Zhangjiajie Travel Guide

  Basic information Area code: 0744 Travel complaints: 0744-8202020 Travel information Because the climate of Zhangjiajie’s scenic areas changes frequently, there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, be sure to bring cold clothes. After the rain, the […]

 

Basic information

Area code: 0744
Travel complaints: 0744-8202020

Travel information

Because the climate of Zhangjiajie’s scenic areas changes frequently, there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, be sure to bring cold clothes.

After the rain, the fog is heavy in mountain. Prepare raincoat. Try to avoid using an umbrella when climbing a hill.

Medical treatment

Zhangjiajie People’s Hospital
Address: 192 Guyong Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
Arrival method: Arrive by bus No. 2, 6, 7, 8
Tel: 0744-8222270

Destination Overview

 

Destination sketch

It comprises the district of Yongding, Wulingyuan and counties of Cili and Sangzhi. Within it is located Wulingyuan Scenic Area which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 as well as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.

Local life

There are many Miao people in Zhangjiajie. They believe that everything in nature has a spirit, which incombination are mighty enough to control their lives. Every time there are disasters, they will invite a wizard to perform ceremonies designed to drive out the devil ghost. They worship their ancestors so much that memorial ceremonies are very grand. Sacrifices such as wine, meat, and glutinous rice are costly. Some also believe in Catholicism or other Christian religions.

Local Festival

 

Zhangjiajie Dragon Boat Festival

May 5th in Lunar calender

It is a commemoration to memorize the great Chinese patriotic poet, Quyuan.

Folk Culture Festival

In 2008, the June 6th folk culture festival event was listed as a city-level folklore intangible cultural heritage protection directory. Tujia rituals, tricks, lantern operas, Yang operas, waved dances, splashing water dragons, qigong and other folk performances were successively staged.

Culture

Sang Zhi folk song
The Sangzhi folk song originated from the primitive farming labor activities. The primitive, extensive, funny and humorous are its main artistic style.

Best Travel season

Every spring and autumn season is the peak season for Zhangjiajie travelling. There will be some sudden natural disasters during the summer and winter season.

Currency and Consumption

The prices of restaurants and accommodation near scenic spots are expensive.

Intercity traffic

 

Aircraft

Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, DYG
Address: Airport Road, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
Bus: Take Bus No. 4, which is the city line.
The full fare of No. 4 bus is RMB 1. The operating time is from 6:00 to 19:00.
Airport bus: The airport bus rides at the gate of the domestic arrival hall; the airport bus rides at the airport hotel at No. 1 Daqiao Road, and the fare is 5 yuan.
Taxi: The cost depends on the destination. In the daytime, it is about 15 to 25 yuan, and about 30 yuan at night. If you want to go directly to the scenic spot, the price will be more expensive, at around 100 yuan.
Tel: 0744-8238417

Train

Zhangjiajie Station
Address: Dayong Road, Zhangjiajie City
Arrival method: Bus No. 5, No. 6, No. 9 to and from the urban area, fare 1 yuan
Tel: 0744-8516883

Long distance bus

Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station
Address: Guanli Road, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province (next to Zhangjiajie Railway Station)
Arrival method: Bus No. 5, No. 6, No. 9 to and from the urban area, fare 1 yuan
Tel: 0744-8305599

Bus

Zhangjiajie is not big enough, and buses can basically cover the places you want to go.

Taxi

The starting price of taxis in Zhangjiajie is 3 yuan. After the fuel surcharge of 0.5 yuan and 1.6 kilometers, it is 1.6 yuan per kilometer; after 10 kilometers, it is 3.2 yuan per kilometer.

