How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Trip: Step Guide
If you are looking for a place that can satisfy both your eyes and soul, Zhangjiajie may be the answer. This city, located in northwest Hunan, has been sculpted by 380 million years of geological activity. It boasts peculiar peaks, deep valleys, serene streams, and misty forests, causing everyone who sees it for the first time to instinctively pause in their tracks. If you also want to explore the real-life Avatar Hallelujah Mountain there, this article will help you on how to plan a trip to Zhangjiajie.
Why You Should Visit Zhangjiajie
Best Attractions & Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, a city established for tourism, is a world-renowned tourist destination. It boasts three thousand majestic peaks and eight hundred beautiful waters, with over 300 scenic spots. See below the top attractions in Zhangjiajie.
| Attractions | Highlights | Tickets | Recommended Visiting Time |
| Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Yuanjiajie: Bailong Elevator and Avatar Hallelujah Mountain;Tianzishan: Helong Park and Shentang Bay;Yangjiajie: Oolong Village and One Step to Heaven;Golden Whip Stream: hiking and nature;Huangshi Village: 360-degree observatory and macaques | CNY 227 | 2 - 3 days |
| Tianmen Mountain | The world’s longest cable car, Tianmen Cave (Stairway to Heaven), three galss skywalks, and Guigu Cliff-Hanging Walkway | CNY 278 | Half a day |
| Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon | Glass Bridge, Sky Ladder, Holy Spring Valley, waterfalls, and cliffs | Route A: CNY 53Route B: CNY 178 (including the Glass Bridge) | Half a day |
| Baofeng Lake | Baofeng Waterfall, Baofeng Temple, A Strip of Sky, and boat riding on the lake | CNY 110 | 2 hours |
| Yellow Dragon Cave | Karst cave, impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and underground rivers | CNY 118 | 3 hours |
During your Zhangjiajie tour, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. You can marvel at the stone peak forests in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and hike along the Golden Whip Stream. Also, it must be memorable to take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, to appreciate the stunning views of Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. Moreover, you might consider challenging yourself on the glass skywalk at an altitude of 1,430 meters on Tianmen Mountain.
Besides, it’s also a wonderful experience to explore the stalactite formations in Huanglong Cave, the longest cave of its type in Asia. If time permits, cruise on the picturesque Baofeng Lake. Furthermore, the local folk performances are also worth catching. Don’t miss the unique local cuisine of Zhangjiajie, such as Sanxiaguo.
To plan your Zhangjiajie trip with nearby Fenghuang Ancient Town, Furong Ancient Town, Dehang Miao Village, Red Stone Forest, Aizhai Bridge, you need 1 or 2 more days. In this way, you can have an in-depth Zhangjiajie adventure, with local minority culture, history, and architecture explorations.
>> See more about the Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
When Is Best Time to Travel to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie has a mild climate. Located in the northern mid-latitudes, it belongs to the central subtropical mountainous monsoon humid climate with four distinctive seasons. Hence, it can be visited all year round. However, the best time to go on a trip to Zhangjiajie is from April to October.
As spring approaches, the mountains in Zhangjiajie are shrouded in mist and flowers are in bloom. In summer, the scenery is beautiful and the mountains there are great places to escape the heat. When autumn comes, the mountains are covered with red leaves, making it perfect for photography. While in winter, it's cold with occasional rain or snow, which is not suitable for outdoor activities.
>> Check out Zhangjiajie weather & best time to visit
How Long to Stay in Zhangjiajie & Recommended Itineraries
It generally takes 3 to 5 days to fully experience the core attractions in Zhangjiajie. However, whether you have one day, two days, or three to five days, you have the opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Zhangjiajie.
If you only have one day, embark on a day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. There, you can take the Bailong Elevator and visit Yuanjiajie (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain), Yangjiajie, and Tianzishan. For a two-day exploration, you can dive deeper into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, pay a visit to Huangshi Village and Ten Mile Gallery, and hike along the Golden Whip Stream. With three days, start an adventure to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park during the daytime, and venture into the 72 Strange Buildings in the evening.
Regarding a four-day tour of Zhangjiajie, head to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and challenge yourself to walk on the thrilling Glass Bridge. If you would like to extend your stay in Zhangjiajie to 5 days, you can visit Huanglong Cave and appreciate the stunning landscape of Baofeng Lake. Or else, you can spend one day traveling to Fenghuang Ancient Town to experience the beautiful scenery and ancient architecture of western Hunan.
