Zhangjiajie Travel Guide

Zhangjiajie Travel Guide

Zhangjiajie Map
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Zhangjiajie Facts

Chinese Name: 张家界 (zhāng jiā jiè)
Population: 1,709,100
Area: 9,653 square kilometers (3,727 square miles)
Location: in the northeast of Hunan Province, south-central China
Administrative Division: 2 districts: (Yongding, Wulingyuan); 2 counties (Cili, Sangzhi)
Area Code: 0744
Zip Code: 427000
GDP (2018): CNY 57.892 billion (USD 8.75 billion)
Nationalities: Han, Tujia, Bai, Miao

Famous for Quartzite-Sandstone Formations with Thousands of Spires

Located in the northwest of Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie with world-renowned natural scenery is a city that is born and thriving for tourism. Nearly 3,000 stone peaks erect and 800 streams wind in Wulingyuan Scenic Area. People who visit Zhangjiajie are all fascinated by Wulingyuan's unique sandstone peak forest landform and magnificent karst landscape. After Avatar which was once shot in Zhangjiajie came out, more people knew this beautiful place. One of the top things to do in Zhangjiajie is walking on the world’s tallest and longest glass bridge located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Visitors can also experience ethnic traditional customs including Tujia, Bai and Miao through visiting ethnic style scenic spots such as Tujia Ethnic Garden.

 Pictures of Zhangjiajie
 Videos of Zhangjiajie 

The city features a variety of different terrains including: mountainous regions, upland areas, plains, and Karst rock areas. Among these, the mountains cover 76 percent of the total area. The world-famous natural heritage site 'Wulingyuan Scenic Area' is located on the base of these great mountains. Areas worth visiting include Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (known as China's first national forest park), Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. The scenic area hosts many natural features including: mountains, forests, caves, lakes and waterfalls and perhaps there are more than three thousand rock ridges and eight hundred ghylls. They enjoy the reputation of 'Original Picture on Mountain and River of China'. This wonderland is covered with dense forests and is considered Mother Nature's Oxygen Bar.

One of the most interesting things to do here is the experience of drifting on the Maoyan River. The Maoyan River is the upper reach of the Li River in Yongding District. The length for drifting is 25 kilometers (about 16 miles) and the zigzags in the river offer an exhilarating ride. There are four wonders on the Maoyan River: Bangtou Spring, Jianxie (intermittent) Spring, Yan (salt) Spring and Pen Wu (spout mist) Cave. These scenic spots cover the river with a mysterious color. The most renowned scenic spot is the Shui Dongzi (water hollow) Waterfall. On the bank opposite the waterfall there are several huge rocks which provide a perfect natural observation platform. This is an ideal place for visitors to take photos.

  Top 9 Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
 More Zhangjiajie Pictures

 4 Days Zhangjiajie In-depth Tour from $599

 2 Days Private Zhangjiajie Tour from $319

Transportation here is very convenient. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport has flights to destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Nanning and Yinchuan, as well as Taipei and Busan.  Train routes extend to Guangzhou, Beijing, Zhanjiang, Changsha and Wuxi. The highways extend in all directions, and it is worthwhile to mention that a superhighway connects Changsha and the city. New roads connect the city center to a number of scenic areas, making travel by car very convenient. 

 See also about
How to get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
How to Travel from Guilin to Zhangjiajie
How to Travel from Zhangjiajie to Guilin
How to Travel between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang
Best Way to Travel between Changsha and Zhangjiajie
Chengdu to Zhangjiajie: 2 Ways to Travel
Shanghai to Zhangjiajie: 3 Ways to Travel
Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie: 4 Ways to Travel


 Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie

The history of Zhangjiajie can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. There are three main ethnic minority groups Tujia, Bai, Miao and other 29 minority groups living harmoniously with the Han Nationality. Many different folk cultures converge here and the visitor can experience the various folk-customs, clothing, decorations, dance and music. In 2006, Folk Songs of Sangzhi County, Hands-waving Dance of Tujia Ethnic Group, Maogusi Dance, and The Crafts of Tujia Brocade were all listed in the Protection Catalog of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage. The people here are all very hospitable and visitors immediately feel at home. And local snacks may become travelers' favorite.