Attractions

 

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area , lying to the north of Zhangjiajie City, is a charming tourist attraction. It is one of the 40 famous scenic spots in China. It is said to be ‘The ampliative miniascape and the contractible fairyland’ and was admitted to the ‘World Heritage List’ in 1992.
The Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area boasts of natural beauty where mountains, valleys, forests, caves, lakes and waterfalls exist in total harmony. Over 560 attraction sights can be found here. The strangely-shaped peaks, the absurd stones, the hidden valleys, the wonderful waters and the limestone caves form the ‘Five Wonders’ of Wulingyuan and they are really worth seeing.
Covering an area of 690 square kilometers (266 square miles), Wulingyuan Scenic Area consists of four parts- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and the newly added Yangjiajie Scenic Area.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first state-level forest park in China. Over ninety-seven percent of the park is covered with varieties of trees and other valuable plants. The park is a real treasure house. The Lobster Flower (Long Xia Flower), a sort of flower that can change color five times in a day, is unique in the park. The views in this area include the Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Fort and Yuanjiajie. The Golden Whip Stream is a poetic stream, with crystal clear water running quietly between strangely-shaped peaks. The Huangshi Fort and Yuanjiajie are both classic spots that can not be missed in the park.

Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai)

Yellow Stone Stronghold, also known as Yellow Stone Village or Huangshizhai, Yaozizhai is located west of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is named after a story whereby Huang Shi saved Zhang Liang from misfortune when the latter isolated himself from society in this forest.
Scenic Area Transportation: Huangshizhai Cableway, 118 yuan for one way, 65 yuan for one way

Southern sky colum

The director and production designers of Avatar were inspired by the photos of Southern Sky Column and then designed Na’vi people’s home Hallelujah Mountain in the film.

Yuanjiajie

The northern part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the essential tourist route. Yuanjiajie is a natural platform that faces giant rocks rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. Unique in their shapes and covered with pine trees, these rocks resemble a vivid Chinese painting.

The first bridge of the world

The first bridge of the world is the greatest scenery in Yuanjiajie, also is a landmark of Yuanjiajie. It is a nature stone bridge between two mountains,
It is two meters wide and four meters thick, with a span of more than twenty meters and a height of more than three hundred meters. It is the highest natural stone bridge discovered in the world.

Bailong Ladder

Bailong Ladder, vertical height difference of 335 meters, operating height of 326 meters. The construction of Bailong Ladder makes Yuan Jiajie, the first bridge of the world, Tianxuan Bailian and Oolongzhai, Yangjiajie and other peerless scenery have convenient transportation, it integrates Tianzishan, Yuanjiajie and Golden whip stream attractions to solve the traffic problems. One-way fare for Bailong Ladder is 72 yuan.

Golden Whip Stream

Sceneries along the Golden Whip Stream are most enchanting in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Named after the Golden Whip Rock that it flows by, this stream, 5.7 kilometers long (3.5 miles), joins the Lute stream in the west and Suoxi Stream in the east. A 300-meter (984 feet) walk from the gate of the park will lead you to the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream. Flanked by ridges and peaks, the crystal clear water makes it possible to observe every action of the fish in the water. Wild flowers are in abundance here.

Camel Peak

There are several peaks inline under the Golden Whip Stream, the shape looks like camel waliking down from the mountain.

Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve

The Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve is situated in the northeast section of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province. Suoxi Valley, or Suoxiyu in Chinese, means a “foggy mountain village”in the local Tujia language, and refers to the distictive climatic feature of the scenic area. Additionally, China’s largest karst cave is located here as well as a lake among the narrow gorges, and the rolling mountains of different shapes.

Yellow Dragon Cave

Yellow Dragon Cave is praised as the “All-round Champion Karst Cave in the World”. With an area of about 10 hectares, a length of about 4.7 miles (7.5 kilometers) and a vertical height of about 460 feet (140 meters), it is the largest karst cave in China. Inside are various kinds of stalactites, stalagmites, and stone columns. The best-known site in the cave is the Dragon Palace, which consists of many unusual stones such as the Magic Cudgel. It is the tallest stone pillar in the cave and is more than 200,000 years old.
Address: Zhangqing Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City
Arrival method: Take a shuttle bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station in the downtown area, then transfer to No. 1 bus to the scenic spot: 100 yuan
Tel: 0744-5618489
Www.hnhld.com

West Sea

Located in the western section of the Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, West Sea actually is a basin-like gorge with a sea of peaks, trees and clouds. There are thousands of peaks standing in the deep canyon, covered by dense vegetation, looking like a green sea. Every time after it rains, the floating clouds resemble waves on the sea, showing visitors a splendid wonderland.

