Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has been described differently, such as, majestic, eccentric, tranquil, delicate and wild. The park features grotesque peaks, lucid brooks, abundant fauna and floras and hospitable climate. There are six main attraction spots and over 90 smaller ones in the park to date.
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| Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Map |
Where is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
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What to See in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
The park is endowed with many attraction spots, such as the Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai, Yuanjiajie and the Golden Whip Stream.
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.
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| Golden Whip Stream |
Occupying an area of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, this stronghold is the largest observing spot of the forest park. One cannot claim to have completed a Zhangjiajie National Forest Park tour without visiting Yellow Stone Stronghold. The main attraction spots include Tranquil Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak, the Southern Gate to Heaven, Five-Finger Peak and so on.
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.
On the way, girls from Tujia will present visitors traditional folk songs when requested. The main attraction spots here include: the Welcoming Guests Rock, Golden Whip Rock, Reunion Rock and the Purple Grass Pond.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.
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| Yuanjiajie |
Main attraction spots include: Back Garden, breath taking Mihun Stage, the First Bridge under the Sun and Avatar Hallelujah Mountain (previously called Southern Sky Column). 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. In January of 2010, the Southern Sky Column was renamed to its current name.
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.
Climate
It belongs to the sub-tropical climate of Central Asia. Splendid mountains and luxuriant trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and cool in summer. The average temperature is 13
C (55F), the highest 17C (62F ) while the lowest is 10C (50F) on average in winter. The charm of the park varies with the alternation of seasons; therefore, it attracts visitors all year round. Besides its pleasant climate, the environment and air quality also provide visitors a chance to breathe healthy air which is believed to be rich in negative oxygen. It is also believed that hypertension patient may have their blood pressure lowered if they stay in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a period of time. This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88% lower and the air 10% mistier than outside.
Foliage
About 98% of the area is covered with vegetation. There are 720 species of the 102 families, including all the five most important floras, namely, the rose family, pulse family, grass family, composite family and orchid family. Some of these trees are rare and regarded as national treasure. For example, the Dove tree, known as living fossil, can be traced back as early as the Fourth Ice Age. The great variety of plants in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park takes up 82% of all the flora families in Hunan Province.
Animals
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park also boasts a variety of animals. Exuberant forests offer them ideal habitats to live in and procreate their own species. There are more than 149 kinds of chordate animals inhabitants in this park. Among them, 28 kinds are under national protection, amongst which, are the Golden Pheasant, Rhesus Monkey, Giant Salamander and Musk Deer. Visitors will be able to hear birds singing and see monkeys playing in the tree.
Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (near Zhangjiajie Railway Station) has regular tourist buses to Wulingyuan every a few minutes and the bus journey takes about 40 minutes. Bus fare is around CNY 12.
Where to stay in Zhangjiajie National Park
There are hotels and inns in the park and near the Wulingyuan Entrance, most of which do not provide toiletries. A standard double-bed room costs CNY 300 or so. Suoxi Shanju Light Luxury Resort Hotel is a good recommendation.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Fee
| Entrance Fee | March to November: CNY 225 for adults and CNY 160 for children between 1.3 - 1.5 meters (4.3 - 4.9 feet) December to February: CNY 115 for adults and CNY 85 for children between 1.3 - 1.5 meters Free entry for children below 1.3 meters but they need to pay CNY 65 for the battery car. 1. With the validity of three consecutive days from March to November and four consecutive days from December to next February, the admission fee includes Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area and the battery car. 2. Tourists can pay CNY 3 to buy the insurance. |
| Ticket prices for other attractions: King Dragon Cave: CNY 65 Baofeng Lake: CNY 96 Yellow Dragon Cave: CNY 100 West Hunan Folk Custom Performance: CNY 228/ 268/ 308 |
Fees for elevator, cable car and tourist train
| Items | Fees |
| Bailong Sightseeing Elevator (Single Trip) | CNY 72; CNY 43 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m. |
| Yellow Stone Village Cable Car | Single Trip: CNY 65; CNY 40 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m. Round Trip: CNY 118; CNY 70 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m. |
| Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (Single Trip) | CNY 72; CNY 43 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m. |
| Yangjiajie Cable Car (Single Trip) | CNY 76; CNY 46 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m. |
| Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train (Single Trip) | CNY 38; CNY 24 for children between 1.2 (3.9 ft) and 1.5m. |
Further ReadingTop 9 Things to Do in Zhangjiajie15 Most Beautiful Places in China
Top 10 China Tourist Attractions List
15 Spectacular Natural Wonders of China
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