tombs, and explore Beijing food streets and antique markets. If you have kids with you, add Beijing Zoo, and 987 Art Zone to your itinerary.

Travel in Zhangjiajie

After your Beijing tour, you can pack up and set off to Zhangjiajie. Like Beijing, Zhangjiajie is also worth spending at least 3 days to explore.

Day 1: Go on a day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. There, you can take the Bailong Elevator to enjoy the stunning views and peculiar stone columns. Also, pay a visit to the Avatar filming location, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and other attractions.

Day 2: Visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to admire its emerald-green water and serene canyons. Also, you can step on the Glass Bridge to gain a thrilling experience during your Zhangjiajie tour. Afterward, you can head to the Yellow Dragon Cave to appreciate the "World's Marvelous Karst Cave".

Day 3: Explore Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Except for its sheer cliffs and deep valleys, the thrilling glass skywalk and the world's longest cable car there are also worth experiencing.

>> Recommended 4-day Zhangjiajie highlights tour

If time permits, you can stay one or two extra days in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park; the ticket is valid for 4 days, during which you can deeply experience the magnificent natural wonders here. Additionally, you can also visit Rurong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town to take in the beauty of western Hunan.

>> Check out the 6-day in-depth Zhangjiajie tour to Fenghuang Ancient Town

Top Things to Do in Beijing and Zhangjiajie

On your travel to China, there are countless things worth experiencing and exploring in Beijing. You can start by visiting the Forbidden City, where you will feel the glory of the ancient Chinese imperial family. Next, climbing the Great Wall to admire its grandeur and steepness is also a good way to spend your holiday in Beijing. For a serene escape, stroll in the Summer Palace and appreciate the exquisite royal gardens. Additionally, take a rickshaw ride in Shichahai to explore Beijing hutongs and the traditional way of Beijingers’ lifestyle.

>> Discover the top 15 things to do in Beijing

When traveling to Zhangjiajie, don't miss the unique peaks and rocks of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Also, you can take the world's longest cable car to explore the breathtaking scenery of Tianmen Mountain. Challenging yourself on the world's highest and longest glass bridge will also be an exhilarating experience during your tour in Zhangjiajie. What's more, take a boat ride on the beautiful Baofeng Lake and immerse yourself in the beauty of it.

>> Check out the top things to do in Zhangjiajie

Where to Stay in Beijing and Zhangjiajie

Choosing the right accommodation area can greatly enhance the enjoyment and relaxation of your Beijing and Zhangjiajie tour.

In Beijing, Qianmen and Dashilan are ideally situated near the subway station and Tiananmen Square, providing easy access to the flag-raising ceremony. The Guomao area, the heart of Beijing's CBD, features a plethora of starred and luxury hotels, providing various shopping options as well as convenient transportation. Sanlitun, on the other hand, presents a one-stop destination for dining, drinking, and entertainment. If you want to learn more about hutong culture during your Beijing trip, the courtyard hotels in Nanluoguxiang are a wonderful alternative.

Things might be different regarding hotels in Zhangjiajie. Generally, you have two options: the downtown area or Wulingyuan town. If you plan to visit Tianmen Mountain directly, you can stay in the downtown area near the Tianmen Mountain cable car. The hotels there offer better facilities, and there are buses to other scenic areas. However, if you decide to spend more time exploring the Wulingyuan Scenic Area including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park during your Zhangjiajie tour, then stay in Wulingyuan Town for convenient travel, although prices may be slightly higher.

>> Recommended 5 days Beijing Zhangjiajie getaway tour

The Best Time to Visit Beijing and Zhangjiajie

Both Beijing and Zhangjiajie can be visited in all seasons, and each season shows different scenery. However, the best times for a Beijing and Zhangjiajie tour are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), during which the weather is enjoyable and the surroundings are at their most enchanting.

In Beijing, the temperatures in spring are pleasant, ranging from 15-25℃. Cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and peonies bloom all over the city, transforming attractions like the Summer Palace and Xiangshan Park into seas of flowers. While in autumn, the cool climate makes outdoor excursions a delightful experience, making it an ideal time for a Beijing tour. Besides, Beijing turns into a golden attire in autumn, and the red leaves of Xiangshan and the autumn foliage in the Old Summer Palace create a stunning visual spectacle.>> Read more about Beijing weather & best time to visit Beijing

In Zhangjiajie, April is truly the "season of flowers". Wild azaleas, peach blossoms, and cherry blossoms cover the mountains everywhere. Jinbian Stream is flanked by lush greenery, and the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers. Autumn in Zhangjiajie is a "master of colors". Maple leaves and ginkgo trees turn the mountains golden and fiery red. The peak forests of Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie are faintly visible in the morning fog, resembling a fairyland on Earth. Never miss this on your tour of Zhangjiajie.

>> See more about Zhangjiajie weather & best time to visit Zhangjiajie

Plan a Beijing and Zhangjiajie Tour with ETC

More often than not, it is recommended to start your tours of Beijing and Zhangjiajie with a professional travel agency like Easy Tour China to save your time and budget. We have many years of expertise in planning China travel. See below our popular China tours including Beijing and Zhangjiajie.

16-day Scenic China Tour

11-day Splendor of China Tour Package

Contact us if you need a customized tour from Beijing to Zhangjiajie. We’ll arrange the transportation, accommodation, meals, and itineraries based on your preferences for a stress-free journey.