Baofeng Lake

Surrounded by steep peaks, Baofeng Lake is the only water site in the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie. The scenic spot contains two major parts: Boafeng Lake and Yingwo Village. Visitors may take a boat to enjoy the clear lake reflecting the nearby mountains or admire the ancient temples in Yingwo Village. Moreover, there is a Folk Song Festival held here every April, where young lovers sing folk songs to express their love for each other.

Ten-Mile Gallery

Ten-Mile Gallery is a strip gorge located in the northwest part of Suoxi Valley. On both sides of the gorge, many peaks rise in various shapes, looking like “statues” carved by nature. The best-known peak is “Old Gatherer of Herbs”. It is about 300 feet (91 meters) tall and looks like an old man with a basket on his back gathering herbs. It is now the symbol of Ten-Mile Gallery. In addition, Couple Rocks consists of two rocks standing together. The left rock is steep and tall while the right one is gentle and short, resembling a couple whispering gently to each other.

Baizhang Gorge

The gorge is said to be an ancient battlefield. Because of the rough road, it has not been disturbed by too many visitors and the scenery is pristine and wonderful. Visitors may consider

Tianzi Mountain scenic area

Tianzi Mountain provides stunning views of peaks, which rise one after another. It is known as ‘the Monarch of the Peak Forest’. At the top of the mountain, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Beautiful scenes of the mountain greet visitors in different seasons. There are four wonders: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter.

Shentang bay (divine shrine)

Shentang Valley is also named Shentang Fort. It is a gorge shaped like a huge basin walled by lofty precipices. The bottom of the gorge is veiled in mists and clouds all day, adding to its mysteriousness. As the saying goes, the most beautiful scene is seen from the most perilous peak. There are almost no roads to Shentang Valley, only a quite dangerous flight of stairs that is as wide as a foot being available. Local people say, Every step kills one soul. In the center of the bottom lies a fathomless green pond. Looking down the pond from the mouth of the gorge, one cant help shivering. Whats peculiar is that visitors can hear sounds of gongs and drums, neighs of battle steeds and shouts of men echoing from the bottom.

Yangjiajie scenic area

It is well-known for its magnificence, steepness, comeliness and tranquility. Yangjiajie Scenic Area is divided into three major sightseeing areas, namely, Xiangzhi Stream, Qingfeng Gorge, and Hundred Monkey Valley.

Xiangzhi Stream

Xiangzhi Stream is situated in the east of Yangjiajie Scenic Area. The meandering stream shaded by tall trees, steep trails, and twittering birds make up a land of idyllic beauty. There are 35 named attractions inside the area, among which the major attractions are One Step to Heaven and Oolong Village

One Step to Heaven

It is actually a mountain peak 1,130 meters (1,230 yards) above sea level. There are 32 iron stairs leading to the mountaintop. The top is flat, with 5 meters (5 yards) long and 4 meters wide, and is enclosed with iron railing.

Oolong Village

Oolong Village is one of the most dangerous attractions of Yangjiajie Scenic Area. It was a fastness of bandits in ancient times. The village is about 300 meters (330 yards) high and surrounded by steep cliffs. Only a 1,000-meter-long (1,094 yards) path leads to the village. Besides, a number of natural barriers stand along the path.

Qingfeng Gorge

Qingfeng Gorge is located in the north of Yangjiajie Scenic Area. There is a waterfall named Longquan Waterfall at the entrance of the gorge, so it is also called Longquan Gorge. The towering stone peaks and clear streams form delightful scenery. The main attractions inside the area are Tianbo Mansion, Longquan Waterfall, and the King of Vines.

Tianbo Mansion

Tianbo Mansion is neighboring to Oolong Village. Tourists can head for Tianbo Mansion from the village through a hanging bridge between two peaks. The mansion is a good viewing platform to overlook the extremely beautiful scenery. There you can also see 10 parallel stone wall peaks standing among the green trees, like city walls.

Longquan Waterfall

Trace about 2 kilometers (1.3 miles) along the river from the gateway of the gorge and you will see a splendid waterfall, of 80 meters (87 yards) high. Standing in front of the waterfall, you will feel cool over the whole body. Looking at the bottom of the waterfall, you can get a glimpse of the swimming fishes. The ripples on the crystal river, the swaying shadows of the trees and the sunlight may give you a sense of quietness.

