1. Is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park worth visiting?
Yes, without a doubt it is. With rare quartz sandstone formations worldwide, the park is listed as a World Natural Heritage Site. The famous movie Avatar has ten filming locations here, among which the Heaven Pillar, as the prototype of the Floating Mountain, attracts numerous tourists.
In the mountain top area, you can overlook spectacular peak forests, towering sandstone pillars, and unique sandstone walls up close, while at the foot of the mountains, it’s a nice option to look up at the diverse peaks while strolling through the valleys with streams and lush vegetation. Bailong Elevator, which climbs 5 meters (5.5 yards) in 1 second, offers a unique perspective to appreciate the enchanting natural views. If feeling tired, you might as well take a cable car to shuttle through the mountains, as if you were flying into the realistic “Avatar World”.
See more: Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
 | | Enchanting Terrace of Yuanjiajie | |  | | Peak Forests of Tianzi Mountain | |
2. What is the nearest city to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
It’s Zhangjiajie city, linked to major cities in China like Hong Kong, Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, Shanghai, etc., by bullet trains and flights. Some international flights from Seoul, Busan, and more can also take foreign visitors to Zhangjiajie easily.
More transportation information: How to Get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
3. How much time do you need in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park？
An essence tour along the classic circle line in the mountain top area can be completed in one day, but if you want to explore in depth, 2 - 3 days would be better, as there are over 90 scattered attractions in total. The entrance ticket is valid for 4 consecutive days, allowing visitors to plan your time with more flexibility.
Know more: How to Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
4. Can you visit on your own? Independent Tour vs Guided Tour
Yes, but it will take you a lot of time, both before and during the trip. In the face of a large area of 4,810 hectares, domestic tourists may get lost, let alone foreign visitors, for whom language can be a barrier. You have to plan your route carefully ahead in case of missing essential spots or confusing their names like
Yuanjiajie/
Yangjiajie and
Tianzi Mountain/
Tianmen Mountain. What’s more, eco-buses, cable cars, and the elevator jointly form a complex transportation network based on diverse terrain, making it not uncommon to go in the wrong direction when visiting around.
For tourists with a sufficient budget, it would be better to join a guided tour. In this case, you don’t need to worry about any issues with the visit, such as booking tickets, choosing highlight scenic areas, or finding directions, all of which will be handled by your local guide, and can thus enjoy a totally relaxing trip. TCG offers both
private packages and mini group tours of Zhangjiajie.
5. Is there a lot of walking at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park？
Yes, everyone needs to hike 20,000 steps on average in one day.
The observation platforms in core scenic areas are connected by trails, whose length ranges from a few hundred meters (a few hundred yards) to 1 - 2 kilometers (0.6 – 1.2 miles). Visitors walk along them to visit around. Besides, you need to walk to the eco-bus stations and get on and off the bus multiple times to shuttle between major areas.
But don’t worry, the paths are all well-maintained, not bringing much pressure on your feet. To get up and down the mountains, just use cableways and the elevator instead of hiking to save energy; in this way, it’s not likely that you will feel excessively tired after a day trip.
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| Mountain Road in Yuanjiajie |
6. Is it difficult to visit with seniors or children?
No, with the help of eco-buses, cableways, and the elevator, seniors and children can enjoy a wonderful trip in the park. Accessible passages lead to major areas, and shuttle buses also have designated space for wheelchairs. Cable car cabins can be connected to the ground by pedals, allowing even wheelchair users to conveniently enter.
The only thing to note is that tourists with children should pay particular attention to the large gaps in the guardrails on mountaintop viewing platforms, which children can easily get through. Below are cliffs, so it is necessary to always keep your children close.
 | | Pedal Connects Ground and Cabin | |  | | Mind the Gap when Travelling with Children | |
7. Is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park suitable for hiking?
Yes, it’s considered a hiking resort. Footpaths without crowds wind through the park, offering hikers a chance to enjoy quiet time while climbing up and down the mountains. Other than hot sightseeing areas, hiking enthusiasts can also conduct an in-depth trip in less popular areas, where there are more primitive sandstone peaks, but steep and narrow roads can be a little bit challenging. At the same time, improved supporting facilities ensure a worry-free hiking tour. Shuttle bus reduces repeated long-distance walking, and rest areas are densely set, making it convenient to take a break.
However, a lot of physical strength is required to trek in the massive park. You walk at least 35,000 steps for a one-day thorough hiking trip.
 | | Golden Whip Stream Footpath | |  | | Take a Sightseeing Train to Save Energy | |
8. What is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
April to May and September to October, with a comfortable climate, are ideal times to conduct a trip in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Temperatures vary between 15 - 25℃ (59 – 77℉), and diverse scenery is clearly visible.
Visitors with a limited budget and those who prefer quiet during outings might as well consider off-season December to February, when you can keep away from crowds. If lucky, you will encounter precious snow scenery. Just mind that the temperature is not high: the coldest January days are between only 5 - 10℃ (41 – 50℉).
FYI: Zhangjiajie Monthly Weather
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| Autumn Scenery of the Park |
9. How busy is it there? Time to avoid
It changes with time. As a hot destination in China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has seen more and more visitors in recent years. During December to March, except for Chinese New Year, the park remains quiet without many tourists, while from April to November, it becomes lively, especially on weekends, when long queues are a common thing.
Peak season
If possible, avoid public holidays like May Day holiday and National Day holiday at the beginning of October, summer vacation from July to August, and winter holiday around Chinese New Year in January or February, when the scenic area is crowded with visitors. The waiting time for Bailong Elevator and cable cars inside the park greatly extends. What’s more, train tickets sell out within seconds after release, and hotel fees increase dramatically.
 | | Queue up for Boarding Eco-bus | |  | | Crowds on Viewing Platform | |
Peak hours within a day
Around 8:00 – 10:00 for entering the park, and 16:00 - 18:30 for getting down the mountains
You may need:
How to Avoid Crowds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
10. Can I buy tickets on the spot?
Yes, but only workable in the slack season. In the high season, it’s highly recommended to book online early, as it’s almost impossible to get one on site. Besides, you need to make appointments for each re-entry during the valid 4 days, preferably 3 - 7 days in advance during peak season.
Specific ticket information: Entrance Ticket of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
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| Ticket Center at East Gate |
11. Is there any place to eat in the park?
Stalls selling water, coffee, local snacks, bread, and more can be found at all major eco-bus stations, and some also have Chinese food restaurants. However, the prices are normally higher, and oily and spicy local cuisine can be hard for overseas visitors to get used to. Fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and Dicos are available inside.
 | | Food Stall Selling Local Snacks | |  | | McDonald’s at Tianzi Mountain | |
12. What to pack to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
(1) Passport is a must to enter the park.
(2) Some energy drinks and chocolate, to replenish energy as needed.
(3) Insect repellent products. There are many mosquitoes active in forest areas, especially during warm seasons.
(4) Paper and soap. The park doesn’t offer in its toilets.
More about Dress Code & Packing List: What should I pack for Zhangjiajie Tour
- Last updated on Feb. 04, 2026 by Grace Yang -
