Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, as the core area of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, represents the essence of Zhangjiajie landform. It features dense sandstone pillars, among which the most famous is the prototype of Floating Mountain in Avatar, Hallelujah Mountain. Even if you only have one day left for the forest park, don’t miss out on Yuanjiajie.

Located in the center of the forest park, Yuanjiajie belongs to the mountaintop sightseeing area. It is connected to Golden Whip Stream at the foot of the mountain through Bailong Elevator and a hiking trail called Luancuan Slope, and to Yangjiajie and furtherly Tianzi Mountain by mountaintop eco-bus. Covering an area of 1,200 hectares, Yuanjiajie is short from north to south and long from east to west, with an average elevation of 1,074 meters (3,523.6 feet). The main attractions are distributed along a 3.5-km (2.2-mi) boardwalk on the cliff, allowing tourists to visit around on foot.
 It is an independent, 150 meters-high (490 feet-high) quartz sandstone column with lush vegetation on its top. Although it’s surrounded by other pillars, there is no connection between them. When clouds and mist appear after rain, the bottom is covered, with only the main body visible, as if floating in the air: that’s why director Cameron got inspiration. 

Hallelujah Mountain

 To get to Yuanjiajie, most people opt for Bailong Elevator to complete the vertical height of 335 meters (1,100 feet) in 1.5 minutes instead of hiking for more than 2 hours on the mountain footpath. In this world’s highest outdoor sightseeing elevator, you can also get a unique view of the grand scenery outside through its transparent glass when it goes up or down. 
 Also known as Mihun Stage, it is the most classic viewing platform in Yuanjiajie with a high elevation and a wide view. Standing there, one can see that hundreds of peaks are densely distributed, forming an extremely wonderful and spectacular scene. All their bodies are mostly greenish-gray, covered with some vegetation. It is said that visitors can be enchanted by different combinations of stone pillars from different perspectives, thus the platform got its name.

Enchanting Terrace

 

No.1 Bridge

Or First Bridge of the World. As a natural rocky bridge, it is the iconic attraction of Yuanjiajie. The bridge is about 2 meters (2.2 yards) wide, 5 meters (5.5 yards) thick, spanning 25 meters (27 yards) between two mountain peaks with a vertical height of 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the bridge to the bottom of the valley. Stepping on the bridge, one can overlook the deep abyss, scattered vegetation, and low stone peaks beneath, and marvel at the peculiar weathering formed by nature. When it clears up after the rain, the entire bridge is lifted by clouds and mist.
 Not as open as the Enchanting Terrace, it is a quiet viewing platform surrounded by mountain walls away from the major sightseeing line. After passing through a stone cave that looks like a round door, you come to Back Garden. Visitors stand slightly higher than the summit of the mountain; looking down, you will find a deep ravine with dozens of stone peaks inserted. The whole area is like a courtyard, with those pillars as stone bonsai, for which it’s called “natural bonsai” by the locals.

Back Garden is now inaccessible due to the collapsed footpath under maintenance.
 It takes about 2 – 3 hours to tour highlight spots along the mountaintop footpath in Yuanjiajie, and an additional hour to climb up and down the mountain.

Walk 5 minutes to the eco-bus station near Bailong Elevator tourists center after reaching the summit of Yuanjiajie in 1.5 minutes by Bailong Elevator → Eco-bus to Enchanting Terrace in 5 minutes, and appreciate fascinating pillars → Walk to visit Floating Mountain → Continue your trip to First Bridge → Get to First Bridge eco-bus station in 10 minutes

If your visit ends here, return to Enchanting Terrace station on foot with a duration of 10 minutes, and follow the way you came to go back. 

Notes:
1. The upper station of Bailong Elevator is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from the major sightseeing area. After exiting the elevator, you should locate the eco-bus station first and then take the eco-bus to the core area rather than blindly walk following the crowd, which is laborious and time-consuming.
2. You need to climb some stairs during the visit to the mountaintop, but they are not that steep, so there is no need to worry too much. 
3. The walkway between two scenic spots is often divided into two levels: upper and lower; you can choose either, as they lead to the same destination. The lower path to First Bridge from Floating Mountain is more advised, as you can see its suspension clearly.
4. Walk on the inside trails all the time, as it’s cliff outside the handrail. Meanwhile, be careful when walking on those slippery stairs splashed by the mountain spring. 
5. The gaps of the guardrails of viewing platforms are relatively large. Do not lean against them, and hold your phone firmly when taking photos. Moreover, always keep an eye on your children.
 You can continue to sightsee at Yangjiajie and Tianzi Mountain by eco-bus in 10 and 30 minutes respectively. In this case, a full day is needed. 

