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Zhangjiajie Attractions - Things to Do

In recent years, Zhangjiajie attracts more and more overseas visitors with its unique karst landforms which cannot be seen anywhere else on the earth, like strange-shaped peaks and rocks, hidden valleys, wandering waters and limestone caves. The Hallelujah Mountain in the film Avatar is enlightened by one peak in Zhangjiajie.

Also, Zhangjiajie owns several world’s No.1s: the fastest and highest outdoor sightseeing elevator - Bailong Elevator, the longest passenger cable way - Tianmen Mountain Cable Way, and the highest and longest glass bridge - Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge.

When coming to Zhangjiajie, how to choose among the various attractions? Read on to pick up your favorites.

Zhangjiajie Attraction Map

Top 5 Zhangjiajie Attractions

1Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Highlights:

Also called Wulingyuan, it’s the No.1 Attraction in Zhangjiajie and ranks on the UNESCO World Heritage List
This 48 square-kilometer-large (18.5 sq.mi) Park gathers various landforms: mountains, peak forests, forests, streams, lakes, underground caves, etc.
You can engage in various outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and boating in the park.

2Tianmen Mountain

Highlights:

Tianmen Cave in Tianmen Mountain is one of the most representative attractions in Zhangjiajie. When sun rays shine through the huge natural cave, it is like the entrance to heaven in mythology.
Here, you can take one of the world’s largest cable cars to reach Tianmen Mountain summit directly from Zhangjiajie downtown.
Various thrilling programs are for you to try like climbing the steep 999 staircases and walking on the glass walkway built on cliffs.

3Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

Highlights:

Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge built above Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a must-visit place for adventure lovers. The Bridge is 300 meters (985 feet) high above the valley and mainly made of transparent glass. Walking on it really tests your courage.
The scenery in the Grand Canyon is breathtaking. The green mountains on both sides form a narrow canyon, between which lies a clear lake. Boating on it, you would certainly marvel at its beauty.

4Bailong Elevator

Highlights:

Bailong Elevator is world’s highest outdoor sightseeing elevator.
It can take you from mountain foot to summit, reaching the height of over 300 meters (985 feet), in less than 2 minutes.
While taking the Elevator, you can clearly appreciate the peak forests around through the transparent glass wall.

5Golden Whip Stream

Highlights:

It is a 7.5-km-long (4.5 mi) stream flowing in the forest of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Known for its pristine waters, steep cliffs, and green mountains, Golden Whip Stream got the name - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and it attracts many people to hike along it.
In summer, the cool environment around Golden Whip Stream makes it a good summer resort.

Recommended Tours

2 Days Mini Group Zhangjiajie Tour from $109

3 Days Best Private Tour of Zhangjiajie from $399

6 Days Private Guilin and Zhangjiajie Tour from $879

11 Days Small Group Tour including Zhangjiajie from $2069

Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie

Apart from the top attractions to see, Zhangjiajie has many top things to do, including taking a photo with Yuanjiajie's Hallelujah Mountain, visiting Tianzi Mountain and Huangshizhai to see the most classic Zhangjiajie peak forest, and hiking along the Ten Miles Gallery to appreciate the various shapes of rocks.

At night, Zhangjiajie still has much to offer. You can go to 72 Strange Buildings to admire the illuminated stilted house and taste delicious and cheap food, and watch the Tianmen Fox Fairy Show adapted from local mythology.

Tianmen Fox Fairy Show

More Attractions in and around Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie also has some beautiful scenic spots that are not too populated, such as Yangjiajie, Sky Garden, Suoxi Valley, and Seven Star Mountain. There, you can still enjoy the magnificent peak forest landscape of Zhangjiajie, but due to much fewer tourists in these attractions, you can enjoy a quieter trip. Meanwhile, in Seven Star Mountain, you can try the thrilling high-altitude climbing activity. In addition, don’t miss Yellow Dragon Cave, a beautiful tourist cave where thousands of stone columns, stone bamboos, and underground waterfalls are breathtaking, and Baofeng Lake where rocks of various shapes and towering mountains stand.

Last, within 1 hour's train journey from Zhangjiajie City, there are two ethnic minority ancient towns: Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Town. The 2 towns are full of ethnic minority atmosphere: rows of Miao ethnic group stilt houses by the riverside; both locals and tourists in traditional local clothes; spicy but delicious local snacks. They are even more beautiful at night when colorful lights on the traditional houses are shining.