Alley, Fenghuang Ancient Town
Fenghuang Ancient Town
Tuojiang River near Fenghuang Ancient Town
Tuojiang River
Stall selling handicrafts
Stall selling handicrafts

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- Last updated on Jun. 07, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Zhangjiajie Travel
Asked by Nana from SINGAPORE | Dec. 27, 2023 06:18Reply
Xi'an to Zhang jia jie
Hello, may i know how do i get to Zhang Jia Jie from Xi'An?
I am planning 3 days in Xi'an then 3 days in Zhang Jia Jie. Wonder if here is tour for 6 days tour for 2 places?
Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Flora | Dec. 27, 2023 19:36
00Reply


There is no direct flight or train in these days from Xi'an to Zhangjiajie. So the best way is to transfer in Changsha by high speed train. The total travel time would be about 10 hours.

As for the tour, you can contact TravelChinaGuide and they can help you with a tailor-made tour.
Asked by Radzi Saad from MALAYSIA | Sep. 19, 2020 03:44Reply
Last bus from Zhangjiajie Cenrtal bus terminal to Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Hi all,
1. Last bus to Wulingyuan Scenic area.
I will arrive at Zhangjiajie West railway station on 3rd October 16:40.
I read in some pages that bus from Zhangjiajie Central bus terminal to Wulingyuan Scenic area
operate until 17:30 and at some places mentioned that bus until 20:00. Which one is correct?
If bus operate until 20:00, I prefer to take bus directly to Wulingyuan rather than stay 1 night in
Zhangjiajie city. So next morning I can start gong to Forest Park etc.
2. I also plan to go to Grand Canyon & Glass bridge.
Is it better to stay in Wulingyuan and take a bus to Grand Canyon in early morning
and back to Wulingyuan in evening for 1 day trip?. Or better take hotel at Grand Canyon area?
Seems like Wulingyuan is more convenient place to stay (many hotels, restaurants etc)
3. Share Bicycle
In Wulingyuan Scenic Area, is it have a share bicycle (Meituan, Apple, Hello etc) in ?

Thank you.
Answers (2)
Answered by Christian | Sep. 23, 2020 23:21
00Reply


1. As I know, the last bus schedule is at 19:30 or 20:00. But I didn't find the exact information.
2. It will be ok for you to stay at Wulingyuan after touring around Grand Canyon.
3. I remember that there is no share bicycle inside the scenic area.
Answered by Radzi Saad | Sep. 23, 2020 23:45
00Reply


Thank you, Christian. Appreciated it
Asked by Mildred from U.S.A | Jan. 07, 2020 21:26Reply
Please help me how to get to Zhangijiajie from Beijing air port.
Hello how would I go to Zhangjiajie from Beijing. I have 15 days in China and I wanted to visit Hungshan, Guilin, Kunming. How will I go around to these places I wanted to see.
Answers (1)
Answered by Danny from THAILAND | Jan. 08, 2020 18:05
00Reply


It takes around 24-26 hours by train from Beijing to Zhangjaijie. So you are suggested to take airplane to there. What is your specific itinerary? Then I can find available transportation method for you.
Asked by Edith from SINGAPORE | Nov. 19, 2019 23:45Reply
Getting around in Zhangjiajie
Hi, is it easy to visit the different attractions in zhangjiajie with a didi?
Answers (1)
Answered by Betty from USA | Nov. 20, 2019 23:41
00Reply


No, instead of that, you can take the tourist buses inside the scenic area.
Asked by Vee Chian from MALAYSIA | Nov. 11, 2019 08:48Reply
Mt Tianmen National Park - Cable Car
I have booked my tickets in advance to visit Mt Tianmen on 22 November. Read that the cable car to Mt Tianmen summit is closed for maintenance the whole of November. Such a disappointment for my first visit. Does this mean the journey up by coach will take a longer time to reach ? Will the escalator also be closed ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Gina from CANADA | Nov. 13, 2019 18:40
00Reply


It takes 25-30 minutes by coach and it is the only way you can go up the mountain and go down.
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