>> Popular Zhangjiajie Tour Packages
How to Get to Zhangjiajie
When it comes to how to get to Zhangjiajie, the most convenient and fastest transportation ways are by air and train. Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport is the second largest international airport in Hunan Province, with direct flights connecting more than 30 domestic cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. Besides, starting a Zhangjiajie tour by train is also a good choice. Zhangjiajie West Railway Station is a newly opened high-speed railway station, located about 12 kilometers away from the downtown area with many train schedules.
From Shanghai to Zhangjiajie
For taking a Zhangjiajie tour from Shanghai, taking a plane is the preferred option as it requires only 2.5 hours. Pudong International Airport has frequent direct flights to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport. However, if you prefer to travel by train, you can go to Shanghai Hongqiao or Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station to take the high-speed train to Zhangjiajie, which takes approximately 9 hours.
>> Recommended 4-day Zhangjiajie Avatar Tour from Shanghai
From Beijing to Zhangjiajie
Plan plan a trip to Zhangjiajie from Beijing, you can go to Beijing Capital Airport or other major airports to take a 2.5-hour flight to Zhangjiajie. In addition, there are trains from Beijing West Railway Station to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, taking about 11 hours with a second-class seat priced at 910.5 yuan. If you are not in a hurry, you can also take an ordinary train for your Zhangjiajie trip, which only costs 363 yuan for a hard sleeper, making it more economical. It will take 18 hours to arrive in Zhangjiajie.
>> Recommended 5-day Beijing Zhangjiajie Getaway Tour
From Guilin to Zhangjiajie
There are no direct flights from Guilin to Zhangjiajie. If you want to head to Zhangjiajie after your Guilin trip, you can go to Guilin Railway Station or Guilin North Railway Station to take a CRH train to Zhangjiajie West Station. The ticket price starts at 342 yuan, and after 7 to 7.5 hours, you can arrive in Zhangjiajie.
From Chongqing to Zhangjiajie
For a solo trip to Zhangjiajie from Chongqing, you need to take an ordinary train, as there is no direct flight or high-speed train. Although the ordinary train is slower, taking approximately 6.5 hours to arrive in Zhangjiajie, the ticket price is cheap, with a hard seat costing 69 yuan and a hard sleeper costing 123 yuan.
How to Travel around Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie's downtown area has frequent buses connecting to various scenic spots. Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station has buses to and from Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and Grand Canyon scenic areas. In addition, the Tourism Distribution Center next to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station also has coaches to these scenic spots. Furthermore, there are also shuttle buses between various scenic spots for a convenient tour of Zhangjiajie.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie - Wulingyuan or Downtown Area
There are mainly two accommodation options for a trip to Zhangjiajie: one is to stay in Wulingyuan (near Zhangjiajie National Forest Park), and the other is to stay in the downtown area (Yongding District).
More specifically, staying in Wulingyuan, you'll have easy access to the scenic spots. But the prices are also higher, ranging from 200 to 600 yuan. Stay near the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, so you can take the Bailong Elevator early in the morning without waiting in line.
Surely, you can also choose to stay in the downtown area, where the hotel facilities are more complete and the prices are cheaper. If you plan to explore Tianmen Mountain, a hotel near it will be the best choice.
By the way, if your stay in Zhangjiajie exceeds two days, consider varying your accommodation by staying at different hotels instead of just one.
What to Eat in Zhangjiajie (Food and Cuisine)
During your Zhangjiajie city tour, the authentic local delicacies are absolutely not to be missed. The flavors of Tujia ethnicity—spicy, fragrant, and tender—will definitely satisfy your appetite to the fullest. Tujia Sanxiaguo, a dry pot combination of meat and potatoes, is a must-try food, which is truly memorable. Also, Tujia Preserved Meat Stir-fried with Bamboo Shoots is worth trying as well. Besides, don't forget to taste the Stir-fried Ginseng Leaves, which is a special wild vegetable in Zhangjiajie.
>> Read more about Zhangjiajie food and restaurants
Plan Your Zhangjiajie Tour with ETC
Planning a flawless trip to Zhangjiajie can be challenging indeed, but if you travel with us Easy Tour China, things will become much simpler. We are a professional travel agency specializing in private China tours, with over 20 years of experience. Below are our highlighted China tours that include Zhangjiajie.
If you want to customize your Zhangjiajie itinerary, just contact us. We will provide you with a wonderful and unforgettable tour to Zhangjiajie.
