How to Get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie is the nearest city to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which can be reached by air, bullet train, or coach. Within the city, tourist buses and taxis conveniently take tourists to the national park.
  The direct high speed trains to Zhangjiajie city cover both major cities in China like Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and some nearby destinations including Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Ancient Town. Even if there is no direct train heading to Zhangjiajie in your city, you can flexibly transfer in its nearby cities, such as Changsha, Huaihua, and Jishou.

With multiple daily departures and moderate prices, it is the preferred choice for most tourists. To note that all the bullet trains stop at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station.

 High Speed Train Schedule to Zhangjiajie

From	Daily Departures	Duration	Ticket Fare for 2nd Class Seat (CNY)
Changsha	Over 50 departures at 6:05 – 21:10	2 – 3.5h	135 - 310
Hong Kong	1 departure at 8:07	6.5h	769
Beijing	1 departure at 10:23	12h	965
Guangzhou	13 departures at 7:27 – 16:00	5.5 – 6.5h	509 - 647
Shanghai	4 departures at 7:04 – 13:05	7.5 – 9h	745 - 819
Xi’an	1 departure at 8:02	9.5h	683
Chengdu	7 departures at 8:00 – 17:13	4 – 5.5h	392 - 416
Shenzhen	4 departures at 6:47 – 14:21	6 – 7.5h	628.5 – 709.5
Chongqing	Over 30 departures at 7:02 – 19:08	2 – 4h	197 - 267
Guilin	1 departure at 9:29, additional departure at 14:38 on Friday to Sunday	7 – 7.5h	342 – 344.5
Fenghuang Ancient Town	Over 20 departures at 11:29 – 21:04	1h	93
Furong Ancient Town	13 departures at 12:05 – 22:00	23 – 24min	28 - 40
Huaihua	Nearly 30 departures at 7:30 – 21:48	1.5h	75 - 136

See more Zhangjiajie Train Schedule

Reach Zhangjiajie by Bullet Train

In addition, overnight normal trains depart from Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, stopping at Zhangjiajie Railway Station. They help to save one-night hotel fees and thus become ideal options for budget-sensitive travelers. With a long duration on board, those who enjoy slow-paced journeys with ample time can also choose.

 Overnight normal speed Train Schedule to Zhangjiajie

From	Daily Departure - Arrival	Ticket Fare for Hard Sleeper (CNY)
Beijing	11:14 – 5:20+ 13:29 – 12:51+	351 - 388
Guangzhou	20:57 – 10:16+	318.5
Shanghai	16:30 – 11:58+	331.5
Zhanjiang	17:05 – 10:48+	261.5

Note: “+” means the train arrives in the morning of the next day.

Take a Normal Train to Zhangjiajie

 It’s the most time-efficient but the most expensive option, recommended for tourists seeking travel efficiency and those coming from distant domestic cities. International routes are also operational, serving between Zhangjiajie and Seoul, Busan, etc. You will land in Hehua International Airport, the only airport in Zhangjiajie.

 Flight schedule to Zhangjiajie

From	Frequency	Time needed	Ticket Fare (CNY)
Beijing	1 - 2 flights a day	2.5h	800 – 1,200
Shanghai	1 – 2 flights a day	2.5h	700 – 1,500
Xi’an	2 flights every day from the end of March to October	1.5h	600 - 800
Seoul	1 – 2 flights every Tuesday/Saturday	3.5 - 4h	From 1,200
Busan	1 – 2 flights every Tuesday/Saturday	3.5 – 4h	From 1,300

Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport

 If you are conducting an in-depth tour in nearby cities around Zhangjiajie, like Changsha, Changde, Jishou, Yichang, etc., and the high speed train timetables do not meet your needs, long-distance bus can be a choice. They arrive at Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station or the Front Square of Zhangjiajie Railway Station.

 Long-distance coach schedule to Zhangjiajie

From	Daily Departure Time	Departure Station	Duration
Changsha	7:00 – 17:30 every 0.5 – 1h	Changsha South Railway Station	4h
Changde	10:30, 11:10, 13:20	Changde Bus Terminal Station	2.5h
Yichang	9:30	Yichang Passenger Transport Center	6h

Long-distance Coach to Zhangjiajie

 The high speed railway station, airport, and bus station are all located in the urban area, while the forest park is in Wulingyuan District, about 32 - 37 kilometers (19.9 – 23 miles) away from the city center, which takes about 45 - 60 minutes by car. Besides, among the 5 entrances of the park, the East and South Gates are the most commonly used, located 18.5 km (11.5 mi) apart. It means that you need to first decide which entrance to go to and then choose an appropriate mode of transportation based on your schedule.

East Gate of Zhangjiajie Forest Park

South Gate of Zhangjiajie Forest Park

 Zhangjiajie West, about 21 km (13 mi) from National Forest Park, is the nearest railway station to the scenic spot. 

 To East Gate: 
a. First, take a bus from the Tourism Distribution Center of the railway station to reach Wulingyuan Bus Station in about 40 minutes at CNY 13. It serves between 7:30 - 16:30 every 30 minutes. After getting off the bus, walk for 15 minutes to the East Gate.
b. It’s also easy to catch a taxi, which costs CNY 60 – 70 to the East Gate and takes around 30 minutes.

 To South Gate: 
a. Direct bus departs from the Tourism Distribution Center with an interval of 40 minutes. Cost: CNY 12; Duration: 30 minutes.
b. If by taxi, CNY 50 – 60 is required for a 20-minute trip.
 Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station, as a main hub, is the origin station for major tourist bus lines in the city, and Zhangjiajie Railway Station, which operates normal speed trains, is 680 meters (744 yards) away. The two spots are 40 km (25 mi) from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

 To East Gate: 
a. Get to Wulingyuan Bus Station first by tourist bus in 40 minutes at a cost of CNY 13, which runs between 6:00 - 18:30 with an interval of 5 – 10 minutes. Then, to reach the East Gate, you still need to walk 15 minutes.
b. Taxi: 50 minutes; CNY 90 - 100

 To South Gate: 
a. Non-stop tourist buses are in service at 6:30 - 17:00 every 30 minutes. You need to spend CNY 12 for a bus ticket and 35 minutes on board.
b. The one-way trip from Zhangjiajie Bus Station to South Gate by taxi takes 35 minutes/ CNY 70 – 80.
  City bus + Coach
Arrive at Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station in 1 hour by city bus No. 4. Then follow the same routes from the Central Bus Station to the East or South Gate.

 Taxi
It takes around 40 minutes to get to the East Gate at CNY 90 – 100, and 35 minutes to the South Gate at CNY 70 – 80.
 Just reverse the above routes to get to the downtown area.

Go to Zhangjiajie West by Taxi

City Bus in Service

 For tourists planning a multi-day trip and staying overnight near East Gate in Wulingyuan, if you exit from the South Gate after visiting, get on the tourist bus at the parking lot to reach the East Gate area, which takes around 20 minutes on the way and costs CNY 8. The bus serves before 18:00 with an interval of 30 minutes. 

If you are tired out after a fulfilling trip, hail a taxi directly. About CNY 50 – 60 is required.

 Read More:
Top FAQs about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
How to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Top things to do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park