The King of Vines

In a stone wall with about 100 meters high grows an ancient vine. Due to the largeness and rareness of the vine, it is called the King of Vines. The tendrils in various shapes fasten themselves to cover half of the cliff. It’s surprising to see such a large area of ancient vines.
Address: Wulingyuan Scenic Spot, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
Opening hours: 6:30-18:30
Tickets: 248 yuan, valid for 4 days, The tickets for students under the age of 24 or minors is 165 yuan. The ticket is 298 yuan for adult. (off season: 136 yuan per person, student ticket is 85 yuan per person)
Tel: 0744-5611109
Www.hnzjj.com

Tianmen Mountain scenic area

 

Tianmen Mountain

It takes its name after the Tianmen Cave, a natural karst cave under the mountain. The mountain is relatively gentle, full of old trees, winding vines, mosses, stalagmites, sits upon 494 acres. The rare mountaintop scenery makes it the most beautiful sky garden world over, and a paradise. Owing to this, it became Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, a national forest park in 1992. The plank road and glass skywalks on the cliffs are worthwhile going. The mountain summit of a height of 4,982 feet (1,518 meters) is about 5 miles from the downtown Zhangjiajie.

Tianmen Cave

The principal attraction on Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Cave is a grand karst cave 431 feet high, 187 feet wide and 197 feet deep spanning under the mountain. Looking from afar, the cave looks like a way up to the heaven, hence the name, Tianmen, meaning Heavenly Door. The cave is shrouded by the year-round dense mists. Sometimes, cloaks of clouds gather at the cave’s opening, with the sun glowing through it. , forming magical scenery.

Glass Skywalk

The glass skywalk marks the Tianmen Mountain tour climax. It is most fitting for the adventurous. On sunny days, the blue sky and white clouds accompany your walk. You will be both pleased and shocked by the sensation of walking on the clouds and the drop into the void below your feet. On cloudy days, the view of the glass corridor itself is a sensation. Now there are three glass skywalks in the east, west and Panlong Cliff respectively.

Heaven-linking Avenue

Heaven-linking Avenue, also known as 99 Bending Road or Big Gate Road, is a most hazardous road. It was built in 1998 with 99 consecutive turnings, and a total length of 6.7 miles (10.77 kilometres) was the road wonder. You can watch it from the cable car. You can also get to the mountaintop by this road with the shuttle bus of Tianmen Mountain scenic area.
Address: Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
Arrival method: Take bus Nos. 10, 6, 5, and 4 in downtown Zhangjiajie and you can reach Tianmenshan cableway station. After purchasing tickets, take the cableway up the mountain to visit.
Tickets: peak season (March 1 – November 30), 258 yuan (including round-trip cableway, eco-car); off-season (December 1 – February 28), 225 yuan
Tel: 0744-8366666
Www.tianmenshan.com.cn

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

It is located to the east of the forest park, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. There is an exciting Glass Bridge in it, considered as the world’s highest and longest glass bridge now. You can have the entire Grand Canyon in sight standing on it.
Address: Sanguansi Township, Cili County, Zhangjiajie City
Arrival method: From Wulingyuan to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, take a shuttle bus to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon at Wulingyuan Bus Station, ticket RMB 10/person; from Zhangjiajie City to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, take the Zhangjiajie Bus Station to Wulingyuan Bus The station’s green car is RMB 10/person, then transfer to Wulingyuan Bus Station and take the shuttle bus to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Tickets will be RMB 10 per person and will arrive in about 30 minutes.
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 Tickets: 118 yuan
Phone: 0744-3559999
Www.zjjdxg.meirn.com

Food

Dining in beauty spot of Zhangjiajie is expensive than in Zhangjiajie inner city. From restaurants in city area, you can get all kinds of tasty Tu Minority Dishes as well as vegetables. But, in the beauty spot, you can get the food which you hardly have in down town of Zhangjiajie, such as wild Chinese gooseberry and toothsome corns, etc.