 Recommended Tour Routes of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with Yuanjiajie  

Yuanjiajie Map

 First, take tourist bus to reach East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the closest entrance to Yuanjiajie with the most convenient transportation. Then, ride the eco-bus to the lower station of Bailong Elevator with a duration of 25 minutes, and take the elevator to reach the mountaintop of Yuanjiajie in 88 seconds.

To note that there is also a hiking trail to ascend or descend Yuanjiajie, Luancuan Slope. However, it’s closed at present. Hikers can refer to Hiking Routes of Zhangjiajie Forest Park.

For those touring Tianzi Mountain first, the eco-bus can take you to Yuanjiajie after sightseeing.

Go to Take Eco-bus at East Gate

Bailong Elevator from a Distance

 Despite similar names, they boast different scenery and bring varied experiences. 

	Yuanjiajie	Yangjiajie
Feature of mountain view	Sandstone peak clusters	Sandstone walls
Tourist volume	Largest; busiest	Vary small; much quiet
Service	Food stalls, paid photography by drone, local costumes rental	Only a few food stalls
How to visit	On foot	Walking; climbing or bending on steep and narrow sections
Spots distribution	Concentrated along the trail	Dispersed in several areas
Walking path	Flat, some stairs	Mostly steep, a lot of stairs
Difficulty	Low	High
Time advised	2 – 3 h	4 – 5 h
Suitable for	First-time visitors, older folks, children, Avatar fans	Energetic hikers, challengers, those preferring quietness

In fact, Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie are both core areas of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, with unmissable landscapes. If you have at least one day for the park, just cover both of their highlights.

Giant Stone Pillars in Yuanjiajie

 A boardwalk connects major scenic spots, with some stone and wooden steps leading to the sightseeing platforms. 

One platform for appreciating sandstone pillars, called “Wukesong", can be reached through an accessible passage, where you can see many stone pillars. There is also a wheelchair green channel with access to the waiting area for Bailong Elevator. Besides, eco-buses also allow wheelchair bound tourists to board in advance, accompanied by one person.

Stone Stairs

Food Stalls

 Eco-buses are available at the upper station of Bailong Elevator, Enchanting Terrace, and First Bridge station. The former two on the east side are connected by eco-bus, while the last one on the west only operates eco-buses to/from Yangjiajie – Tianzi Mountain. 

First Bridge Station

 Located at First Bridge eco-bus station. It offers consultation services and indoor rest areas.
 Near the upper station of Bailong Elevator, for ticket purchase and refund.
 KFC: At the ticket center of Bailong Elevator
Dicos: At the tourist center
Chinese restaurants: At the tourist center

Dicos at Yuanjiajie Tourist Center

 Available at all eco-bus stations.
 1. How to avoid tourism congestions
As the most popular area in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie sees numerous tourists even on workdays. Especially at the Enchanting Terrace and Floating Mountain viewing platform, visitors often rush to the viewing platform to appreciate the scenery around noon. Most of the time, only others’ heads and selfie sticks can be seen when taking photos. So,
a. Arrive early or leave later. There are less tourists before 10:00 am and after 4:00 pm, when you have a chance to enjoy the entire observation deck alone.
b. If you plan a half-day Yuanjiajie tour, you might as well begin in the afternoon; in this way, you go against the tourist flow. Alternatively, you can first visit Tianzishan and Yangjiajie, and finally Yuanjiajie.

Crowd in High Season

Wild Monkey at Yuanjiajie

2. Wild monkeys are active near the observation decks at the upper station of Bailong Elevator and Enchanting Terrace. You should better not carry plastic bags or eat in front of them, in case monkeys attack.

3. Be sure to negotiate and confirm the price of photo service at viewing platforms in advance to avoid any disputes. Actually, with high visibility, it’s good to take photos with your mobile phone.

4. The Avatar-themed souvenirs are sold at a higher price at Yuanjiajie than in downtown Wulingyuan District.
 Included in the entrance ticket of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, no additional ticket or fee.

 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking
 7:00 – 17:00, same as the opening hours of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

 Read More:
Top 10 Things to Do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Top FAQs about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
How to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Facts about Hiking in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park