Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan

 Wulingyuan Scenic Area
 Zhangjiajie Scenic Spot
 Feng Huang Cheng (Phoenix Town)
 Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve

Due to its position between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Dongting Lake, Zhangjiajie boasts of strange-shaped peaks and rocks, the hidden valleys, the wandering waters and the limestone caves. It needs some planning to create an itinerary that includes all the charming scenic spots so that you will not miss any beautiful scenery in Zhangjiajie. Mainly all the featured scenic spots centralize in the north part of Zhangjiajie City - Wulingyuan Scenic Area which became China's first National Forest Park in 1983. The park is located in Hunan Province about 265 kilometers (about 165 miles) northwest of Changsha. The area is comprised of three major parklands-Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve and Tianzi (Son of Heaven) Mountain Nature Reserve. Additionally, Tianmen Mountain just south of Zhangjiajie City is another 'must see' scenic area. Visitors should allow for plenty of time at each scenic area and a typical itinerary would include the following sequence:

Day 01:

Zhangjiajie Scenic Spot
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the southwest part of Wulingyuan and boasts pavilions, bridges, caves, lakes and waterfalls. Two of the most prominent scenic attractions are Golden Whip Stream and Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshi Zhai).Golden Whip Stream is about 7.5 kilometers (about 4.7 miles) long and is known for its pristine waters, steep cliffs and green mountains. Scenic highlights include Golden Whip Rock, Zicao Pond and Chonghuan Tree. Yellow Stone Stronghold rises about 800 meters (about 0.5 miles) above the ground and is characterized by overhanging cliffs and jagged rocks. Visitors will encounter unusual and beautiful sights such as Fir Forest Path, Heavenly Book and Precious Box, A Pillar Piercing the Southern Sky and Pick Star Platform. The best way to get to the top of the stronghold is by cable car. A one-way trip costs CNY48.
Getting there: Take the shuttle bus at Zhangjiajie long-distance bus station to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The fare is CNY8.

Suoxiyu Nature Reserve

Phoenix Town

Suoxiyu Nature Reserve is adjacent to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and has many well-known places of interest. Among these are the stunning Bao Feng Gorges featuring the so-called 'Four Wonders' - Bao Feng Lake, Bao Feng Waterefall, Yingwo Stronghold and A Gleam of Sky. You can take a boat ride on the lake for about CNY62. Another popular destination is the Yellow Dragon Cave. This is actually a system of limestone caves that includes an underground stream, a waterfall, ninety-six passageways and thousands of stalagmites and stalactites.
Getting there: Since the above two scenic areas are very close, you can visit them within one day. There are shuttle buses from the Zhangjiajie National Park to Suoxiyu Nature Reserve. Tour guides can show you where to take the bus.

Day 02:

Tianzi (Son of Heaven) Mountain Nature Reserve
Located in the northern part of Wulingyuan, Tianzi Mountain rises 1,262 meters (about 0.8 miles) above sea level. The most popular tourist routes here are Yellow Dragon Spring>, Teaboard Tower, Lao Wu Chang, Feng Qi Mountain and Shi Jia Yan. You can take a cable car to see these charming sights. A one-way cable car trip costs CNY 52.
Getting there: You can catch the special shuttle bus at Suoxiyu Nature Reserve to go to the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.

There are four entrances to the Wullingyuan Scenic Area: east gate (Wulingyuan ticket office is five kilometers (about 3 miles) from Suoxiyu County); west gate (Yangjiajie Ticket Office); south gate (Zhangjiajie Ticket Office is fifty kilometers (about 31 miles) from the city center) and north gate (Tianzi Mountain ticket office). In order to protect the natural environment, tourists can take environmentally friendly buses in some parts of the Scenic Area. The fares for these buses are included in the general ticket price of CNY248. The ticket is valid for two days and includes admittance to the entire park except for Bao Feng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave. Because of its central location, the Hostels in Suoxiyu Nature Reserve are our accommodation recommendation. You can conveniently reach most of the Wulingyuan's scenic destinations from these hostels. There are many other places to stay in different locations as well.

Day 03:

Tianmen (Heavenly Door) Mountain Scenic Area

Tuojiang River flows through Phoenix Town

Located just eight kilometers (about five miles) south of Zhangjiajie Village, Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area has been designated as the second national forest park in Zhangjiajie. Rising nearly 1,520 meters (about 4,987 feet), Tianmen is the highest peak in Zhangjiajie and is regarded as the 'soul' of Zhangjiajie. There are many graceful trees, karst hillocks and medicinal herbs and plants on the mountain. Tianmen also has its 'four wonders' - Tianmen Mountain Cableway, Tongtian Dadao (Avenue Leading to the Sky), Tianmen Cave and Bonsai Garden on Air. In addition, tourists can visit cultural scenic spots such as the Tianmen Mountain Temple and the Lingquan (Spring of Spiritualism) Temple.
Getting there: Take the bus No.5 in the city center and get off at Nanzhuangpin Station and then walk there.

If you have more time to stay in Zhangjiajie, there are other places you may want to visit. Two popular destinations are the TuJia Folk Customs Park and the Puguang Buddhist Temple. You can take bus No. 5 in the city center to reach TuJia and the admission fee is CNY40. Bus No.1 and 7 can take you direct to Puguang from the railway station and the admission fee is CNY20. Another scenic spot you might enjoy is the Feng Huang Cheng (Phoenix Town) located some 210 kilometers (about 130 miles) west of Zhangjiajie Village. Here you can experience that Chinese minorities lead a life of primitive simplicity unaffected by the ways of modern development. Finally, the newly opened Yangjiajie Scenic Area located in the northwest section of Wulingyuan is worthy for a visit.