In Zhangjiajie City of Hunan Province the cuisine of the Tujia ethnic minority group has its own flavor but retains the primary characteristic of Hunan cuisine – a tantalizing sour and spicy flavor. The sautéed and pickled dishes are also very special. The characteristic dishes in Zhangjiajie include Tuannian Dish, Blooded Tofu, Sour Fish, and Gastraodia Tuber with Black-boned Chicken Soup. Local flavored snacks include She Meal, Sangzhi Salted Dried Tofu, Chinese gooseberry juice, and Juhuaxin and Jinxiang Grapefruit.

Activities

 

Drifting

Mengdong River Drifting
Located in upper Li River, the river with cliffs around is 50 kilometers long. It got fame of 50 kilometers Pictures Corridor. It is stimulated experience of drifting along the river. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and interest of drifting.
Ticket Price: CNY160+3
Opening Time: 8:00-17:00
Rafting Duration: 3 hours

local opera

The fairy fox lady show
This a love story between a fox lady and a poor man> is known as the world’s first real-scene musical drama with the high mountains and deep valleys as the stage background. The director of the show is MeishuaiYuan, who is the founder of Real-Scene performance in China.
With the whole Tianmen Mountain as a stage, you can listen to sweet singings, admire colorful lighting scene, and experience the strong folk custom of Tujia and Miao minorities when you are enjoying the show. Since this open-air drama is only performed at night, when the weather gets cold you had better bring a coat to enjoy it.
Performance time: 8:30-10:00 PM
Address: Tianmen Mountain Valley Theater.
Arrival method: Take NO.5 or 9 bus from the Tianmen Cablecar Station to the theater, 10 minutes riding.
Ticket Price: 238RMB/PAX, VIP is 588RMB/PAX and the super VIP is 888RMB/PAX.

The Charming of Xiangxi Dance Show
The Charming of Xiangxi Dance Show is a must see show when you come to Zhangjiajie, it is about the colorful local culture.
There are two performances together,one is inside the theater and another is a bonfire part outside.The shows are varied and deeply explore the mystery and unique minority life.
Performance time: 8 o’clock in the evening, sometimes 2 performances in the peak seasons.
Address: Huanjuan Road, Wulingyuan Area, near to Pullman Hotel.
Ticket Price: 238RMB/PAX, the VIP ticket is 398RMB/PAX.

Accommodation

The hotels in Zhangjiajie scatters in 3 districts: Suoxi Valley, Zhangjiajie City and National Forest Park, most hotels are in Suoxi Valley and Zhangjiajie City. Suoxi Valley is a little far away from Train Station and Airport, but the location is very convenient to different scenic spots. In Zhangjiajie City, you’d better stay in a hotel near to the center bus station. At the same time, you also can choose to stay in the family style hotels in the park,but the facilities are not as good as you expect and sometimes you cannot book the rooms in peak season.

Shopping

 

Tujia Pasting Picture

Tujia Pasting Picture is a wonderful and unique work of art made of roots, branches, barks, stones and grass.

Junsheng Sandstone Painting Gallery

Reputed to be a form of “green painting”and “environmental protection painting” in art circles, Junsheng Sandstone Painting is regarded as “the special pride of Hunan” and also of Chinese people in general. It is rated high aesthetically and prized by art collectors. In fact, it is considered the precious gift that the Hunan Provincial Government present to all guests, both at home and abroad.

Kudzu Root Powder

Zhangjiajie has rich resource of Kudzu, which is local people’s favorite food; it can be easy taken with boiled water. It has medical functions: clear irascibility, clear the heat and toxin; strengthen stomach, balance Ying and Yang.

Fern Root Powder

Fern grows in the remote area of mountaintop; it has rich elements of iron, calcium, potass and phosphor, and aminophenol. Fern has strong medical function, which can kill fat, clear the heat, and diminish inflammation, and it is especially good for diabetes and blood pressure patients. The fern grows slowly and its production is limited, so it is very dear.

Tujia Embroidery

The women of Tujia ethnic group are skillful in two very distinct kind of embroidery-one that has large pattern and the other that is small and fine. The former type, embroidered with such subjects as the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, or an official of quick promotion, or lions, tigers or birds, is normally produced for household decoration. The latter category is for much smaller items, ones of a practical nature: wallets, perfumed bags, childrens hats and womens shoes.

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